Task 4: Create and justify a planned animation (M3, D2)

 M3:  Optimise the content for use in the final animation 

When exporting my animation I decided to export it to a .mp4 file.  Even though this file isn’t as big as a .mov, as I decided to use this format I was able to conduct an animation with good file compression.  One reason why I decided to export my file to this is due to it not losing image or sound quality whilst exporting.  Furthermore, as a .mp4 format reduces download and uploads time, and this is significantly quicker, and easier to be shared, this is beneficial as this allows my animation to reach a wider target audience as it is able to be sent to various platforms easily.  As a .mp4 file is easy to share, this results in viewers being able to see the animation around, leading to positive word of mouth and therefore reaching a wider target audience.  By exporting my animation to a .mp4 file type I have the opportunity to use any social network or on the internet.  This is because almost every internet platform gives the preference for upload the .mp4 format.  This is beneficial as there is no limit to where my animation can be sent.

Using I Movie, I compressed the original file size where I change the quality from high which made the animation 96.9 MB to medium quality which made the file size 65 MB. As shown on the left-hand side you can see that the file size decreased significantly, and therefore the quality of the animation reduced, such as sound and quality.  By reducing the file size this saves a certain amount of space on a disk.  This will create a version of one or more files with the same data.  And therefore this compresses the file size.

During my animation I used movie clips instead of graphic symbols for animation sequences, this is because my animation was shown as a JPEG file, this is mainly due to me having limited the area of change in each keyframe; making the action take place in as small an area as possible.  As I used digital photos, it reduced my animations file to become larger.  Therefore as I used stop motion animation I had to ensure that the quality of the photographs was good, so the audience would be able to see the detail in the animation.  Such as the information about ZombieFest at the end.

D2:  Justify the choice of animation technique for the frame rate and duration 

The type of animation that I chose was stop motion.  The reason behind this decision was due to stop motion’s innovation.  This enables ideas to come into reality easily.  By this type of animation allowing the movie to bring about innovation, it enables you to create new techniques and ideas, that would interest the audience.  One way stop motion allows you to create innovation throughout the film is through being able to create and move the positioning of the characters between frames.  Throughout the animation, you are able to use strange and weird props and objects that can be incorporated, this is another circumstance where innovation takes place during stop motions animation.  This allows the animation to become unique and allowing them to attract the audience.  The idea that you are able to use any objects interested me, and had an influence on my decision to use this type of animation technique.  This is beneficial as this could bring about a unique message through the animation.  

Furthermore, another reason why I decided to use this type of animation is primarily due to stop motion creating an engaging concept.  As stop motion is minimalistic and simple, you are able to create an engaging plot for your animation.  This is important in capturing the imagination of viewers, therefore the reason behind me deciding to choose this type of animation is primarily due to animation fitting well with the target audience's characteristics and requirements.  As the primary target audience for my animation is 14-17-year-olds, by using this type of animation I am able to alter this animation to ensure that this film targets a specific audience.

The framework for my Zombiefest animation is 30 frames per second.  I believe that this is the best frame rate due to the overall effect the animation receives.  30 frames per second give the animation a smoother feel.  The reason behind me not choosing a higher FPS is due to this making the animation slower, and therefore doesn’t create a flowing stop motion animation.  Therefore, this suitable as the shots are not shown for too long.

The total duration of my stop motion animation is 38 seconds overall.  By my animation being of this length, it allows for the audience to have their attention grabbed quickly.  As the animation is only 38 seconds, it allows for the film to be engaging and interesting for the audience.  Furthermore, the animation being short is suitable as the file would be earlier to upload and share between platforms.  As it mentions in the brief that the animation needs to be suitable for distribution across the web or smartphone interfaces, this is extremely suitable as the animated file won't is of a high capacity.

Test Plan
Name of animation:	ZombieFest
Date of testing:	05/03/2021
Name of taster:	Yael Bradman

Number:	User Testing:	Expected Outcome:	Actual Outcome:	Feedback:
1	Did the camera stay in the same position?	That the positioning of the camera would stay in the same position, and therefore not be adjusted.	Yes, the camera was left in the same position throughout the animation, as it was left on a tripod.	Shira: Yes it did  Ella: Yes the camera did stay in the same place
2	Does the audio match the characters?	When the audio is playing, this will match the characters' movements.	Yes, for the majority of occasions, the audio did match the characters' movements.	Saul:  For the majority of the animation the audio did match  Jamie:  Yes, it did
3	Is the audio clear?	When the voice-over is playing, it has to be clear enough to be able to hear.	The audio is generally clear, even though there were also the characters speaking.	Ella:  I was able to hear the audio so clearly Josh:   Yes
4	Is the background in the same position?	The background has not to be adjusted or moved, therefore the shots slide into one another.	For some scenes, the background was moved slightly, as I had to move the positioning of the characters.	Shira:  In the middle of the animation the background moved slightly  Millie:  For the most parts the background stayed in the same position
5	Are the objects in focus?	When the characters are moving, they continue to be in focus.	Yes, the objects are always in focus.	Ben: Yes mostly Josh: Yes
6	Does the music suit the animation?	When the characters are screaming, this has to match the storyline of the animation.	The background music is upbeat and thrilling, therefore this compliments the animation.	Jamie:  I believe the music suited the animation  Ethan:  Yes it did
7	Do the shots flow nicely into one another?	When each shot is taken, the audience won't be able to see a difference.	As the shots had to be moved between each shot, they flow nicely into one another very nicely.	Josh:  Towards the end, it did not really Millie:  For the majority it did
8	Is information provided?	That throughout the animation,  adequate information is provided, such as location and date.	Towards the end of the animation, the date and location were provided for ZombieFest March.	Saul:  Yes Ella:  Was mentioned at the end

Within this photo, we are able to see Saul, Ella, and Millie watching my Zombiefest animation.  Due to the fact the audience is watching the animation, this provides user testing feedback.  Which showcases the positive and negative aspects of the animation.

The intended target audience for my animation is 14-17-year-olds, as well as horror enthusiasts.  As the brief mentions that this animation is aimed at horror enthusiasts, the animation must contain some thrilling aspects within the film.  This is the primary target audience for my animation due to this age group exploring new things, and being excited by the theme of horror.  14-17-year-olds are the primary target audience due to them linking dramatic and psychological suspense.  Furthermore, as it mentions in the brief that that animation is also for the adult audience.  As the target audience iOS 17-year-olds, they are the ages that are going into their adolescent years.  Stereotypically men are usually the gender that the theme of horror is aimed at, as well as zombies.  Therefore as this animation contains both zombies and the theme of horror, the intended audience would the male gender.  Moreover, the intuited target audience would be c1, b, therefore, lower and middle class.  

The feedback that I have received from my user tests, was mainly positive.  As I received feedback from an average of 17-18-year-olds, I was able to gain a deeper insight into what the audience thought about my animation.  As the primary target audience for my animation is 14-17-year-olds, by 17-18-year-olds providing me with the feedback, I am able to receive my efficient feedback.  Common feedback that I received from the audience was that the music and voice-over for my animation fit the brief.  As my animation is showcasing the ZombieFest March, the noises of the zombies and climatic music resemble this, and therefore the audience suggests that it fits the brief.  This is shown through the noises being showcased throughout the animation.  Another feedback that I received was that the information that was shown in the brief was mentioned at the end of the animation.  By this being mentioned, the audience is able to gain insight about the march taking place and allows them to become more interested.

My animation is fit for purpose, primary due to a few ways the first being the animation being dedicated to horror enthusiasts.  This was achieved throughout my animation due to the zombies chasing after the characters, another example where this is shown is where the zombie is eating the father figure and turning him into a zombie.  Moreover, this animation was fit for purpose due to all the zombies joining together, at the end of the animation which symbolises the Zombiefest march.  Therefore this links back to the brief.