"Exploration sequence" - Setup & test shots

The new setup is ready.  I've done a few test shots and i'm satisfy with the results.  I had to build a new camera rail (vertical).  I was sure how i'll do it but i think it was the simplest way to do it and to more accurate for my budget.

The rigging system will be the same as used on my other running sequences.

Here's some test shots.

- Lowest position -

- Mid position -

- Highest position -

I need to fix a new pole (48") to my rail where i'll fix the wire to support the character.  I also have to paint my statue's head that will fall in the beginning of that sequence.  I should start animating this week-end.

Sequence #13 (0:39 - 0:45) is done !

Wow !  This sequence was really hard to do.  After several hours of hard work trying to put the set in place, i was able to start animating.  I did the 94 required photos yesterday (double that number is you count the background only pictures).  I think it took me around 7 hours.  I did that in 4 seperated sessions.  The first one was for the running part and the jump.  The second and the third ones were for the landing.  Finally, the fourth one was for moving the head at the end of the sequence.  Today, i removed the wires and i cleaned the pictures.  I took me around 5 hours.  I had some issues removing some wires because the character's support blocked some light when i shoot the character with the set.  When i removed the character to only take the set, the light wasn't blocked anymore so there was a difference hard to ajust in post-production.

Anyway, here's what it look like.

I had to use three different character's supports.  I used metal wires this time instead of a firm rod.  I was looking for flexibility.  For the last part of this sequence, i put a screw into a popsicle stick in order to hold the arms of the character tighly to the floor.  I didn't want the whole body to move each time i moved the head.

 

The next one will be the sequence #6 "Exploration".  I will take a break for some days (maybe a week) before starting this one.

Sequence #13's setup

After a few days break of animating, i managed to begin my next sequence's setup.  I had to remove everything from my stopmo room because my set required heavy modifications.  In this sequence, there's a 180 degrees camera movement (almost 180 degrees).  It took my a while before achieving what i wanted.  Many ajustments where done but i think i'm on the right way.

Here's what it looks like so far
 

I think i'll use the rail to support my character for the 3 or 4 running steps he does at the beginning of the sequence and also for the jump through the wall (before we see the interior part).  For the landing and the roll, i'm not sure yet but i think i'll use a little movable support that will stand inside the building on the floor.  The rail will be use for the last part when he's "flying" toward the camera.

The camera support is fix with a screw on the desk, directly below the wall (he passes throught) which is the center of all the sequence point of view.  The camera will be fix on that support.

One of the stopmotion important things to remember is to "tape down everything" in order to avoid anything to move while shooting.  So i put a lot of screws on every pieces of the frame of the set.

What you see on the picture is the street and the floor of the inside of the building.  I need to paint it and to build the front and one of the side wall.  I need to place the buildings i have already used on the others sequences to finish the alley side of the set.

Edit : 22-08-2010

- The alley set side is almost completed.

- The side wall and the floor of the interior part of the new building are done

- Some parts of the lightning are done

Edit : 30-08-2010

Here's some new setup's pictures

Measurement marks for the camera (rotating axis)

The interior's part of the new building

The wooden wall and the broken one

Some test shots

 

Things to do :

- The front wall is in progress done 25-08-10
- 2 windows and the hole in the front wall done 26-08-10
- Fixing the front wall on the set done 29-08-10
- Clouds on the alley side of the set could be required done 29-08-10
- Measurement marks for the camera (rotating axis) done 30-08-10
- Add a roof top for the building (to block the light) done 01-09-10
- Polishing the lightning done 01-09-10 
- Built a character support done 01-09-10
- Measurement marks for the first part on the character support rig (running steps and the jump) done 01-09-10
- I need to modify setup so i can add at least 10 frames at the beginning of the sequence done 01-09-10