Animatic 2

Here's my second animatic. After today's tutorial, I realize the script still needs more work especial the ending. The ending should be something relating to the salesman.

Rough Storyboard 2

Here is my second rough storyboard. The story is about selling. The salesman in my story is not a brilliant guy. He is kind a little silly and funny.

Character Sheet

When I started to design this salesman character, I asked myself what a salesman looks like. Normally, a salesman wears a gentleman's hat, a tie or bow, a formal suit, a pair of shiny black shoes. And he always carries a suitcase. I did a collage which was posted on the former page. This picture, a man with a big loud-hailer was found on the newspaper. It caught my eyes immediately. Then I began to think what about give my character a big loud-hailer. It can have more dramatic. And the character wears a nice tailcoat. After I finished this rough sketch, it reminded the character - Count Duckula.

Then I did the research about Count Duckula. Luckily, I found some wonderful facial expressions on line.

I made this model by normal colour plasticine. And I drew lots of expressions on its face.

Material Test 4: Card

Card is mostly used as making cutout animation. Then, what about using card to make a 3D animation? Here's the test puppet I made by card and straws. The loops of straw are worked as joints. But so far, it cannot be animated. The puppet is too soft and it even cannot stand up. While, the good thing is, the eyes and mouth can be replaced easily.

Material Test 3: Milliput - Standard Yellow-Grey

This pack contains 2 sticks. These 2 sticks have a long self life but once mixed the resultant putty is at first soft and highly adhesive and then gradually hardens. To avoid sticking, fingers and tools should be kept moistened with water. Also, you'd better shape the model as quick as you can. This putty is easily to lose the viscosity.

I made this guitar's different parts separately. However, I didn't stick them immediately. About 30 minutes went by, when I started to put them together, the putty has been less tacky. Then I had to insert a twisted wire in each component to construct this guitar.

Later, I remember to check the enclosed leaflet. Here's the note how sticky and adhesive it is when first mixed.

-- after 1/2 hour it becomes rubbery and less tacky

-- in about 1 hour it can be cut into shape with a knife or scissors

-- in 2-3 hours it becomes quite hard and tack free

-- overnight it becomes rock hard

Material Test 2: Eberhard Faber -- FIMO soft

before baked

after baked

FIMO is a oven-hardening modelling clay. Once shaped, it is baked in a oven about 30 minutes at 110°C (but on its package, the temperature is indicated as 130°C) to harden it. Maybe I baked this flower too long time, some spots (like air bubble) appear on its surface.

Besides, FIMO can be painted. And it can be formed into beads, with the holes poked before baking or drilled in afterwards. I guess it can be the good material to make the puppet's eyes and several properties.

Material Test 1: DAS Pronto Modelling Clay

In modelmaking terms, material chosen is very important. I have heard that Plastilina clay is the best stuff to use. It is an oil based product and is excellent for Clay Animation. But the problem is, is there any different materials can be used to create different effects.

In this test, I used the DAS Pronto Modelling Clay. It is a natural earth clay. It will air dry to a hard surface that can be painted and sanded. As you are working it, a drop or two of water will make it easy to smooth. However the problem of this modeling clay is, when I tried to dig a hole for eyeball, several cracks appeared on the surface. I have to smooth the surface again and again. But if you take a close look at this cow, you still can see these cracks.

I will continue to do the material tests in these following days.