Oct 2014 Story Portfolio

DOG PROM-The Start

Dear blog-I am sorry I forget about you. I do have a post-it note though on my computer in hopes to remind myself to update more.

Anyways, I guess friends lets do a post about my first year film here at the UCLA Animation Workshop...it's called "DOG PROM". I'll first post some boards.

  

The story itself is pretty simple-it's just about a boy who wants to dance with a girl at prom, expect of course they are dogs. The story grew from mindless sketching while taking a break from a storyboarding project. I was of course drawing my go to-dogs and for some reason, realized that with poodle fur, you can easily manipulate it into prom hairstyles (which I found to be true of other breeds). Then I thought it would be funny to throw a boston terrier into a tux since they are naturally wearing one and boom-DOG PROM just flowed out of my pen.

the initial sketches

Even though it kinda subconsciously came out-I do think DOG PROM was born out of watching "Lady and the Tramp" and "XOXO" by Erin Kavanagh.

Anyways, boarding is pretty much done-just tightening up the ending which is both simple and difficult....so many options but there's one that is THE option. Otherwise, trying to do character design/look of film/colors figured out and doing some test animation with them-all of which I will post about at a later time. Actually, I'll try and do a post about each step of the process for this little film and talk about changes/struggles/whatever-just to chart the journey of this first year film. It's going to be a ride.

 

Accepted Portfolio For UCLA Animation Workshop

Because a few friends were asking to see it-anyways here is MOST of what all was put into my application. My figure drawing pages are buried very deep somewhere on my external hard drive and I can't find them for now-so do note that of the supplemental portfolio-the first 3 pages are missing from this post.

Anyways, background for my application just in case you are using this for your own application knowledge gathering purposes. This was my second time applying to the UCLA Animation Workshop. Before sending in this portfolio, I was fortunate enough to go out and visit in person and was able to get a portfolio critique on the supplemental and video portion of my portfolio, as well as advice/direction for how to approach the storyboard proposal. I placed all of my materials in a plastic envelope and very clearly labeled everything. Within the plastic envelope, I also had a folder where I put my storyboard proposal. I don't believe in packaging my work in a gimmicky fashion-my work should speak for itself. But I wanted things to be clear so there was no confusion and possibility of things getting lost. A list of what was in the envelope was taped inside and then I also included a portfolio guide and materials list.

Please do note that now after 5 months away from this, I already think all my life drawing stuff is blah and I'd actually would change a large majority of it because there is simply better work to put in. Guess that's a good place to be at but this is the application that got me into the UCLA Animation Workshop (well, in addition to 3 wonderful letter of rec's I got from professors). And of course, thrilled to be started this September.

Ok words, words, words-here are the visuals. Uploading them in order of what I was told was "most important":

1. Storyboard Proposal

2. Statement of Purpose

3a. Life Drawing and Supplemental Portfolio-

*note-missing first 3 pages which consisted of "true" life drawing

3b. Animation Work

Nuts About You!

Skate of the Swan

Llevamela

Birthday Party Blues

Rabbit Zoetrope Video:
with strobe light
3 different "views": far  away, middle, and close up

If you have any questions at all-please send them my way(laurenkriegerart@gmail.com). There was a lack of other examples to look at both times when I was applying, which is why in part this is being uploaded. Thanks!