Final Project Animation - The Written Proposal

EXD300                     Written Proposal                     AAS

Digital vs. Analogue Cut-Out Character Puppets

by TJ Joy, Bachelor of Arts in Animation and Game Art 2024

    A.    Digital vs. Analogue Cut-Out Character Puppets by TJ Joy
            Bachelor of Arts in Animation and Game Art 2024

    B.    Project Synopsis / Overview

    In this project, the aim is to create two 2D character puppets that will have their own animation demos and one main animated short film displaying the interaction between them. One puppet will be a deformation rig in the 2D animation software Toon Boom Harmony that will be drawn, rigged, and animated completely digitally. The other puppet will be an analogous cut out paper puppet that will be hand-drawn, assembled with pin joints, and animated with stop-motion technique using the multiplane down shooter method.

    C.    Rationale

    Undertaking this project would offer further technical knowledge on the creation of  2D puppet rigs for personal and professional projects, and become acquainted with Toon Boom Harmony to better aid in future career opportunities in animation positions. This project also aims to examine the differences and similarities between digital character rigging and analogue puppet making.

    I have previously experimented and briefly worked  with stop-motion cut-out animation, however my experience is yet insufficient  with Toon Boom or 2D puppet rigs. My former experience with cut-out is from a short animation created during my 2nd semester of study where I used the stop-motion cut-out technique with paper characters, backgrounds, sets, and props painted with watercolor. Thus, undertaking this project will also allow me to become more acquainted with Toon Boom Harmony and its bone rigging tools.

    Toon Boom Harmony is an industry standard program and knowing how to make and use 2D character rigs are incredibly useful skills in the cartoon animation world that will set me up for future professional positions. Previous courses for the Animation and Games Art Bachelor taught me how to pre-produce a 2D animated series. This greatly impacted my interest and fondness for 2D animation and cartoons by allowing me to design my own characters and world for them to live in. As modern cartoons are now using character rigs and deformation puppets, learning this skill would allow me to create my own cartoons and shorts that I’m passionate about.

    D.    Analysis of the Design Problem / Subject

    This project calls for redesigning an established original character for analogue cut-out animation. This is to ensure the viewer can tell the difference between the characters, but still be able to compare them regarding animation technique and visual style despite the stylistic differences.

    The target audience are potential employers and studios in the commercial animation industry. Intended main users of the method/tutorial outcome as reference are animation university students.

    I am my own intended client because I am making this project for my portfolio. Another possible intended client would be animation festivals.

    The subject for this project is defined as bringing digital and analogue animation together, as the adaptation of digital techniques are minimizing traditional techniques in modern animated media.

    E.    Research / Context

    Methods that will be used in this project are watercolour, paper cut-out puppets for an analogue stop-motion technique animation, pose to pose digital animation, 2D character rigging, deformation puppet rigging, and multiple animation techniques.

    The digital character puppet animation demo will include the following: 360° turn-around, smile and wave (react and move), walk to flower (walk cycle), kneel and smell (puppet movement demonstration & character animation).

    The analogue cut-out character puppet animation demo will include the following: smile and wave (react and move), run after butterfly fluttering by (run cycle), trip and roll (puppet movement demonstration & character animation).

    The animated short film of combined animation techniques will include the following: wide shot of both characters where they left off from their demos, separated only by an invisible line marking the difference between digital and analogue space. The characters look up and notice each other simultaneously. Both get up and run towards the other. As they reach the line of separation, they reach out to touch hands. Time slows as the camera rotates 180°, behind the cut-out character, then resumes as the barrier between them reacts to being broken by their touch. Both characters are thrown back from the force of breaking the barrier and land in their respective areas: digital and analogue space.

    The below links include an article that teaches the reader how to create and rig 2D puppets in several different animation software, a video tutorial on how to rig characters in Toon Boom Harmony, and an article on how to rig with deformers in Toon Boom Harmony.

    The below links include articles of step-by-step instructions of how to make paper puppets and video tutorials of different paper puppet making methods.

    Some examples of commercial animations that use and combine multiple animation techniques include:
  • (2008) The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. Cartoon Network. Created by Thurop Van Orman.
  • (2007) Chowder. Cartoon Network. Created by C. H. Greenblatt.
  • (1999) Courage the Cowardly Dog. Cartoon Network. Created by John Dilworth.
    Some examples of analogue cut-out animations include:

    F.    Own Development work including Visuals

Original character concept - Jun 8, 2022

Character redesign sketch - Sep 27, 2022    Character design sheet - Nov 15, 2022

Character expressions sheet - Dec 2, 2022

Character modelling sheet - Dec 12, 2022

Character 3D model with skin - May 22, 2023

    To utilize texture and capture the interest of the viewer, this project will use watercolor and traditional fine art techniques for analogue animation. This project also aims to create a reference and method for other animation students to follow to create their own analogue puppet and deformation puppet.

    G.    Expected Outcome(s)

    The practical outcomes of this project include one deformation 2D character rig, one analogue paper pin puppet, two character animation demos (one for each puppet), one final animated short using both character puppets, and a tutorial-like reference for other animation students to follow as a method to create their own analogue puppet and deformation puppet.

    Η.    Practical Requirements

    This project requires the use of a 2D deformation rig in Toon Boom Harmony, and multiplane stop-motion cut-out analogue animation. Specific tuition, technical support or revision is not needed. Toon Boom Harmony is the only specialist equipment/software that this project requires access to.

    Ι.    Planning

    J.    Identify Any Potential Problems

    This project aims to produce a 180° camera rotation around the digital and analogue puppets, which may be more time consuming than is possible in the given timeline. This project will not be relying on external suppliers and/or clients, and I will not need to work away from the University. In case of the initial projected goal taking more time than allotted, the project will be adapted accordingly to create the same output of products but with more challenging aspects cut from the process due to time.