2008 AF Summer Challenge -Flour Sack Olympics- (Information Thread)

[Terro]

Animation Forum Summer Challenge
http://www.animationforum.net/forum/../afadmin/featureimages/FloursackOlympics.jpg
Flour Sack Olympics 2008
June 28th, 2008 - August 30th, 2008 (Deadline)

Challenge Description:

You are to animate 1 summer Olympic event using a Floursack as the athlete. You will be judged on the overall outcome of your final shot (animation,timing, appeal,creativity, humor...ect.) Everything goes into consideration so make it interesting and take your time.


Prizes/Awards:

First Place:
1 Gold Talent Point
The Art of Kung Fu Panda (Book) or Character Animation Crash Course by Eric Goldberg (Book)
Art Rage 2.5 (Digital Download)

Second Place:
1 Silver Talent Point
Art Rage 2.5 (Digital Download)

Third place:
1 Bronze Talent Point


Specifications:

Final Video Size: 480(wide) X 360(high)
Framerate: 24 fps
Timeframe: 5-10 seconds (120 - 240 frames)
Audio: Sure why not, but not required.

Requirements:

Post a Character Sheet of your Flour Sack.
Lets make the character sheet (600X600 pixels) jpg.

It should include a few angles of your character (Front, Side, angled)plus, their name (not yours) the Country he/she is representing and any accessories you plan to equip them with.

Post WIP (Work in progress)

Post your final animation.


Ideas:
Turn your floursack into a athlete. Give him a name, and think about what this event means to him. Give them personality. Make it funny and be creative. It's not required that your character does great at an event, sometimes failures are the way to go.

Event Ideas:

Diving
High Jump
Hurdles
Javelin Throw
Long Jump
Pole Vault
Rings
Weight Lifting
Also: You can use other summer Olympic events if you wish.

FAQ:

Can we work in teams? No

Can we pick the same event as someone else? Sure

Can we do it in 3D or Stop-Motion? Why Not, animation is animation.

Can we compile everyones entries into one movie once the contest is done? Yup, thats kinda the plan from the get go. So help each other because even thou it's a challenge it could end up being a very interesting compilation.


BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN !!!!

Steps:
- Go in the Challenge Entry (http://www.animationforum.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=40) forum,
- Create a new thread, with your name, and challenge name :
example : jakiloblanco - Flour Sack Olympics 2008
- Use your thread to keep us updated on your animations
- When you finish your entry,edit the first post in your thread,with a link to your work and character sheet.

[vicjperry]

Yeehaw! Let the games begin! I once caught a javelin in the sack so I believe I qualify! :D:D:D:D:D

[ElusiveMoose]

Yeehaw! Let the games begin! I once caught a javelin in the sack so I believe I qualify! :D:D:D:D:D

OOOOooooooowwwwwwwwww....... :blink:

Absolutely fantastic challenge, Terro! Looking forward to these...

[Squash-n-Stretch]

HELLLLL YEAH!!!! Thanks Terro I've been waiting for the next challenge!


The Art of Kung Fu Panda (Book)

:blink: Me wanty!

[flashcartoons]

and the challenge comeith, good idea with the flour sack!!

[kdog]

Oh hell yes.

This is just too perfect, very much looking forward to getting in on this & seeing what everyone else comes up with. I've already got a few ideas....

Thanks, Greg, great challenge.

[TFSBIGWS]

Interesting idea - Graded Games Make Finer Flour (hands up everyone who knows where that's from!)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1w3DMlRQZEc
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SkfWFcUza5U
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aV4AIVlb9xk
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iEezwqhVHQg

[Black Spot]

The pole vault for me. Girls weren’t allowed to do it in my days.

[panday]

but perhaps i might not supply some of the requirements such as posting developments coz i would only steal some of my time... do you think that's ok?

[Terro]

but perhaps i might not supply some of the requirements such as posting developments coz i would only steal some of my time... do you think that's ok?

Your WIP's don't have to be anything great and there no need to have a lot of them. We need to see some of your process to make sure the shot is yours. Also it's a great for for giving and receiving critiques along the way as well as making new friends.

[panday]

thanks a lot for the info! i'll join then! the only thing is and i'm too dumb how can i make a new thread? will i click new post?

[Terro]

Once you are in the challenge forum, there will be a "New Thread" button.

[panday]

thanks, bro


SEE SOME OF MY WORKS @
www.youtube.com/roninjener
http://rmsgentlewind.multiply.com

[musicformedia]

Hi guys, if anyone needs music for this animation, don't forget to come over to us at www.filmandgamecomposers.com as there are plenty of composers there who will do the music for you for free.

Also, I would be very interested in doing the music myself - my email address is emmett.cooke@gmail.com if you would like to contact me about making music for it :)

Sorry by the way, I'll do the music for free :)

[bleupencil]

Sounds like fun. I look forward to seeing the entries and the process work!!

[Patrick Alessi]

What an exelent idea!

Ill do my best to win this one ;P

[Ferx]

Sounds like fun. I look forward to seeing the entries and the process work!!

C'mon Bleu, enters the challenge :D Nike, the godess of victory, is waiting :D

[Ferx]

Hi guys, if anyone needs music for this animation, don't forget to come over to us at www.filmandgamecomposers.com as there are plenty of composers there who will do the music for you for free.

Also, I would be very interested in doing the music myself - my email address is emmett.cooke@gmail.com if you would like to contact me about making music for it :)

Sorry by the way, I'll do the music for free :)

Great offer, and really appreciated. Is cool that type of support!! Thanks!! You deserve a gold medal :D

[Nyachu]

Cool, a challenge! This sounds like a lot of fun...I think I'll take part. :D

[kdog]

C'mon Bleu, enters the challenge Nike, the godess of victory, is waiting

....and where is your entry, Mr. Ferx? :p Don't you have a duty to defend your crown from the winter challenge? ;):D

Or are you just planning to retire a champion? :p
Lol, now that I think of it, I probably have a MUCH better chance if you're not in it, haha, but it's always a treat to see your work my friend. :)

[musicformedia]

Great offer, and really appreciated. Is cool that type of support!! Thanks!! You deserve a gold medal :D

yay gold medal! I win!

By all means guys please get in contact with me if you want music done for your animations - its right up my alley :)

[Terro]

Found a Flour Sack rig for anyone who may want to attempt this in 3D.

http://www.highend3d.com/maya/downloads/character_rigs/FlourSacRig-4926.html

[RickyDbZ]

well i have a few questions... uhm i certainly will be the last of all... buti still wanna give it a try .. i think i t will be a great experience and i will learn alot of new things... but whatever.
first uhm ... about software its ok if... we're useing something like .. trial ? or even .. hacked software? i mean we need a license or smth like that ? ...
now second.... ahm we need to post somewhere where ... you know .. i dont know how to say this in english ... " to tell someone that we are participating .. you know its called entry or .. i dont know .. and third

whats with the country stuff i mean i really didnt get it we are suppose to represent a country ? :| or smth like that cause... im just a 13 years old kid and no one but me my brother and a few friends know im tryng to animate ,,, learn or whatever. :| ... thats all for now .. please anwser me as soon as possible ... thx

[gus]

Hi TERRO: Thanks for the invitation to the Flour Sack Olympics. Thanks also for my birthday congratulations on june 12th. It was the first I received that day. I'm very new here in the Forum, and I apologize for not having introduced myself yet. I'm very glad to be here, in a space to learn and share. I think I will soon be posting some animation. I have a question regarding the flour bag challenge. Should I post the model sheet of my sack character in advance to my animation,or together with the final animation? Thanks again for the invitation.

[kdog]

RickyDbz:

about software its ok if... we're useing something like .. trial ? or even .. hacked software? i mean we need a license or smth like that ?

You can use just about any medium you want, and free trials count for sure, but I would strongly discourage you from using hacked software or warez. It's just not cool for a whole lot of reasons. I'm not the boss, but I don't think anyone here will encourage you to use hacked programs.

we need to post somewhere where ... you know .. i dont know how to say this in english ... " to tell someone that we are participating .. you know its called entry

Yes, you've got it, if you look in the forum index, you will see a section called "challenge entry." That is where you post your work in progress and your final. Terro describes everything you need to include in the first post of this thread, or you can look at other peoples' entry posts to see what you should include.

whats with the country stuff i mean i really didnt get it we are suppose to represent a country ?

Not you, your character (flour sack) must represent a country in the olympics. The exercise is to animate your flour sack in an olympic event, and I'm sure you know that the olympics are made up of athletes representing their countries. For this exercise you can make your character represent any country you like. For example, certain countries tend to excell in certain events, while they don't usually do so well in others. You could use this for emphasis if your char is going to do well in their event (such as a weightlifter from an Eastern European country, or a marathon runner from Kenya) OR, you could use the opposite approach for comedy. To use the same example, you don't see many power lifters from Kenya, so it might be funny to see a tall, skinny guy try to lift 600 pounds. The country is entirely up to you so you can play with ideas & use whatever you like.

Go and read up everything you can on this exercise, I'm glad you're giving it a try, it will be very helpful to your progress. Keep asking questions & keep practicing!

[kdog]

Gus - First off, welcome to AF, glad to have you aboard. :)

Should I post the model sheet of my sack character in advance to my animation,or together with the final animation?

Probably best to post a model up first. It will give you a better idea of where you're going with your entry and also allow others to give you crits & suggestions (which you can take or leave), but in general I think posting the model first will only be beneficial. If you can't commit to a design, just try a bunch of quick thumbnail sketches & post them up asking for opinions, or see what jumps out at you after you draw a handful of different looks.

Good luck with your entry!

[RickyDbZ]

kdog :) thx again saved me again :) ow ya 2 already... ok i post the entry and i understood the country part and im not using hack i dont like hack its pretty stupid and alot of bugs ... but since i dont have money to pay for a real software i will use digital pro trial :) so.. whatever im going to work a little ... thx alot again

[kdog]

No problem, Ricky. But something you might think of if you have a scanner is the good old pencil & paper.... you'd be surprised what they are capable of.

[RickyDbZ]

and i remmebered 1 more question ... can the ... country its representing ... to be an imaginary country ? who knpows like sayan's country or ... you know what i mean :)

p.s about timeframe = that is suppose to be the movie lenght ? i dont get it what it means i dont even know what onion skin is :| cause i dont fiind that kind of stuff on google :| whatever... someone please help as soon as possible thx again kdog :)

[tomPn5]

Does it have to be that short? I was thinking of using at least 30 secs.

[NOOB!]

Found a Flour Sack rig for anyone who may want to attempt this in 3D.

http://www.highend3d.com/maya/downloads/character_rigs/FlourSacRig-4926.html

thats a sexy rig right there.

[GunnarJ5397Lee]

I know im not that good but with a couple months I think I may be able to make something good.... Can I join?

[Evil Demon Creature]

I know someone I won't have to shop for if I win this contest, so I'd be kicking myeself if I wasn't going to try for it.

[kdog]

Gunnar,

absolutely you can join - these challenges are here for the exercise every bit as much as they are here to win. Personally, winning would be cool, but I participate for the sake of participating, & every time I do, I find I get significantly better at animating, so I definitely encourage you to join in & see what you can do! Good luck!

[Zatara]

Best Idea EVER!

This will be awesome to see the outcome to this challenge. I cannot wait to see everyone's submissions!

[gus]

Thanks KDOG for the advice regarding flour sack model character and rough sketches. I'll put it in practice.

[tyokio]

I'll see what I can come up with c: I have a couple of Ideas in my head

[Dupinet]

Hi guys, I hope I can get in the challenge. I need to finish some crazy works too so I will find a chance to do it.

I'd like to do Pole Vaulting! BTW TERRO GREAT link!! I was thinking to rig the character, so this new rig will help a lot.

[tomPn5]

Does it have to be that short? I was thinking of using at least 30 secs.
Please help me?

[Robert Brannan]

Hello out there... My name is Robert Brannan. I am a composer with a diverse palette, and I have excellent equipment that I can use to create any musical texture or mood. At the moment I have an audio/visual example of my work posted at brannanmusic.com. I am happy to email additional samples to anyone who would like to hear them. Take Care

[RickyDbZ]

and i remmebered 1 more question ... can the ... country its representing ... to be an imaginary country ? who knpows like sayan's country or ... you know what i mean :)

p.s about timeframe = that is suppose to be the movie lenght ? i dont get it what it means i dont even know what onion skin is :| cause i dont fiind that kind of stuff on google :| whatever... someone please help as soon as possible thx again kdog :)

anyone helping me ? i dont understand ... :| dont care about the first only about time frame please

[ZigOtto]

TimeFrame = ? Terro gave us all informations we need :
it's basically your clip length :every duration between 5" (120 frames) and 10" (240 frames) is permitted.
if you animate at 2's (2 frames per drawing), it means you will have between 60 and 120 sacks to draw, (probably less if you have little stop (hold) in your acting).

OnionSkin = ? OnionSkin (or LightTable, or LightBox) is a tool to display your previous frame(s) and/or you next frame(s) over your current drawing to control the spacing. it's a very handy feature when it comes to inbetween your key-drawings f.i.
Many animation softwares offer this features, Toonboom Studio, TVPaint Animation, StopMotion pro, PAP, FlipBook, Flash ... just to mention some of them.
:)

[RickyDbZ]

finaly :) thx a lot :)

[Terro]

Does it have to be that short? I was thinking of using at least 30 secs.

Hi tom, yes please try to stick to the frame limit. 30 seconds of good quality animation would be very very hard to achieve with in the time limit of our competition. 10 seconds of great animation is a realistic time frame, you'll see once you get in there.

[DrJim]

Is it correct to assume that the frame limit only applies to the actual animation - i.e., we can have a 1-2 sec title with name and country information that doesn't count?

[shane22]

Hey i'll make one, when does it end?

[vicjperry]

Hey i'll make one, when does it end?

Priceless!:rotfl:rotfl:rotfl

[shane22]

im serious when does it end :(

[vicjperry]

Er, um, you might want to refresh your memory here! (http://www.animationforum.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4995):D

[shane22]

oh wait! i cant beleive ive read it ALL and it is the first thing it says! :mad::(:mad::(:mad::banghead:Xead: lol. Oops.



Priceless

[vicjperry]

LOL! I thought you missed something! If you're up for adoption, I'll take ya!:rotfl

[vicjperry]

Just curious. How can you tell if the framerate of submitted challenges are 24,12, 4, 3, 90fps? You could only tell that if we submit our .fla's?

Not that it matters in the final outcome, but just curious?:confused:

[tyokio]

you can animate at 90 fps if you want too C:.. lol i tried 60 fps once.... never again

[humdum]

yesterday i was seen starting of olympics . that is so cooooooooool. really good.

[vicjperry]

Did Mike Phelps discourage eveyone from trying to create the perfect olympic event? The submissions seem to have died here????? Any updates???:blink::blink::blink:

[madtooner1968]

i redid my entry.

[Terro]

Just a reminder, deadline is looming :)

[madtooner1968]

lol. FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL the pressure.:rotfl

[d_jnaneswar]

This is my very first post on this great online forum. Great to be here.

HI EVERYONE!!

great challenge guys!
its verry late, but im in!

good luck everyone!

DJ

[NOOB!]

welcome to the challenge

8 DAYS LEFT!

we'll probably send off an email closer to the deadline.

[humdum]

last day of Olympics was too much splendid. In this show colossus number of performer were perform very attractive.

[Terro]

All entry threads have now been locked and await judging. Best of luck to everyone who participated in the challenge.