Puppet tool Practice...

This is my puppet tool practice I created using after effects (I had to upload it onto Youtube and post that way, as It just wasn't loading on here!...
I would love to incorporate the use of the puppet tool in my animation, as it is a really fascinating tool to work with, for creating small, almost life-like movements. It will be great for "human" parts of the animation.

Sweeney Todd Opening Sequence

Digital Kitchen

Digital kitchen is the company behind the title sequences, such as Dexter that i have already mentioned. i visited their website and here are a few more relevant examples of title sequences and other projects that use close-ups, a similar method that I would like to use.

House Main Titles from DIGITALKITCHEN on Vimeo.

Rescue Me Main Titles from DIGITALKITCHEN on Vimeo.

HBO Boxing Open from DIGITALKITCHEN on Vimeo.

Stanford Hospital Body from DIGITALKITCHEN on Vimeo.

Fancast- Beautiful title sequences- A good blog regarding interesting title sequences and use of close-ups, just as what i am trying to achieve in my animation.

I have found a few of the opening title sequences on the internet for some of the programmes mentioned on the fan cast website:

I really, really like this opening sequence. the beginning is especially fitting to my idea of building up a picture of my sequence for the Terminator.

The close- ups of the blood dripping on the face and into the sink, remind me greatly of the eye and arm surgery scene in the Terminator.

You know exactly what the character is doing in this sequence without seeing his face and giving away what he looks like.

I love the blurred refection in the mirror, which still doesn't give the character away... I could do this for my Terminator Sequence, as it would

mimic the screen where he carries out self- surgery, but you still don't know what the terminator looks like until you actually watch the film.

Nip/Tuck – Main Titles – Directed by Vincent Haycock from vincent haycock on Vimeo.

Close ups of the terminator carrying out eye and arm surgery on himself

very Yukky I know! One of the most stomach-churning scenes of the film, where the terminator tries to repair himself after fighting.

the CGI was brilliant at the time, but looks very dated now; you get to see inside the Terminators arms to see the metal structure and workings and he removes his humanistic eyeball to reveal that of a machine.

i may use close ups of such structures as the insides of the arms and eyes in my title sequence, perhaps when the terminator was first being put together.

edward scissorhands opening sequence

Edward Scissorhands - Opening Sequence
Uploaded by jeremylebre. - Independent web videos.

I was advised to take a look at the opening sequence of Tim Burton's, Edward Scissorhands for ideas on close-ups of parts of the body. I was told that it would be most effective if I didn't give away too much about the terminator in the opening titles and therefore if I just revealed parts of it, perhaps when it was being created it wouldn't give the game away.

i have included the video of the title sequence and a few stills from the video in this post. I am really keen on creating metal- type effects in my animation to show subtle hints that The terminator is in fact a machine and not human, although has human characteristics and can perspire and bled like a real human being.

Metallic Text :: After Effects Tutorial

Font Research!

I want an authenic style font to use for my title sequence. I found this website which is very interesting in terms of retro style fonts.

http://www.dafont.com/search.php?psize=m&q=terminator

Thought it could be interesting!

This would be very interesting to try if Iwanted to add some live action in my animation!

Fiedel, Brad - Theme from 'The Terminator' (Extract)

	Fiedel, Brad - Theme from 'The Terminator' .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Terminator 2: Judgement day Intro and Opening sequence
Terminator 2: Judgement day Opening titles

Terminator 2: Judgement Day trailer



As inspiration I decided to have a look at Terminator 2: Judgement day for more ideas on the terminators character, attitude and appearance. Although I know I am studying the original Terminator film, I do the second film very well and I know although he is a goodie in the second opposed to the first, he still has a lot of similar walk patterns and the way he communicates with human- beings through his robotic voice.
The soundtrack is the same in the second as the first, and right from the start creates a tense, atmospheric presence.

Stills from the original title sequence

Here are some screenshots I took of the original title sequence.
As you can see, the sequence is made up only of moving text; the background text is moving back anf forth whilst various cast member names and crew appear on screen in white & green font.
The sequence is very simple, with basic use of colour and shape.

Other characters in the film,,,

Sarah Connor and Kyle Reece are the two other main characters in the film. These would be the only other characters to consider using for my character animation for my title sequence. They are the "goodies"; they are fleeing from The Terminator... Reece has been sent to protect Sarah.
If I was to take the angle of using one of the above for my title animation, I could focus on their heroism and fear of the Terminator.

The Terminator's Vision...

I would love to be able to re- create this look in my title sequence; it is the vision of the Terminator.
I think the colours and style would suit the atmosphere I am trying to create for my title sequence. Its dark and sinister...

Original Title sequence typography

As you can see from the still above, the typography used in the original title sequence is very bold and typically 80's. It is trying to create a metallic appearance with clever use of shading and lighting effects.
I will try to recreate this look in my own title sequence, although i may change the colour or texture.

stills/ artwork of the film

The next obvious step in my research was to look at stills and artwork of the film. I found a selection to show both the skeleton (cyborg) of the Terminator and it's human-looking form. Both look very sinister and scary (which is what the film-makers were trying to achieve!)
It is very hard to find images in search engines at the moment, because of the new Terminator film just coming out!
Im not sure yet how I am going to portray the terminator in my title sequence, in terms of appearance: metallic skeleton or human form? Perhaps both?
Th Terminator always appears to have quite a staring glaze in the photos... This may be how the actor created the sense that the Terminator is infact a machine and not a human. He also looks very serious...obviously...he is about to Terminate those in his path!

I love the soundtrack!!!- Original title sequence for the Terminator

This is the original title sequence for the Film. It is very simple, and very 80's!!!(probably very high tech for the time!).
Very bold use of fonts- block- type font and bold use of colour.
Soundtrack is very harsh and sinister; reminds me of people marching to war. Very simple, but dark and rather creepy (both the video and the soundtrack).
Very simple but creates the right tone for the film. The moving image behind the titles ends up spelling out the terminator in large bold striking font (metallic style).

The Terminator (1984) - Movie Trailer

Another important element to incorporate into my research is the original movie trailer for the film. I found this on YouTube.
I believe it gives a good summary of the film and allows me to distinguish the important aspects of the movie that may need to be Incorporated into the title sequence I create.
The trailer is very sinsiter and rather scary!!!... I makes you fear the Terminator for sure! =(

Initial research into my designated Film

Although I have already seen the film, I needed to do some research into the background of the film. I started off my reseaching the Terminator on IMDB. Here, I was able to view a plot summary and cast list amongst other important facts about the film.

The Terminator (1984) - IMDB

Plot summary