P2

Planning

A)

For this project, we have decided to use a 3D, photo realistic form. We think this is much better than 2D because it is exactly as our real world is and would be the only way to make it photo realistic. We will not be using cell animation or any other technique like it because it takes an extremely long time and won’t look as high quality as we want it to. Also, techniques like using real models don’t allow for mistakes and changes whereas CGI can be altered and changed at any point. We hope to achieve a photo realistic look (meaning it looks as realistic as possible) by doing 2 things. The first is to have high quality 3D models. We will be applying a great amount of detail onto every aspect of the shots to make sure that everything is up to spec. The second is to have good lighting. The lighting can make or break a scene and by focusing on the lighting, we will be able to bring the scene to life.

There are many different animation types available, all with their advantages and disadvantages. The animation type we’re going to use is 3D Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). This allows us to make entire scenes on the computer. We will be able to change anything at any time and continue working on it until it’s perfect. We will be using this instead of models because with the technology available today, we are able to create photo realistic scenes much easier and cheaper. Also, due to it being on the computer, we will be able to use the camera in a variety of ways that would otherwise be very difficult to do with a model. Some on the shots would involve seeing CGI vehicles and real people in the same shot. We will do this by green screening the vehicles and over laying them over the shots we film with a camera. To create the CGI, like the space ships and planets, we will be using a program called MAYA which is a 3D modelling software with so many different tools and techniques that you can create almost anything you want. However, we can’t only use this program. In order to create the warp speed effect and to have the models we create in MAYA in the same shot as our actors, we will be using Adobe After Effects. Affect Effects is a visual effects program which allow use to bring the shots to life.

The genre of this film would be an action, Sci-Fi. This would be made abundantly clearly by the presence of space ships attacking the Earth. There are certain conventions that people have come to expect with certain genres. For Sci-Fi, it would things like Aliens, space ships, space travel and advanced technology. For action, it would be things like explosions, weaponry and death. These conventions will all be in our Netflix show and the audience will be able to clearly see what genre it falls into.

The show will begin will a college student studying in class alone. As he is doing so, he beings to hear an alien language in whispering in his head that is unrecognisable to the viewers. It will then cut to reveal a massive alien space fleet entering warp speed to arrive at Earth. The fleet will consist of 1 mothership, 2 battle cruisers and many fighters. The Earth’s planetary defences will activate in register unknown technology before the entire system is whipped out in one shot by the mother ship. We will then see the college student rushing through the college with a fearful expression on his face as the alien voices get louder and louder the close he gets to the exit. When he gets outside, he’ll be greeted with the mothership descending towards him. This scene would open up many questions for the audience like “Who is the student?”, “Why can hear the voices?” and “What do the aliens want?” The main character of the show would be the college student. As the scene plays out his character will develop from being just a normal student to being something extremely mysterious and interesting. This is done by suddenly introducing a bunch of unexplained situations like the aliens, his fear, the voices, the invasion, his identity and many more.

Treatment

Student Names: Phoebe Owens, Evan Sorrell, Luke Warner and Darcey Anderson

Visual Effect Company: Evan’s Company

Learners plan for an original short 2 to 3 minute animation, or section of an animated production:

selection of form e.g. 2D, 3D, Cell animation / Animated or live action. TV/Film/Game cutscene

3D animation + models
Live action scene

The best form of animation we can use for this project is 3D animation on MAYA. This is so that we can create the photo-realistic graphics needed. We will be able to apply this to the live action scenes using green screening and After Effects. We won't be using any other form of animation like 2D or cell animation because it simply won’t be able to create the level of quality we need and something like cell animation would take way too long and wouldn’t give us what we want. Also, techniques like stop-motion animation would allow much room for error in the same we CGI would. With CGI we can go back at any time to change anything we want and, while it is possible, it is very difficult to do so with stop-motion.

b) selection of animation type e.g.

line drawing, cell animation, hand drawn animation, rotoscoping, live action animation, stop motion (e.g. claymation), 2D / 3D animation (e.g. computer generated images), character animation

3D animation (Maya) will be used to create the space ships including the overall mothership and fighter ships as well as an alien in the cockpit. This will be used during any scene that the alien ships are involved in.

Visual Effects ( Adobe After Effects) will be used to add the 3D models into the live action footage and will also be used to create the backgrounds and colour schemes for space and the aliens, ships and the ship's interior. This will be involved in scenes where the alien ships need to be shown in live footage, as well as the warp effect when the alien ships warp toward Earth.

Live action will also be used to portray the main character and the environment he is in, using just a camera, preferably a Canon DSLR. This footage will be untouched by other forms of animation up until the alien mother ship and others begin to land on Earth. This footage will be edited with both Adobe After Effects as well as Adobe Premiere pro.

selection of genre/style e.g.

comedy, horror, super hero, anime, manga, fantasy, adventure, sci-fi

The theme is sci-fi due to the trope-like presence of aliens and spaceships invading earth which can be seen in movies like independence day, ET and independence day 2. Models will fit this trope, as well as the visual effects, being tailored around more mechanical objects (ships, turrets etc) and following the cliches set by these media products when it comes to visual effects (lasers, beams etc).

narrative and/or character development e.g.

Storyline based on a situation or series of events, or storyline based on character

The main character, being the alien student, is going to be a half-alien half-human hybrid that never knew his true heritage. One of his parents, however, is the leader of his kind, and once discovering his existence on Earth, has come to retrieve him. He also, however, sees this as a threat from the humans, and is prepared to attack when their ships approach Earth.
The fleet of ships first take out the planet’s “orbital defense system”, before landing on Earth outside the school that the main character inhabits.

VFX Powerpoint