3D Modeling & Animation

Planning & Storyboard

Reflection

Concept and Story Development

I decided to use the prompt "Whispers in the Study," which involves a magic object, in my case a magical crystal ball, suddenly resonating with energy and affecting the rest of the objects in the room. The purpose of this cutscene in the game's story will be to hint at some mysterious force growing stronger in an otherwise peaceful and quiet world. In my animation, the character will be the black cat of the implied witch that lives in the house where the scene takes place. This is a unique character because he is an animal, and he will be the only living creature in the room during the scene, giving him a sense of importance and responsibility over whatever occurs. The cat will interact with the magic crystal ball, so he will affect the course of the scene. I will tell a story with this cutscene without the use of dialogue by clearly establishing a beginning, a climax in the middle, and a resolution at the end. This will let the viewer follow the course of events just as they would with any story.

Asset and Prop Design

Asset List

• Magic Orb

• Table for orb

• Circular rug

• Bookcase

• Books on bookcase and on desk

• Desk

• Cuckoo clock

• Globe

• Small glass potion bottles

• Witch's hat

• Cat

• Candle

• Chair

• Four walls and floor

The most intricate of these objects will be the cuckoo clock and the cat, as they have the most detailed and complex shapes. The other objects will also be somewhat complex, but wont require as much modelling as they can be made from mostly simple primitives, and wont need as many modifications. I will only need to rig the cat as this will be the only element with complex movement, the other objects will only spin or shuffle. The design of my character reflects the world he lives in. He will be simple and only black. This will reflect the peaceful and calm nature of the room, as well as contrast with the bright and colorful elements of the scene. 

Environment and Layout

The layout of my scene will be a single room, the witch's study.  The main object, the crystal ball, will be placed in the center of the room to indicate its importance. My camera will be placed in the room, to give the viewer a sense that they are in the room as the scene takes place. It will also follow the cat, to give a further sense of movement and progression to the story. My layout will support the flow of the cut scene by being relatively still and simple, allowing for the movement of the previously inanimate objects to be highlighted. 

Artifact 1 - Character

Artifact 2

Artifact 3

Artifact 4