Studio Workshop//Timelines

Todays workshop involved creating storyboards across a timeline; this seemed mind-boggling at the time after we had just had an after effects session! However, looking back on the session, it makes a lot of sense and can be easily worked through in a systematic way.

The first type of storyboard consisted of using screen shots from an animated sequence positioned across a timeline. Luckily, the sequence I had chosen was only 60 seconds long which made the process a lot easier. We had to use a 60 second timeline, this split down to fit my 25 key frames worked out at one key frame every 2.4 seconds. 

We were then faced with the problem of fitting all these key frames across the short timeline; I chose to angle each frame so that the point of the frame corresponded to the time in which is was seen within the sequence. 

We then approached our timelines in a different way; we now had to work with 25 frames which showed significant changes within the sequence across 5 lines. These frames were therefore not going to be equally spaced. Firstly, I split my 5 lines into 10 sections. I then split my 60 second sequence across the 5 lines, 60/5=12. I then split this 12 across the 10 sections; 12/10=1.2 

We cut and re-assembled our lines to create one long timeline which showed the pace and sequence order.

This blew my mind at the time, but I can see why this is a helpful tool in portraying the speed at which you wish for actions to occur; showing your sequence at equal intervals does not necessarily portray your sequence accurately. 

//What I have learnt:

//Counting is hard (if your head is not in the game!)

//It is hard but necessary to split the timeline down according to the duration of your sequence

//A key frame is different depending on what you are trying to portray in your timeline

//Not using equal intervals can help portray your sequence better across a timeline as it shows the pace of your actions.

//Key frames can differ depending on how you intend to use them within the timeline

//Problem Encountered:

//Need to know the duration of the sequence you are working with

//Need to know the time at which each screen grab is taken (for non-equal intervals)

//Need to work in time: remember there are 60 seconds in a minute//100cm may not be 100 minutes!

//How do sequences work in relation to timelines:

//Timelines where the key frames are taken at equal intervals represent an overview of what the sequence entails, however, it does not give much detail as to when things happen and the speed at which they occur. 

//Timelines which use a more detailed scale relevant to the duration of the sequence, with key frames positioned unequally, will demonstrate the pace at which effects and actions will occur within the sequence. This is useful as not everything will happen at equal intervals, so if screen grabs were only taken at equal intervals some actions may be lost/unseen; taking screen grabs at unequal intervals will demonstrate pace. It also truly helps you when taking the design from paper to screen as this will reflect the timeline seen in After Effects.