By Kelsie Rose
With the success of the student-produced film “Lemmings” riding high on their tails and the expectation riding even higher, this year”s senior project for the animation program presses forward to match that success and hopefully accomplish something even greater with a film called “Noggin.”
Noggin is a story of a more advanced tribe of people that evolved after humans called Bellyfaces. However, there was one creature-like human left in the midst of the Bellyfaces that didn”t quite fit in named Noggin.
Noggin still had a head on his shoulders unlike the Bellyfaces that had a face in their belly. Noggin became the outcast and all the Bellyfaces made fun of him; but in reality he is just an innocent guy not trying to cause any problems.
It has taken many hours of hard work to set the story line and create the characters and the world they live in.
“That has proven to be a more difficult process than what it seems,” said Jeff Whipple, a senior from Sacramento, Calif., animation major and student producer of “Noggin.” “We”ve just recently nailed down what the story is going to be, and it”s pretty definite now.”
Students began working on “Noggin” in January of this year, and their goal is to have it done by mid-March 2005.
“The primary purpose of this project is to give us experience on working with an animated film that kind of resembles the model that is used in industry,” Whipple said. “DreamWorks is encouraging schools to do a student group project so that everybody in the group can learn how to work with each other and learn what it”s really like to go out and work on a real film.”
R. Brent Adams, associate professor of industrial design, is the faculty member over the group project.
“The students learn how to organize, lead, how to be the director, the technical director and the art director,” Adams said. “You don”t get that if everyone is working on their own small project. The industry goes crazy. They love our program, and they love our students.
Adams said the group experience has allowed students to get hired straight into animation studios.
While the primary purpose is to give students experience, it is a big perk to gain acceptance into film festivals “and have it do even better than Lemmings did just to boost BYU”s reputation,” Whipple said.
The students in the animation program chose the story of “Noggin”; the faculty didn”t have a vote.
Then everyone went home and came up with their own version of “Noggin,” and created their own images of the main characters. Everyone then meets back together to discuss and pitch ideas.
The students also vote on who holds the position of director and producer.
“I”m kind of the manager of the project in a way,” said Whipple, producer of “Noggin.” “My job is to make sure there is a schedule for the project and that things are feasible and can get done.”
Alex Cannon, director and senior from California, majoring in animation, gets quite a different experience.
“I”m the guy that makes sure the original vision is carried through in every part of it [the film],” said Cannon, student director of “Noggin.” “I do a little bit of everything and it”s difficult; but I get a ton out of it because it”s so much work.”
As in any big project there were problems from the beginning, and “Noggin” is no exception.
“Just getting people on the same page artistically and technically was difficult,” Cannon said. “We wanted every one satisfied because everybody is putting so much work into the project. We wanted everybody to be involved and passionate.”
The film is done all on computer in 3-D and will only be 4-5 minutes.
Right now the students are doing animation tests and deciding how the characters move.
“They are trying to make sure everything stays consistent,” Adams said. “Making sure the design of the characters the design of the environment and the story they are trying to tell stays harmonious.”
Adams has high hopes in the group working on “Noggin.”
“My expectations for ”Noggin” are a lot higher than Lemmings, which has made it more difficult for them,” Adams said. “Potential for ”Noggin” is higher than any other projects than we”ve done so far.”
Cannon said he is looking forward to seeing “Noggin” finished and is extremely excited to let other people watch it and see their reaction.
