In Week 03 of Advanced 3D Computer Animation, Professor Ting Liu expanded the discussion on story structure and narrative design. The session explored how stories are broken into sequences, scenes, shots, and individual beats.
I studied Joseph Campbell’s seventeen-stage monomyth and how it is organised into the stages of Separation, Initiation, and Return.
I also examined Christopher Vogler’s twelve-step Hero’s Journey that includes
a) Ordinary World
b) Call to Adventure
c) Meeting the Mentor
d) Crossing the Threshold
e) Ordeal
f) Reward
g) Return
Additional narrative frameworks such as Freytag’s Pyramid and Kishōtenketsu were introduced, demonstrating different approaches to storytelling across cultures.
At the same time, I completed the final previs for the Hunter to Prey assignment.
Step 1: Redeveloping the Previs Animation
Building on previous feedback, I refined the timing, camera choices, and character reactions. I adjusted the transformation sequence involving the robotic walking stick and improved the readability of the power shift between the characters.
Step 2: Receiving the Feedback
After submitting my animation, I received good feedback from Professor Ting but the final review was conducted by a guest director, I received good feedback from the Director that:
“The previs is one of the strongest in the group. The storytelling is clear and the visual progression works well. The only area requiring further attention is the button-press sequence, which needs stronger emphasis.”
Following this feedback, I revised the sequence and improved the staging of that specific moment.
Step 3: Rendering the Previs Animation
I then completed lighting, rendering, and sound integration. I used a dark environment with warm and cool lighting contrasts to strengthen the mood of the alley setting. This week helped me understand how narrative theory, cinematography, animation, lighting, and sound all contribute to a complete storytelling experience.