After wasting a large number of hours trying (and failing) to re-do some of the animatic panels I gave up and realised that if the problem was trying to get the timing using static images, then using static images to try and get the timing was probably a really stupid idea. So I started chopping up my crappy storyboard and throwing things around in After Effects.
It looks horrible so far and I hate it but it's a start at least.
Far from finished as you can see — the wire isn't animated and the bird's blink is backwards (long story — used mask instead of a shape layer, couldn't be bothered to change it. Will fix!)
I've made huge mistake number 1 when doing this: not blocking/planning my keys properly. S'probably why I'm having so much difficult. The timing is really hard to get right and I'm pretty much just winging it...
I don't know. big problems so far: I think there's a bit too much of a pause between the blink and the second "E!" — so need to shorten that. Animation is, of course, dodgy as hell, but what the hell there'll be time for spit and polish later.
The other issue is towards the end (totally unfinished, you see where it starts to fall apart) with the bouncing. I think the best thing would be to get their hopping more and more frantic but if they're on the wire and bouncing that obviously takes LONGER as the jumps get higher. So, er, I reckon the best thing to do might be to simply have them jumping around like at the beginning (small with minimal wire bouncing) and just see if I can get that to go kinda crazy. Then giant E4 comes in.
I don't know. There are still tons of problems but I just want to get this roughed out so I can get Ed's feedback tomorrow... and also feel like I'm not so far behind anymore!
