ben yee | blog » MethodsOfMotion

Methods of Motion (2009 Spring)

benyee — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:35:11 +0000

This class explores methods of storytelling through animation. We examine a range of techniques including pixillation, stop motion, collage, abstract and cartoon animation. We apply a variety of tools such as iStopMotion, After Effects, Flash and Motion. There are five animation short animation assignments and one final project. Students are encouraged to experiment. Drawing skills are not necessary though students are required to maintain a weekly sketchbook. A basic knowledge of digital video is a plus.

O my (mr rogers)

benyee — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:28:41 +0000

and another one…

Walk Cycle (interactive)

benyee — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:48:40 +0000

Left and Right to get gramps walking. Click to let him in. Hope he makes it in time.

Walk Cycle

benyee — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:48:34 +0000

So here’s my first go at building a walk cycle using Flash CS3 + AS3. This tutorial was really helpful (thanks, Adam). Initially, I wanted to create a character that would mix Homer Simpson with Steve Urkel, but none of the sketches I did were at all satisfying. Instead, I illustrated a more Asian-looking version of “Grandad” from the Boondocks. My progress, including a semi-function interaction and some juvenile humor, is below. Unfortunately, I’ll probably be in this guy’s shoes within fifty years or so…

Hapless Fame

benyee — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:08:26 +0000

Here’s my first go with After Effects. Fiona D. and I decided to craft a simple story with a twist. It’s partially based on Fiona’s obsession with Gossip Girls (a tv sitcom?) but also a creation from our tired minds…heh. At first, we planned to hand-draw the sets and figures themselves, but ended up using Photoshop to modify magazine cutouts and web images instead. Fiona has posted some here. Also, we gathered sounds from free online sites and recorded several of our peers’ voices here on the ITP floor. Our process was pretty fluid overall, and given the time constraint, we felt more or less satisfied with our result too. Have a look below.

hapless fame from ben yee on Vimeo.

After Effects Animation Prep

benyee — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:57:28 +0000

Wikki Wibble Wobble

benyee — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:02:35 +0000

Here’s a claymation video that Karla C. and I produced over the last two weeks. The patience needed for working with armature wire and clay was serious, and the post-production editing was not a game. However, I think we learned and enjoyed ourselves plenty. We aimed to include a lot of playful energy, color, and motion, so what we came out with was a pretty fun and abstract result, which is cool. But I think future versions would offer more of a story and develop character personalities / individual movements a bit more. Enjoy!

wikki wibble wobble from ben yee on Vimeo.

Morning Kickz Off v2

benyee — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:41:02 +0000

I added a layer of polish to this animation, so it isn’t too bad now, but it needs speakers that produce good bass for the right effect.

morning kickz off v2 from ben yee on Vimeo.

Morning Kickz Off v1

benyee — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:06:29 +0000

This is an initial-low-res version of a pixillation project that I’m working to complete in the next week. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to use at least part of my sneaker collection but wasn’t exactly sure how, so I spent a couple hours looking at examples, reading, and scribbling down possibilities; this did not allow me to generate even one satisfying idea, so I decided to start shooting without story-boarding anything. Once I did, the basic concept slid magically into my mind, and progress was mine. Looking forward, I want to spend some more time editing the pace, adding sound / music, a title screen, and re-doing the credits.

Also, my lady Marlen helped me grab a big chunk of the footage and provided this clever title too — muchas gracias, baby!

morning kickz off v1 from ben yee on Vimeo.

Waltz With Bashir

benyee — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:51:41 +0000

Waltz With Bashir by Ari Folman is an animated documentary about the 1982 Lebanon War. Seeing it today was an intense experience, especially when combined with the partial shock of returning from a slow, tropical environment to one filled with noise and tasks (trip to Honduras/return to NYC). I honestly didn’t expect to learn so much or be so engaged, but Folman’s film completely captured my attention with its various animation techniques, immersive sound elements, and dream-like scenes; I was impressed throughout it. The extreme detail put into representing motion and creating moods was equally supported by discussions involving stimulating subjects such as perception and memory. While I was aware that the film would end by introducing live video footage of slaughtered civilians, I couldn’t predict my reaction. I watched, looked away, and peeked a bit longer. Fortunately, the credits appeared after a few moments, and I left the cinema . . . feeling numbed. My curiosity to better understand the circumstances of the massacre led me to do some reading online, and my further processing allowed me to appreciate the stylistic decisions taken in using animation and video to impact viewers, both artistically and politically. Overall, seeing Waltz With Bashir was worth the twelve dollars and strengthened the argument that animation isn’t always childlike and bright.