Cinematic Production: Reflective Statement

Overall, I would say that Butteam functioned well as a group for the majority of the production pipeline. There were a few issues towards the end of the production of the film, but it was smooth sailing for most of the time.

Everyone contributed towards the concept design area of the production schedule.

http://jcoronadoac.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/cinematic-production-character-concepts.html

http://jcoronadoac.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/cinematic-production-concept-design.html

http://jcoronadoac.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/cinematic-production-turn-arounds.html

In terms of Butter's design, I think we developed it quite well. I wanted something that was simple yet effective that everyone would be able to animate. I did find it odd when others stated that the arms were difficult to work with when they were essentially really bony versions of a stickman's 'noodle arms', but the most important part of this is that having this design allowed for us to work with the animation effectively in correlation to our schedule and to finish on time. Not only that, but it also made the facial transformations more effective as they contrasted well with this simple design.

In terms of my individual contribution, I would say that this is the best that I have done in any given group project. While I was meant to only have the role of Head of 2D, I took up a leadership role without having realized it, as well as taking on any tasks that anyone else in the group was not sure about. As the head of 2D, I managed to efficiently finish all of my shots on time. I also assisted with all of the shots that required 2D animation with Zack, Michelle Z. and Michelle C regarding timing, stylistic approach, expressions, mouth flaps and more of the sort. In terms of sound direction, I mixed the entire track with its sound FX, as well as all of the voice-acting lines done by Nick Stevick and Michelle Z. being directed by myself.

http://jcoronadoac.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/cinematic-production-animatic-remake-vo.html

Although Michelle C. was meant to be the director, I ended up doing all of the major creative decision making as I had a firm idea of what would be most effective for this film and that my immediate decision would help the film move forward on a good pace. During filming, I also directed most of the shots alongside our friend Robby Peters.

http://jcoronadoac.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/cinematic-production-filming-day.html

Lastly, because of a lot of the absences that were happening around the latter half of the production pipeline, I also handled the editing for the most part to put the entire film together. All in all, I would say I took up a lot of the work on my shoulders and am satisfied with my contribution and its results. Perhaps it would have been better if I did not have so much work to myself, but our circumstances demanded for it (illnesses, hesitant decision-making, etc.) and I would say that I improvised well.

What I learnt along with the others from my group is that finishing clean-up before the placeholder 3D model is a mistake because changes to the placeholder affect the placements of all its 2D features. We had to spend extra time to fix up all of these shots because of this and in the end we barely managed to finish the film.