LAST SHOT!

Over the weekend, I animated my very last shot of the film! I have 9 days until graduation and a lot of compositing ahead of me. Wish me luck and Red Bull!

Halfway Point! Process Reel:

After a productive internship in New York City this summer, I'm back in the studio at CCS in Detroit and hard at work on this film. I have decided to make a few aesthetic changes to the film. These changes will not only better facilitate the story, but they will also allow what I learned over the summer to influence the art direction of the film and help me stay on schedule. 

Below is a process reel I made to give an overview of the work I have put into the film so far. The reel includes ideation, process, material scouting, and tests. Enjoy!

Password: seniorthesis

PS: The last plate says 2014... but it's a lie. It should say 2015. Don't trust the internet, folks. 

 

Follen Spring Process Reel from Casey Follen on Vimeo.

Environments

Below are a few environment renders, set elements, and a shape language guide. I still have a few more environments to get though, but I'm starting to really nail down the look and feel of the film.

The coral reef will be my most fabrication heavy environment. This set is also the bit of fabrication that I am looking forward to most. I'm going to begin sculpting the bones out of foam this week.

This environment will be the first layer explored by the puppet. I'm debating if I want to animate the branches as stop motion elements or in After Effects using the puppet tool. I think I'll do a few tests to figure out which aesthetic fits the film best. Furthermore, this render helped me to identify my influences for surface textures. Mary Blair is my primary influence. 

Assets to help me define my render style. I'm going for painterly, but graphic in silhouette.

I'm still playing with my shape language—finding that fine line between graphic and geometric. Primary influence: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. 

Testing 1, 2, 3...

First off, I’d like to say that the teachers at CCS are ridiculously awesome. They will do whatever they can to help their students. They have great ideas and are constantly popping into my studio with advice or just to check in. CCS instructors rock!

One of my instructors lent me a large tank to do some key/materials tests. I whipped up puppets (in literally 30 minutes—gotta stick to that production schedule), and spent the evening filming in the studio.

A few quick keys later, and now have some pretty solid test footage to work with. I feel like I’m in a good place (production schedule wise) going into spring break.  

Senior Thesis: Aquatic Puppetry Test 1 (4 sub-tests) from Casey Follen on Vimeo.

Runner Diaries: Munro Crafts

An instructor turned me onto Monro Crafts in Berkley. The have all of the usual craft store items (particularly related to jewelry), but they also have some really specific things that you can’t find anywhere else. I was super impressed by their selection of polymer clays and sculpting tools.

Munro Crafts Bead & Jewelry Supply

3954 12 Mile Rd, Berkley, MI 48072

(248) 544-1590

So. Many. Beads. 

I'm a sucker for good adhesives. I officially love this shop. 

Runner Diaries: Haberman Fabrics

Found a great fabric shop in Royal Oak. I definitely recommend skipping the trip to JoAnn's and checking this place out. 

905 S Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 541-0010 

This place is amazing! Probably the best selection I've found in Michigan. The staff are great and very helpful... and didn't think I was crazy when I explained what I plan on using the fabric for—always a plus.

This is what I like to see!

I want to use this fabric as a base coral texture by adhering/stiffening it and attaching it to my scenic sculpts.
Now I just need to learn how to dye it. 

Couldn't resist! I found this beauty on the bargain rack. I have just under a yard, but if I can even out the coloring, the little bit I have may go a long way. 

Runner Diaries: Research Trip to Tropicorium

One of my instructors turned me onto a place called Tropicorium in Romulus to do some research. They breed coral there and really know their stuff. I spoke with the owner—he absolutely loves what he does and is overflowing with information on salt water creatures. I learned a lot from that trip. 

I took the video below to study the way that UV light interacts with various corals and creatures. The video isn't great, but it gets the job done. I can also look back on how the sea life moves with the current, which will be helpful later on when I'm ready to animate. 

Tropicorium

20080 Inkster Rd, Romulus, MI 48174
(734) 782-2622

Lion Fish

I think I found a tank! Bad news... it's at least 200 lbs.  

Japanese Dragon Moral Eel