Charlotte's blog

Month: March 2026

Categories
Advanced 3D Animation Advanced and Experimental 3D Computer Animation Techniques

Week 10 – Professional Artist Interview and Dialogue Shot

This week focused on connecting our animation work to professional practice and dialogue acting. We had two main assignments: The Professional Artist Interview and Dialogue Shot – Reference & Rough Blocking. We also looked at acting and subtext, which helped connect the technical side of animation with character intention.

For the Professional Artist Interview, the task was to interview someone working in a role or creative area connected to our future interests. I interviewed Ilja van Eck, an independent web designer and developer. Even though he does not work directly in 3D animation, I still found the interview useful because I am interested in the possibility of freelancing in the future, and he works independently in a creative digital field. The interview also gave me insight into how creative careers can develop outside a traditional path.

One thing that stood out to me was that his studies helped him discover web design and development, but most of his growth came from self-learning, experimenting and sharing work online. He explained that visibility was important for getting clients, especially through platforms like Awwwards. This made me think about how important it is to build a strong portfolio and show my work consistently, especially if I want to work creatively after graduation.

The interview also made the freelance industry feel more realistic. He spoke about challenges such as difficult clients, communication issues, project management and stress. I found his advice about communication and deadlines useful, especially the idea of being honest with clients and not promising unrealistic timelines. Even though my main direction is 3D animation, these ideas still apply to creative work in general.

We also started the Dialogue Shot – Reference & Rough Blocking assignment. For this task, we had to use one of the provided audio clips and create a half-body dialogue shot with the Yu Long rig. The shot had to be no longer than 11 seconds, with only one character showing their face. The focus was on story, reference, camera, acting, facial animation and lip sync, rather than full body mechanics.

The lecture on Acting – Subtext was especially useful for this assignment. We learned that subtext is what the character really means underneath the words they are saying. The material explained that acting is reacting, and that subtext gives a character a richer inner life through subtle body language and performance choices.

This helped me understand that a dialogue shot should not just copy the audio literally. Before animating, I need to think about who the character is, what situation they are in, what they want, and what they are really thinking. The lecture also reminded us that great acting and animation happen when the character’s movement is driven by intention, not just by the spoken line.

For the rough blocking stage, we had to prepare the shot with reference, camera, environment, audio and main key poses. This made me realise how important planning is before animating. Shooting or studying reference helps decide the acting choices, facial expressions, timing and emotional beats before opening Maya and animating the final shot.

Artist_interview_01Download
Categories
Advanced and Experimental 3D Computer Animation Techniques Theory (term 2)

Week 9 — Individual Tutorials, Referencing and Research Ethics

The session continued with individual online tutorials. In preparation, we were asked to identify our research area, think about possible questions or problems, write a short statement about the purpose of the study, and find at least five academic publications that could support the research.

A key resource this week focused on quoting, paraphrasing and summarising. This was useful because the draft literature review requires careful use of sources. The resource explains that quoting, paraphrasing and summarising are different ways of using evidence from other writers, but that every quote, paraphrase or summary must be cited to avoid plagiarism. It also explains that direct quotations should be used sparingly at university level, while paraphrasing is usually preferred because it shows understanding of the source.

This is important for my literature review because I need to show that I understand the academic ideas I am using. Instead of filling the review with direct quotes, I should explain the arguments in my own words and connect them clearly to my research question. For example, if I use sources about media framing, propaganda or animated documentary, I need to explain how each source helps me understand the relationship between visual storytelling, war narratives and civilian experience.

We also looked at UAL standards and ethics. This reminded me that research must be conducted responsibly, especially when dealing with sensitive subjects. My topic includes war, suffering and civilian experience, so I need to be careful not to use shocking imagery or emotional language without critical purpose. The research should be respectful, academically grounded and aware of the ethical issues involved in representing real-world conflict.

Another useful resource was the revised proposal structure. It explains that the research proposal should include an introduction, background significance, literature review, research design and methods, suppositions and implications, conclusion, and bibliography. The introduction should explain what the research is about, state the research question and outline how the writing will answer it. This helped me understand how my draft literature review will eventually become part of a larger proposal structure.

The revised proposal structure also explains that the literature review should not simply list sources. It should be selective and should synthesise and evaluate how the research contributes to the discussion. For my project, this means I need to organise my sources into clear themes, such as media language, animated documentary, memory and trauma, and the use of stylised 3D animation to communicate emotional distance.

Categories
Advanced 3D Animation Advanced and Experimental 3D Computer Animation Techniques

Week 9 – Future Careers Lecture

This week focused more on the realities of working in the animation and creative industry after graduation. We had a lecture about future careers, salaries within the industry, and some of the difficulties that come with working in animation and 3D.

One of the main topics discussed was how unstable the industry can sometimes be. We talked about freelance work, short contracts, competition and how difficult it can be to find consistent work, especially at the beginning of a career. The lecture also covered the differences between studio jobs, freelance work and internships, as well as the importance of building a strong portfolio and networking with other creatives.

We also spoke about money and salaries in different creative roles. It was interesting to hear how pay can vary a lot depending on the country, the studio, the role and the level of experience. The lecture made me realise that working in animation is not only about creativity, but also about understanding the professional side of the industry and preparing for its challenges.

At the same time, the session was still motivating because it showed that there are many possible paths within 3D animation and related industries. Even though the industry can be difficult, the lecture encouraged us to continue developing personal projects, improving technical skills and finding a style or direction that makes our work stand out.

Categories
Advanced and Experimental 3D Computer Animation Techniques Theory (term 2)

Week 8 — Individual Online Tutorials and Draft Literature Review Preparation

The aim of the session was to prepare for the draft literature review and to make sure each research topic was becoming more focused and achievable.

We were asked to identify our research area, any possible questions or problems we might investigate, and a short statement explaining the purpose and intentions of the study. We were also asked to find at least five relevant academic publications that could support the research. This helped me understand that I need to move from a general idea into a clearer academic direction.

A key resource from this week was the guideline document for the draft literature review. It explains that the assignment is due on Friday 17th April 2026 and that it is an important step towards building the proposal for next semester. The task is to test the research topic by developing a research question, a short outline of the research objective, a draft literature review and a bibliography of books or journals reviewed and cited.

For my own FMP thesis, my current area of interest is how stylised 3D animation can represent the contrast between media narratives of war and the lived experience of civilians affected by conflict. At this stage, I need to make sure this question is not too broad. I can begin by focusing on how animation uses visual storytelling, metaphor, atmosphere and character perspective to communicate emotional distance or civilian experience.

A possible short purpose statement for my research could be: This study investigates how stylised 3D animation can represent the contrast between mediated narratives of war and the lived experience of civilians. It aims to explore how visual storytelling, animated documentary, memory and media framing can inform the development of an FMP animation that communicates emotional distance and civilian perspective.

The guidelines also reminded us that the draft literature review must follow an academic approach. This includes using Harvard referencing, avoiding plagiarism through careful quotation and paraphrasing, using recognised academic sources, and formatting the work in 12 point Times New Roman or Arial with 1.5 or 2.0 line spacing.

Another important point was that the literature review should not include unreliable sources such as personal blogs, film reviews or YouTube references unless they are being used for a very specific reason. Instead, the research should be grounded in peer-reviewed books, journals and scholarly articles. This is important for my topic because I am dealing with serious subjects such as war, propaganda, media framing and civilian suffering, so the academic foundation needs to be credible and balanced.

Categories
Advanced 3D Animation Advanced and Experimental 3D Computer Animation Techniques

Week 8 – Project 1 Presentation

This week we presented Project 1, which was a formative assessment linked to our Final Major Project. The aim of this task was to choose one core element from our possible FMP direction and test it through research, references and a small visual outcome. For my Project 1, I focused on the idea of the gap between political and media language and the reality of war. My aim was to explore the contrast between how war is presented through politics and media, and how it is actually experienced by people living through it.

In my presentation, I explained that I am interested in how official language can make war feel distant, controlled or simplified, while the real experience of war is physical, emotional and destructive. I wanted to start testing this contrast visually, rather than only describing it as a research idea. This helped me think about how my FMP could use 3D animation to show two different realities at the same time: the public version of war and the lived reality behind it.

For inspiration, I looked at a project about the Brussels government crisis, because it showed how political events can be turned into a creative visual project. I also looked at an award-winning animation that inspired me to think about politics, media and war through animation. These references helped me understand that political subjects can become visual and emotional, not just informational.

I also researched visual style references. One important reference was The Spark of Life, because of its dark cinematic atmosphere, ruined environments and emotional war imagery. I used this to support the mood I want my project to have: serious, heavy and cinematic. The ruined environment represents the physical reality of war, while the billboard and media imagery represent official communication and the way events are publicly framed.

For my visual test, I created an image with a ruined urban environment, a large billboard and media text saying “No casualties reported.” I wanted the billboard to feel cold and official, while the damaged environment underneath suggests that the reality is much more severe. This contrast helped me start exploring how 3D space, scale and media screens could visually communicate the distance between what is said and what is experienced.

Presenting the work was useful because it made me organise my FMP idea more clearly. I realised that the strongest part of the concept is the contrast between language and reality, and that the visual style can help communicate this without needing too much explanation. It also showed me that my next steps should be to develop more tests with screens, ruined environments, lighting and possibly a character perspective, so the idea becomes more emotional and less like only a concept image.

Listening to other people’s presentations was also helpful. It showed me how different students approached the brief in different ways. Some focused more on style or visual development, while others tested character, animation or story ideas. Seeing these different approaches made me realise that the FMP can start from many places, and that testing one focused element is a good way to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Project1Download
Categories
Advanced and Experimental 3D Computer Animation Techniques Theory (term 2)

Week 7 — Research Topics, Literature Review and Writing Introductions

This session continued to focus on potential research topics, strategies and resources. This session also worked as a revision of the topics covered so far, including research questions, literature reviews, academic structure and how to prepare for the draft literature review assignment.

A key part of the session was revisiting the draft literature review assignment. The assignment asks us to develop a research question or problem, write a short research objective, produce a draft literature review and include a bibliography of academic sources. This is intended to test the potential of the FMP thesis topic and create a foundation for the later thesis proposal.

We also looked again at how to structure a literature review. A literature review should not just describe sources one by one. It should organise research around key topics or concepts, compare authors’ positions, and explain how the sources support the wider argument. The resource also reminded us to be selective, synthesise and evaluate the literature, and use topic sentences to guide the reader through the discussion.

The session also introduced writing introductions. An introduction should explain what the research is about, why it matters, and how the study will approach the topic. The resource explains that an introduction should provide topic and context, focus and scope, relevance, aims and objectives. This helped me understand that the introduction is like a roadmap for the thesis. It should prepare the reader for the argument and make the research direction clear from the beginning.

For my own FMP thesis, this means I need to introduce the topic carefully without making the subject too wide. My current research question is: How can stylised 3D animation represent the contrast between media narratives of war and the lived experience of civilians affected by conflict?

This question gives me a clear direction, but I still need to refine the scope. I should explain why this topic matters, what kind of animation examples I might analyse, and how the research connects to my practical FMP work.

Another useful point from the session was the importance of integrating research properly. The resource on integrating research reminds us that research should not be added randomly into writing, but should support the argument and help develop the discussion. This is important because I need to use academic sources to build my argument, rather than only relying on my personal opinion or visual ideas.

Week 7 helped me understand how all the previous sessions connect together. Defining the research question, building the literature review, integrating sources and writing the introduction are all part of the same process. My next step is to continue collecting academic sources and begin shaping my draft literature review around clear themes that support both my thesis and my practical FMP animation.