Elements of Mise En Scene/ Camera animation
Use the golden ratio in storyboards – place key elements at the interest points for balanced composition.
In this image, the two red circles indicate the interest points where the main character (balloon) intersects with the guiding lines. Placing the character at these points creates a more balanced composition and effectively follows the rule of thirds.
This image shows the character not intersecting with the interest points, resulting in a less appealing composition for the audience.
- Plan before setting up the scene – ask key questions to ensure clarity and purpose.
- Guide the audience’s focus – a well-structured scene prevents confusion.
- Build up before major events – create anticipation and context to enhance impact.
- Use different shots intentionally – each angle conveys a specific emotion or meaning.
- Example: Shot 1 – Camera angle from inside a car, set in a darker outdoor environment.
Without showing the car, the audience can still understand that the scene takes place in a car. Additionally, shooting from a low angle creates a sense of pressure or impending action, making the scene feel more intense.
In my opinion, the elements above are essential when filming or planning. I need to study them in detail before creating storyboards and animating. Since there is so much to consider, waiting until I start the storyboard would be too late, and I might overlook important aspects.
The Hero’s Journey
Character and story are fundamental elements in animation, as highlighted by a Pixar senior animator. To create a vivid and appealing character, it is essential to follow the Hero’s Journey (refer to the image above). Many well-known characters have followed this structure, making them more engaging and memorable to audiences.
3 Storyboard Ideas
For this week’s task, we created three storyboards for our Final Major Project (FMP) or other animation work. This proved to be quite challenging for me. Although I had been recording ideas as they came to mind, developing three fully-formed concepts within a week remained difficult.
To generate ideas, I utilised mind mapping and conducted online research, including analysing YouTube short animations and exploring visual styles on Pinterest. Through this process, I developed the following three concepts.
Inspired by a real-life scene, when I returned home one day and saw a balloon floating on the street, I developed this story. It centres on a balloon that is simultaneously scared and worried about being crushed by a car, yet also excited by the experience. The story conveys the message that, even in extreme circumstances, we should remain positive, as this mindset can lead to a different, often better outcome.
For this story, I aim to depict a character searching for a coal rock, which, when found, will set him on fire, just like it did for others. The character exhaustively searches in various places, while everyone else succeeds, leaving him the only one who fails. In the end, he discovers the rock at home. This story conveys the message that the things we often seek are right beside us. It encourages being observant and appreciating the loved ones around us.
For the final story, I was inspired by the Frisbee disc. I am not entirely sure why, but I found it intriguing to imagine someone running on the Frisbee disc, and felt it could lead to an interesting narrative.
I developed a story in which the protagonist, like others, is focused on running as fast as possible. In his pursuit, he becomes so absorbed in competing that he neglects the time spent with family and overlooks the beautiful things, such as flowers, along his path. Eventually, he realises that time has passed quickly, and his family has grown older. In response, he runs in the opposite direction, hoping to find his family in a younger version. This story aims to inspire people to slow down and cherish their loved ones.
Among the three ideas, I am most interested in further developing the first balloon idea, as it is the most fully-formed. I already have a clear vision of the aesthetic and style I want to achieve.