Wednesday, 27 October 2010

Dividing The Work Load...

We have decided to divide the work load out equally also to make sure we cover all areas to complete our animation:

Rich -
Maldon and mud race, Walton, Layer Marney Tower, Beginning Of The Scene
Paul -Colchester Zoo, VAF, Tiptree Jam Factory,
Gemma -Cycling Around Essex, Kelvedon Hatch Secret Bunker, Southend Pier & Advanture Island

Time To Get To Work... :) we aim to get one done a week .... :)

New concept.....

This concept is esseniataly based around a stand of postcards at a seaside. The camera pans in to the stand from a long shot and picks out a postcard scene of a popular place in Essex. The Image would then develop into a 3D model. This would continue for a variety of scenes.

Here are a few images by way of a mood board....




















The top 10 most popular activities in Essex.......

During our visit to Elli's office she was kind enough to give the group a significant amount of documents which could both inspire us and also guide us with places to concentrate on.

Elli provided data on visitor numbers and age too which helped enormously.

From the data provided, we decided upon the following locations....

  1. Colchester zoo, castle, Aqua springs and VAF
  2. Cycling around essex
  3. Kelvedon Hatch Secret Bunker
  4. Clacton
  5. Maldon and mud race.
  6. Southend pier and adventure island
  7. Braxted Park Segway Safari
  8. Audley End House
  9. Tiptree Jam Factory
  10. Layer Marney Tower

(Based on the target market of 25-35 year olds)

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

Visit to Essex County Council 8/10/10.....

Minutes of meeting.

Date: 08/10/10 Time: 10:00 Location: County Hall, Chelmsford.

Present: Elli Constantatou, Paul Frost, Gemma Patterson, Richard Olden.

Content of meeting:

Elli explained that she was looking to promote Essex using the medium of animation. The best animations will then go on the visitessex.com website.

Ellie began by telling the group about her concerns about the impact of a new tv programme called The Only Way Is Essex. The tv show follows a group of young actors playing out their imaginary daily lives in Essex, dating, working, socialising etc. The cast are heavily stereotyped with the girls being blonde, orange skinned and with implants.
it has taken the Essex Tourist Board many years to dispel the Essex Girl stigma and this programme is once again damaging the counties reputation.

The group explained that they were unsure about Elli's requirements and put some questions to her:

Q: Did Elli want one particular location chosen to promote or Essex as a whole?
A: She would like us to showcase Essex as a county using animations to show the top ten most popular places.

Q: How long should the animation be?
A: As long as it takes to get the message across.

Q: Would she like sound with the animation?
A: Yes, if possible.

Q: What age group would she like it aimed at?
A: 25-35

Q: Are there any particular aspects of the 'Essex Experience' she'd like us to emphasise?
A: Iteraction and Experiences. Such as Audley End House where staff dress up in period costume to create an immersive experience.

Q: Are there any places in Essex Elli would like us to showcase?
A: The ECC are particularly proud of what the new VAF (Visual Arts Facility) in Colchester can offer the people of Essex once completed.

We presented 6 concepts to Elli and asked her oppinions on them. She liked them all but preferred the 'pop up' surprise effect of the rotating globe with cartoon places appearing.

The group arranged with Elli to keep in regular contact to keep her updated with progress.

Monday, 18 October 2010

A few ideas.....

Ok, here are a couple of first thoughts.....

On the left sketch, there's a sphere which rotates toward the camera to simulate the view through a car window gicing the illusion of a journey. As you go through, little models of famous places in Essex pop up. Signs and place names could also appear.
On the right, waves roll in and out on a beach. As a wave rolls back, it reveals the model of a place in Essex. The beach scene refers to the fact that Essex has the longest coastline of any county.




This is an idea of a radio playing using images to advertise places around essex as the sound coming out of the speakers...


The idea of the treasure chest was an idea inspired from a leaflet using images to jump out to show different attractions in essex.

Thursday, 7 October 2010

First Thoughts......

My first thoughts of the brief were that it was vague. I wanted to know more about what was required and to that end I emailed Elli and have arranged a meeting for the group at her office at Essex County Council in Chelmsford on the 8th October.

I also visited Colchester Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in Queen Street to speak to their senior member of staff.

Colchester VIC

I asked her what is it about Essex that makesit a tourist attraction. She told me it was the diversity Essex has to offer: Roman History, Museums, Parks, Coast, Castles, Landscape, Shopping, Sports etc.

Whilst there, I was also able to collect a large selection of promotional material.
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The tourist information leaflets I collected
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