Abstract
This event marked the first time participating at an AnimationJam where I took over the part of organizing the group, setting the idea and merging every part of each member together (as well as additional effects / composition) in Adobe After Effects.
About the event
An AnimationJam is always a good way for students to get to know each other better. It is an event that takes place at a weekend with possibility to work through the night. On Friday, the topic is announced and at Sunday 6 p.m, the results have to be turned in. This time, which also marks the first jam I took part, the topic was “Mit Spatzen auf Kanonen schießen” (eng: “Shooting sparrows onto cannons”).
Behind the story
When the topic was announced, we (Jascha Hanisch, Ramona Kranzl, Sophie Hahlweg and me) got together and brainstormed some ideas. As usual I came up with some more serious and deep version where the sparrows are displayed as paper planes and there is a main character trying to stop a war. Even though I first thought of it as a kinda “too overkill” idea, it was immediately loved by everyone and Jascha started to create a story board.
Behind the sound
At the start of the event, we were joined by the incredible composer Manolis Kalpenidis who came from Vienna for this event.
Work during the event
During the event I was responsible for organising the workload and everyone working together (e. g. when some sequences needed more detail) and especially timing the storyboard in order to match the soundtrack that was created simultaneously. Beside, I animated the paperplane sequences, the clouds and composed every layer in Adobe After Effects together to give them more depth.
Jascha did the main character animations, Ramona the background art and animations of the soldiers, and Sophie did the sound effects.
The screening
We were much surprised by how good the result turned out, especially because we just started university and this was also the first time of us working together! But even better: We also achieved to get the most prizes at the upcoming screening of all results and the video was loved by the viewers because of it’s audio-video interactions, the depth as well as the emotions of the story.
Closing note
I often think back to that time because of how simple and effecient we’ve worked together but also because of the fun we had in those two days. Thank you guys!