Objective
The objective was to create a 15-second Diorama using Adobe After Effects. This project requirement included a full storyboard and sketches to enhance the concept.
This project did give us a lot of freedom to work with, although there were a few requirements that I had to follow. The animation had to be no more and no less than 15 seconds. Also, required was a curtain opening and closing. This would help further enhance the virtual diorama effect in the animation. Sound effects (SFX) and/or music were required as well. Overall, there had to be at least 15 key-framed elements included in the project.
My Concept
Right from the get-go, I knew what I wanted to do. I have always been a lover of history mainly the history of Greece so I wanted to create something that spoke towards my love of Greek culture. I decided to name it “A Taste Of Greece”.It would start with an opening with a Greece styled temple, clouds would be moving in the sky, and all of a sudden you would pan into the temple as it begins to collapse. You would then be shown the ocean alongside the shape of Greece. A ship would sail by and would then get swatted like a fly by Greece. The water, ship, and Greece would then all fall down, moving into the final section. The trees, soldiers, and bushes would pop up like a pop-up book. The soldiers would begin to spar and then everything would slowly fade to black and then the word fin would appear.
When my plan was all set in motion I had to be the process of figuring out my graphic style. I decide to go with a flat art style because I felt it would allow me to more efficiently do the pop-up effects I wanted to do for this project.
Challenges
One of the biggest challenges for me was time management. I quickly learned that Animation is not a walk in the park it takes time and patience to be successful. Another challenge I face was the software in general. I had to learn the software as well as to adapt while also trying to complete this animation. So learning as I was working slowed my progress down by a good amount.