Laundromat Animation Process

This blog post details the animation process of the collaborative 'laundromat' scenario. For each of the nine shots, I used a separate Maya project to construct the animation. This allowed me to manipulate the 3D environment without sabotaging the set for other shots. I found this method of animation efficient as I could change my original plan; in the final shot, my outcome uses a camera angle that differs from my animatic and Previz. To ensure this shot fits the final animated skit accordingly, I tried to stick to a similar duration as the Previz. This will help the final editor to create our skit by using the same timings. 

Below are playblasts of our groups two characters (Moom Junior and Moom Senior) isolated from the 3D laundromat set. I made sure to back-up each animation as its own Maya project, I would then be able to copy and paste the back-up into the set if anything happened to the original Maya project. Viewing these isolated animations without the set also helped to identify any drastic problems with character movement. Isolated animations enabled me to focus my efforts on one character at a time and I'm confident that both characters are as strong as each other. In each of the isolated animations, I try to convey the differences between the two characters by using variety, meaning they're never emitting similar body language at the same time.  

Isolated Animations:

Editing With Premier Pro:

 Each of the character animations were playblasted within the laundromat set using the same camera angle for continuity. Static video effects and sound were overlaid onto the playblasts, helping to solidify the narrative of this laundromat scenario. Dialogue wasn't a necessity to the storyline, and was therefore not incorporated. The majority of visuals were finalised in Maya, meaning that Premier Pro was only briefly used to export the finished scenario as an mp4. 

Rendered Assets:

The images below represent a final visualisation of the laundromat scenario assets. Their designs stay true to their original orthograph illustrations. 

Above - Rendered dryers and hampers. The dryers were positioned behind the camera in the final scenario and therefore aren't visible. 

Above - Rendered washing machine, floor sign, hampers and laundry basket. These assets interact with each other in shot 6.  

Above - Rendered bench, hamper and laundry basket. 

Above - Rendered crates and fire extinguisher. These assets are only visible in the final shot through the windows of the laundromat. 

Above - Rendered detergent display. 

Rendered Shots:

Shot 1

Shot 6

Shot 8

Shot 9 - The final shot of the laundromat scenario. This shot differs from the Previz, this updated angle  gives a better view of the laundromat's interior and the neighbouring streets.