The Production Process

Ideas

So when coming up with ideas of how to portray shoes, I made a decision that I wanted to entertain people and make them enjoy the piece.

Idea 1- Destroying the rooms

This idea was based on the idea that shoes might come alive them the owner is not around. I was going to use the pump style shoe as they are small and like dogs can be seen as aggressive. The pair of shoes was going to attack the room, ripping up bits of paper and causing havoc. The shots were going to be from above like a CCTV camera with an effect on it. Below is a storyboard of how the scene would play out:

Once I had drawn out the story, I realised that it didn’t have much depth or a storyline, so I decided to scrap this idea and rethink the storyline. From this I have took the fact I want the shoes to act like they are alive and have a personality. So time to move on to idea 2.

Idea 2- Shelf Argument

This idea involves a shoe wardrobe and the hierarchy of shoes. For example, the posh, fancy shoes i.e. stilettos could be found at the top of the shelf and dirty Wellington boots are at the bottoms. Due to this class system, the lower shoes begin a rebellion the over throw the higher-class shoes. There is one lead boot leading the coop over the wardrobe, and then the others follow. They will all have voices even though they wouldn’t be human ones, for example heavier shoes will have a rougher, lower voice while fancier lighter shoes will have high pitch voices. Below is a storyboard of the scene:



So after that I began modelling the shoes that were going to be used for it and they can here:



Unfortunately I felt that they didn’t show enough realism and didn’t feel believable as an object. This idea is just too hard to complete in the time frame I had. I felt sad I had to give it up, as I believe the storyline was very strong and could of worked if I had used real shoes. However I have now could up with an alternative that takes the spirit of this idea and incorporates it into the video.

Final idea- Wellie comes home

After planning the idea 2 completely and having to go back on it was such a deflating time. Yet I believe it was for the best as this idea not only simulacrum of the object, it introduces an extra factor of film. I have used my strongest medium I work in with is live-action video and added elements of 2D and 3D design into the idea to help aid it.

The idea is that there are two Wellington boots, and they are next to a gate and it has been unlocked. One decides he wants to explore the outside world while the others decides just to sit there. However when wellie, the name of the boot goes through the gate, the world is very different to how he imagine. As he goes on his journey, the genre of film changes so the first shot is an old school film reel, then progresses to a talkie and finally the colour appears. From there, it starts to come more cartoon-like, until it eventually becomes a 2d flash animation and that turns into a 3d animation. He begins to tumble out of the 3d world and lands back outside the gate next to his mate.

This video includes the ideas of changes and development of the journey, shown by the progression of the film genres. Here is the storyboard of the film:











So rather than use an unrealistic 3D model, I have decided to animation a real boots using stop frame and wiring pullies to make them look alive. The wire shall be cotton thread show will not show up on the camera, so the boot will look like it is moving by itself. Here is some footage I took to test the idea, before I went ahead:





Next I began filming, I used my back gate for the gate shot, as it looks quite mystical and ominous. For the exterior shots, I went to my local park, as there are big green lands and some amazing views. Plus the day I filmed all my shots, no one was hardly around which was perfect, as it appears more surreal that way.

Here are some pictures of the progress:








When I came to edit the film and add the effects to it, I decided to use the program Adobe After Effects as it allows not video editing, but to change the film completely. I used preset and custom effects such as old age film and the colour changing effect. I found it the most useful as I tested others such as Final Cut Pro and Windows Movie Maker, but they were inferior to After Effects.
Here is the 2D animation I did on flash:

Here is the 3D animation I did on 3D Studio Max:





I decided on the name Wellie Come Home as it’s a play on Will he come home after his adventure, which makes it quite ambiguous.

Evaluation

The film turned out a lot better than I expected as I thought the animation of the Wellington would look cheap and unrealistic, where it was completely the opposite. I believe that I have fulfilled the brief, as the story of the boot is a simulacrum. I have brought it to life and given it a personality and story, and also I have created a reinterpretation and innovatory development of the Wellington boot. It is not just something to be worn, instead has its own life force. I have as well explored the different genres of film through the film using effects and sounds. Below is a list of things that didn’t go according to the storyboard.

• Instead of just having the boot travelling from left to right, I decided to have more fun with the boot and put it on the swing and slide. I had some shots that were very funny but I left them out as the tone of the video changes towards the end as it becomes more serious and sinister.
• The 3D model turned out better than I hoped, though unfortunately due to something I must of done I could not add a material skin to the model. Yet I believe you don’t notice that factor when you are watching the film. I added green lights to give the effect of a green Wellington boot.
• The film over runs by 3 seconds but I could not cut it down as it would make the film look rushed. Plus it doesn’t feel like it drags on, as the piece is very fast paced and moving.

I really enjoyed doing this project as I got the opportunity to explore the medium of 3D and film further and I really want to incorporate more of this into future projects. Here is the final outcome:

Laying out the ground work

This module provides an introduction to 3D software and the design process as a hole from conception through development, to realisation. Supported by critical examination of cultural artefacts, the module concludes with a design of a digital 3D object with an understanding of its historical background.

The simulacrum is an individually produced presentation (film) that encapsulates a reinterpretation or innovatory development of an object. Whatever your chosen object is, it's design, soundtrack, visual presentation and physical packaging of your project should all be derived from the properties held within your object and its history.

For this module, I have to produce to 90 Second film, feature a ‘Digital object’ and it is worth 70%. The format it needs to be in is 640 x 480 and either mov / wmv, and the deadline is Monday 8th

Process.

1. Think carefully what we mean by 'an object', particularly in the context of the lectures and practical sessions.
2. Choose an object.
3. Research your chosen object heavily to develop a full understanding of the social contexts in which it has and does exist. This includes its form, historical development, practical and social function.
4. Explore the form and function of the object through a process of remodelling and experimental redesign.
5. Construct a 3D model of the redesigned object.
6. Produce a simulacrum for the object that conveys all aspects of your redesign including history, dimensions, tactility, weight, sound and social context.

So during our first lecture we were shown examples of previous student, ranging from professionally skilled to the basic. The one of my favourite example was this simple idea of a can flying around the screen to the Superman theme and landing in a recycling bin. It was so simple but so effect and I believe that is the direction I would like to go. To start I am going to work through the process list that has been laid out one by one

1. Think carefully what we mean by 'an object', particularly in the context of the lectures and practical sessions.

Definition of ‘An Object’:
‘A tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow.’
‘A single, identifiable unit or entity that can comprise other, smaller objects.’

During our lessons so far we have been studying Perception and visual tricks, and about modernist and post modernist movements. It has helped with thinking about how to display my object and present it to the viewer.

2. Choose an object.

After the first lecture I came up with several ideas and these were:
· Shoes
· Mobile
· Scissors
· Pen
· Cork screw

I decided the mobile, even though it has a lot of social background, is quite a dull object. I was close to choosing the pen as I could imagine the pen drawing by itself its own history and ending up with it coming up against the keyboard and it smashing the pen. However the idea of the shoe has so much scope as there are so many types of shoes and context in which you wear them. A quick idea was a pair of shoes causing havoc in my room and then me putting them on. I shall explore that idea later

3. Research your chosen object heavily to develop a full understanding of the social contexts in which it has and does exist. This includes its form, historical development, practical and social function.

History

The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938. However, the materials used for making shoes (typically tanned leather) do not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this.

The earliest designs were simple affairs, often mere "foot bags" of leather to protect the feet from rocks, debris, and cold. Since a shoe uses more leather than a sandal, their use was more common amongst people in cold climates. By the Middle Ages, turn-shoes had been developed with toggled flaps or drawstrings to tighten the leather around the foot for a better fit. As Europe gained in wealth and power, fancy shoes became status symbols. Toes became long and pointed, often to ridiculous proportions. Artisans created unique footwear for rich patrons, and new styles developed. Eventually the modern shoe, with a sewn-on sole, was devised. Since the 17th century, most leather shoes have used a sewn-on sole. This remains the standard for finer-quality dress shoes today.

Since the mid-20th Century, advances in rubber, plastics, synthetic cloth, and industrial adhesives have allowed manufacturers to create shoes that stray considerably from traditional crafting techniques. Leather, which had been the primary material in earlier styles, has remained standard in expensive dress shoes, but athletic shoes often have little or no real leather. Soles, which were once laboriously stitched on, are more often glued today.

Form

There are many different type of shoes and below is a list and pictures of just a few:

Sandals

Pumps

Trainers

Flip flops

Boots

Wellington boots

Slippers

High heels

Clogs

Platform

Skating


Social Function

In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.

In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin).

Shoes play an important role in the fairy tales Cinderella, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Red Shoes. In literature and film, an empty shoe or a pair of shoes signifies death.[citation needed]

First 3D MAX session

In this session I learnt how to create and modify objects, add texture and start to create movies. I believe this has instilled some confidence into me to create a realistic object that can be animated.
Below are the best parts of what I got from my day: