Christopher Wolinski - 02/28/19 - Project 3 - Cannonball Animation

StoryBoard

For this animation I created a simple premise. There is a cannon on the top of a hill facing a treasure chest that is at the bottom of the hill. The cannon is attempting to fire but the frame is slowly falling apart causing the cannon to collapse on itself. The cannonball then falls out of the barrel and slowly gains speed as it bounces down the hill. Once it reaches the bottom of the hill its hits the chest and pops open the lock, revealing the treasure within. P.S. As a side note, Professor Davis, my computer decided to start Blue Screening this week, causing me loads of problems animating this project. There is something wrong with the RAM, I'm hoping it's just a loose stick, not sure exactly. Anyway, it is preventing me from giving you the quality of work that you have come to expect from me, so I wanted to apologize for that. I wanted to have a nice crisp rendered version of this project but it would just die every time started rendering. I also had to stay lightweight with the premier effects otherwise it would crash as well. Either way I hope you enjoy animation. P.S.S. The cannon I used came from https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/howitzer-obj-free/576870

Follow Through and Overlapping Action Animation Principal

My objects in the animation have natural motions that keep them moving after the main action has taken place to show them settling down. The cannon bounces as it hits the ground, with the barrel bouncing separately. The chest also bounces on the ground after it is hit with the cannonball to show its natural motion and weight with the lid swinging open.

Staging Animation Principal

My camera stages the what is going to happen in the animation. We can see both of the main objects, one in the foreground and one in the background, forshadowing their interaction.

Squash and Stretch Animation Principal

My cannonball squashes and stretches as it travels to its intended target based on whether it is hitting the ground or traveling through the air.

ArC Animation Principal

My cannonball arcs naturally as it bounces down the hill to hit its intended target. It starts with smaller arcs and as it builds momentum the arcs become larger as they near the target.

Cannonball Run Finished Video