Animation Products Research - Web Series

Web Series

Lego Star Wars : The Yoda Chronicles (2013)

The first episode of 'Lego Star Wars : the Yoda Chronicles' was released in May 2013. The series was created by Lego themselves who create the toys. Directed by Michael Hegner, the Lego Chronicles is aimed manly at children, but also can be enjoyed by anyone who takes an interest to Lego or Star Wars. The purpose of the animation is to entertain the audience.

A good thing about this web series is that the animated characters closely resemble the character in the Star Wars film franchise. Many other things from the films such as sound FX also resemble those in the films. This allows the audience to connect with the web series more.

Animation Trends

Television

'Cartoon Network' is a very popular children's television channel, with a target audience of children aged 7+, With shows such as 'Ed, Edd n Eddy', 'the Amazing World of Gumball' and 'Ben 10: Omniverse'. The top rated show is 'Adventure Time', but there are many other popular shows on the channel.

Film

The most successful animated feature at the box office in 2013 was 'Frozen', Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee.

Web

The most watched animated video on Youtube is 'Eye Piece' with over 2,000,000 views. It shows the incredible capabilities that modern day technology can do with animation.

Character Development / Mood board

Master Hakiru - Master Hakiru is the leader of the group. He is full of wisdom, and
aims to help the team progress.
There are many many stereotypical old, wise, Chinese martial arts people in cartoons, like
Master Splinter from 'TMNT', and Master Chin from 'Legend of the Dragon'

Megan - Megan is the attractive female heroin, and love interest for main character
Dante. She provides elegance and beauty for each episode.
Characters such as Kim Possible, and Daphne from Scooby Doo were influences on this characters look.

Rufus - Rufus is the member of the group who is an outsider. He is very lazy, and
laid back, skinny and unconfident. Usually he has no idea whats going on, and
he never wears shoes.
Characters such as Shaggy from Scooby Doo and Sideshow Bob from the Simpsons inspired
this character.

Rufus in mid air high kick

Dante - Dante is our main character in 'Ninja High'. He is a well built ninja
with a very wide skill set. Despite his great size, he is not intimidating; he is
a very friendly individual with a deep heart, and he also has a great
understanding of respect.
Many other cartoons similar to Dante inspired this characters, such as Jonny Bravo
, Mr Incredible, Ang from Legend of the Dragon, Superman and Leonidas from 300.

Animation Time Scale

Character Design Theory

Barney Gumble - The Simpsons

Characteristic of Barney Gumble:


- Head viewed from the side, but both eyes visible

- Front facing eye is bigger than the other

- Thin black stroke around the body

- Thick colours of clothes and skin, including under front        iiifacing eye

- Goofy Mouth

- Messy hair

- Three teeth showing.

The outline of Barney shows that he has messy loose bits of                                  
 hair, showing he is messy. His posture leads with his hips which shows that he is lazy















Eric Cartman - South Park

Characteristics of Eric Cartman:

- no outline colours, just pure colour

- over exaggerated eyes

- no nose

- simple mouth with three teeth

- few details such as eyebrows, eye lashes or shading / colour fading

- curved black line under chin to assert obesity

- simple clothing

- wide waist and feet








Spongebob Squarepants

Characteristics of Spongebob Squarepants:

- Black stroke around his body

- Spongebobs face is largely exaggerated, this shows how happy
he is all the time

- Rectangular in shape

 - Two large front teeth

- Large smile

- Face covers most surface area of his body

- Slight shading to give 3D illusion

- Big eyes

Idea Feedback

Expressions Sheet

This is an expressions sheet for Dante, the main character in my series Ninja High. This shows various expressions that he may show throughout the series.