Smokey Tail

So. I did a bit of animation involving the Creature's Kirin form - I added a bit of a smokey trail to its tail. However in the shot that I incorporated it in, the Girl is, unfortunately, blocking the majority of the tail's action, therefore making the smokey trail barely noticeable. Thus, I am debating whether or not I should add any smokey effect to its tail.

For one, it would just require more animation in other scenes where it moves its tail. Granted, I enjoy animating the smokey effect...and it is easy for me to do...but it is certainly not a necessity.

I think for now, I'll leave out the smokey tail trails...and if I have enough time, then I'll add them later.

Here's two videos of the smokey tail trail animation. One with just the Kirin standing in the shot, and another, more complete version, where the Girl is standing closer to the camera, blocking the tail motion.


Kirin - Shot 4 - Kirin Test 1 from Kyle Cabral on Vimeo.


Kirin - Shot 4 - Kirin Test 2 from Kyle Cabral on Vimeo.

Opinions...?

What's in a Name?

Hey guys. Minor update. Just debating what I should title my thesis.

The first title that came to mind when I thought about this was "From The Heart". It sounds nice...I suppose, and does encompass some sort of meaning within my film. However, my 450 film was "To The Sun"...so...I don't really want to use it.

After discussing it with Bryan and Caitlin, I came up with the name "Hikari", which means Light in Japanese. I really like it, so I think I might stick with it. However, I won't be spelling it in Japanese characters it will just be in English. Also, after thinking it through "Hikari" could also be the name of the little Girl, considering the fact that she is currently nameless. Furthermore, I do have a lot of light in my movie...especially coming from the window, so I think it is fitting.

Opinions...?

Background Aesthetics

Hey guys, I've been working on my backgrounds and I just wanted to get an opinion regarding two different versions of the visual style that I'm working with. Here they are:

I, personally, like the first one more, but I wasn't sure if it looked too warm for the beginning of my film. I like the faded and worn out look of it, I think it adds a nice feel, especially for the beginning. It makes it seem like an old memory or something akin to an old story book feel. The second, bluer, one just looks a bit too saturated and cold...even with the addition of the textures.

Anyways just let me know what you guys think. Oh, and also let me know if the light rays are too much. Thanks.

Dragon Design

Here's some design sketches of the Creature's Dragon form at the end. I wanted to keep the same aesthetics of a long neck and flowing tail, which are present in both the Creature's Infant stage and Dog/Kirin stage. Originally, I had intended it's final form to be either a giant bird or some hulking golem, but I think the idea of it turning into a Dragon combines those two ideas well and fits the overall fantastical yet dark atmosphere I'm trying to go for. I definitely tried to make the features between the Creature's Dog/Kirin stage and its Dragon stage fairly similar, specifically with the long, regal neck and the translation of the Dog's ears into the Dragon's horns - accessories which I am personally fond of.

Nurse Design

Here's a finalized design of the Nurse. I kept her look pretty simple to make animation easier. Her full body won't ever be present in a shot anyways - she's always just shown in fragments - so I didn't think anything too complicated was necessary. Her characterization is mainly expressed through the editing and composition of the scenes that she is involved in. One issue I have with her so far is how I will color her. It will most likely be something plain and muted/desaturated, but I want to make sure that it matches the overall aesthetic of the film.

Girl Animation

Here's a bit of animation of the Girl hiding from the creature after she first encounters it. I hope the acting comes across clearly. I also have to adjust the timing on the last action of her getting up. It's a bit too even at the moment.

Rough Animation - Scene 1 Shot 24 from Kyle Cabral on Vimeo.

Creature Animation

Here's a couple animated shots of the creature. These shots are pretty rough and I still need to adjust the timing, preferably to be slower than it is right now. Also, I was wondering if the material the creature is made up of is coming across well. I'm trying to go for something viscous and gooey, although I'd also like to make it a bit more smokey. Let me know what you guys think.

Rough Animation - Scene 1 Shot 19 from Kyle Cabral on Vimeo.

Rough Animation - Scene 1 Shot 22 from Kyle Cabral on Vimeo.