Fantasia:

This project was something I sort of new to me as I had previously done a project similar to this during my time at college. What was new to me was the options of techniques that were available to use to complete this project. For example I used tea leaves on a light box to represent the music track.

What I liked about it:

• The versatility of movement of the tea leaves.
• It was a new way I learnt to animate.

What I would do next time:

• Do more in-betweens to make it smoother.
• Possible add in a character.

Set Building:

This project was quite a challenging one to do. I previously studied Architecture at another university and during my art course at college model making was something I had done numerous times. Therefore I did not think I would have found the project to be as difficult as it was. The difference between my previous experiences with model making was that either I had designed the space or it was an outdoor environment. Having to replicate a small part of the inside of the university was challenging especially getting the lighting accurate. Despite it being my least favourite project this year it was one I am glad I had done as it has taught be quite a lot and has furthered my experience with model making.

What I liked about it:

• Using familiar materials.
• The project was a challenge.

What I would do next time:

• Manage my time differently; start the project earlier bit by bit.

Maya Walk Cycle:

This project was fun to do, mostly because it was an element of animation completely new to me. It helped me understand that all parts of animation has an extensive amount of technical operations. Comparing it to paper animation I found it more interesting due to its technicality but I also appreciate the work put into basic paper walk cycles. I would like to keep dabbling in 3D and further my skills within in.

What I liked about it:

• Very technical but rewarding.
• Something completely new.
• Smoother movement.

What I would do next time:

• Make the walk cycle longer.
• Possibly add arms to make it more realistic.

Paper Performance:

This project was fun but very challenging despite it being something I have done before but not to this extent of detail this project required.

What I liked about it:

• Gave the opportunity to play around with characters on paper.
• The voice track was fun to animate over.

What I would do next time:

• Be more specific and detailed with mouth shapes.
• Use difference camera angle.
• Possibly add colour.

Robert Abel & Associates

Robert Abel is best known for writing and or directing films such as The Making of the President, Let the Good Times Roll, Elvis on Tour. He is also known for his television commercial adverts one of which being Brilliance which was aired during Super Bowl XIX.

Robert and his team were contracted to do the special effects for the first Star Trek Film, however he was not able to deliver them, which lead to him being taken off the film.

Abel had received honours such as a Golden Globe Award, 2 Emmy Awards & 33 Clios.

Abel believed that computer graphic communication was faster than doing it through 30 seconds of words or pictures. He was a strong believer in computer graphic being the future of the design industry especially within architecture, medicine, aerospace and engineering. Abel, Robert. (1985). State of Computer Graphics Industry. [Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5gywZ4ul_o

• First Film: 7up “Bubbles” 1974
• Second Film: Action on ABC 1975

Both Films had a 70’s music theme to it; the bright title sequence and eccentric music added to that. The audience was automatically drawn in to both film just by the colour alone. In both films, bold and complimentary colours were used, which gave it an element of warmth.

Both of them films reminds the audience of The Jackson 5 “Can You Feel It” Music Video.

In the 7up film the song was very catchy which made the audience very clear that it was an advertisement for the soda. The song itself was joyful and quite persuasive. In terms of a marketing perspective, using woman in swim suites automatically draw the audience to its attention. Where as in the ABC film the first person seen was a made holding a megaphone with the narration “When you need help, you call the police”. Both methods drawing caught the audience’s attention immediately, one being curious to look at and one being serious enough to be listened to.

The only major difference spotted was the technique used in the ABC film using live action photos as a montage whereas in the 7up film the people either moved as live action or animated. Overall the audience felt as though between the both films Abel’s work was not much different at all. One film being Joyful, the other serious however both persuasive and grabbed the audience’s attention quite quickly.

7up “Bubbles” was a film that the audience found enjoyable to watch. The colours were warm, the music was catchy and the commercial made the audience want a 7up. In terms of a marketing perspective, that was a job well done.

The film was done using a mixture of live action and 2D animation, having the real woman within the film added a more realistic element to it especially as 7up was a real product. The fact that the woman seemed to be swimming within the bubbles of the 7up made the audience feel as though they were in the can with them. The design of text was a mixture of 70’s retro and disco. Being that the song had an element of ‘disco’ to it that made the font very relevant to pop culture during its time.

As we knew, Abel’s inspiration was driven by the future and how computer graphics were an evolving revolution within the creative. That can be reflected in most of his films, in 7up “Bubbles” we saw that from his futuristic and disco themed design and imagery. Multiple scenes in the film could have been seen to be in space; we knew Abel was interested in the science fiction/futuristic genre as stated from the research done, Abel and his team were going to do the special effects for Star Trek – a prime example of that theme.

Towards the end of the film the words “See the Light” appear in front of a rainbow, that could have possibly inferred that those who did not drink 7up are stuck under a rock or in darkness and by them drinking 7up will make them see sense therefore seeing the light. The audience felt messages such as that within films are used as a form of comedic persuasion and enjoyable to spot.

At 0:49 seconds we saw a hotdog appear within either clouds or water; that was confusing as first. However the audience assumed washing down your food with a 7up was also something they wanted to put across as a form of persuasion. The audience felt that was an unsuccessful way of portraying that as while the hot dog is being shown the song lyrics stated “see the light” which has no relevance to the hot dog. If the song lyrics had stated something regarding washing down the food with a 7up, it would have made more sense however it may have been done on purpose for the viewers to realise that for themselves. Whether that was done intentionally or not, the audience felt that was one of the only elements that was unsuccessful.

Overall, the audience felt as though the film was relevant for its time and extremely relevant to popular culture during the 70’s not only by using attention catching colours and designs but being quite futuristic as well. Abel’s title sequences were very similar throughout a lot of his work which showed the audience his aspirations and inspirations.