Pups Log

Hello everyone. It's been quite a while since my last post. So sorry. For the past few months, I've been having trouble creating a "mold" for a character's face. In the end, it turned out as shown in the image, but I'm sure we'll encounter some difficulties as we continue working on it. However, I think that even this is part of the charm of stop-motion animation, right? 😁

Our test shoot went reasonably well, so we've been hard at work creating assets ever since. Recently, we welcomed a graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts as a member. It's very encouraging. However, since we are still a small team, it is inevitable that each person will have to handle multiple tasks at once. Currently I am making two scale models of kayaks, one for normal shooting and one for "distant view". Additionally, I am reworking the default mold for the main character. It is possible to mass-produce faces using the molds I made previously, but I didn't like them because they looked too distorted. This remake was a good experience for me in terms of getting used to working with silicone.  As for our future plans, once the main character is complete, I would like to do some more test shooting. I'm sure we'll be able to see some expressions there. I'm really looking forward to it. You may think that the production process is slow. But I'm n...

We did a test shoot last weekend, and we are very pleased with the results. At the beginning, we had put a milestone of “let's get ready to do a test shoot in this April,” so the schedule is on track.  The purpose of this test was to confirm the operation of the Dragon Frame and the structural suitability of the armature. Since Dragon Frame is still a trial version, only 50 frames were taken in each take. However, it was enough to check the paddling animation while setting the armature. Now that we have confirmed that there are no problems with the shooting itself, we will be creating more and more assets such as characters and backgrounds.   As a personal matter, I need to get used to making animations without “In-Between” as soon as possible. In stop-motion animation, the “Straight Ahead” method is a prerequisite, requiring the animator to grasp (compose) the character's movements frame by frame.

The sizes of characters, props, etc. need to be appropriate for each scene. So I decided to make a "Distant view kayak." The silhouette has been deformed to match the character design. First, draw appropriate lines on the timber and cut it according to the plan. Secure the cut scraps in their original positions with tape. Then cut it on the side view. This will complete the rough shape. Use a plane, cutter, and sandpaper to shape the piece.

 Keep drilling every night, making something for the armature’s Jiggs.  Finally, I found a mass-produced ball joint jig. That was very simple.  Drilled 2.5mm holes in the 2-layer 2mm thick brass plates with a jig for correct drilling.   After drilling with a jig, one plate was tapped for a 3mm screw, and another plate drilling with a 3mm bit. Screwed both plates and drilled 3.5mm holes for the 6mn ball joint, and 5mm holes for the 8mm ball joint.  Cut them apart off with the band-saw and grind 4 corners.  Majored and cut a long thread bolt for armature size.  I forgot to make the neck part. That's why he doesn't have an upper shoulder body.  Look like he is Rodin’s “Thinker”  He might think something sitting on the band saw that had made him.  Now we can make an armature original size.  One bad thing happened a while ago when I tapped a brass block, my only 4mm tap was broken.  Need to get a new one sometime…

The factory manager, Shingo, is finally trying to make his own armature. And he has almost succeeded.   He has a huge head of ideas. He can look at ready-made products and modify them to make them more usable. Actually, he was one of the first students in my Qajaq building workshop. He probably didn't have much experience in kayaking before. But his curiosity quickly filled the gap, and he became a master of Qajaq building. I sometimes let him lead the workshops. That's why I got him involved in this stop-motion animation project. Yes, he is very dependable. His partner Sayaka is also involved in this project. She graduated from an art school and previously worked at a famous animation studio. You must be familiar with that studio's work. Yes, it's the one with the giant deer god in it. I left the design of the main character to her. She also completed Qajaq several years ago. And now She can do some rolls too. This project focuses on child kayaker. So, I'm excited ...

Due to the division of labor, the material for the characters gradually came together. When the things I imagine begin to materialize, they become real. The fact that the character I had drawn on paper now had volume and weight meant that the vessel was finally ready to breathe life into it. The very meaning of "Animate" is to give life.   We also did some "stop motion" testing with the armatures. In stop-motion animation, we can't use a technique called "in-between." We have to create one motion consistently from start to finish. This is called "straight ahead" as opposed to "in-between." This means that there are no frames that correspond to milestones, so animators are required to have very high levels of skill. For now, we tried shooting 24 frames, which is equivalent to 1 second.  After that, we removed the prop that supports the character, called the "tank." This was done using an automatic digital deletion funct...

 You got balls?  My friend asked me when we went to Caribou hunting, there were dangerous snow trails by the beach, and somebody needed to pass through there. I said  “Yeah, I got but small…” Anyway, I got small balls from China.  Will use 6mm balls for joints for the regular armature and 8mm balls for the bigger armature.  But they only sell joint plates for 6mm balls, that is why will make a joint plate for 8mm balls somehow. I cut a 2mm thick brass plate and drilled halls without jig. Every plate needs holes same place, but I can't make holes same place. Can't fit balls, joint not working.  Then I plan a design jig for the joint.  I draw on paper, it looks easy to make, but it is small and hard to make with metals.  Drilling holes, cutting, and filing brass plates all evening. A few evenings later, finally, I finished a jig. Jig for ball joint I can make 6mm and 8mm, one ball two ball joints.  6mm, 8mm ball joint, and jig. 

  Hi there, I am still working on the scale model Qajaq. Even though it is a scale model, the process is nearly identical to the full-scale Qajaq. Ribs and cockpit hoops are also formed by bending the materials. I boiled the rib material and bent it using a jig to scale. Of course, I made this jig as well. The fact that we have to make the props for the props ourselves is perhaps a big difference from CG animation. Yes, this is truly one of the best parts of making a Stop-motion animation for us. It's not hard to bend these thin pieces of wood, but the problem is that once bent it's difficult to install them onto the gunwales. My fingers seem too thick to move freely between the gunwales. Oh, just to be safe, it is better to chamfer the rib material. The cockpit hoop material is first boiled lightly, then wrapped around the "form". It is fixed with a stapler. Then boiled again and is drying now.  You may be thinking, "This cockpit hoop is too big, isn't it?...

  顔の原型を作っています。 これがなかなか難しいんですの。 何度も失敗を重ねて、漸く少しだけわいは君のキャラを掴めてきたような気がします。

  I plan to create the character's facial expressions using a "replacement" system. I'm in the process of having Sayaka create the default expression that will be the basis for it. The images and video show the layering of clay against the core material. The part shown in green is the polystyrene foam core material. From this basic model, we create female molds and mass produce the default facial expressions. Before baking it in the oven, we modify them to give them the desired facial expressions. Originally, it would be more efficient to perform this process with a 3D printer. However, we want to stick to "handmade" products. Oops, I used CG. 😱 However, I do not intend to use digital technology to create the actual puppets or backgrounds. 

  Do you know Seal could move their neck as a human? Almost Human's necks are narrower than the body and head (some bodybuilders look no necks). When the seal moves their neck and looks around, the neck part keeps changing. Sometimes narrower, sometimes smoother to the head.  I need to think about how to move the neck part joint, easily and follow the outer skin naturally.  By the way, over 20 years ago, I wanted a drill press for metal work. But too big to put my small room. Then I bought a drill stand for a regular electric drill. It was working well those days.  Now I need to make small holes for small metal parts.  When I checked the auction site, there were lots of cheap drill presses. Big ones, small ones. I was thinking of trying to bid but checked the other stores, and they selling new ones at almost the same price. That's why I got a new small drill press.  Oh my goodness, it works great!!

  The bodies of puppets used in animation have bones called "Armatures." For example, for human characters, the joints used are almost identical to those of the human skeleton. The Armature in the image was customized by Shingo . Since he knows a lot about mechanics, I asked him to help me with this project. By the way, the support behind the Armature in the image, called the tank, was also designed by him.  The structure of the armature is very logical and beautiful, but like the kayak frame, it will be hidden when some puppets are completed. 😭 Still, if the character's movement becomes attractive, Armature's presence will be rewarded even though it is invisible. That may be equivalent to the value of animators' existence.

Hi there, As previously mentioned, the main characters of this animation are child kayaker, so of course, kayak appear in the play. He carries it, paddles it, and rolls it too. I am building this scale model of a kayak as close to the actual process as possible. The parts are so small that it's quite difficult to work with. However, I believe that the challenges faced in "craftsmanship" are part of the joy, so I welcome these kinds of challenges. I might make scale models in several scales depending on each scene. Yes, it's relatively easy to arrange the materials and tools required. If you have a short holiday, give it a try. By the way, the tools I prepared are a model saw, a pin vise, wood glue, a needle and thread. I will eventually wrap this frame in fabric. I'm still thinking about the fabric. Usually, when Greenland Kayaks are wrapped in fabric or leather, the beauty of the frame is hidden, but in this animation I want to show the beauty of the frame, so I ...

  "Pups" is the title of this animation. The main characters are a child kayaker and a child seal. They travel together. I've had an idea for these characters for quite some time. However, the design didn't fit with the roll animations I had released up until then, so it never saw the light of day. In other words, their head-to-body ratio were not suited to realistic movement. I think comedy is the stage where they can really shine. And that's what I love and what I'm good at. The storyboard is mostly complete, but I will be refining it further. 

Last year, Eiichi told us that he would make motion animation. I never even knew what to do.   I checked a few magazines and websites and understood what I prepare before starting.

 We need armature, tank, etc… Armature is already Eiichi got from the store; I can use it. I remember I had a few metal junks from my dad and from a trash bin. It should be good for some tools. I made a tank, copy from another website. It should be work. I was having a hard time cutting aluminum with a hand saw. But now I remember we have a band saw that could cut aluminum and brass.  I can make bigger armature with brass.  I still enjoy metalwork. One problem is my room getting shiny with metal dust…

Today, I had my first meeting with Shingo and Sayaka. Their ideas solved the problems I had. It seems that even things that can't be done alone can be solved by working as a team. Last year, my grandson was born. It made me realize how old I am and that I don't have much time left. Greenland kayaking has enriched my life so much. That's why I want to give back. What can I do? I wanted to leave behind some fun content that only I can create for those who will enjoy Greenland kayaking in the future. Most kayakers usually hit the water on weekends. That's a few hours a week. The rest of the time we are just thinking about and looking forward to the weekend. I focused on this time. I wanted to think of something that would give me a sense of happiness and fulfillment, rather than just waiting for the weekend. My answer to that question was animation. Up until now I've been making technical animations related to rolls, but this time I want to make something that is a bit...