Categories
Ting Class

Week 2: Story Pitch, Cinematography Analysis, and Previs – Hunter to Prey

In this week, I did a lot of works such as story pitch, cinematography analysis, and previs hunter to prey.

Fist of all, I made a story board with my Partner (Avi). We have to use the specific word, (Therefore, and then) . Also, I have to consious about story structure.

In this assignment, we worked in pairs to create a story. We were asked to focus on the three-act structure in order to give the story depth and emotional ups and downs. We also had to include a ladder and a window as key elements, and use the words “therefore” and “and then” to clearly show the cause-and-effect flow of the story.

Our group created a story about a bird character as the protagonist. During class, the bird makes a plan to escape through the window using a ladder, and then attempts to carry it out. However, the teacher discovers the plan. Therefore, as a punishment, the bird ends up having to complete a large amount of extra homework, which leaves the character in an even worse situation than before.

Cinematography Analysis

Previs-Hunter to Prey

In this assignment, I worked in a pair with Silvia. First, we discussed what kind of story we wanted to create and wrote down as many ideas as we could while talking together using pen and paper. After that, we each created our own storyboards individually. We then compared both storyboards and selected the strongest compositions from each shot to create the final version.

For the previs, the work was divided into two parts: the first half and the second half. I was responsible for creating the previs for the first half of the story.

Categories
Ting Class

Week 1: Cinematography Ⅱ

Also, there is 4 key points for cinematography.

Analysis of Incredible Family

We also practiced writing storyboards while analysing The Incredibles. Through this exercise, I became more aware of camera angles, composition, and the timing of cuts. In particular, I found it challenging to balance the quality of the storyboard drawings, and I practiced while constantly thinking about how much detail should be included.

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8

Categories
Nigel Class

Week 9: Online Tutorials and Self-Study

This week is the same contents as last week. And I try to find new topic and genre for thesis.

After talking with my professor, I have a clearer vision for my research. I decided to combine my original ideas with my professional strengths.

Focusing on My Background

As someone with experience in both 2D hand-drawn animation and 3D CG, I want my research to reflect this unique background. Instead of a general study, I will focus on the technical and artistic side of animation.

Choosing a Specific Masterpiece

To make my research more practical, I have decided to analyze a specific work. I am a huge fan of Disney and Pixar, so I will choose one film from their collection as my main case study.

By looking at a world-class film, I can study:

  • How they use visual storytelling to connect with children.
  • The balance between traditional 2D principles and modern 3D technology.

Categories
Nigel Class

Week 8: One on One Tutorial

This week, I had a meeting with my professor to discuss my research plan. It was a very helpful session, but I realized that my original idea faced some problems and challenges.

Why I am changing my topic

Through our discussion, I discovered two main problems:

  • Difficulty of Proof: It is very hard to scientifically prove exactly how animation changes a child’s brain. This requires a lot of time and medical data.
  • Accessing Schools: Contacting kindergartens and schools for surveys is more difficult than I expected. There are many rules about privacy and safety, so it’s hard to get enough data as a student.

The Next Step: A New Topic

Instead of giving up, I have decided to reset my topic. I am now looking for a theme that is more practical and fits my skills as a 3D animator.

I want to focus on something I can analyze myself—like the design, movement, or the “how-to” of making great educational content—rather than just studying the psychology of children.

My Reflection

I realised that my weak point through one on one tutorial today. It is very helpful because I could understand how to go next step and strategy and so on.

I am currently brainstorming new ideas. I’ll share my new research topic with you very soon!

Categories
Nigel Class

Week 7:  Discuss Potential Research Topics, Strategies and Resources.

Research Strategy: How Educational Animation Supports Child Development

I am starting a new research project to explore the impact of educational animation on children’s growth. Many people think animation is just entertainment, but I believe it is a powerful tool for learning.

1: Literature Review (The Science)

First, I will study existing academic papers and books to understand the relationship between animation and the brain. I will focus on three key areas:

  • Cognitive Functions: How visual elements and movement stimulate a child’s brain.
  • Language Acquisition: How repetitive phrases and catchy songs help children learn new words.
  • Emotional Understanding: How storytelling teaches empathy and social skills.

2: Comparative Analysis (Media vs. Physical Play)

Next, I will compare animation with physical toys (like blocks or puzzles). While toys are great for motor skills and hand-eye coordination, animation offers unique benefits in storytelling and emotional engagement. I want to find the “sweet spot” where digital media and physical play work together for the best learning experience.

3: Fieldwork & Surveys (The Real World)

Finally, I will move from theory to practice. I plan to visit kindergartens and schools to conduct surveys and interviews with teachers and parents.

  • What changes do they see in children after watching educational content?
  • How do educators balance screen time with other activities?

Goal of this Project

My goal is to provide a clear guide on how to use animation as an effective educational tool in the digital age. I will share my findings and data here on this blog as the project progresses.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Categories
Nigel Class

Week 6: Defining The Research Question

Academic Support

Log in | Academic Support Online

I can use a various academic support in ual.
In particular, there is included such as Communicating opinion, Cohesion in writing, Connect with learning resources, Researching archives online, etc.

In padlet : Here is my first thesis idea

I would like to investigate how educational animation influences children’s cognnitive learning and emotional understanding. Since digital media is widely used in education in recent years, it is important to critically examine its educational value rather than assume it is always effective. The study will evaluate educational animation through literature review, interview, survey, and content analysis, and compare it with other learning methods (such as educational toys). The aim is to understand the role of animation in educational contexts and to develop my expertise in supporting children’s learning and emotional development in the future.

In my idea, this is a effective way to analyse two educational item, ( Animation and Toy).