Animation Trial | Development ~ PP

I had previously used After Effects in previous projects, so I knew how to use that to my full advantage. However, for this underwater animation scene, I had to make sure I could create an underwater backdrop and I had to make sure I could show the plate being turned into a ball.

To start the trial animation process, I had to decide what sort of animation I wanted to create. At first I had the idea to have most of the video as animation and show the plate as a stick person instead of the artistic shots I have planned.

This short experimentation video is testing the plate as a stick figure and getting it move. Once I had done this I didn't think this idea could run throughout the whole video and I thought telling the whole story would be quite difficult and limited if this was throughout the whole video.
Instead, I decided to have that short underwater scene, showing the plate sinking and then moulding into a ball shape.

Once I made this decision, I tested turning the plate into a ball. I couldn't think of a way to do this through after effects, but I thought I could try it in photoshop instead. I imported a picture of the plate from the website, and experimented with different tools to make the moulding effective and almost realistic. Through experimentation I found that the Liquify tool was the only thing that would make the plate look like a ball. I did a few tests, making the plate more ball like, and I put the images together in the way that I would for the actual video.

I really liked the effect the liquify tool had on the plate, and I am confident that it will work well within the actual animation scene that I will be making.

For the actual underwater background, I found a tutorial online and followed that. I wanted to make the backdrop look realistic but not too realistic as it would take away that animated tone.

I liked the outcome of this look, and I think it will work well within the actual video. In terms of the fish I have added, I will add them into the actual scene but I will get them to move to add to the realism of the scene, and I think it will be a nice touch.
By having this animated scene, it will keep the audience engaged and entertained, while also challenging me with improving my skill and doing things I don't usually do.

I'm really happy with the outcome of my tests, and I feel confident about this underwater scene.