Animated experiments

I have recently been experimenting and have produced a number of short animations exploring some different techniques. These are much like moving image 'doodles' in the sense that they are not particularly pre-planned. As this project is in part about exploring the unconscious it seemed apt that I should take this approach.




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Find more videos like this on NUCAma



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These 'doodles' have helped me to establish which working methods to use as this project progresses. I have opted to try and produce at least 1 long (3 minute) animation per week. I can then work towards a final 3 minute solution via trial and error, using a process not unlike the hypothetico-deductive method.

One issue that has arisen from my research so far is the question of abstraction. What level of abstraction can occur before the viewer detaches from the piece? So this could be my hypothesis. If each week I assess what has worked and what hasn't (for this I will need a focus group or similar) I can then use this process to shape my work.

I managed to wrangle some time in the animation resource this week so I could have a practice session. As I could only have the room for 4 hours I was unable to produce 3 mins of animation. This session gave me an idea of what kind of pace I will need to work at and what methods I will need to develop.

Practice



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Producing this animation has helped me identify the kind of techniques that can be utilised in the triptych. I have made some decisions about the level of narrative and the type of imagery that may be used. I enjoy making (and watching) the 'bursting' motion this has worked particularly well, though it is overused in this composition. I am thinking that if the 'bursting' motion gives birth to the narrative elements this might be a good way for figures and symbols to appear, and maybe disappear. Another option is to use the more abstract imagery in the 'Shadow' and 'Persona' portions of the triptych and display the narrative elements in the 'Ego' (centre) section.

I will work towards a resolution by using a test audience as the animation process continues. I will need to find a platform for sharing my animation with the test audience. I would like to have a good cross-section of people so that the results are as unbiased as possible. This may mean that I will need to have a few different platforms on which the work can be critiqued. Recruiting an audience from NUCA can be done by using the e-mail system to ask for volunteers, and maybe doing a screening on site, once a week. I can also share online and get a wider (international) audience. I already share work on Ning, DeviantArt, Youtube, Vimeo and Facebook so maybe something like this can be used for testing.