List of End Credits

Beyond Imagination

For my Family
Mom & Dad
Munish & Sandeep

Senior Thesis By
Anita Rani

Thesis Advisor
Mike Cushny

Original Music
Andrew Markus
4 Score + 7 Music

Little Girl Acted by
N. B. Nusrath

Special Thanks
CADA Faculty
All CADA Friends

New York University
Center of Advanced Digital Applications

Showcase Images (1280 x 720 )

Here are 3 Images for Showcase in 1280 x 720 Image size format.

Images for Showcase

These are the new 3 images that i worked on for Thesis Showcase. I think these are much better than last ones. Last time when i was working on these images, i was just saving a frame from animation itself. But after i spoke with Mike this Monday, he explained that it doesn't have to be a frame of animation. Instead, it's a composed poster of all or few elements. Hence, this is the result. Now, all i have to do is burn these on CD, fill out that form, and i'm done. Then i can go back to work on my Thesis.

End Credits - Not Finalized

End Credits - Not Finalized

Color Combinations for End Credits..

Now that the written style is finalized, i'm working on color combinations. I want it to stay in the same feel as of thesis, so i am using a couple of colors from my thesis look.

This is the color combination that i was thinking to go for previously, ( purple + green ) but then i thought that it's up againt sky, and it might not stand out. I had used purple for my Industry Review, and as you can see it in my last post, it doesn't stand out more. Therefore, I need some darker colors, so it would stand out, and easily read.

Then, i tried some color combinations using Red, and here's what i came up with. I think it will stand out more against sky, and it's perfect. There are a lot of choices to play around with just as i had for purple. But to make things easier, i'm going to use Red + Green.

That's it. Style is confirmed, and color is confirmed. Now, i'm going to work on animation of End Credits. Hopefully it will turn out to be great.

Does my Thesis Title look like Simpsons???

During my Industry Presentation, i was told that my hand-written style of Thesis title looks like Simpsons, so i thought of looking for an image of Simpsons title, and here it is. As you can see, Simpsons is also written against sky, and i think it's kind of hand-written, or maybe IT IS hand written. That's two points same as of my thesis. BUT, it doesn't make it look like my style of writing at all. Just because it's up against sky, and it's hand-written doesn't make it look same as of my thesis title.

Above is the image of Simpsons, and below is the image of my Thesis' Title.

Here's what my title looks like. There's a lot of difference between Simpsons look, and my style of writing. Maybe it looks like Simpsons to them because it's against sky as well as Simpsons. But as far as looking same as that of Simpsons is concerned, i don't think it's true.

I tried a lot of different ways of writing my end credits, and this is what i finally liked. I discussed this w/ Mike and he also thinks that this look is fine.

I could've tried more style of hand-writing, but at this point, we're running out of time, and i really don't think it's good idea now to play around w/ different styles of writing. So, i'm sticking w/ this.

one on one session w/ Mike

Today, I had my meeting w/ mike for first time after our industry presentation. I spoke to him about my report, and about those 4 DISAGREES that i got from one of the panelist. Today mostly i worked in labs because i had to use one of the plug-ins in AE. I got to work on most of the shots, and it's coming along very nicely.

I am having problems w/ shadows, and i spoke to mike about that. For some reasons, shawows are not following character. Character goes one way, and shadow goes opposite. Mike spent some time fixing that problem w/ me. Also, we worked on my paint effect technique to see if it doesn't look low res.

I showed him my 3 images for the showcase, and got some comments on that. I will try making them look like poster. I was just taking out images straight from animation, but after today's meeting, i got some feedback on how to make those images look more better. so, i'll start working on that now.

For next week, i'll have to finish up all the shots and bring them in Final Cut Pro to show Mike.

Faculty Report - My comments on report

Faculty Review : My Comments on Report

My name is Anita Rani, and my focus is motion graphics. For my thesis, I’m using a painting technique to visualize a little girl’s eagerness to catch a butterfly in her dream world environment. For today’s Faculty Review, I don’t have much to show. I did some 3D flowers, and trees growing techniques, and I have a shot of painted hands grabbing butterfly. I tried to finish painting hands because I want to get comments on how does painted hands look. Whether I should paint them more, or maybe in different style or something.

During my presentation, i thought i will get some comments on my 3D stuff, or my paint technique...but instead i was told to keep everything in the look of my animatics...For them, my animatics was really outstanding than my original production work. Even though, it's work in progress, they still thought my animatic style was gr8. i was told that i have natural talent to tell story, and to draw well. they thought my production work looks way too perfect that it's taking me away from "my style", which is hand drawn...and i had comment about keeping title in hand-drawn technique as well....they didn't have any issues about my frame by frame painted hands....they said my 3D look, is looking way too perfect that it's not looking as animatics...i was also told to just add color to animatics, and that's my thesis right there...Overall, they didn't have any major problems...so i guess it's alright...

After reviewing my report....i think i didn't have any major issues. I just need to work on my 3D work, that will keep the look of my animatics..... I just had AGREE/STRONGLY AGREE for most of my critiques.....and basically....as i said in my last post, i will discuss this with Mike on Monday of what should i do...because right now...i'm so confused that i don't even feel like working on anything... i'll continue painting butterflies....and keep the trees on hold until monday....that's it....

So in Conclusion, after knowing their comments, i'm really confused now...does it mean i'm putting too much time making my piece look "perfect" when in reality just hand drawn or painted would be the best way to go? i told them that the only reason i'm using 3D is because it gives me freedom to grow stuff the way i want it to be...and to make it my personal piece, i'm adding my painted textures onto the 3D brushes...

Industry Review, ( My comments on report )

Industry Review : My Comments on Industry Review Report…

My name is Anita Rani, and my focus is motion graphics. For my thesis, I’m using a painting technique to visualize a little girl’s eagerness to catch a butterfly in her dream world environment.

During this presentation, students will present their thesis animation in front of industry people and get comments. I think, so far I’m on right track. I’m done with almost all of the shots, and scenes. It’s not completely done, but it’s close to being finished. I am still working on the final look of my thesis, and that is to add paint effect on to each layer, and make it look like painted brush strokes, rather than looking like solid 3D trees, and branches. I still haven’t added any shadows, depth, fog, and camera movements. Audio is still work in progress. For presentation, I’m using same audio file that I had for my Faculty review, and unfortunately, now that we are working on final piece, and lots of stuff is being added, and removed, my project is getting longer in time wise. And my audio got short. So, I had to loop it, and put a little blend in the middle. I’m sure I will get comments on audio because there’s a little click in the middle where I added some blend, but right now, I’m not worried about audio because I want to get comments on my animation, and look of the thesis.

Today, i saw my report of presentation I did on Thursday. Everything is okay, except that i got 4 disagrees from one of the panelist, and they all had to do w/ the look, style, and technique of my thesis.I actually wouldn’t really disagree because I did have “paint effect” scattered all over, and I made my project looked low res. Even though it was high def, it looked really low in quality because of un-fixed paint effect. I was trying to get all scenes, and shots done so I can show my project from start to finish. During that time, I didn’t get enough time to tweak out these little things.Now that I’m done with presentation, I can actually get some time to fix shadows, butterfly wings, saturation, walk cycles, and flower blooms. There is still a lot to do but I’m relaxed that all my shots and scenes are done. Now, I’m working on tweaks, and a few adjustments here and there. I was told to add some insects, animals, and birds etc. but I am glad I told them at the same time that I’ll take care of that with sound. If I go to add insects, birds now, then it’s waste of time. I won’t get to finish anything on time. Right now, it’s more important to work on what i planned in my previs., rather than adding new stuff.

So, in Conclusion, I’m not really disappointed about my report. It’s good, and I got great comments. Overall, it’s all good for my thesis, because I get opinions from other people of how to make my thesis look more great.

Images for Showcase

These are the 3 images that i thought i would save for showcase. Even though the look of my thesis is still work in progress, i thought it would be better to start working on it now.

Industry Review - My Comments...

Today, i saw my report of presentation I did on Thursday.

Everything is okay, except that i got 4 disagrees from one of the panelist, and they all had to do w/ the look, style, and technique of my thesis.

I actually wouldn’t really disagree because I did have “paint effect” scattered all over, and I made my project looked low res. Even though it was high def, it looked really low in quality because of un-fixed paint effect. I was trying to get all scenes, and shots done so I can show my project from start to finish. During that time, I didn’t get enough time to tweak out these little things.

Now that I’m done with presentation, I can actually get some time to fix shadows, butterfly wings, saturation, walk cycles, and flower blooms. There is still a lot to do but I’m relaxed that all my shots and scenes are done. Now, I’m working on tweaks, and a few adjustments here and there.

I was told to add some insects, animals, and birds etc. but I am glad I told them at the same time that I’ll take care of that with sound. If I go to add insects, birds now, then it’s waste of time. I won’t get to finish anything on time. Right now, it’s more important to work on what i planned in my previs., rather than adding new stuff.

So, I’m not really disappointed about my report. It’s good, and I got great comments. Overall, it’s all good for my thesis, because I get opinions from other people of how to make my thesis look more great.

Girl Walking Rotoscoped...Shot 2

Here's the video of girl walking forward in Shot 2. I think it looks much better than what i had done b4. Now, colors are same throughout whole thesis, and there's a consistant look for her. and her steps are not too jumpy unlike last time. I didn't really focus on her expressions, because she's going to be in dark environment anyway, so it would be a waste of time to pay attention to her every single little eye lash. I think it looks gr8 and i'm going to add this composition in its original place. Then i'll see how it looks.

Getting back to Work...

After the presentation, it's now time to get back to work, and learn from our mistakes...When i started rotoscoping this girl, i was using way too many detailed brushes, and every single little details, including the lines on her dress. But it complicated the stuff later on when she's walking, and running. I couldn't keep the track on for brush details, and color pallete. So, i thought of editing it out after presentation, and now is the time. Yesterday, i fixed her composition of her walk in 2nd shot, when she's walking forward. There was a little jump ( missing step ), and her dress kept on changing colors ( obviously because i had no color pallete set for her ). Now, everything is back on track, and i love the way she's walking now. I'll upload the quicktime here once i render it out.

After i'm done w/ this composition, i'm going to work on the wings of butterflies. They need to bend while flapping.

I haven't looked at my report of presentation yet, but i'm sure it must be positive. So, i'll just wait for monday to look at my report, and looking forward for my one on one session w/ Mike. Until Monday, i'll try to work on it as much as possible.

Industry Review Notes - by Iman

These are the notes that Iman took for me while my presentation. Nothing to be really sad about. These are all positive comments, and i'm really glad i had this presentation in front of Industry people because the come here only for us, only to make our projects look great. and i really appreciate them coming here to see our work, and giving us positive feedback. I'm definitely going to tweak out my thesis, and make it look gr8.

Industry Review...

Today, march 13th, we had industry review for our thesis project. Before i start talking about presentation, and how i felt about it, i would like to say about today's start of the day. Since monday after my session w/ Mike, i'm working on this project non-stop. day and nights belong to my thesis now. every night i put a couple of compositions to render, and see in morning how they turned out to be. so it's like everyday same story, me and my thesis hang out together almost 24/7. Last night, i worked on the last scene of my thesis, and put it to render. It showed the render time of about 5 and half hours. So, as usual, i put it to render, and went to sleep. by morning, i collected all files, and quicktimes and went to CADA to add sapphire so it can look like painted strokes. i found out that sapphire was still needed to add on to the system, so after it was done, i started rendering out each quicktimes of different scenes and shots to 1 composite project. since there were only 4 hours left for presentation, i figured if i go to each composition in AE, and start adding sapphire paint to adjust it, it will take forever, and i won't have anything to present. so, i just dropped sapphire paint to final composite composition, and rendered it out w/ audio. Oh, another problem!!!! My audio, came out to be short for this final project. so, i had to loop it, and i tried to blend it so i wouldn't hear that little "click" in the middle, but it wasn't that sharpened. i didn't even bother about audio, because wasn't important for the moment. i rather paid attention to sapphire. I knew it's not gonna look as good as if it was added to composition itself, and adjusted on different layers but still i wanted the panelists to see how it's looking.

One of the panelists was same as last time's presentation, so i was glad to see him because he would know why i added sapphire paint. It's because he was the one who wanted to see paint more rather than stiff 3D.

According to me, i think i did pretty well. they didn't have any major issues. they said same stuff as Mike tells me of adding more saturation, fixing butterfly wings, making trees move, adding more depth, adding more fog, making girl look consistant throughout, and ofcourse more camera movements. And....i was told to change the "hand writted" title w/ something else, it reminds one of the panelists of SIMPSONS. Well, i kind of like what i did, and i think i would stick to "hand written" technique. Maybe i need to use different handwriting, but i am really loving this hand written look because it looks as if painted signed his/her painting w/ a brush.

One of the shots where little girl is running, there's a perspective problem, and i couldn't get enough time to finish that, and panelists picked up on that and i was told to fix it.

also, i was told to keep on growing stuff in each shot so it would keeps the audiences engaged.

Oh and i was also told to add light, sun rays, and shadows, which is ofcourse my next step. and i'm going to start working on this now.

other than this, i was suggested to add some insects and birds, but i told them, that it's a little time consuming at this time, and i would rather go w/ sound effects of crickets, frogs, in the dark scenes, and then later on sound effects of birds in the green garden. this way, i don't have to waste my time adding insects and birds when i could be working on finishing this thesis. on other hand, it's not bad idea, it would only make my project look more nicer, but at this point, i'm not really willing to take this challenge because every second is important right now, and we only have 6 or probably 7 more weeks left. I'm not even sure how much time is left. I always work keeping in mind that it's due next week. This way, i get to pay more attention towards it, rather than keeping my mind off it.

The thing is, i wanted all of my shots to be completed and ready to go. so later on, i would just tweak out stuff. and i think i made good decision. now that i know what needs to be fixed, what needs to be moved, grown, or changed, I can focus on that more rather than going crazy w/ trying to finish up the scenes.

Uh, another thing, i had Iman taking notes for me. i would scan that and add here as my reference for future.

Well, they really liked my project, and suggested a couple of techniques to make it look more nicer. it was all for good. and not only me, but everyone who presented today did a great job. i think we all are ready to finish our thesis. Then, finally we can relax. but there's still time left for that moment.

one on one session..

today, march 10th, i had another one on one session w/ Mike. I was given a couple of suggestions to make my project look more nicer. My butterflies are flying really flat like a cardboard right now, so i need to fix that. Mike suggested some techniques that might make those butterflies look natural. I have to work on little girl's walk , because it's missing a few frames, and that makes it look jumpy. I still need to work on some saturation of the layers because they all kind of look at the same level. Other than this, to make this piece look like real forest type of environment, Mike suggested to add some fog. However, i couldn't get the 3D fog to work, so i rather would go to just blurring the layers.

Other than this, i am really looking forward to Thursday's presentation. The more i work on my thesis, the more i feel like i should fix that, i should fix this....and i know it's gonna keep on happening until the end of this project. I'm not overwhelmed or something, but i really treat this thesis as if it's my baby, and it's growing little by little everyday, and i just want to see it grown up. In this case, i want to see my thesis finished, and ready to submit to some festival or competition. but there's still some time for that. for now, i need to tweak out some stuff.

Close to being done...

Here's another shot that i completed today...It's the shot when flowers start growing, and everything turns from dry dark, to beautiful green.

Unlike my last shots, i added some darkness, some contrast, and some ramp to make sure it doesn't look "too perfect" for being dark and dried. Last time when i had my appointment with Mike, he showed me how to make my shots look darker, and kind of foggier....and i followed that same technique here...

Now, i'm going to work on the shot of little girl's walking on, and flowers blooming after her...i'm not sure if i'll be able to finish it b4 2morrow's appointment with Mike...but i'm definitely sure it will be done b4 my thursday's industry review....

Right now, the look of this shot is not the final look. Later on, i'll take all shots, and add sapphire effects on it to make it look painted. Then, it will be completed....

........Okay now, getting back to work.........

Last Shot - Video

Here's the video of last shot...As i mentioned earlier...i think butterflies need to fly faster...and i'm definitely going to add more butterflies...

Also, i'm missing Glow coming out of hands when they open...the reason is that i need to work on this glow when i'm working in Labs...and i'm not really sure about how would i add glow here...last time i had a glowing ball, but to me it looked more like "not" painted..it was more of like broadcast type look..and that's not what i wanted...it was a good glowing ball though...all i need is just "glow" coming out of hands..and i need to spend some time in labs in order to get that result from Sapphire Effects. So, that being said, i'm keeping glow on hold as well...if i get to do glow b4 thursday's presention, then it's good for me..otherwise...i will work on it after presentation..

I'm just hoping to get all shots done b4 presentation and in good solid look as well...

Okay now..let's get back to work...Enough said for now...

Painting little girl..

Right now, i'm working on painting little girl's shot when she's running after the butterfly....as i'm painting more and more..my hands are getting used to it..and i'm coming up w/ new shortcuts to get to the same result...As i'm working on it for more shots, i'm thinking of going back, and re-doing some of the shots to make them look more nicer...but NOT NOW.. i need to get all elements together first, and then i'll think of cleaning up...


Once i have these last two shots done, THEN i can relax...but right now i don't think i have time for breaks...

Last Shot ...

Finally..butterflies flied...and all for good....i didn't give up until all of them were on their track....so far, i have like 5 or 6 of them flying...and i rendered it out just to see how it's looking...what i noticed was that butterflies need to fly a little faster...that's all i think i need to fix...however, maybe they could fly a little more natural...but right now, i need to pay attention to other two shots that i still haven't even touched...i'll post the video of this shot soon...

Flying Butterflies...

Since yesterday, i been working on my last shot of the thesis, where butterflies will come out little girl's hands, and start flying here and there...for some reason, i'm not getting their movements right....i mean they do fly right..but it doesn't look natural...and if this keeps on going like this, i am not sure how long will take me to fly all those butterflies...i don't think i should waste more time on this because i still have two more shots to go. as a matter of fact, i'm seeing mike on monday anyway, so i'll discuss this w/ him. and who knows, maybe i'll get this problem to be fixed by then....i'm hoping to get those other 2 shots to be finishsed as well...one of the shot that still remains is the shot when little girl walks and flowers bloom following her...and second shot is when she's running after the butterfly to catch her....so, it's still a lot to go....

Let's get back to work....Enough talking!!!

Final Look of Title..

Well...i tried, tried, tried, and tried....finally...i think i got the look of it....I tried writing my own name to see how does the flow of my hand movement looks like....after that, i kept my hand in same position, and wrote title of my thesis at the same time...and here it is!!!!!!!...

So, for thursday's industry review, i'm going w/ this look....Though i wouldn't still consider it final...Maybe i will get some feedback on this...let's see how it goes...

Working on Title Look

When i had my faculty review, i was told to stay away from bothering to look for the type face of my thesis title...instead i should do it w/ hand written....so here it is.... In fact, i was thinking to use hand written style as well, but then i thought maybe it's not good idea...but now that even industry people also like everything to be done in hand made style, i have done some examples....i was trying to write title of my thesis w/ my handwriting...and i think it's going somewhere...However, i like the top one...I might use this for the Industry Review for next week, and if it's not accepted, i'll change it...This is good enough for the Industry Review...

Flower bloom

And here's the shot painted flower being bloomed...i think it's okay...i still think that when flower blooms, maybe something should happen, or maybe i should show some cracks in the grass...or i'm not sure what i'm thinking...what i'll come up with something...

this shot is not finished completely but it's good enough to show Mike 2morrow...as i need to know how much still i need to work on.

Oh yeah...i need to render this flower being bloomed AGAIN, because if you look close, stem of flower is "dancing" nonstop....and i don't like it...i rendered this flower a while ago when i didn't know how it would look after being rendered out...while rendering, i had it checked on "texture animation"....so it's not a big issue to render it again, and fix this tiny problem...

other than this, i worked on my another shot when little girl gets surprised after seeing flower being bloomed...i'll upload that video here as soon as i'm done rendering it out...

shot 2 - Finished painting Girl

Recently, i finished working on this shot for my thesis. For this, i had to rotoscope little girl's video to paint her. somehow i feel her steps need to be increased but then again, she needs to walk a little, and then she stops when she notices a dry plant in front of her. so i think it's not bad. if anything comes up for this shot, i'll fix it before next presentation.

Another thing, i fixed sky for this shot. now it looks as if it's really up there instead of being a plain image of sky.

to make this shot look like it's dead dry, i added a few dried plants here and there. i think it looks okay, but let's see what comments i get after my next session with Mike.