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Laitma — Angel Dust - The Fall
Published: 2012-09-26 03:16:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 12476; Favourites: 410; Downloads: 152
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Description
Final project from my Intro to 2D Animation class last semester--yeah, way back in May. Took me that long just to build up the courage/get enough distance from my own embarrassment to put this up here. In a way I'm still kind of proud of it: just seeing what I managed to do in, oh, 6 weeks or so? in a class I "took" just because I wanted to learn animation... but obviously, I bit off way more than I could chew, and realized just how far I still am from becoming anything close to an animator.Please don't critique this for the animation or concept or composition; I know it's poor, rushed, cheesy and disconcerting. Most of it makes me wince. I know I really, really need to practice depth.
But, well... I guess, I just really wanted to show you this roughest version of the animation I WANTED to make. I did this for my final project because this is what I dreamed of every time I listened to this song. This is Ian's song, and Ian's beginning. I'm not even sure if I want to keep this idea--it's cheesy as hell, I know, but for now it's what I'm running with until I can come up with something better. The concept's gonna stay the same either way, because this has always been a story of the fall. For those of you who've been following Angel Dust (bless you guys, seriously), maybe this'll help illuminate something? I hope it adds a little to the story.
The song is "One Day You Will Teach Me To Let Go Of My Fears," by sleepmakeswaves , used with their permission in this animation. You can listen to the unedited version here , and even download it if you like! Thanks again to this band for letting me use their music; it's the whole reason this animation even exists.
For anyone who spotted the cameos, they are: ~shark-bomb 's Tudor, =theblackbutterfly 's Obizuth, and of course a Cris from AD . And yes, I did look up Treasure Planet's intro scene a million times, but no, this was not actually inspired by it. This is the beginning to my own story, Angel Dust: [link]
Put together with Photoshop CS5 and Toon Boom Animate Pro. Also available on Vimeo, here
Thank you everyone for the support, you guys are the best!!! ♥
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Comments: 455
Oh gosh, thank you so much for the incredibly flattering comment, I'm the one having a hard time coming up with a response! Thank you! ;-;
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Beautiful animation or dream rides with mythology (France)
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Ahhhh, thank you so much for the super-kind comment!! And ah yes, definitely the mythology element here; my story Angel Dust is in some ways a modern re-telling of Icarus.
Thank you!
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As an art student who has a minor in biting off more than they can chew, I wonder - what was the vanilla expectation for this class project, and in what way did you exceed/fall short of it? It's apparent that 95% of the animation is essentially a storyboard, but it still holds together well, with some nice cinematographic moments, even. Were you meant to have a rendered final piece like your opening shot or just a solid body of line work? Again, I ask because I know the feeling when ambition pays off as well as fails.
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Ah, the expectation I suppose was to have a much shorter version (our professor told us to aim around 30 seconds, 1 minute max) with much more solid animation. I feel very bad about a lot of my animation because I know the timing wasn't the best, and moreso that the shots/composition were pretty bad. I feel like I rushed it and sacrifice quality for quantity basically, hahah.
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That. Was. BEAUTIFUL. Absolutely stunning!!!
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Oh gosh, thank you so much for the super-kind comment!
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Thank you all the more, gosh!
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Oh my God PLEASE finish making this ):
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Oh gosh thank you so much for the comment--I do plan on finishing this, one day! I just need to learn a LOT more about animation... @_@;;
Thank you for the super-kind comment and the +watch too, I'm honored!
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Haha, I read your description before hitting play. That's just like you to put your work down in the worst way, and then BLOW EVERYONE'S EXPECTATION.
I loved it- technique aside, the sheer concept alone is enough to grab anyone's attention and not let go. As a teaser to AD it sets up the hero and the world so beautifully that people immediately want to care and know more about him. Lots of great pacing and bold shot-framing; I especially like how you cut away as he was falling to let the viewer fill in the blanks with their own imagination. And the music- one would almost swear it was made specifically for this video. :0 :0 :0
::can totally see you using this to pitch your story to a publisher and possibly getting it made into a full-fledged animation, since all the core elements are there::
Great stuff~ it's any wonder you haven't take up art as a full-time major.. ♫
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Oh, okay, holy crap man way to melt me down into incoherent squiggles, augh it took me this long just to muster up enough competence to reply!
But seriously though ohmygosh man you have no idea how
how much this really IS kind of my teaser to AD and how much I would CRY to get this published/completed/everything-!!! That this helps frame the story and character and all is totally super-flattering to hear, and and and aughhghghghhhh I just... it's just...
This is the intro/backstory to AD, right?? And I just couldn't ever picture trying to turn this into a page of words, or even a series of still images... it just had to be animated, so I did my best to do that. AD's a mess like that--for the majority I just wanna write it, but so many things I also wanna draw, or animate, or even some areas I wanna have audio, and static glitches... I don't know what to do with this mess of an idea!! ;-;
But yeah, that song, soon as I heard it I could just picture this, shot by scene, and it felt like it was made for Ian, hahahah!
And pahahahah, well, I-I've actually taken the plunge and am working up toward shooting for an art major now! I'm trying to build up my portfolio and apply to masters' programs this fall/December!! 8C;;
Do you, ahhh, have any suggestions??? I'm all ears, hahahahah!
But seriously my gosh man, why do you have to leave THE most heart-mushing encouraging yet eloquent comments ever?? I always feel like a squeaking, blustery mess replying to your super-elegant comments, man!
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Oooo, a masters' program. 
But obviously(!) I think a masters' can be a big deal since it could be the tiebreaker between you and another artist. Not to mention Asian parents understand degrees more than they understand portfolios. ehehe... ;;;
Btw, I noticed a LOT of comickers have been doing 0:30 teaser videos on YouTube to officially launch their comics. It also works to get people in the "mainstream" interested in your comic. Hell, my comic is 3 years old and I want to do one of these.
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Ahhhh, yeah, for me too, it's definitely more just about getting to learn what kinds of art careers are out there and how to get into them... and to make lots of connections with other artists, too. I'll... admit, I was a little lonely at JHU... u_u;;
And maaaaan, didn't you already make an awesome animated teaser for SSnPP before??
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Don't be lonely...! :U
Artists should be supportive of one another.
Well that work is almost 3 years old. Gotta make something super-slick for the Here & Now.
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Y-Yeah, I just, I met so many like-minded people I felt like I could really connect to while I hung out at MICA, and I kind of just... want that whole experience, for real this time. u///u
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Dude, that was amazing. I'm totally speechless. And those eyes of Ian... Awesome!
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Hahahah, thank you! Well, I do love drawing faces, so... xD
Thank youuuuu! ♥
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I'm crying.
Oh cod. This is FANTASTIC. Ogmgmohm. You did such a great job!
I can't find a words to describe how I'm suprised and how much I enjoyed your work! ; _ ;
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Awwwwwwwwww nooooooo don't cry, now you're just making me worry, ahhhhh! ;-;
But seriously, ack, thank you SO MUCH for your ridiculously sweet comment, wah!! ♥
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If you're going to make a full film or something I'm sure that I'll be crying. That means that something is THAT GOOD that my eyes can't stand the epicness and they are starting to cry, haha.
No problem, Laitma ; u ; <3
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Ahhhhhh you sweeeeeetheeeeeaaaaarrrrttttttt~ /wibbles ♥♥♥
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This is incredible. the music is superb and the art style was great. I loved it, you are amazing!
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Oh gosh, thank you so much for the super-kind comment, you're too sweet! I'm really honored that you like my style, thank you!! ♥
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You're very welcome! I have no idea how many times ive watched it. And its on my Facebook. You are incredibly talented. :3
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Ahhh, ohmygosh now I'm just embarrassed, ahahahahh!!
THANK YOU! ♥
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Beautiful work and amazing animating. The only part that bothered me even slightly was the closing of the eye where it seemed like it could be a LITTLE smoother, but at the same time it had a sense to a symbolic ending. I loved it.
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Ahhhhh, I definitely see what you're talking about, I should've stuck more frames in there. I was rushing to meet the deadline by then though (literally due in mere hours, hahah!) so it was all very rough, but gosh, thank you so much for the super, super-kind comment!!
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i totally understand the who rushing for the deadline. I always hated being on a time limit in my animation class and so i never got to do an awesome animation like i wanted. they were always rushed and super sloppy, nothing in comparison to yours. are you going to fix it up more and maybe even color it? Or are you going to leave it as is?
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Ahhh, I definitely do one day plan on fixing it up (a LOT of the scenes need to be totally re-drawn actually, hah;; ) and colored! Originally I dreamed of it even being a combination of grayscale and color--it'd be grayscale as he falls, but suddenly snap to color once he slams the gas, hahahah!! Ahhhh, my enthusiasm knew no bounds when I was just starting... xD
And, I'll be honest, I also feel like I managed to put in the level of work for this animation because I was doing this entirely for myself. It was my last semester at school and I wasn't actually even technically taking this class for credit--I just really, REALLY wanted to learn animation, and to do this project. When I sat back and thought to myself, "why am I coming to class if not to learn and give it my all?" then I really did put my back into it and cranked this animation out, hahah!
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so then was it a college class? That would be really funny if it was in the high school class I went to and we simply kept missing each other. XD
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Ahhhhh hahah yep, it was a college class taken at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)!
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Sounds really cool. I think it's pretty accurate to say I'm envious. I have nothing that I can really get into and stick with. It might just be that I want to experience a bunch of different things, but I wish I could sit down and see a project all the way through like others can (or even to improve to a level that you're at. seriously OMG). I really enjoy animations like yours, so it makes me a little sad that my last attempt never got very far. It's cool that you took a class in college. It makes you seem all the more passionate about your work (at least to me it seems that way).
All in all; keep up the great work and I hope you never lose heart, because your talents are no shorter than amazing.
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Oh gosh, thank you so much for one of the kindest comments I've ever received! That's really, really too kind of you, THANK YOU! (And for the +watch as well, I'm absolutely honored, dear!)
But seriously, I believe that you can do this as well, so please don't feel frustrated! I actually feel much the same--I can't seem to stick with anything either, I keep switching mediums and styles. I sometimes envy artists who can stick with one style or mediuma and really, truly master it, but at the same time, I think it's a good thing to be constantly switching--you grow a LOT more and experience a lot more that way, so don't worry! As long as you're willing to work hard and to push yourself, I'm sure you'll improve tons. I took a look at your gallery, and you are definitely moving--through mediums and styles, through lines and painting, so I've no doubt of it!
And hey, the only thing that pushed me through this animation was the class I took--otherwise I would've just always said, "someday I'll do that animation-!" and never have anything to show for it, hahah! If you can, find outside projects/challenges to participate in, such as NaNoWriMo or 24 Hour Comics Day (which is this coming October 20th, actually-! Sometimes things like this give me the kick in the pants I need, and maybe they'll help you, too-!
Sorry for the super-long comment, but I just wanted to let you know that I think you're well on your way and totally capable of anything as long as you're passionate about it, and I'm SURE that someday you'll find that thing that you truly love to do, and that you'll be able to become the best at it, for yourself. : ) So never give it up!
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haha, don't worry, I leave long comments at times too. Honestly, I haven't gotten to do a serious project in a long time. I have no scanner, and not tablet, so the only real work I'm able to do is in my sketchbooks and the amateur pieces of writing I prefer to keep to myself due to being too embarrassed to show it to anyone. If there was anything I would say I have a shred of pride in, it's a dragon sculpture I made a few years ago. I'd like to make others, but clay and sculpting is a little expensive for someone like me who is having to support myself AND my roommate who can' seem to ever pay rent or grocery bills, and on top of that, I'm paying for my own way in college. Si~gh so troublesome.
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Awwwwwwww, well, I just have to say, never be too embarrassed to show something! I've found that feedback has helped me the MOST to improve, though I do also see how people can be easily intimidated about flamers or harsh critiques. However I've always received fair feedback on my work, and I feel that, if you have a fairly honest understanding of your work and show this, then you're not likely to get "attacked", either! If you want, I'd be happy to read over writing of yours and offer you feedback. I actually consider myself a better writer than artist, hahah. Anyway, just up to you, no pressure or anything. xD
And MAN I understand the pain of not being able to afford things... sculpey IS expensive, I was too intimidated to even try sculpture, so kudos to you, hahah! For tablets, though--have you ever looked into refurbished tablets? Wacom is really dependable in having really high-quality refurbs at pretty low prices; around $50-70? You should look into that if you're interested. 
Good luck with paying for college, gosh I know how scary and painful that can be--but I'm sure that you'll be able to manage!! (I'm working full-time now and saving up to be able to go back to school, myself! xD ) Good luck!!
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The main thing with the writing is not that I have trouble with writing it's self most of the time, but the actual topics. I write on a very personal level at least 60% of the time; putting in things I've thought about from hours to days. Things I've only ever talked about with friends. Life events, and the like. While I change things such as names, set the event in a setting of a more metaphorical view, add extra events, and even put everything in a fantasy setting, it still comes so much from my own life to an extent that I feel uncertain about sharing it with others. It's as though I'm afraid they'll think badly of me for some reason, even though I can't find much they could judge me on when I look through them.
I had no idea you could find tablets for that cheap. Is there any site that I could find them at specifically?
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Hmmm, I can understand that feeling. I'm actually entirely incapable of sharing my writing with people who know me personally; I'm somehow much more comfortable sharing stories online, or art, for that matter! There's definitely that feeling of being judged for writing/drawing things... "different" or something from who I am? Hahahah. But no gosh I get your feeling, 100%, and never even... had the right words to describe it before.
But writing is meant to be personal! We use our own experiences to build the most realistic stories, so there's nothing wrong with that. Do you mean more that the subject matter concerns experiences you and your family/friends have had, or something else? o:
And yeah, just look up "refurbished wacom tablet"! Amazon [link] and MacMall [link] are great places to pick up refurbs! Hope this helps!!
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it is based mostly on my life and the lives around me, including those of some very close friends and the conversations we have. Of course, not everything comes from reality and the characters simply caused the outcome instead of my own story line (sounds crazy but idk how to explain characters developing their own plot >_>). It's not like there's a whole lot of... adult stuff or anything. Just a little graphic in the sense of blood, death, extreme emotions of hate and such. It's a bit dark when you get to the very core of it, despite the first impression being very bright and happy. I find that what a writer writes about and how they write reflect themselves a lot, however, and I prefer to keep the outward happy appearance than to get into what I'm really like, and I really don't like the idea of others knowing what kind of things go through my head. I WOULD like to try sharing with you though, seeing as you seem to kinda understand. I'll send you a message of my e-mail and skype name.
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This is really amazing! 
I love how we can see the wind and the speed, and the crazy angles over the city! We always see and understand the action, so it's all good, and the sketchiness doesn't bother me at all.
I love the reaction of the characters on the ground, it really gives life to this city.
I love it all! *o*
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Ahhhhhh, thank you so much, dear!! Hahahah the characters on the ground were the fun parts to keep me sane; having to animate that many buildings nearly drove me nuts!! xD
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It's actually brilliant. Touching. Full of emotion.
Now, all I'd suggest you do is finish coloring it in like the first few seconds, and voila!
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Ahhhh, thank you so much for the super-kind comment!! I definitely do want to be able to fully render/polish up the whole animation someday, but I need to re-do a lot of the scenes to make them better... mainly that mush in the middle, hahahah!
But gosh, thank you so much! That the concept/story could be touching/emotional to the audience is the greatest praise I could receive! ♥
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