In general, Master student’s self-study skill is more important and difficult than undergraduate students. Such as software skill, research skill and how to give a presentation, all of them are very important in academic skills and higher level study. So it asks students need to think independently, and to analyse question and solve problem by oneself.
My Master Major is animation, in fact, I studied graphic design when I was an undergraduate student. So how to use software to create an animation is the first big problem when I start my Master course, and I only have one year to finish my study, I need to solve this problem as soon as possible. After first class, I talk with my teacher and he encourage me to do anything I want, and gave me some websites, especially one which is combine 2D and 3D to create an animation, after that I decided to use flash as main tool to help me to do projects, because flash is the most easy way to understand and can study quickly. In addition, teacher said the idea and thought are the most important to animator, whole project is important, but how and why is more important in process. Diligence is the path to the success. Of course this assignment is not my first work, I have done more than three or four projects, I found my steps and what others can teach you is limited , you have to continue to studying it by yourself!
A successful project is born from many problems, when i get a new idea, I must write down on my notebook, brain storm is very useful and helpful way to help me to think about next step or which idea is the best one. Of course, I can develop more than two ideas in the meantime and choose the best one after finish my develop work, but in fact, how to understand brief and develop ideas to the point also difficult, because sometimes I may understand brief in a wrong way. So before I start to make something, I need to make sure I totally understand the brief. Moreover，when I start my project, I give an outline and to plan step by step, this is also important in all of steps.
When I decide my aim before, I always watch a lot of other people’s work, not only animation, also paintings, design and works from many different areas. Sometimes, include my own martial. If I like the style I often draw down or write down their thought, after that to think about how to create my style and world in animation world.
In my current work is to do my final project. First, I need to think about which story I want to describe, because this is my final project, I want to create different thing, like to make an animation and add Chinese elements. I watched lots of other people’s works and found an interesting book called A Chinese Bestiary - Strange Creatures from the Guideways Through Mountains and Seas. According to Richard (2002) a Chinese Bestiary presents a fascinating pageant of mythical creatures from a unique cosmography written in ancient China. The Book through Mountains and Seas, compiled between the fourth and first centuries bc, contains descriptions of hundreds of fantastic denizens of mountains, rivers, islands, and seas, along with minerals, flora, and medicine. My inspiration also comes from a film called Seven (1995)，seven means the seven deadly sins：pride wrath sloth greed envy gluttony and lust. These seven deadly sins come from human nature. I combine Easter fairy tale and western culture to creative a story and talk about set off to symbolize good triumphing over evil. And metaphor someone who is a generous self-sacrificing man.
When I decided what story I want to talk, I need to think about what kind technique.
I did lots of research and watched some other people’s works. And I found I am interesting about diorama. “Diorama can either refer to a 19th-century mobile theatre device, or, in modern usage, a three-dimensional full-size or miniature model, sometimes enclosed in a glass showcase for a museum.” It seems like still pictures animation. According to Stephen (2006) They were extremely popular during the first half of the 20th century, both in the USA and UK, later on giving way to television, film, and new perspectives on science. Moreover, I research some short animations
Aftereffects Space Diorama Animation
I don’t want to just make a normal 2D animation, and I think this technique will be more interesting. In fact, this inspiration is come from a film Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) In this film, director used a short animation to introduce the whole story, and this animation is looks like diorama, I really like this technique to display story and attract people's attention. I said I want to combine Easter fairy tale and western culture to creative a story, diorama also is unique way to display my idea.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
But this is not only one idea, i said i usually prepare more than two ideas, because maybe sometime you will have technology problem and maybe difficult to solve. I also watched some animations come from China, because i need to open my eyes and mind to study different way.
12 Chinese Zodiac Signs
Nezha Conquers the Dragon King
About resubmit work. In my opinion, this is hard work. I changed a lot of parts, but teacher gave me some good suggestion, for example, i need to add more action to help this work like a finished film, not like an animatic. These suggestion can help me to improve it. I know im not good enough on animation, I just sleep for two or three hours everyday. Because i think nothing is too difficult, if you put your heart into it.
This is a final project and may is the final one project in my university career. and this project may will influence my work. In addition, the most important part is what can I learn from this work and how to improve my different parts of skills and ability, even my thoughts, imagination and creativity. And I need to display my ability of Master level to people. So good imagination and creativity will bring and decide what kind of work you can do.
I still have many parts and ability need to improve and develop.
It is a happy thing to study for it makes us to know more.
To get a through understanding of yourself is to gain a correct view of yourself，to understand strength and shortage.
Reference
Richard, S. (2002) A Chinese Bestiary - Strange Creatures from the Guideways Through Mountains and Seas
Review. 10 (18). p. 112.
Review. 10 (18). p. 112.
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Stephen, Q. (2006) Windows on Nature: The Great Habitat Dioramas of the American Museum of Natural History, Abrams, New York, 2006; p. 10
[Accessed: 20 September, 2016]
Stephen, B. (2003) Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students
Available at https://www1.doshisha.ac.jp/~ji-iie/Bailey.Academic_Writing.pdf
[Accessed: 20 September, 2016]
[Accessed: 20 September, 2016]
Figure1&2: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
[Accessed: 20 September, 2016]
