Hey guys! I've just started filming my first proper Barry the Snail episode! I am really quite excited I am finally gathering some sort of structure to my videos (as in episodes) and not just little tests as usual.

Basically, I thought it would be nice to have a 'behind the scenes' discussion on this forum, so here it is!

So far I have drawn up the storyboard, tweaked my set so I will have moving clouds throughout and created Barry and a NEW character! I have just started filming and I have just finished shot 3. These three shots add up to 15 seconds.

I hope you enjoy following my first Barry the snail episode and i'll keep posting updates!

cool

awesome!

Hey, guys! This is a still from the first shot of Barry the Snail's episode!

Changes I have made include clouds in the background which I move a millimetre at a time to make drifting clouds and I have discovered WIDESCREEN! I am really pleased I have found this setting as I find something nice looking about widescreen . I am keeping the set quite minimalistic, as I want the viewer to be drawn to the characters. I am using the same set I have used for several tests, including Barry and the slush mug. The only 'big' change to the set is some moving clouds!

I re-made the Barry model, along with freshly painted eyes! I would love to tell you about the new character featured in this, but I think I'll keep it a secret Its a bit of fun, ey

looks awesome!

Hey, guys! I'm just in the middle of editing out rigging at the moment and it is taking such a long time! Could anyone tell me how they do it?

The way i'm doing it at the moment is taking out one frame at a time into a photoshop-type program and using the clone tool to edit out the rig. How do you guys do it?

I use Stop motion pro 7, it has a built in rig remover there.

Theres a much better way Chocachoc.
Your right to extract each frame however don't use the clone tool.
I'll try and explain how I do it.
Right: Just before you start animating the rig, take a single shot/picture of the background e.g.the set. Then without moving the camera or set animate your rig.
Then, extract each frame individually (including the one static shot of the set you took at the beginning)
On photoshop open up the one individual picture of the set you took before animating. Then also open up your first frame with the rig.
Overlay this rig layer on top of the individual layer you opened earlier.
This then puts the one static individual shot of the set beneath the rig layer.
Use the rubber tool and erase the rig on the 'rig' layer. As you rub away the rig layer the other layer beneath becomes visible.
As the layer beneath has no rig on but the same background the rig simply disappears.
Do this with each frame using the same background shot beneath each frame.

e.g When I filmed the rocket shooting off in GR4 I took a picture of the overall set then without moving the camera I animated the rocket on its rig. I then used the process above to erase the rig individually on each frame. (below raw image of rocket/potato on rig)

I used to do what VA has just explained. It is a must that you make sure your lighting is the same

Brilliant, thankyou very much for explaining that to me! Unfortunately I have today just finished editing the rigging out using the clone tool, and I am not very happy with the resulting blurring effect it has where the rig was. It took me hours to edit it and cannot use the technique you explained because I do not have a starting image. I may go back to it and refilm it when I've done a bit more of the film, but for now I'll leave it because I just spent a long time on it!

The program I'm using is very similar to Photoshop, but I will have to research and try to find out how to use layers. I know it has it though, I just don't know how to use it!

By the way, guys, I am in a complete muddle about my career path. My top goal atm is to get into vet college and I'm doing 3 sciences and maths a level, but I love animation so much!

Could you guys give me (not too biased) any advice as I would love to be a vet or animator but they are so different paths to take. Laurence, your path is animation so I'd love to hear your advice!

My current path is vet, but animation unis don't seem to be as specific with subjects?

Heeelp!!! :S

woohoo! cant wait.
as for Vet science or Animation, I would say Animation, unfortunately I can tgive out much advice though.

Hey! Just for fun I've made a twitter account for my animations, so you can find out how I'm getting on with the film from there! First time twitter user right here, but it should be a bit of fun!

@ChocachocFilms

vet or animator, thats a big difference... well do you want to be a rich doctor or a starving artist... just kidding, whatever you enjoy more is what you should do.

Haha, yeah. Hey, Ian, are you in the same year as me? When do you plan to go to uni? Are you aiming to be an animator?

By the way, it's my birthday tomorrow

I looked on facebook, it looks like you are a year ahead of me. I have no idea yet where I am going, I will probably go into some sort of film or art, there are some good art programs here in the state, which is good. If I stay in the state it is a lot cheaper, and because of the Scholastic awards, I will probably be able to get some scholarships will will also help.

Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Chocachoc! That is three people I know with a Birthday today

Have a happy one!

Chocachoc, I just saw your post on facebook, about BBC. That's Great!!
Congrats!

Thanks, Ian! I am so pleased, a first contact from anything big like the BBC is great! So pleased

Yaaay!
happy birthday!
whats this about BBC?

Well done Chocachoc!! That utterly fantastic!

To answer your question on facebook, the newspaper contacted me through school and then interviewed me. I was on page 3, so the current joke at school is that I am the page 3 boy!! lol

mmm, Vet and animation are two very different subject areas.
I know nothing about veterinary but you seem to be taking the right subjects for this course.
To do animation you should really be doing an Art A-level - if not you could always do a foundation art course or take evening classes. I had a 'mock' interview toady based on the interviews I must do at university. The interview went great and although the interviewer (animator from Warner Bro's & Travellers Tales) loved my animations it was mainly based on my artistic ability in both cartoon sketching as well as detailed life drawing.
The competition in animation is really tough though and If you want to go into animation you really have to fight for your place; not only at University but also when job hunting.
My interviewer gave me some great tips for animation!
If you want to go into animation not only must you show examples of your actual moving films e.g. your barry snail episodes, you must also show random detailed sketches as well as life drawing - motion of the human figure.
Hope I helped.

Oh and happy belated Birthday!!

Thanks very much for the advice I did art a-level and took classes for a while but if I come to applying for animation unis then I will work on a few other works of art as well.

I'm sure you will get in Vincent, from everything I've seen from you you've been so fantastic! You know, when I first joined this forum I looked on the creations part and your 1st green roots was the first on the list! I remember thinking to myself 'this is so fantastic! They will definitely win, I stand no chance!!!' I still find it funny that your video was the first piece of claymation (other than w&g) that I've seen!

The birthday was good, should be getting some driving lessons some time

Thanks for the optimism! Got my first interview in a month and a few other in the new year!
Good luck choosing your course! I think if you applied for animation they will be very impressed with all your animation tests! So, how is Barry the Snail ep1 coming along?
I noticed on the screenshot above, the SMP project name is Barrylove. Mmm, I've got my detective hat on! How much have you done so far and when do you hope to finish it!?

Looks great!

What camera do you use?

Haha! Well spotted! There isn't a title yet but that is a big hint ay! So far I've done 30 seconds (10 hours work) and there is still quite a way to go! I don't know exactly when I'm going to finish but I hope within the next 2 months.

On Friday all of my friends came round for my bday party (movie night) and after pizza and film I showed them what I'd done so far on the film. I dont really see animation as very sociable, like, I don't discus it with them. I tend to just talk on here! It was really nice because we went to my room to see my set and how I do it and I think they realise more why it takes so long! Because there was 11 of us in one room my sky backboard fell down (someone leaning) and they caught it quite fast but it squashed one of the characters (not barry) eyes!

I'm pleased they like what I've done so far and I hope you guys like it when it's done!


I use a v big old Sony handycam. Once I've saved up enough I will buy a hd camera.

Hey, guys, I was just wondering what HD cameras you use? I need to invest in a good HD camera soon that is good for animation and would appreciate any advice

Ty,

Lizzie.

I can't use it for stop motion because I would need a more powerful computer (I use a laptop), but for other things I use a Canon HD camcorder, it's small, but it is a good camera and I would highly recommend it, here is a link http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&biw=1012&bih=599&q=canon+hd+camcorder&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=818289879333777516&ei=Sx_nTNvnOYaBlAeNr9C9Cw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers

Yay! Barry the Snail is awesome!

As for the vet/animator problem... I guess... I guess I have no idea, I'm afraid. I myself don't have a blinking clue what I'm going to do... I never really think about it :P .

I use the Panasonic SD-10, Its a great little camera and is the smallest HD one in the world last time I checked. The only thing is, is that you would need an adapter which is normally under £10 - ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Easycap-Capture-Adapter-Supports-Professional-software/dp/B002BX4WSA/ref=tag_tdp_sv_edpp_t ) Here is the cheapest price for the camera I could find: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0029LHG8M/ref=asc_df_B0029LHG8M1347161?smid=AQU76SW5BRSTS&tag=pricerunner-ce-3p-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B0029LHG8M

Hey, you mentioned computer performance ian, my computer I use is a rather old and slow one but my current camera works fine on it. Purple&Brown do you have a powerful computer to support the HD camera you use. Id not thought of my computer as much of a setback.

Before I upgrade camera I am upgrading stopmotion pro jr to stopmotion pro studio HD 7

Its a Dell Laptop. And it has a Pentium Dual-Core CPU Processor idf that means anything.

If*

Was it quite expensive so it's advaned? Or is it a normal laptop?

I think it was a Dell Studio Laptop, not sure which one though, sorry.

Ok, thanks

Just found out: Barry will be showcased on the CBBC MyToons site from 29th November!

wOoP WoOp!

Great stuff Chocachoc! make sure you post the link to it on here!

Wow, I'm really jealous!

Will do Ellie

Wow, sounds as cool as a cucumber lol

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/cartoonworks/mytoons/wk48_barry.shtml

bravo! 5 stars

Hehe, thanks Katie! I am so so pleased the BBC have taken an interest in Barry! I was quite surprised they wanted it as it doesn't have a fantastic storyline, but the money they pay me will go back into animation so I can further upgrade and improve

WOW! Thats fantastic!
Well Done!

lucky

Thankyou

I've created a website for my animations, here is the link: www.chocachoc.weebly.com