counting numbers

I have recently been working on the counting numbers that is going to represent the number of E-waste that is being generated worldwide each year.
I wasn’t sure on how to solve this at first, but I found out that I could write a command in After Effects that basically did it for me. I only had to change it up a little bit so that it was integers showing and not decimals.
Here is the result from the testing.

Production Plan

After looking trough my production plan, I found that there were a couple of areas that needed some changes. First of all, I forgot to set off time to do the previs, and secondly I had given myself way to little time to do the compositing at the end

Therefore, I went over and redid the whole thing and used another type of layout. I feel the new production plan is much more accurate and gives a clearer indication on how I will progress trough the project.

AfterEffects

I have also tested out some of the animation that will be done in AfterEffects. I have done this to see where I need to improve my skills and what I am able to do. This still needs improvements, but as I said this is a part of my research for this project and it is just to test my knowledge and play around with different styles.

You might recognise from the storyboard where these animations would fit in. 

Modelling

I have continued some of the modeling that needs to be done for this commercial,
I have so far started to make the MagnoJack, a truck and some appliances.
This is where I am at right now:

Storyboard and Manuscript

I have been working on the manuscript for the commercial lately and I am struggling with the length of it. I feel like there is a lot to say, and not so much time to show it. I want to try to keep it within one minute. I have written down everything that I think needs to be mentioned, so now it is up to me to try to break it down just a little bit more so that I am left with what is really necessary and emphasises the product.

This is where I am at right now:

I also started on the storyboard. I did this to help myself visualize everything a little better and to get a better sense of where I can narrow down the manuscript. Later on, I will try to time this to the manuscript in AfterEffects and from there on see what I can remove from the text and  visualize instead. I have also been doing some more research and I have discovered that a lot of the other commercials use text additional to the voice over so that they can deliver more information in a shorter amount of time. This is something that I probably will try to use myself.

Here is the first draft of my storyboard:

Originally I wanted to use the Chinese wall when showing the amount of the electronic waste. But I am currently playing with the taught of changing this to UK's coastline.

The length of the coastline is 12,429 km and that almost takes us two times around it with the heavy trucks. This is a really great way to illustrate the amount of e-waste that are generated every year. And hopefully, a fact that sticks with the audience.

The last two pictures illustrate this. I might change it so that these are the ones I use instead of the Chinese wall.

The one scene where I just added question marks is still something that I am struggling with. At this stage, the audience is going to learn that emissions of all CFC gas from a refrigerator corresponds to CO2 emissions equivalent to 10 000 km of driving. I am thinking about showing this by taking an extra trip around the UK coastline.

  

Backgrounds

I have been testing out and searching for different background styles for the commercial. I want to have something really simple and appealing that does not steal any attention.

I have tested a few different styles, but I am still searching for the right one. I like the thought of using soft colors and a soft blue color is relaxing on the eyes. So I might choose something in the pastel-blue direction.

Here is some of the ones I have been testing so far:

Manuskript and logo

I have been working on the manuscript for the commercial this weekend. So far it is looking good, but I am struggling with the length of it. I have a lot of points that needs to come trough, but not a lot of time to show it on.

I have written down everything that I think it should include and discussed it with the "client". He agrees with it. So now it is up to me to strip it down and polish it without removing any important information.

Additional to this I have also been working on a 3D-model of the MagnoJack logo. Something that might come in handy later in the production. This is something that I can use both at the beginning and the end of the commercial.

Test modelling

I have started on the MagnoJack model, and this is what it looks like so far. When modelling I realise that I need more photos of the product for reference. I am not sure jet on how detailed I want/need it to be. This is something that I will discuss with the owner of the product. This model is only to get a basic understanding of how it looks and works. If the target audience that I am aiming for want to see the actual product there will be added a link to MagnoJack's web page at the end of the commercial. This will provide a better product description. It is off course my goal to make as many as possible visit this web page and buy the product. The commercial will focus more on the reasons why this should be used and not so much on it's construction, other that what needs to be said to understand it's use.

Here are some of the reference footage that I am working with at the moment. I am going back to Norway for Christmas and then I get a chance to take a couple more and try out the product. I am also thinking about waiting a little bit with this model and continue on it while I am in Norway. That gives me a greater opportunity to see everything that I need whilst modelling since my father has one of the demo models at our home.

 

I have made an alpha map for the metal plate to save geometry. I did this using photoshop creating my own pattern. This pattern is repeatable so that it is easier for me to at it on the different shapes that I am going to use it for. I am going to use the same method for the logo that is right over the magnets.