Process
Firstly, I downloaded the Pitchtest application, and input the values as per the tutorial. We were testing and finding out the exact LPI for the smaller lenticular piece. My friends and I decided to combine our tests for a quicker and wider range of tests, so we each took a bunch of different values testing from 31 to 33 LPI. We had to print these out on glossy papers, actual size. Then we laid these prints out on a table and took turns comparing our smaller sheets by laying the lenticular piece over the tests then seeing which strip appeared the clearest, to determine the actual LPI of the smaller piece. After a series of headache inducing tests, we found the actual value to be 31.64 LPI. This was so gruelling that I was dreading the testing for the bigger piece. Luckily I had friends to combine the tests with to make the process smoother and simpler.  

Grape Values
I learned how to use Grape, inputting the dimensions of the lenticular piece under picture width and height. I also inputted the LPI values under measured pitch. For this class, we were testing out the animation for 2 different DPIs - 300dpi and 600pi. For this, I only had to change the first 2 values accordingly. For the screenshot on the left, it was the settings for printing in 600 dpi.

Photoshop
I picked 2 random images from Pinterest then placed them on top of each other in Photoshop, in separate layers. I also adjusted the sizing and dimensions according to the dimensions of the smaller lenticular piece, making sure to keep this image 300dpi. Then I exported both the layers separately, placing them in a folder and renaming them according to the number of frames which in this case, is 2. Lastly, by using Grape and inputting the values above, it created the interlaced image for me automatically.

After Effects
I created the composition, keeping the number of frames to 9 for the 300dpi animation. I also adjusted the dimensions accordingly. I created a simple animation of a magenta circle going from right to left, then exported the animation by the frames. I placed the exported frames into a folder, naming them from 1-9 according to the sequence. Lastly, through Grape, I inputted the same values, picked these frames, and it created the interlaced image for me automatically.

Photoshop
I picked 2 random images from Pinterest then placed them on top of each other in Photoshop, in separate layers. I also adjusted the sizing and dimensions according to the dimensions of the smaller lenticular piece, making sure to keep this image 600dpi. Then I exported both the layers separately, placing them in a folder and renaming them according to the number of frames which in this case, is 2. Lastly, by using Grape and inputting the values above, it created the interlaced image for me automatically.

After Effects
I created the composition, keeping the number of frames to 18 for the 600dpi animation. I also adjusted the dimensions accordingly. I created a simple animation of a green circle going from top left to bottom right, then exported the animation by the frames. I placed the exported frames into a folder, naming them from 1-18 according to the sequence. Lastly, through Grape, I inputted the same values, picked these frames, and it created the interlaced image for me automatically.

Reflection/Post Activity Thoughts
After printing the animations out according to their dpi values, I compared the smoothness and what each is better for. I found that the animation for the 600dpi one was much smoother, and it was harder to see the individual frames especially if the animation is more complicated. It also sort of blurred the different frames together due to how smooth it is, compared to the 300dpi one. I also found that having 2 drastically different images made the animation more obvious (common sense but I’m slow). In this activity, I made the animation and the rotation of the composition wrongly, I should have rotated the images to be vertical to fit the lenticular pieces.

Description
Done entirely on Photoshop, I first found some images online to create the stereographic animation. I searched up 3d model cat and took a few screenshots (lol) as I rotated it around. I separated them into different layers on Photoshop then by creating a lenticular template of a 10px by 10px black background and leaving 2 blank rows 5 times, and creating a pattern each time. After that I created a layer mask for each frame in the cat animation, filling it with a different pattern from the template. This was another way to interlace images instead of solely using Grape. I could also adjuted the orientation of the interlacing by changing the direction of the blank rows in the template created.

Process and Reflection
Using my Pikmin keychain and waterbottle, I went outside of the class to take a series of images and videos. After that, I went back into class to create the interlaced images in the same way as the cat animation. I overlayed the images over each other, adjusting them so that a certain point would align over the different frames. For the first and fourth animation I set the focal and unchanging point as the bud on the tip of the Pikmin’s head. For the second one, the focal point was the keychain strap. The third animation was created after printing, as I found that the colours were too dark. This was also true for the second animation, where I then subsequently tweaked the colours in the final print file. At the end of the assignment, apparently what I did was wrong as the middle ground should not move at all but in all my animations, they all moved... Sorry My Bad :(  

Pictures to be composed and edited (my side)

After shooting all the scenes, Ray and I split the work, so I was to edit the falling and waking up scenes.

Process and Reflection
Using the pictures above, I had to crop and separate the frames of the rolling/spinning head into PNG files, which I did so on Photoshop. Furthermore, I went to YouTube to look for resources, specifically for the background as the head is falling. I found a video of the top view of some city as it zoomed in. I then took screenshots from said video (illegal sorry) and edited them in my Photoshop file as well, creating a rough animation there. I also did some light colour editing on Photoshop as well, before exporting each frame as a PNG, separating the frames of the head falling and the background zooming in.

Putting them into After Effects, Ray and I settled on using 12 frames per second for the entire video so I applied the same frames onto my scenes. My part was also supposed to go on for 4 seconds. First, I did the composition for the background, setting 16 frames, each holding for 3 frames. Initially, I only had 8 frames for the background, so I had to improvise and duplicate all the frames, adding a zoom effect to the duplicated ones so the animation seemed smoother. Next, I did the composition for the head rolling. Similarly, I did not have enough frames for this, so I simply repeated the 6 frames I had 4 times, forming 24 frames, with each frame holding for 2 frames in the timeline. Finally, I created on main composition and placed both compositions into each other then I exported it.

Timelines

timeline for head rolling animation

timeline for the background zooming in animation

Process and Reflection
Using the pictures above, I had to pick and edit the pictures I wanted to use for the waking up sequence, which is also the last scene in our animation. I did all this on Photoshop. For the beginning of this scene, I wanted an scene where the eyes open to see a view from the bed. I then went to YouTube to look for a green screen animation of eyes blinking, which I then took 7 screenshots of and threw into the composition. I composed the screenshots into another composition, with each frame taking up 2 frames in the timeline, timing it right. I then applied the Keylight effect to the entire composition to remove to green in the screenshots I also scoured the Internet for a view someone would see when they wake up, likely in their bed facing a window or something. This scene was also 4 seconds long, but it was way easier to construct than the previous scene. I added some thought bubbles to fill the gap, intentionally choosing Comic Sans to add to the kitschy vibe. Finally, I ended this whole scene with a short snippet of the credits scene meme. Then I just the entire composition to Ray, for her to trim off the end as  she deemed fit.

Timelines

timelines for the blinking scene

timeline for the whole waking up scene

Reflection
This is the final stopmotion animation that Ray and I did. Using my Smiski and Fuggler dolls, miniature items from other friends, and various things found in the classroom, we came up with a storyboard together, based all around the fact that my Smiski doll’s head could be detatched from the body. I also had a few different dolls so the body could change according to the required scenes.

Overall, I really loved the look of stopmotion but it was so labour intensive that I do not think I will be doing it ever again. It was also hard to construct the scenes due to the lack of materials and tools. For example, the tape getting up scene was constructed by tying a rope to the tape to keep it upright, then moving it accordingly. Our initial storyboard also changed quite a bit as we had to work around the constraints of not having the appropriate materials and tools. We did not even have a tripod so I had to manually hold the phone with my extremely shakey hands. When we first shot the pictures, I was worried about the change in colours between each frame. However, in the end, I think the inconsistencies added to the whole aesthetic, looking really handmade (?) if that makes sense. Ray and I also worked through the sound design together, me suggesting ideas and her looking for the sounds, because I took a long long time working the 2 scenes above. I am quite happy with the results, although I think the colours could be edited more, and aligned across scenes. Like my past few works, this was also pretty much a shitpost, intentionally rough around the edges. Thank you for reading and please enjoy the video with your audio on :)