As discussed with Sean, we found it best to maintain consistency in the background (because all the shots were super complicated) I should make a 3d model of it and then trace those instead to doing by imagination or take photo references. I visited multiple schools to gain insights into the design of the school for Junior Junction. After using some of the reference pictures for the backgrounds, I realized that the biggest challenge I was facing was maintaining the consistency of scale in my drawings. The drawings were not similar, so I realized that a better approach would be to create a 3D model of the school and then trace the shots taken. This would allow me to manipulate the design to follow the storyline, and it would also make it easier for me to maintain the style, scale, and shots for my thesis.
My team member, Hani (my colleague who is an architect), and I sculpted the model in Sketchup, which further allowed us to take better shots from different angles, such as foreshortening, one-point perspective, fisheye perspective, Dutch angles, and dolly zoom angles. For example, the attached shot shows how I had to adjust the angles of the model to create an illusion of exaggerated scale and depth from a child’s perspective and imagination.
We made two variations of the model: one with an exaggerated scale and the other at a normal scale, to differentiate reality from the children’s imagination. We made three iterations of the model using reference images from Nightingale Primary School, after obtaining their consent. We decided to go with the 3D model that played with multiple levels to better fit the storyline and add a playful element to the animation. We made multiple iterations of the two main models. The first one incorporated elements such as safe materials and furniture that the children would use for their playtime, as well as necessities for any school, such as tables, cabinets, and blackboards. The other model was of the exterior of the school, which was inspired by the British schools I had visited earlier, such as Nightingale Primary School, Saint Bishops Primary School, and the schools in Hackney and West-ham.
Arsalan Awais 