SWOT Analysis

Based upon the progress of the work so far, it is possible to make a SWOT analysis. The purpose of this, is to establish the strengths, weaknesses of the project thus far, along with any opportunities or threats there are to the project. By identifying these, priorities can be set to correcting the weaknesses and setting action plans on how to overcome any possible threats.

Strengths

A skill that has been carried through this project amongst others is the ability for myself to write vast amounts of text within a small amount of time. Although, this blog has been updated weekly to keep on schedule with the timetable guideline, if this skill wasn't present, I would have a lot to worry about as there is a deadline, much of my time is spent trying to get the animation working and ready for the deadline without needing to panic on top with getting the written work along side it.

Secondly, I am capable of working to guidelines, thus, this project will be handed in on time, and although there is a lot still to be done, as there is a clear storyboard of the chain of events, the trailer will take. The work that is needed is clear, it just requires the time to complete it and render. Therefore, the project is still on track.

Especially, as this is the first time this software has been used, I am very pleased with the result of the human model along with how he walks and poses during the animations. Some indeed, are more comical than resembling real life but still, as this is the first time I am very pleased with the results. Furthermore, during the time using this software, my familiarity in the material editor has dramatically improved, which has resulted in the trailer having a more varied use of materials. To begin with, the only materials being used was bitmaps that were being manipulated. Now, as the deadline nears closer, gradients have been created to make the illusion of smoke in the titles scene and in the gun shot scene. Along with making materials more interesting with displacement and bump adding texture to the overall feel of the trailer.

I have experience in blogging, which has made the corresponding report to the trailer much easier, as I know how to import files and display the desired image and effect to my audience.

During the modelling of the new character James Bond, my sketching skills have acted as a strength during this project. When creating storyboards, a clear idea of what should be happening with James in each scene. Along with being able to visualise the muscles in the body after sketching them, added more integrity to his shape.

Plus, during the animation process, very small scenes were created so that when they were created, it took very little time for them to render, saving valuable time that was then able to be used in creating further scenes.

Weaknesses

As mentioned earlier within this post, I have a very limited product knowledge of 3DS Max. Partially due to how much the program has to offer, there is so much to learn in such a small period of time, but also how many small hidden menus each time a different button is selected. This is great for the flexibility of the program as the possibilities are endless. However, in a short period of time, this makes it incredibly difficult to make an effective trailer as I first intended to make.

The models that were created during the first stages of the project were made by using basic modelling tools which inevitably limited how sophisticated the models could be. Thus, during the animation stages, it is incredibly difficult to make an effective animation with a suffering model. After receiving feedback from the prototype, it was decided that the models needed to be either all Lego like toys are as close to real life as possible. It was decided against making them look like Lego, therefore, the character representing James Bond was created again. This model had a lot more techniques and modifiers added to it but as time was pressing on and with the fear of falling behind in mind, the model was left at a stage that animation could begin, but could certainly use more work.

A weakness of myself includes the panic of a forthcoming deadline. Unfortunately, this panic tends to do more damage than good. As the deadline draws closer, more time is spent panicking by the end than producing more work. Furthermore, during the panic, I have been observing my colleagues work on their blogs, and find myself panicking even more as I compare my work to theirs. Also, pieces of work that had been previously considered finished was then scrapped based upon the assumption, it wasn't as good as theirs. This is why, I try to keep to the timetable as close as possible as this minimises panic. This is an attribute of mine that will need to be developed upon in the future.

Opportunities

During the creation of this James Bond trailer, there has been an enormous learning curve, which has provided the building blocks for a useful professional level skill that can be taken with me, once my time at University has ended.

Furthermore, after creating a human model, I now understand the contours and general physique of the human body a lot better than before this project. When creating models in the future, this knowledge can be taken with and hopefully even better models will be created. This software package will be used in the future, to develop my 3D modelling and animation skills.

Upon completion of this project, this can be placed into my personal portfolio to show future employers the skills that have been acquired after a short period of time with the program, to show my potential.

Threats

As I have such limited product knowledge of this software, the colleagues in my class that have used this will most likely look a lot better than the finished trailer of this project. Colleagues within the class have made their trailers look very realistic, to the extent that instantly, their audience is able to see their intended effect. For example, in one of the colleagues has created a room which Goldfinger is about to try and kill James Bond with his laser. The way that the body is upon the table and how Goldfinger walks across the floor. Or another example is how a car skids around the corner in the snow as the particles then go in the air representing snow.

On the other hand, in terms of time remaining for the project to be completed, the project may not be completed in time. To overcome this, a strict plan of action is being incorporated into the animation stages of the trailer. Shorter deadlines have been set to get particular tasks complete within a given time to keep track of how close the project is to completion.

Overall, it is clear to see through the previous posts on this blog, plus what has been mentioned above, there are a number of weaknesses and threats for this project, and it is unlikely that it will be the best project that is presented. However, even with such limited product knowledge there is still promise and potential for this project with a lot of hard work within these last few weeks as the deadline draws closer.