LAUAN601 - Practical Production - Character Developed concepts

Developing my animated turnaround for the characters Roy, Bunnicula, and Black Dynamite.




The original Bunnicual concept layout for development, this turnaround concept for further reinterpretation. Experimenting with the design and models, then developing them for different block programs through transformation. For the unique features of each character design and then explore and compare them, this will produce an in-depth analysis into the techniques that make each design unique to the identification of that block program.  





Progressing the analysis in understanding what elements work the best in conveying the desired effect, not only aesthetically but regulatory in terms of how the design fits in with media application. Two opposing examples of views would be, the contrasting criteria’s that was the focus point for the primary research conclusion. Based on character design concepts being either, applied to the different regularity terms regarding the audience, by conveying what elements work the best for advertisement.

The finding from each character concept are compared and evaluated through a combination of simplified drawings to focus on the design features and speculation towards an overarching conceptual objective, to explore effective character design represented on age specific block programming. This establishes how the production techniques for regulated block programs, through conclusive stages that describe the unique contrasting ways character design features are amplified, to appeal through the aesthetics that communicate from the onset, based on the first visual identification an audience has of a character design. This character design aesthetic can develop to apply to an audience.

Roy:

Focusing on Roys original character design from 'Badly drawn Roy' as an example for an adult/mature audience produced version. This is based on the fact that Roy's character develops into a children's series and is redesigned with more friendly features, relatable for kids.

Exploring the effective 2D character design aesthetics, within age specific television block programming, by producing an analysis that examines the overall responses from practitioners based on theoretical research, to determine the production of character designs, for regulations within audience groups. The findings of this project for performance, dictate that there is a relationship between the features of character design, to portray a story and communicate by relating to the audience. Expressed through intuitive features desirable according to the audiences aspirations, influencing trends and production. What is associated with a feeling or expression that develops in individuals, in younger audiences it is the fascination and archetypes that characters represent as broad learning outcomes associated.

LAUAN601 - Practical Production - Character Referencing/Experimentation

Main character research and experimentation.
Roy is an Irish-British animated children's television series in Dublin, which was broadcast by TRTÉ in Ireland, on the block program, CBBC.

The series is filmed as a mockumentary and based on the short film called Badly Drawn Roy which was commissioned by the Irish Film Board, RTÉ and the Arts Council of Ireland through their frameworks scheme for new animation.

It is important to mention that there are two character designs for Roy. The original design, from the short film 'Badly Drawn Roy' and the most recent design. 'Roy' from the TV series

My character experimentations are based form the most recent character design of Roy. From the TV series, 'Roy'. 

I have found that the original character design concept for Roy, is based on the 'Rough animation' process. This is the drafting of line work that would usually then undergo the 'Clean-up process'. That adds refined lines to the character animation. 

But Roy's design is based on the fact he hasn't undergone this 'clean-up' stage, and remains a rough animation. Because of this, the character design retains this sketchy look and has a unique loose visual aesthetic. Perfect for younger audiences.

Roy's original character design, in comparison to another character design of the 'cleaned-up' stage, from the short film 'Badly drawn Roy'

Although this might pose a problem for my project. As Roy is not meant to be in a finished design stage, and I am researching and comparing other finished and 'cleaned up' character designs. 

But I realise the fact Roy is not complete, is because he represents a unique and aesthetically pleasing style. Made to stand out and ideal for the younger audiences. Representing a quirky and exciting theme that is relatable of the featured block program Boomerang. 

This simplistic design has a unique take on expressive characteristics. Which is actually ideal for comparison with other uniquely age specified character designs in this project.

More importantly I realise that the original design can be used as a 'mature' version for comparison of the character design.

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Main character research and experimentation.
Bunnicula the vampire rabbit, once the pet of Count Dracula: The series premiered on the block program Boomerang in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Bunnicula's character design is predominantly made of goofy features, and aimed for an audience of younger children. The script writing has an alternative 'edgy' vibe expressed with the character design. Through comical gothic themes and gore and based on vampires and monsters with a more comedic and cartoony side.
More ways the character design represents this audience, is through the comedic script and comical animation. This character is indeed a bunny rabbit with sharp fangs and the wide looking, but cutely deceiving eyes. 
This cartoon wouldn't appeal to a preschool audience, not because there is too much to process on screen. But because the actions of the characters are certainly not predictable or desirable for preschoolers. 

I am producing the practical with no colour, sticking to only shading and tonal textures. As I want to emphasise on the character design features for the line work to analyse the changing structure of the transformation.

The it is convenient I have chosen characters which feature mostly black and white colouring.
The vampire rabbit Bunnicula has mostly black and white, with only pink eyes.






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Main character research and experimentation.
Black Dynamite, as Michael Jai White, The show, released on the block program 'Adult Swim'.
Set in the 1970s, is predominantly a parody of and tribute to blaxploitation cinema. Playing from the stereotypical characters and ethics of that 'exploitation film' and time period.

1970's America, setting dark comedy elements from the offset with stereotypical character deign, and setting. Drawing all dark comedy from undermining the harsh setting. This show sets low moral standards and adult themes through portraying hard hitting reality and violence. With Sarcasm, dark humour and an underlining ruthlessness. Appealing only to adult and mature audiences, filled with stereotypes and ideologies racism.

For example, most villains in this cartoon are made out to be physiologically unstable with backstories of suffering and abuse. Mostly from growing up in the cesspool of prostitution, pimps, drugs and violence that this cartoon entails. Almost prompting genuine motives, but with interesting twists and disheartening resolutions.

Most episodes of the show were rated TV-MA (akin to the R rating of the movie itself) for bloody, stylised violence, strong sexual references (including nudity, references to prostitution, and depictions of sex acts), and humour derived from racism and discrimination. Overzealous training montages, sex and adult scenes intertwined with comedy.

Studying the character designs and experimenting with them, understanding why they are unique and represent the desired themes.

Featuring the 1970's characteristics and fashion, based from 70's film aesthetics.

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LAUAN601 - Practical Research - Choosing the cartoon

The practical of this project is the most important area because it informs the rest of the project swell as the primary research.

For my practicals I am going to create turn arounds, which are animated T-poses. Because my project is based on age rated television program character designs, I am going to try and transform the designs as they are in the animated turn around.

Choosing a suitable cartoon show that best represents the 'CITV' program age range from examples:

Choosing a suitable cartoon show that best represents the 'Boomerang' program age range from examples:

Choosing a suitable cartoon show that best represents the 'Adult Swim' program age range from examples:

I have decided to take the visual elements of the character designs most associated with 3 programs and swapping the features between each other to transform the design. Then describing with theory how the visual design changes and appeals for different audiences, with different design features.



Chosen shows:

'ROY' from CITV:

'BUNNICULA' form Boomerang:

'BLACK DYNAMITE' from Adult Swim:

LAUAN601 - Practical Research - Character Design/Interpretations

For my practical I will be redesigning three cartoon characters for different audiences

Choosing three cartoon shows for analysis and experimentation for my practical. Each chosen from selected Block programs. 

• Researching into the house style, visual style, and informing the specified visual aesthetics for the target audience. 

• Conclusive, story setting but visuals inform the setting and the story.

• Choosing the cartoon that best represent that age rated audience block program, in every possible visual design aspect for the best results, identifying and analysing the redesign. 

Producing character referencing sheets to transform the character design into an alternative age rated audience for a block program, and analysing the redesign for the final practical assessment. Contributing to my overall project research theory.

These Spiderman character designs show the same character but in different interpretations, each one designed to appeal to a different aged target audience. Young, Teen, then Mature. The main premise for this project is to understanding how the character design appeals to these audiences, through 'block programs'

Animating a turnaround is the final stage for my practical in this project.

The animated turnaround will transform a character from its original design into a different design, while rotating. For example Samurai Jack transforming into a plush, short and big headed character. Enhancing the more child friendly features, appealing to a younger audience. 

By keeping the character identification but altering the structuring in a reinterpretation, through an animated transformation, the character will begin to appeal to a different audience.
Changing the character design to appeal to the opposite target audience age range and analysing what features influence the design and represent the visual context of that age rated block program.

Researching into Crossovers in cartoon shows

Concept art from the website Amino (blog) 'How to make a crossover':
https://aminoapps.com/c/cartoon/page/blog/how-to-make-a-crossover/g0JU_6uPxeV0dlYG1vLkkpJbBBePga5 

I am looking into examples of cartoon characters crossovers, when a character travels into a different universe. Researching into how it possibly changes the appearance and design of the character into the visual style of that cartoon universe. This is because my practical is researching into the characters visual identity and comparing it to what makes up another character from a contrasting age group.

The character design depends on the universe they are in, if a 3D character crosses over into a 2D universe it will most likely be reinterpreted in that medium. But in most cases the characters that are crossing over tend to share similarities with the other characters visual design. 

This is relative to my project and interesting but not looking into character transformation specifically. 

But these two examples of different character design for aged audience interpretation and crossovers all apply to my practical as visual research.

LAUAN601 - Informing the Practical - Block Programs/Age Ranges

Researching into:
Three character designs based on age rated 'block programs', which will guide visual development of the practical.

• Designing three characters that meet the target audience for specified/channels studios, develop a character.

• Short premise for a story, character description, then development on target audience for (chosen channel/studios) visual development.

• Model sheets (movement, extreme poses) and character sheets (t-pose, turn around) Studies of character expression.

Block programming: I might research into 'Block programming' a series of related shows which are likely to attract and hold a given audience

Block programming or television block:
Is the arrangement of programs on radio or television so that several items of one general class, such programs relate to Children's animation, teen and adult, themes and audiences. This is perfect for what I am looking into for my project.'Block programming' is basically a 'Cartoon Network'. 

This is a viable option for my theme, instead of looking into animation studios or channels. 

Major classification based on age groups are as follows:

• Pre-school - ages 2 to 4 years
• Young school - ages 5 to 8 years 
• School - ages 9 to 12 years
• Teen - ages 13 to 16 years 
• Adult - ages 16 and above

Researching into block programs (often hosted on 'Cartoon Network') that feature a variety of relatively recent, 2D animation for a specific age rated target audience:

The youngest age of viewer to watch Adult Swim is 13 years old, Teenagers and Adults are the fit audiences for Adult Swim, 13 and up.


Choosing Three 2D 'Adult Swim' Cartoon programs within this block program

• Mr. Pickles
• Samurai Jack
• The Boondocks
• Black Dynamite 
• The Venture Bros

ADULT SWIM is an adult-oriented nighttime programming block, a nighttime identity for Cartoon Networks, as an alternative programming during the late night hours when Cartoon Network's primary target audience, children between the ages of 6–15, would normally be sleeping.2D cartoon Cartoon programs within this block programs.

It is primarily aimed at children and young teenagers between the ages of 7-16 and targets older teens and adults with mature content during its late night/overnight day-part 'Adult Swim.'
Choosing Three 2D 'Boomerang' Cartoon programs within this block program

• George of the Jungle (2007 TV cartoon series)
• Bunnicula
• Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz
• Grojband
• Cartoon Planet

Uniquely targeted at two distinct age groups, a preschool school audience and a school age audience of 4-9 year olds

Choosing Three 2D 'Children's ITV' cartoons within this block program

• Danger Mouse
• Mr Bean
• Wishfart
• The Bagel and Becky Show
• Ben 10: Alien Force

• Roy
• Mona the Vampire