Week 7
Revised Animated storyboard & Cloth & visual development
Analysis and Implementation of Feedback for My Animation Project
Introduction Based on the feedback from Professors Yulia, Rafael, Kane, and Mikki, I have identified key areas for improvement in my animation project. The primary focus of these changes revolves around enhancing visual storytelling, refining character design, and strengthening thematic elements to better align with the aesthetics of Song Dynasty art.
Storyboard and Camera Work Professor Yulia emphasized the importance of varied shot transitions to avoid visual monotony. Currently, many of my shots rely heavily on wide-angle perspectives, which may lead to a lack of dynamic engagement. To address this, I will introduce a broader range of shot compositions, such as:
Close-up shots to emphasize character expressions and emotions.
Detail shots transitioning into wider landscape views to create contrast and depth.
Alternating between dynamic and static shots to enhance visual rhythm.
Additionally, Mikki suggested testing these variations directly within Unreal Engine 5 before integrating them into the storyboard. This will allow for more effective visualization of the cinematic flow and help refine shot compositions dynamically.
Reduction of Repetitive Elements Yulia pointed out that certain elements, such as repeated drinking and floral imagery, might lead to visual fatigue. To resolve this, I will:
Diversify symbolic imagery to avoid redundancy.
Use repetition more intentionally, ensuring that it serves narrative and thematic purposes rather than becoming excessive.
Experiment with alternative visual motifs inspired by Song Dynasty aesthetics to reinforce the story’s artistic coherence.
Character Design Enhancements A significant critique from Yulia was that my character designs lean toward realism and lack a distinct stylized approach. To enhance the expressiveness and uniqueness of my characters, I will:
Adopt more exaggerated and abstract stylization, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese ink paintings and woodblock prints.
Simplify forms while emphasizing contrast and silhouette clarity to maintain a distinct visual language.
Implement iterative testing of character models in 3D to refine their proportions and visual appeal.
Composition and Visual Structure Professor Rafael advised that I should rely more on traditional Song Dynasty painting compositions, which often utilize layered depth, asymmetrical balance, and naturalistic flow. To incorporate these elements, I will:
Study historical paintings and replicate their compositional structures in my initial scene layouts.
Create a 3D animated storyboard to experiment with different framing techniques before committing to final shots.
Explore atmospheric depth and spatial separation techniques using UE5 to maintain the minimalist yet immersive aesthetic of Song art.
Thematic Development and Story Pacing Professor Kane raised concerns about the slow introduction of the central conflict, suggesting that a more immediate engagement with the story’s main themes would be beneficial. To address this:
The story’s primary conflict will be introduced earlier, ensuring audience engagement within the first minute.
The protagonist’s motivations and challenges will be more clearly defined, particularly in relation to the ruined structures and their significance.
Additional symbolic elements will be integrated, particularly to enhance the metaphor of the spider web and introduce new allegorical visuals.
Conflict Resolution and Dramatic Depth A key concern was that the resolution of the protagonist’s conflict lacked sufficient struggle or difficulty, making the climax feel underdeveloped. To strengthen this aspect:
Additional scenes will be added to depict the effort and obstacles involved in resolving the conflict.
More emphasis will be placed on character decision-making and the stakes involved.
The emotional arc will be heightened through animation timing and environmental storytelling.
Crowd Simulation and Environmental Detailing Mikki emphasized the need for a more robust crowd system rather than relying solely on static textures. In response, I will:
Implement procedural crowd generation techniques within UE5.
Ensure that background characters exhibit varied and naturalistic movements to create a living, immersive world.
Conclusion and Next Steps Based on the collective insights from my professors, I will implement the following key changes:
Revise story pacing to introduce conflict earlier and enhance engagement.
Begin asset creation early to ensure visual fidelity and alignment with Song aesthetics.
Refine camera work to incorporate more dynamic shot variations.
Reduce repetitive imagery while reinforcing visual symbolism.
Rework character designs to be more stylized and expressive.
Strengthen thematic depth by expanding metaphorical elements.
Enhance crowd interactions for a more immersive setting.
Through these refinements, I aim to elevate the storytelling quality and ensure that the animation aligns seamlessly with the artistic and philosophical principles of Song Dynasty aesthetics.
