Pilar senior project: October 2012

Location	Date	Hours	Instructor	What I did	Total Hours
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena	10/6/2012	3 hours	Ron Llanos · Illustrator/artist · B.F.A. with honors from Art Center College of Design	After entering the class I received several handouts that were all about designing characters, both human and non-human. Had examples of characters concepts for Diego from Ice Age and Remy from Ratatouille. Shown silhouettes of well-known cartoon characters and then did an exercise in which you draw your own silhouette (it’s supposed to be spontaneous, it’s not supposed to be based off of anything), then trace the outline of the silhouette onto tracing paper and make a character out of it (even if the character doesn’t seem to make much sense). Later I had to practice drawing a human head with realistic proportions. I received homework in which I have to draw two busts of my own characters from four different views. He explained how drawing is a crucial starting point for all animators.	13 hours 15 minutes
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena	10/13/2012	3 hours	Ron Llanos · Illustrator/artist · B.F.A. with honors from Art Center College of Design	At start of class I received new handouts, about facial and body expressions. After a short drawing exercise (had to draw Thumper from Bambi), the instructor showed a few clips classic cartoons such as Tom and Jerry and Looney Toons and to show the behind-the-scenes drawings of the characters animation sequences used for the episodes. Then, in celebration of Halloween, I had to draw a witch character and come up with a background story for it.	16 hours 15 minutes
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena	10/20/2012	3 hours	Ron Llanos · Illustrator/artist B.F.A. with honors from Art Center College of Design	Received new handouts at the beginning of class, this time about skeletal structure, proportions, and action poses. Got to visit campus library and look through reference books regarding different movies such as Bolt, Avengers, and even Kiki’s Delivery Service (which was written in Japanese). The books contained character designs, backgrounds for different scenes, and bits of the storyboard involved. After that, headed back to the classroom. Studied proportions of men and women and learned how to determine the height of a character by the number of heads (7 heads tall - realistic height; 8 heads tall - idealistic height; 8^1/2 to 9 heads tall- superhuman). Received a homework assignment in which I have to come up with two characters, a male and a female, who are both eight heads tall and need to be portrayed in 4 different action poses.	19 hours 15 minutes
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena	10/27/2012	3 hours	Ron Llanos · Illustrator/artist B.F.A. with honors from Art Center College of Design	I turned in my homework from last week. I was required to draw two of my characters, a male and a female both eight heads tall, in 4 different poses that conveyed action. Received a new handout, this time about different character styles. Some of the styles included comic book design (like in a graphic novel), manga, video game, feature film, and CGI. The instructor then explained the differences in the appearance of the character’s body, size, and facial features that all help determine that character’s age and gave us a handout that depicted a caricatured human like this. I was required to do a drawing exercise in which I drew one of my characters, a dragon, in different stages of development, starting with a baby, then going on to child, teenager, adult, and senior. After it was completed, I was required to explain each stage. At the end of class I was given a new homework assignment in which I was required to draw six action poses of the character I created in one of his stages of age.	22 hours 15 minutes

9/6/2012	ARTL (Article)	Meir, Doron A. "Acting and Animation." Animation Arena Helping you break into the Animation, Video Game and Visual Effects industry with advice and interviews with professional Character Animators, Game Designers and more, Web. 6 Sept. 2012. <http://www.animationarena.com/acting-and-animation.html>	Talks of how an animator is not just an artist, but also an actor. Explains the importance of personality in animated characters to make them seem real and believable. Says how the animator should be able to "feel" the character, like the character has their own consciousness. The character's body language plays a big role to the storyline.
9/6/2012	BLRB (Blurb)	"Drawing for Animation." Animation Arena Helping you break into the Animation, Video Game and Visual Effects industry with advice and interviews with professional Character Animators, Game Designers and more. Animation Arena.com, Web. 6 Sept. 2012. <http://www.animationarena.com/drawing-for-animation.html>	States the importance of drawing for would-be animators. It explains the concept of "drawing what you see" and paying close attention to detail and perspective. It gives several examples of drawing techniques tried by the writer of the article itself.
9/6/2012	ENCY (Encyclopedia)	Froehlich, Thomas J. "Animation Facts, information, pictures, Encyclopedia.com articles about Animation." Encyclopedia.com: Free Online Encyclopedia, Web. Sept. 2012. <http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Animation.aspx>	Very informative gives a brief explaination of what animation is, the methods/techniques of animation that exist and what they are used for, and the history of animation itself. It also mentions Disney's creation of the animated short Steamboat Willie, as well as MGM and their well-known cartoon, Tom & Jerry.
9/8/2012	ARTL (Article)	Roy, Kenny. "November 2011 Article - Non-Human Characters; The Spice of Your Demo Reel." KennyRoy.com, Web. 8 Sept. 2012. <http://www.kennyroy.com/public/November-2011-Article-NonHuman-Characters-The-Spice-of-Your-Demo-Reel.cfm?sd=53>	Talks about demo reels. Mentions the lack of non-human characters performing on them and how it would benefit the reel's owner if they had some. States the popularity of how television, video games, and even commercials feature non-human charactes. Non-human characters are not necessarily animals; they can include germs, inanimate objects, demons, and even bubbles! It states that having some non-human characters on a demo reel could bee great practice for the real world, as there are many employers in the TV, game, and commercial industries that are likely to use these characters.
9/8/2012	ARTL (Article)	Science Daily. "Computer animation." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology, Web. 8 Sept. 2012. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/c/computer_animation.htm>	Gives a brief definition of animation. Reveals that computer generated animation (CG) can be used to create both 2D and 3D characters. It then explains how computer animated characters are created and animated. Mentions the use of software such as 2D Flash and X3D (apparently used for game design and computer graphics).
9/8/2012	BLRB (Blurb)	"Animation School." Animation School net - Animation Schools and Video Game Design Schools. Animation School.net, Web. 8 Sept. 2012. <http://www.animationschool.net/animation-school.html>	Mentions how the popularity of 3D animation took off when the Pixar movie Toy Story was released, as apparently it increased the demand for 3D animators. Colleges began offering couses for those who wanted degrees in animation. It gives tips and information on picking a good animation school for those interested in the topic. It suggests animation schools that also offer drawing classes, since that is a major must if you plan on becoming an animator and is strongly encouraged by everyone working in the field. Talks about finding instructors that have worked in studios in the past and finding out how many students actually graduate from the school. Finally, it suggests online classes for those with no nearby schools they can reach.
9/17/2012	ARTL (Article)	Kennedy , Mark . "Principles of Animation." Animation Arena Helping you break into the Animation, Video Game and Visual Effects industry with advice and interviews with professional Character Animators, Game Designers and more. Animation Arena.com, Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://www.animationarena.com/principles-of-animation.html>	In this article, they have a picture of a scene (Tigger in a jumping pose) and talk about analyzing said scene until it becomes second nature. They give a list of principles that apply to the scene, such as pose, anatomy, mood, depth, straights and curves, etc. They then compare the first pose to a a second one (Tigger crouching, then jumping). The importance of the anatomy of the character is stressed. While the characters features or movements can be exaggerated, the anatomy should stay fairly the same. Talks about the effects of gravity on a character.
9/17/2012	ARTL (Article)	Bell, Ryan . "2D Animation: Dead, Dying or Just Napping? Part II: 3D Studio Maxim: Animation Magazine." Animation Magazine - The News, Business, Technology and Art of Animation. Animation Magazine Inc, 9 Sept. 2003. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/2d-animation-dead-dying-or-just-napping-part-ii-3d-studio-maxim/>	This article is rather old, from 2003, but it states concern over the fact that "traditional" 2D animation may be dying out. However, it suggests that the current popularity in CGI is merely a fad.
9/17/2012	ARTL (Article)	Keslensky , J.P. "Between The Frames: The Future of 2D Hand-Drawn Animation." Between The Frames. Media Productions, TallGrassRadio Studios , 17 Aug. 2005. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://tallgrassradiostudios.blogspot.com/2005/08/future-of-2d-hand-drawn-animation.html>	This article is also rather old, from 2005, but it states that it is unlikely that 2D animation is going to completely die off. It instead suggests that 2D may evolve, but into what is still unknown. It also says that the type of animation used does not make up for a poor storyline or static characters for a cartoon or feature film, which is the real determining factor in whether the movie/show was good or not.
9/24/2012	BK (Book)	Muerer, Caleb. How to Animate SpongeBob Squarepants. 2003. Reprint. Laguna Hills, CA: Walter Foster Publishing, Inc., 2004. Print.	This is my favorite book on animation. I do not care that it is short. It goes over every detail of animation using the SpongeBob characters as examples. It explains the use of expressions, squash and stretch, and even states to the reader a few shortcuts that animators use. It even has part of a stoyboard from the SpongeBob episode: Just One Bitethat they use to explain the use of storyboarding.
9/24/2012	BK (Book)	Johnston, Thomas , Frank, and Ollie. "Chapter 1: An Art Form is Born." The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. New York City, New York: Abbeville Press, 1981. 13-28. Print	A relatively large book about animation in the early days. Chapter 1 started off talking about the earlist form of animation: cave art, then suddenly talks about how important emotion is in animation for at least half the chapter. Later talks about Walt Disney's early animation experience.
9/24/2012	BK (Book)	Johnston, Thomas , Frank, and Ollie. "Chapter 2: The Early Days 1923-1933." The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. New York City, New York: Abbeville Press, 1981. 29-46. Print	A relatively large book about animation in the early days. Chapter 2 talks more about Walt Disney's early work and later gets in to talking about different types of animation types and tricks used back then.
10/1/2012	ARTL (Article)	Bousquet, Michele . "Articles - Harnessing 3D Studio MAX." Trinity Animation - Photorealistic 3D Architectural Rendering, 3D Animation, Technical Animations, 3D Industrial Design and 3D Visualization Services. Trinity Animation Inc., n.d. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. <http://www.trinityanimation.com/company/press/articles/harnessing_3ds.shtml>	Talks about a man named Jim Lammers, an animator who owns Trinity Animation Inc. He specialized in engineering and watercolor, giving him both a artistic and technical edge. Started off as a freelance artist before quiting his day job as an engineer and went into business for himself. Talks about how he works with his clients and how his experience as an engineer has helped with problem solving. He has worked on animation for tv, industrial videos, movies, etc. He owns
10/2/2012	ARTL (Article)	Hardy, Quentin. "Predicting the Rise and Rise of 3-D - NYTimes.com." Technology - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com. The New York Times Company, 8 June 2012. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/08/the-rise-and-rise-of-3d/?ref=dreamworksanimationskginc>	This article talks about why 3D animation is going to prosper. It is believed the reason 3D animation is so popular is because it connects better with the audience. Talks about the computers it takes to make a 3D animated film. Gets really technical about the computer stuff. Mentions several 3D movies that flopped in the theaters. Also mentions that the way scenes and characters were edited played a role in a highr sensory intake for the audience.
10/2/2012	ARTL (Article)	Satterthwaite, Dan. "OUR WORKPLACE - At DreamWorks, Permission to Switch Gears - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. The New York Times Company, 18 Mar. 2012. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E3D9153AF93BA25750C0A9649D8B63&ref=dreamworksanimationskginc>	A short article talking about the workeers at Dreamworks Animation. It states that the workers are encouraged to take risks an make mistakes in order to improve. Uses the dragon Toothless from the movie How to Train Your Dragon as an example. Being the lead dragon in the film, they decided that he should apear fierce rather than diminutive and they had to temporarily cease production to make changes.
10/4/2012	ARTL (Article)	Germain, David. "'Frankenweenie' Stop-Motion Animation: Tim Burton Resurrects Method For Reanimation." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., Web. 4 Oct. 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/04/frankenweenie-stop-motion-tim-burton_n_1939294.html>	This news article talks about Tim Burton's new movie: Frankenweenie. It talks about how he worked with an old style of animation called stop-motion, in which puppets are are moved slightlly and photographed frame by frame to create an illusion of movement. Tim Burton also did films such as Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas. It is stated that stop-motion was used in older films such as the dinosaurs from The Lost World and the giant ape from the original King Kong.
10/9/2012	ARTL (Article)	Cohen, Patricia. "At a Columbia Lab, Perfecting Animation - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. The New York Times Company, 29 Dec. 2010. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/movies/30animate.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&>	Talks about a man who worked for Disney and specialized in animating hair and fur (They could make it look matted, singed, flowing, etc.). Talks a lot about CGI animation and makes mention of moives such as Rise of the Apes and The Adventures of Tintin, two movies that featured very realistic animation. Mentions the math involved in CGI animation. Mentions the movie Tangled, and how some scenes needed to be hand-drawn because they did not come out right on the computer.
10/9/2012	ARTL (Article)	Eisenburg, Anne. "Technology Blurs the Line Between the Animated and the Real - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. The New York Times Company, 27 Sept. 2011. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/business/technology-blurs-the-line-between-the-animated-and-the-real.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1349824888-MGeMYtUEhkyEA2ZKBd5T4A>	Talks about the movie Rise of the Planet of the Apes and how amazingly realistic the apes looked, thought they were all created on the computer. Mentions how technology has improved so much that people could even believe in a mythical creature such as a dragon. Mentions a video system called "Rise" that was used to capture even the most subtle of facial expressions. All of it was based on human actors. The actor wore a helmet with a camera acted pointed directly at the face used to record facial expressions. They compared how a human face moves compared to that of a chimpanzee. Primatologists believe it was better to use humans actors rather than dress up live chimps to play the parts, due to animal cruelty issues.
10/11/2012	ARTL (Article)	Bhojnagarwala, Vivek Kumar. "An Introduction to 3D: WebReference." Web Development and Design Tutorials, Tips and Reviews. QuinStreet Inc., 5 Jan. 2009. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <http://www.webreference.com/3d/3dintro/index.html>	Talks about 3D modeling and how it's used in eveerything from video games to print ads. Mentions how a a ploygon mesh is molded into characters and objects. States that to become a 3D artist you must have a eye for art and some experience in drawing. Mentions the various qualities a 3D artist must have (i.e. patience, attention to detail, hard work, willingness toaccept critcism). Goes into talking about different kinds of 3D art such as animation, modeling, texturing, and rendering.
10/16/2012	ARTL (Article)	Ryan, Mike. "Genndy Tartakovsky, 'Hotel Transylvania' Director, On The Disappearance Of His Version Of 'Star Wars: Clone Wars'." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com Inc., 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/genndy-tartakovsky-hotel-transylvania_n_1884046.html>	A website with information on different forms of animation (i.e. video games, movies and tv, etc.). It discusses what jobs are involved, how the animation has improved, and what it is used in.
10/16/2012	BLRB (Blurb)	"Animation Career Information. Become an Animator." Graphic Designer Career Information - Game Design - Animation. A Digital Dreamer, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/articles/animationcareerinfo.htm>	Talks about a cartoon series (The Star Wars Clones Wars on Cartoon Network) and the man who worked on it. Talks about how he also worked on the awesome funny and amazing animated feature Hotel Transylvania (which was awesome) and goes into an interview he had with the reporter.
10/17/2012	BK (Book)	Johnston, Thomas , Frank, and Ollie. "Chapter 13: The Uses of Live Action in Drawing Humans and Animals." The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. New York City, New York: Abbeville Press, 1981. 319-337. Print	Talks a lot about how real live people and animals were used to make realistic animation sequences for films like Bambi, The Fox and the Hound, and 101 Dalmatians.
10/17/2012	BK (Book)	Johnston, Thomas , Frank, and Ollie. "Chapter 13: The Uses of Live Action in Drawing Humans and Animals." The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. New York City, New York: Abbeville Press, 1981. 338-365. Print	Has many pictures of animation cycles used for different Disney films such as Pinocchio, Cinderella, and Robin Hood.
10/23/2012	ARTL (Article)	Hodgson , Laura . "Movies in 3D: Into the next dimension... - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. , 22 Nov, 2007. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/11/22/3d.overview/index.html?iref=allsearch>	Mentions that while 3D technology has been around since the 1890s, the use of it in movies (the kind that require the special glasses) has been limited. Talks about old movies that had been released in 3D and talks about how it was done for live-action films. Mentions the size (literally) of the IMAX theater screens. Projectionists explain the process of creating a 3D movie. Though 3D movies are extremely popular, they do not believe it will completely replace 2D. Mentions Dreamworks and how they began producing their fututre animations in 3D.
10/23/2012	ARTL (Article)	Hanks, Henry . "'Tron' animated series feeds the need of fans - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. , 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/18/showbiz/tv/tron-uprising-series/index.html?iref=allsearch>	Talks about the old Disney movie, Tron, and how it has made a return just recently as a new cartoon series. The film itself was praised for its special CGI effects that were apparently ahead of their time when it first came out. Also interviews the producer about the original film and how he came up with the idea for it.
10/25/2012	ARTL (Article)	Swisher, Kara. "All Things Digital (A Special Report) - it's (Still) about the Story: Ed Catmull of Pixar on how Much Animation has Changed, and how Much it Hasn't." Wall Street Journal. Jun 04 2012. ABI/INFORM Complete; Los Angeles Times; ProQuest Newsstand. Web. 25 Oct. 2012	Goes into an interview between the President of Pixar, Ed Catmull, and the interviewer, Kara Swisher. Explains how Pixar was created, how they created their first film (Toy Story), and failures they experienced on the job.

Pilar senior project

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Mentorship

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Working Bibliography

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Rough Draft of Presentation 1

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Mentorship