Learning Contracts
Updated: Jan 25, 2021
Contract 1
Date 5/10/2020 - 19/10/20
A
Write brief points that explain clearly what you intend to do in the period indicated above
Consider how you will accomplish these tasks
List the evidence you expect to provide at the review date to demonstrate progress
Make clear different methods of working (for example: studio work, workshops, research visits, writing, drawing etc.)
Research Animation:
The 12 Principles of animation
Production Pipeline
Learn how to use software – Storyboard, Harmony, Adobe Animate
Watch Youtube videos and tutorials
Decide what type of animation I want to create, and also what it is possible to create with the time and knowledge I have.
B
Write the outcomes you hope to achieve by doing the activity indicated in section A
Consider outcomes that are demonstrable of critical analysis, investigation, development and that involve reflection, evaluation, critical thinking, empirical and theoretical knowledge.
Gain an understanding of the principles and techniques used in animation.
C
Learning Contract Evaluation
MA Programme: Art Practice or Design Practice
Use this side of the form to evaluate your progress in achieving your stated outcomes overleaf
· Illustrate whether and how each point has been achieved or not
· Evaluate whether or not a particular activity is to be progressed into the next learning contract or not; try and prioritise
· Identify successful methods and strategies for achieving outcomes
· Make observations about your management of your learning e.g. time, material and other resources
· Consider an action plan to inform the next contract
I believe I have enough of an understanding to start working on an animated character. A great deal of time was spent reading and watching online tutorials so I have very little in the way of physical work to show so far, but with the limited knowledge I have gained I can start work on the animation.
I also know now that I want to create a 2d animation.
My next contract will focus on the creation of a working animation.
Contract 2
Date 19/10/2020 - 9/11/2020
A
Write brief points that explain clearly what you intend to do in the period indicated above
Consider how you will accomplish these tasks
List the evidence you expect to provide at the review date to demonstrate progress
Make clear different methods of working (for example: studio work, workshops, research visits, writing, drawing etc.)
Create an animated Character:
Script and Storyboard
Sound Recording
Animatic
Animation
B
Write the outcomes you hope to achieve by doing the activity indicated in section A
Consider outcomes that are demonstrable of critical analysis, investigation, development and that involve reflection, evaluation, critical thinking, empirical and theoretical knowledge.
I aim to create a script and storyboard for the animation I wish to create. From there I will attempt to record the sounds for my animation, although this is not a matter I feel is particularly important for the time being. My main aim is to learn to use the animation software to create a frame by frame animation that runs smoothly, conveys emotion and has realistic movement. The sound is secondary to this. The next step will be to create an animatic which demonstrated the key movements within the character motion. Following on from the animatic I will then begin the animation. I will need to create a series of drawings that flow into one another to give the character motion. I imagine this will be a laborious and time consuming task.
C
Learning Contract Evaluation
MA Programme: Art Practice or Design Practice
Use this side of the form to evaluate your progress in achieving your stated outcomes overleaf
· Illustrate whether and how each point has been achieved or not
· Evaluate whether or not a particular activity is to be progressed into the next learning contract or not; try and prioritise
· Identify successful methods and strategies for achieving outcomes
· Make observations about your management of your learning e.g. time, material and other resources
· Consider an action plan to inform the next contract
I have been able to create two storyboards for my animation, the first was of a long scene that I now know it would not be possible to complete within the time I have, with the current skill and knowledge I have. I was also able to create a successful animatic showing the key movements of the characters and conveying the emotion in the main character. The sound recording was not so successful and had more of a comedy effect than I had hope when applied to the animatic, so I will not be using this in the animation. Due to restrictions with the pandemic, the only male voice I was able to record was my husband (who is not a voice actor) and it is not a good enough recording to use for my animation.
Work has begun on the animation itself. I have drawn in the keyframes and am using rotoscoping to capture the action of the main character. Again I had to conscript my husband and have promised under pain of death not to show the recording to anyone, but it is helping with the creation of realistic movement. There is still a lot of work needed to make the animation flow smoothly but I will continue this in the next contract timeline.
I have had several tutorials with the animation group and they have given me plenty of advice and ideas for creating a polished and well crafted piece of work.
Contract 3
Date 9/11/2020 - (originally 18/01/2021) due to extension 01/02/2021
A
Write brief points that explain clearly what you intend to do in the period indicated above
Consider how you will accomplish these tasks
List the evidence you expect to provide at the review date to demonstrate progress
Make clear different methods of working (for example: studio work, workshops, research visits, writing, drawing etc.)
Continue work on animation
Finish motion sequence for both characters
Develop and improve the animation as a whole
Finish with a polished and well crafted piece of work.
B
Write the outcomes you hope to achieve by doing the activity indicated in section A
Consider outcomes that are demonstrable of critical analysis, investigation, development and that involve reflection, evaluation, critical thinking, empirical and theoretical knowledge.
Have a finished animation to present for summative assessment, which will include both characters and believable, realistic action.
C
Learning Contract Evaluation
MA Programme: Art Practice or Design Practice
Use this side of the form to evaluate your progress in achieving your stated outcomes overleaf
· Illustrate whether and how each point has been achieved or not
· Evaluate whether or not a particular activity is to be progressed into the next learning contract or not; try and prioritise
· Identify successful methods and strategies for achieving outcomes
· Make observations about your management of your learning e.g. time, material and other resources
· Consider an action plan to inform the next contract
Having finally finished the animation I feel that the task was incredibly time consuming. I have only managed to create a 4 second piece of work, but I think it is well drawn and well crafted. I would have liked a longer sequence, but I now appreciate just how long it takes to create such a piece of work. I spent a lot of time perfecting the animation of both characters and making sure they move smoothly and convey action and emotion. I have also had to animate some of the background to make the world feel more believable as the static background I originally created was a jarring contrast to the movement of the characters. It has been increasingly difficult to maintain motivation and the work has suffered and been hard going and it is only thanks to the extension that I have been able to comfortably complete a piece of work that I am happy with.