Aayushi Barai's Blog
MA 3D Computer Animation
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Client Review & Learnings
Throughout the process, we kept getting live feedback from the client every two weeks. This was really helpful in keeping us on the right path and making sure we were meeting their expectations.
The feedback was constructive, and we made the necessary adjustments as we went along. It helped us refine the animation, visuals, and story so that the final video matched what the client wanted. It felt reassuring to know we were making progress in the right direction and staying aligned with the project’s goals.
One of the biggest things I learned during this stage was how to present my ideas clearly and effectively. The live feedback sessions helped me understand the importance of expressing my thoughts visually while speaking.
Being able to convey my ideas with both words and visuals made it much easier to communicate with the client and the rest of the team. This skill will definitely be valuable for future projects, as it helped us stay on track and ensure we were all aligned with the client’s vision.
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Animation for Main Character 2
For the animation, I worked on the second character, also using Maya. I really wanted to show how this character supports the main one emotionally, so I spent a lot of time figuring it out.
I kept going back and forth on how to show the support in a natural way. I even recorded myself doing different actions, testing out ideas. Finally, I decided on a “breathe in, breathe out” action, to show the second character calming the main one down and helping her relax. Once I saw it, I felt like — yes, this works! It felt natural and gave the scene a comforting moment of connection between the two characters.
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Texturing Interior Environment
Once the modelling was done, I moved on to texturing the interior environment using Substance 3D Painter. I wanted to give the scene more depth and make it feel lived-in but still clean and comforting.
I kept the textures soft and not too harsh, to match the calm feeling we were going for. I chose cool and gentle colours, so the focus stays on the characters and their emotions. I made sure the textures didn’t distract from the story but instead supported it quietly in the background. This really helped bring the environment to life and make it feel more natural.
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Modeling Environment
After the story was finished, I chose to work on the environment for our animation. I wanted to create a space that would support the emotions of the story and make it feel more alive. Using Maya, I worked on both the exterior and interior environments by myself.
For the exterior, I designed it to reflect South London, since the project was for SELCA (South East London Cancer Alliance). I thought this would help people connect more with the visuals, as it feels familiar and relatable. I kept this in mind while creating the layout and look of the outside space.
For the interior, I focused on keeping it soft and not too messy, to avoid any visual confusion. I wanted it to feel calm and clear, so the message of the animation could come through easily. Every part of the environment was carefully planned to support the character’s journey and make the story feel real for the audience.
This week, we were introduced to the module and its focus for the term. Unlike the previous term, which emphasized animation techniques, this one is more story-oriented, concentrating on the pre-visualization of a shot. Instead of receiving critiques on animation assignments, we will be working on developing a 3D storyboard concept.
In class, we learned about Mise-en-scène, the Rule of Thirds, and the Golden Ratio, all of which play a crucial role in camera positioning and shot composition in filmmaking.
- Rule of Thirds: This is a guideline for visual composition that places the subject in either the left or right third of an image, keeping the other two-thirds open. This helps in achieving a balanced and visually appealing shot.
- Mise-en-scène: This term refers to the arrangement of elements within a shot, including props, scenery, and characters. It plays a key role in setting the tone and atmosphere of a scene.
- Golden Ratio: A mathematical concept where the frame is divided into three uneven sections in a 1:0.618:1 ratio. This technique helps in composing visually engaging shots by ensuring that the flow of the image feels natural. It can be used alongside the Rule of Thirds to enhance composition.
Another important topic we discussed was world-building. Before introducing characters, it is essential to establish the setting—questions like where the scene takes place, the time period, and the environment all contribute to shaping a believable and immersive world.
For this week’s task, we had to come up with three different storyboard ideas to present. We could either sketch them or use images to represent our concepts.
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Week 1: Introduction & Brief
For this assignment, I’m working on a draft literature review for my FMP thesis. I need to choose a research question or problem related to our course, outline my research objectives (150-200 words), and gather relevant academic sources to support my ideas.
The goal is to build a foundation for my thesis proposal, using Harvard referencing and ensuring all sources are properly cited. This draft will help me refine my thesis direction and will be a key part of the feedback I get to improve my final proposal.
Nigel had us answer a few questions in the beginning itself that helped me get clarity on the areas that I can be potentially interested in, and how I can relate my Thesis topic to my FMP practical submission. The questions are:
1. On graduation, which area or environment of production do you wish to focus upon and why?
After graduation, I plan to specialize in environment building and storytelling through short films, particularly in cinematic worlds. This allows me to create detailed worlds and explore different themes, which I find exciting and meaningful.
2. What skills will you need to attain the standards required for vocational practice?
To meet industry standards, I need to:
- Improve my animation skills, making movement look more natural and realistic.
- Expand my knowledge in world-building, particularly in Unreal Engine.
I’ve gained some experience in these areas during Term 1 but need to push further to master them.
3. How will you showcase your FMP practice for the final shows?
My FMP will be a short film that lets me focus on narrative storytelling, animation, and immersive world-building. It will be shown at the final show, allowing others to experience my creative work.
4. Is it important to directly connect the thesis research to your practical work?
Yes, my thesis research is directly linked to my FMP. Both focus on the digitalization of identity and virtual worlds. Themes like losing oneself in digital spaces, isolation, and constructed realities will be explored through my film’s story and world-building.
5. Do you have an area of research you wish to conduct that is unrelated to the practical element?
No, all my research is connected to my practical work, as it helps inform and shape the themes and concepts I explore in my film.
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Brief and Ideation
I chose this project because I really wanted to do something that could make a difference, even if it was small. When I read the NHS brief, it felt important. The idea of helping people understand their treatment journey, especially something as tough as breast cancer, really spoke to me. I wanted to be part of something that could give comfort and support to patients.
After I joined the project, we worked together as a group to come up with ideas. Everyone shared thoughts about the story, visuals, and emotions we wanted to show. Once we had a clear direction, I wrote the final version of our story draft. I wanted it to feel real and respectful, while still giving hope. I thought about how we could show the journey of the patient in a way that was easy to understand and full of empathy. This story became the base for everything else in our project.