Evaluation task - Aardman Animations

Aardman Animations also known as Aardman Studios is an academy award winning British animation studio based in Bristol, United Kingdom. The company was founded by Peter Lord and David Sproxton in 1976. The studio is famous for its stop-motion, clay animation productions, particularly those featuring plasticine duo Wallace and Gromit. The company also produce books, mainly for Wallace and Gromit. However it successfully entered the computer animation market with its 2006 film, Flushed Away. A superhero created for Vision On in 1972 was the inspiration for the company's name. 

Some of their more famous films are A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and also the most recently Curse of the Were-Rabbit - all from the Wallace and Gromit collection. In 2000 Aardman Studios produced their first feature film, Chicken Run, an award-winning worldwide box-office hit. Aardman has been nominated for three Children's BAFTAs.

Screen grabs of garage band/final cut projects & prelim task

Garageband soundtrack sketch and final

Preliminary task

Final Cut

Evaluation Task

Monsters Inc. Opening Sequence

The opening sequence of Monsters Inc. use many of the opening sequence conventions. For example, it incorporates all of the movie's titles in a creative way. It uses the ideas of doors and monsters to show the titles so the viewer automatically knows what the film is about while also keeping the viewer entertained and interested and the transition from the titles to the opening scene is interesting and creative. This is quite similar to our opening titles because we also used a creative way to reveal the title of our film. However, Monsters Inc. did use a lot more special effects to create their opening titles.

Monsters Inc titles





Free (our production) titles






The theme tune of the opening sequence is fun and catchy which would appeal to all listeners. The tune stays in your head which makes you remember the film in a positive way and hooks the viewer.
The genre is clearly comedy and for children, due to the bright colours and way it is presented.
The first part of the opening sequence establishes the location and introduces certain characters such as the boss of 'Monsters Incorporated', Mr Waternoose. Our production does introduce characters but not as thoroughly as Monsters Inc.



    Intro of Mr Waternoose







Intro of Fred and Perry





All the sound in this opening scene after the titles is diegetic. This makes the monster's world seem more real to the viewers. This contrasts to our opening sequence as we use only non-diegetic sound.
The introduction of Sully and Mike is amusing and establishes their relationship of being best friends. It also establishes the location of the monster's world, Mike and Sully's home and their work place. Our introductions don't establish the dinosaurs' relationships besides the fact that they are trapped together.

Feedback

1. Camerawork - are there enough variety of shots, angles, movement? Is it steady?
"Only one shot, angle and movement was used, it's quite steady."

2. a) How well does the sound work? Make comments on diegetic and non-diegetic sound, sound effects, background/ambient sound, and the quality and effectiveness at creating mood.
"The voice over and backing track work well with the clip."
b) What opening title sequence conventions can you identify?
"The groups names were shown which made it look professional though some parts were held on pause."

3. a) Comment on all aspects on mise en scene. How smooth is the animation? Use of sfx?
"The use of props is done well as all the characters are made out of it and the effects from props such as the police station created out of lego shows a good use of props. Also the scene of the sequence is all hand made and suits the plot of the film. There are no use of costumes at all in the sequence but doesn't affect it."

b) What target audience do you think this is aimed at? Age range and why?
"Kids: 5-10 from simple narrative."

4. Editing:
"Pace could've been a bit more fluent. Good use of techniques however could have had more variety. Quick cuts. Good audio editing with the voice over."

5. What media company could this film fit into?
"This film would fit in well with Aardman Animation Company as it is very like some of their previous films (e.g. Chicken Run) where the animals also try to escape."

U1-30 Children's Film Project Final

Animatic and sound track

Here is an animatic of our storyboard complete with sound. A storyboard is important to planning our opening to a children's film because it helps us keep on track with the original plan and it also shows what kind of transitions and sounds we can use. It also helps us develop our skills in Garage Band and Final Cut. In this animatic, we have also used examples of the soundtrack we will use for our final film.

Props for Children's Film

These are some of the props (dinosaurs) we will use in our children's film, Free. All of these characters may not be used in our final production.

The "Leader" ^

Arnie

Sam (at the top)

Simon (at the bottom)

Susan (On the right)

Sally (On the left)

Larry

Barney and Bazil

Terrence and Laurence

Fred and Perry

Gary