It's clear that I haven't kept up with the blog, but in a way, I believe it's better this way because now I can step back a little and look at what I have accomplished.

When I first started this blog, it was overwhelming to think that I have to complete a film. I knew when the first day of school started in fall 2013, I knew there was no turning back. This scared me a lot. I kept thinking, "How the hell am I going to pull this off?" But I've never turned down a challenge, so I was ready. 

There is no better way to sum up my experience with this project other than it was certainly a learning experience. In a positive way. I did encounter some problems, like one of my puppets head's falling and breaking, and expected things like armatures wearing down, but there was nothing that really stopped me. It certainly delayed me, but there was nothing I couldn't handle. I enjoy problem solving. That is part of the beauty of stop motion animation. Although I ran into problems and at some point I became extremely frustrated with my work, I would not have chosen any other medium. 

When I applied to USC in 2011, I mentioned the quote "Earn this" from Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan. What I meant by including this quote was that I hoped I earned the right to be accepted into this University and the School of Cinematic Arts. This thought kept me striving to do the best I could in everything I did. After completing my senior project, I truly feel that I have earned my place at USC and SCA. This is part of the reason why I chose to do everything, except with music composition and sound mix, on my own. I also need practice in communicating my vision to others, so I decided that it would take less time to make everything myself.

But of course, I could not have done this without the guidance of the wonderful faculty here at USC. They helped me to see my film in a way I could not see it. They helped me to clear up the fog and see what I had always wanted from my film. I owe a great gratitude to my mentors and all of the faculty who gave me feed back and encouragement. They were some of the best cheer leaders anyone could ask for. I am blessed to have had their guidance. I could not have imagined a better place to better my skills in animation and gain an even greater appreciation and passion for animation and the arts. 

Checking the size and color of furniture

Ruth's Bedroom Furniture

Furniture for Ruth and Bill, and Pookums too!

Pookums!

 

Bill's Chairs

 

    

 

 

Ruth's Dresser

 

Puppet Fabrication Progress

I always forget to take pictures of my progress, but here's what has been going on so far!

Mini Sets

Bill

Ruth

Updated Animatic September 24, 2013

New Description of my Story

A year ago, my grandfather passed away. I was very close to him and I am still coping with his passing.   I remember feeling like I would never laugh again, and when I did feel happy, I would feel guilty because shouldn't I still be mourning my grandfather? But my grandpa loved to make people laugh through jokes or stories, things he would say or do. And he loved to make people happy. Along with family, there is always someone there to cheer you up and make you feel better. I had to reassure myself that it is ok to laugh again. I cannot stay in a perpetual state of mourning because I would not be living. Living a wonderful life is not a betrayal to the love one that was lost. 

My story deals with the loss of a loved one and takes place during WWII. Ruth loses her husband and seems to be stuck in a deep depression. Bill, her neighbor, sees that Ruth is having a very difficult time and decides to cheer her up and let her know that life does go on and life does not stop with the death of a loved one. Bill is a widower, like Ruth, and tries to remind her of the happiness that exists outside of her world of sadness. 

Updated Animatic