Omega Strikers
Omega Strikers is a free-to-play game, but the characters are well-designed. I saw it as a great opportunity to experiment with animation. I tried animating without a storyboard, but quickly realized that a storyboard would help. I did have to start over after creating an extremely simple storyboard.
Note: the videos include audio.
First attempt
I am not sure if any of this footage will be used in the final short, but I did end up making a fun Juno boxing gif.
Preview
Currently, I have seventeen seconds of animation. This took a long time, so I won't be able to increase the quality for this short. However, I may aim for better quality in another project. Adding audio definitely helped to sell it better.
Ideas
I still have many ideas for the short; it’s not even half the length I am imagining. There are several characters I want to include, such as Era, Vyce, Octavia, Mako, Ai.Mi, Dubu, Nao, and Luna. I have specific ideas for each of them, but many of them will have limited screen time. Juno probably will get the most screen time.
Progress
Progress is slow. I thought I would have something to show by now (after two months). While I do have something, it is by no means close to completion, so I will need much more time. My speed will likely not increase.
Update
I have decided to upload my current progress and take a break to focus on improving my skills. I might come back to this project later. The best scene is planned for the end, and I am still far from it. I thought about attending animation school, but it is debatable of the costs are worth it. Personally, I believe going for a passion always makes it worth it. It is not only about money. There are reviews online for schools, which often seem mixed.
School can be valuable for networking. But I will try some courses first. I spoke with CG Spectrum. They require a portfolio, which I could likely create in a year. Many animators say school isn't necessary, but it does require a big time commitment either way. Both paths have their pros and cons. I could still reconsider later. According to my drawing class cheaper local courses exist. They likely do not offer a degree, but I might explore them.