I created this blog for my research, ideas and to show my progress during my final year at the University of Huddersfield studying Virtual Reality Design with Animation.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Simon's Cat by Simon Tofield - Great video about it!
He talks about the insperation, the style, how he does it, the soundtrack, ideas, the book and new characters. There is even a quick sketchbook flip too! Would love to slow that bit down to have a look :D
Quote could also be taken from this video.
BBC News - Simon's Cat is an internet phenomenon
Really interesting interview and definitly can get some quotes from this for my dissertation. A lot of good advice from Simon Tofield to help me with my animated short and the questions asked are helpful too.
Click here to see the Simon's Cat interview
Little Red Riding Hood Animations
more about "Little Red Riding Hood: As Told by Ro...", posted with vodpod
I'm not a fan of the animation but I like the idea of using Roald Dahl's version as I'm a big fan of his, I love the rhyming especially.
more about "Simsala Grimm Little Red Riding Hood ...", posted with vodpod
This is one of my favourite of the examples I found. I've never heard of the Simsala Grimm Animations but the style and humour is the kind I like and would be interested in doing. Although I would prefer to just have the story of Red Riding Hood and not have characters that are like narrators in this animation.
Click to see Red Riding Hood Video
I love how the animation looks, the voice over and the sinister feel and twist they put on it although its a bit too odd and off track for me.
Click here for Old Disney Little Red Riding Hood Animated Cartoon
I love Disney but this animation was just a bit too unstructured and crazy for my liking although I do like some things they did such as Grandma being on the duvet. The voices are quite annoying too.
Little Red Riding Hood - Kung Fu - The best bloopers are a click away
I like how Red Riding Hood fights back. With my idea being a cat as lil red and a dog as the wolf I can imagine it being quite a fun idea if I did roughly the same idea. I hate the commentary though.
This made me laugh but it is a bit odd and i think a bit stretched out. I don't think I would do anything like this as I would like to stick to the story.
more about "Little Red Riding Hood as told in the...", posted with vodpod
This is quite an interesting twist and is interesting but no where near what I am planning or would like to do.
On youtube there are lots of videos people have made with the song by 'Bowling for Soup - Lil Red Riding Hood' This one was the one I thought had the best editing and is actually quite a good match and tribute. It gave me the idea that I could make my animation based on this song. It's not too long and if I got the cutting right it could turn out good. My only problems so far is that if I did this I might not be able to enter it in any competitions and would have to get permission to use the song.
This is another video with the song over the top and is Betty Boop footage from "Dizzy Red Riding Hood" (1931). This song is by Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs (1966) though. Bowling for Soup did a remake.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Plan for this week
For help print images of him in different poses and do guides to get his rough shape.
2. Look at other animations of Little Red Riding Hood.
Do any have characters as animals instead of people (excluding the wolf)?
3. Come up with 3 different rough scripts for my 3 favourite ideas (Remus the Naughty Bengal, The Fish Shop Cat and Little Red Riding Hood parody).
Show these to people to see which they think is the best idea/story. Remember to let them know any problems that any of my ideas may have such as it could be difficult to make under 1.30mins or if the script needs changing and its just a rough idea of the story.
4. Print out my blog for presentation of Research and Development.
Probably just stick with normal print out. No fancy colours or anything. Although I could possibly print out any Cat stuff on say Yellow paper and any animation research on errr Blue paper and anything else on Green paper. Oh and make a cover page and include my name, course, Research and Development and my blog address. Also create a first page explaining about writing all my research on my blog and also how I use it to show my development.etc. Basically an intro.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Story Idea - Anthropomorphism version of 'Red Riding Hood'
Any way, one that I remember and thought was an interesting idea was a anthropomorphism version of a Fairy Tale such as 'Red Riding Hood'. Instead of the girl it could be a kitten and the granny could be an old cat, the wolf could stay a wolf or change to be a dog. I imagined it in a very Ghibli kind of style.
An idea I came up with later with the fairy tale story in mind was making it into a modern version or like in a modern cats life type of way, kind of reminds me of Tom Kitten from the Beatrix Potter books.
My idea is that the kitten catches a mouse or his/her mum gives the kitten a mouse and tells the kitten to take it to its grannys garden/house. Off the kitten goes and could meet challenges or other animals on the way.
The bit with the gran and the wolf would happen but it may have to be a clothed type of anthropomorphism because of the dog/wolf dressing as the granny to trick red riding hood. Unless I can come up with a good way of twisting it without clothes. Maybe the dog could have the same colour fur as granny and just pin his big ears so they look smaller and point up and maybe curl his tail because the granny's does... something like that. Any way, as far as I can think the story pretty much carries on and finishes as the original.
The only problem I have with this is the fact that fairy tales have been done over and over. I like the idea of oringinality or a twist of an original thats not been done before. If I found out that nothing like my idea has been done then I would be happier about doing it as my animation.
Simon's Cat Book
Canongate editorial director Nick Davies said: "The humour is refreshingly innocent which gives the characters the broadest possible appeal. I think we have a major new comic creation here—something to rival The Bunny Suicides, Purple Ronnie, and maybe even one day, Wallace and Gromit."
The first book has been published in hardback and the second book will be published for Christmas 2010.
The Bookseller reports that agents have already started talking to a number of film, television and merchandising companies about the Simon's Cat brand.
http://www.yourcat.co.uk/Simon-s-Cat-cartoons/Simon-s-Cat-to-feature-in-books.html
The insperation for Simon's Cat is...
In the films, a loving, but frequently exasperated cat owner watches while his cat demands to be fed, let in and groomed.
In Let Me In, the cat is desperate to come indoors while in TV Dinners, his feline resorts to increasingly concerted measures to gain his owner's attention. Finally, in Cat Man Do, he goes to extreme lengths to wake up his owner – much to the amusement of the viewer!
Simon, who works for London-based Animation Studio Tandem Films, explains that the films are based on three of his cats, all moggies.
“Jess is a tiny seven-year-old cat, who I bought from an ad in the paper, in Clapham Common. Maisie is a gi-normous five-year-old rescue cat, while Hugh is a one-and-half-year-old cat from Cats Protection.
“It all started when I wanted to set myself an new animation project last year and one day, I had Hugh climbing all over me and I thought: ‘That’s perfect!”
Simon's actual cat!

Hugh goes on to be the main inspiration in the films, though the action on the sofa in TV dinner is mostly taken from Jess.
“I think it’s so popular, as the cat mannerisms result in well-observed comedy. People enjoy identifying with them and are reminded about their own cats and their own quirky behaviour.”
And for die-hard fans of the series, there’s good news as Simon is already planning more clips featuring the hapless cat owner. “I’m looking for new scenarios for future films and the garden is something I’m considering, as well as feeding time!”
http://www.yourcat.co.uk/Simon-s-Cat-cartoons/Simon-s-Cat-is-revealed.html
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Quotes
http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com/authors/the_panchatantra_quotes.html
(accessed on 4/11/09 at 7.48pm)
"Most scholars since the time of the English philosopher Francis Bacon (1561–1626) have agreed that the tendency to anthropomorphize hinders the understanding of the world, but it is deep-seated and persistent."
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/27536/anthropomorphism
(accessed on 4/11/09 at 7.55pm)
Monday, 2 November 2009
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Blog
They post inside scoop on the day to day goings on directly from the fine folks who make the Cartoon Network series. It shows and hopefully will continue to show things that you won't see anywhere else including, production designs, board pages, sketches and doodles, etc. The link to the blog is below.
http://fosterstv.blogspot.com/
Behind-the-scenes clip of The Princess and the Frog
Cartoon Brew TV, offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip, courtesy of the Walt Disney Company, from their forthcoming hand-drawn feature, The Princess and the Frog.
In the video, supervising animator Bruce Smith (Bebe’s Kids, The Proud Family) discusses the character of Dr. Facilier, the villain of the film, and how voice actor Keith David influences the animators work and the character’s performance. David is shown performing and being directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. There are also some brief bits of pencil tests and color footage that hasn’t appeared anywhere else on the web.
After witnessing Disney abandon their hand-drawn films several years ago, and watching the rest of Hollywood consumed by CG, it’s incredibly exciting seeing classical character animation being produced on this scale. Sometimes you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. The Princess and the Frog marks the return of a beloved moviegoing tradition: the classic Disney fairy tale.
Below is the link to site where I found this.
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/brewtv/princessandfrog.html
The Panchatantra tales
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/panchatantra.html
Opposition to anthropomorphism
Certain religions and religious leaders throughout history have actually condemned it, for example Xenophanes, a Greek philosopher during 570–480 BC, said that God could not be limited by portrayals of anthropomorphism.
"The greatest god" resembles man "neither in form nor in mind."
Love to Know 1911 (2006)
Both Islam and Judaism reject physical portrayals of God; Judaism further rejected this antagonism to the idea after Christian’s claimed that Jesus Christ is the physical manifestation of God.
Many people believe that anthropomorphism can help people feel closer to God and do not see any harm in it. If God truly understands and loves us he will accept what helps us believe and cope with the theory of a mighty being watching over us.
Anthropomorphism is not just a religious debate but also a literary debate, for example in 1911, in China's Hunan province; Lewis Carroll's novel ‘Alice's Adventures in Wonderland’ was banned. They believed that "animals should not use human language" and it "puts animals and human beings on the same level." GDFL (2009)
Later in the twentieth century George Orwell's novel Animal Farm used anthropomorphism to satirize Stalinism, as voiced by a pig in the famous passage below.
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others".
This is a good example of how using anthropomorphism of animals can help make much broader and complex political statements accessible and interesting to the general public. This is because people can relate to the animals and absorb the message easily whereas if the message were presented in another style they would not listen as intently.
The Looney Tunes
Below is a quote I found that I find quite inspirational. It's funny how it also has a bit of a jibe towards Disney as 2 of their original animators wrote a book called 'The illusion of life'.
"A small child once said to me: 'You don't draw Bugs Bunny, you draw pictures of Bugs Bunny.' That's a very profound observation because it means he thinks that the characters are alive, which, as far as I'm concerned, is true. And, I feel the same way about animation ..... Animation isn't an illusion of life. It is life."
Chuck Jones
http://www.animationusa.com/resources/aboutwb.html
Looney Tune books to look at
I especially want to look at the last book as it even includes model sheets, background art and how they actually created and made the Looney Tunes! Only problem is, its not published any more so I will have to find a used copy. The cheapest I have found so far is just over £30!
* Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: Complete Illustrated Guide to Warner Brothers Cartoons
by Jerry Beck, Will Friedwald
* Looney Tunes: The Ultimate Visual Guide
by Jerry Beck
*Animating the Looney Tunes Way (Looney Tunes Collection)
by Tony Cervone
Japanese anthropomorphized animals

Found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/37217398@N02/3536158725/
Thursday, 29 October 2009
My confusion and conflicting advice - dissertation
Am I on the right line by what I have written as a dissertation plan? Am I pretty much writing what I had started on my blog but mixed with the anthropomorphism and jungle book stuff?
Anthropomorpism
Most cultures actually use anthropomorphised animals as characters in their fables such as the Asop fables or the Just so Stories. I believe this is because animals are a big interest for children and can be an easier and more enjoyable way for them to learn to morals.
“The term derives from the combination of the Greek ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos), "human" and μορφή (morphē), "shape" or "form".” Found on Wikipedia
Abstract
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Cat body language



I also found the information below at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_body_language I have included my comments in red to what I have seen from Remus.
* Disgust - Lifting and subsequent shaking of a paw or paws. The more paws, the stronger a feeling is indicated; this can sometimes be a four paw affair with each paw being lifted and shaken in turn. This is possibly related to the identical action that's displayed after stepping in water.
Remus must be rather confused then. He goes in the bath and does this at first but then runs around in the water playing.
* Aggression - The swishing or sweeping of the tail in a wide swath, mid-air or against a person means the cat is trying to get the person's attention. And if the message isn't getting through, the cat may simply leave the room.
* Contentedness - Kneading with the paws on a person or, for example, a favorite blanket or sleeping spot. Young kittens knead their mother's nipples to stimulate the feeding reflex in her so that her milk flows for the kittens to suckle on. Cats may knead for a short or extended period of time, the extended period is sometimes interpreted by people as a sign of discomfort or restlessness, but it is more likely the cat is happy. Most cats will demonstrate this for about ten minutes at the longest.
Remus does this a lot to his favourite blanket especially just before he falls asleep. He also sucks it and purrs. I can't see it being a sign of discomfort more a sign of comfort and happyness.
* Relaxation - Sprawling on the side or back and, possibly, rolling about; this may be seen, for example, when a person enters the room or stirs from their seat. The cat may display this at the same time as the person's movement.
Remus will just fall and sprawl on his side any where. He can he sat behind you in the kitchen and when you turn around he will then be sprawled. It does say its a sign of relaxation, maybe he is.
* Greeting - A particular sort of vocalization, such as a low meow or chirp, possibly with simultaneous purring.
Remus defintley does this! If I go away for a few hours or a day, I come home and he talks to me lots and purrs while doing it. Its as if he is telling me off for going, welcoming me and telling me what he's been up to all in one long meowing session. He rubs himself on me lots as well and almost falls over doing so. I know this means he is showing me that I am his and that he was attention.
* Affection - A pressing of the face or top of the head against a person's body, leaving a scent as a marking of territory.
* Submission - Upon being approached, it will fall down on its side, indicating it is not seeking attention and is unwilling to put up a fight.
Remus does this to Matt (my friend) a lot as he likes to play fight with Remus. I think he has learnt to trick Matt sometimes though as he will do this but suddenly attacking him. Its funny as soon as Matt attacks him back he will start licking him as if apologising and will surrender again.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
My Dissertation Plan
Title - The Animation of Cats
Intro - What I am going to talk about? What each subject will cover.
My project is going to cover the different ways cats can be animated and use that information to build my project. I am going to look at how anthropomorphism can be used and has been used. I am also going to look at different types of animation for example stop-frame, traditional and 3D. Then I am going to look at how books have been changed when made into an animated film specifically looking at The Jungle Book. Then I am going to look in detail at previous animations and documentaries of cats and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each method. For example comparing the animation, ‘Simon’s Cat’ with the much more complicated and time consuming ‘The Aristocats’. Finally I will look at real cat behaviour, breeds, body language.
Aims -
Heading - Anthropomorphism What is it? Any thoughts and ideas for my work. Comment on books/films containing Anthropomorphism.
Anthropomorphism is when a non-human creature, phenomena, element or object has human characteristics and attributes. For example an animal acting with human incentives such as the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland who is trying to not be late, he acts like a human because how he speaks, runs, dresses and has human emotions. For something to have anthropomorphism it only needs one of these examples so the White Rabbit is on the extreme end of the example. A more modest example is the cat from ‘Simon’s Cat’. Most of the time he acts like a cat, the thing that makes him have anthropomorphism is that he does small human like actions such as hitting his owner with a baseball bat or carrying a plant pot, obvious things that a real cat can’t do.
Most cultures actually use anthropomorphised animals as characters in their fables such as the Asop fables or the Just so Stories. I believe this is because animals are a big interest for children and can be an easier and more enjoyable way for them to learn to morals.
“The term derives from the combination of the Greek ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos), "human" and μορφή (morphē), "shape" or "form".” Wikipedia
Heading - Different types of animation
Compare them and why I would or wouldn't want to do it in each form. Including different types of backgrounds. Also, do tests in 3D and hand drawn to see which I prefer and I believe I am better at. If I feel more confident in one form than the other then it will be best to stick with that one. Also, remember my idea of possibly mixing 2 forms.
Heading - From Book to Animation
The Jungle Book comparison between the book and film.
Heading - Previous animations on cats
Looking at realistic and anthropomorpision cats. Write about positives and negatives.
Below are some examples that I could look at.
• Simon’s Cat
• Splat the Cat
• The Aristocats
• The Lion King
• Eye of the Leopard (Documentary)
• Cheetah Blood Brothers (Documentary)
• National Geographic’s The Secret Life of Cat (Documentary)
Heading - Study of Cats
How they move, look, breeds, sounds, reactions.etc.
Use books, magazines, internet, watching my cat.
Summary and Final Idea -
Tying it all together. How my research has affected my idea. If it changed it or re-inforced it. Describe my final idea.
References
Appendix
This weeks plan
• Finish writing Jungle Book part of essay
• Write rough intro
• Do 500 words on different types of animation
• Look at people and cartoon characters with the type of acting I’m looking for.
• Do life drawings and experiments for my human character
• Do a thumbnail storyboard for my short film
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Short idea based on happenings with Remus
Blue text is Remus' actions and red is mine.
Remus the naughty cat
I'm working on laptop and eating a ham sandwich at the same time.
Remus stalks around the sofa, hiding, popping his out in various places. He then runs to his toy box and knocks it over.
I look up and awwww grrrr and roll eyes but go back to work.
The whole time Remus is looking Innocent but as soon as he sees I am looking away he grabs the Cat Nip bag and carries it to under the stool and rips it open.
I look up just as it happens.
Remus is eating it and smacking it (his pupils go big during eating).
I run to him yelling.
Remus runs off.
I get there go awwww as bending down and try to pick up the spilt catnip.
While doing this Remus comes back and starts jumping and rolling in it again and getting in the way.
Once only crumbs are left I go back to work.
Remus carries on messing the crumbs until he notices I'm eating my sandwich. He sneaks up and sits on the arm of the sofa.
I look at him and move the sandwich away.
He sneaks around the back and meows at me and looks at sandwich.
I shake head and move it back to my left side.
He waits till I'm not looking and goes behind me.
I look around think hes gone.
He then sneaks back to my left and he reaches to my sandwich in my left hand and licks my sandwich!
I look and then look away but suddenly shoot my head back and snatch my sandwich back.
Remus still has his tongue out during this but the jumps off the sofa as I wave my hand and look angry. He runs to the other side of the sofa and hides at the back of it.
I've been watching this but as he looks calm, I go back to eating my sandwich and working on laptop.
Remus suddenly pops his head up and does the glare he does when hes going to attack me on the stairs but then stops and meerkats to scope the room. He looks up and sees the string at the top of the curtain. (Zoom in as he notices it). He then goes back to the stairs stalk pose, wiggles his bum and shoots up the curtain as he's reaching...
I jump up and grab him and put him on the floor and finger wag him, he goes for my finger so I growl. I then fix the top of the corner and turn around to find him finishing my sandwich! I awwww and fall to sit down flopped on the sofa. Looking defeated.
He looks at me and pulls out one of his toy mice and puts it on the plate and slides it to me with a big grin.
My mouth drops and just turn eyes to camera and roll my eyes.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Some stories on Cat's that I found
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat by Ursula Moray WilliamsWhy was I ever born a witch's kitten? Why - oh, why?" With his bright blue eyes and sparky magic whiskers, no one could mistake Gobbolino for a kitchen cat, but that's just what he longs to be. So, while his sister Sootica learns how to ride a broomstick and turn mice into toads, Gobbolino sets off to find a nice warm fire and a family to care for him. He has many adventures along the way and makes many friends, until he finally finds the home he dreams of. First published in 1942, Gobbolino the Witch's Cat continues to delight children - a true modern classic.
Catkin by Antonia BarberTold in folkloric cadence, Barber's story is about the rescue of baby Carrie, who was switched for a changeling by the Little People. The hero of the tale is a multitalented cat called Catkin, so named because he was "...so small that he could sit in comfort on the palm of a man's hand." Because Carrie was stolen while in Catkin's care, the furry fellow risks all to venture into the enchanted land inside the hill. There, of course, he answers three riddles, the last of which frees Carrie but also binds him to that land forever. Posed with a final dilemma, the Lord of the Little People seeks guidance from the Wise Woman; her solution is to have the child and cat spend each winter in the underground realm and return to their own land each spring.
Slinky Malinki by Lynley DoddThere are a few books on Slinky Malinki. He is one of the cats in one of the author's previous books, "Hairy Maclary Scattercat" - a feline character to match the canine Maclary. It features the adventures of the stalking and lurking adventurous cat Slinky Malinki who is a common cat during the day but becomes a thief as night falls. Written for pre-school children, with rhythmic, rhyming text. It has become a best-selling bedtime story book in New Zealand.
Winnie the Witch by Korky Paul and Valerie ThomasWinnie the Witch has a problem. Everything in her house is black. The carpets are black, the chairs are black, the bed is black with black sheets, the pictures on the walls are black and there is even a black bath. Winnie likes it that way. But Wilbur the cat is also black and, when he closes his eyes, Winnie can’t see him against all the other blacks in the house. After she’s stepped on him just once too often,Winnie decides that a little magic will do the trick. ABRACADABRA! and Wilbur has a red head, a yellow body, a pink tail, blue whiskers and four purple paws. Poor Wilbur! Even the birds laugh at him when he tries to hide up in a tree. Luckily,Winnie thinks of a new trick that can put everything right!
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Remus Blog
http://naughtyremus.blogspot.com/
Write my own story or use an already exsisting one?
Another idea is... could I turn a joke into an animated short film. I would like my short film make people laugh.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Anthropomorphism (An-thro-po-mor-phism)
It is strongly associated with art and storytelling where it has ancient roots. Most cultures possess a long-standing fable tradition with anthropomorphised animals as characters that can stand as commonly recognised types of human behaviour.
Examples are:
* Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland
* Looney Toons
* The Magic Mirror from Snow White
* Lumiere, the candlestick from Disney's Beauty and the Beast
* Pokemon
* Simon's Cat
This is the idea of what I could research for my dissertation. The idea is that it will combine with my project, aiming it at the ideas of 'The Fish Shop Cat' or 'Just So Stories' ideas.
I also found a website that might help me write my dissertation. http://www.editavenue.com/writingtip.asp?cid=93302
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Lasseter Promises More Hand-drawn Animation
Lasseter Promises More Hand-drawn Animation
By: Thomas J. Mclean
Speaking at Disney’s D23 fan expo in Anaheim, Lasseter gave fans a peek at the upcoming hand-drawn film The Princess and the Frog, and a new Winnie the Pooh feature due out in 2011, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He said that studios had made a mistake in focusing solely on CG animation.
“I never quite understood why the studios thought people wouldn’t want to watch it,” Lasseter said, according to a Reuters report. “What audiences didn’t want was bad movies.”
Speaking to press, Lasseter denied there was any truth to the rumor that Pixar was planning an Ant-Man movie as part of Disney’s recently announced plans to buy Marvel Entertainment.
He also announced some casting news for the upcoming Toy Story 3, confirming that John Morris will return as the voice of Andy. Jeff Garliln, Bonnie Hunt, Timothy Dalton and Whoopi Goldberg also will play voices in the film.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Dissertation Ideas
"The key elements to the writing of an animation dissertation are the same key elements that exist in the writing of any academic dissertation. Before beginning an animation dissertation, a great deal of thought must be given to the topic to be discussed. A poor decision in terms of topic at this stage may lead to a lot of wasted time and problems in completing the dissertation adequately."
Any way, here are some ideas.
* The quality of art and acting in traditional animation, and how 3d animation lacks this quality. (With this idea I could argue how 3d animation retains these elements just in a different way).
* How traditional animation influenced 3D animation. (Which is better and why? Do we believe that going back is needed like Disney are trying with 'The Princess and the Frog').
* The impact modern forms of animation have had on traditional. (3D, CGI.etc)
* The Future of the Animated Feature Film
Lion King Background Art






First Weekly Plan - 2/10/09
This week my plans are to: -
* Come up with a possible idea and title for my dissertation.
* Research DISNEY's traditional animation backgrounds.
* Do some practice paintings/sketches of background styles based on Disney.
* Find and print out any images that I can think of or come across that will inspire me.




