Art My Animated Banners (56K Users Beware ~_^)

[James]

[color=#707875]Lately I've been on an animated banner binge, as some of you may have noticed. It started with a black and white Kill Bill: Volume 2 banner and went from there.

I thought that I'd show you my latest banner, but also, I'd like to display all of my animated banners in here, to see which you like best.

First, here are my latest ones:

[b]Elle Driver[/b]
[img]http://www.killing-bill.com/images/james/ellebanner2.gif[/img]

[b]Elle Driver[/b]
[img]http://www.killing-bill.com/images/james/ellebanner.gif[/img]

The second one is the one that I made first, but as you can see, it's a bit short. I wanted something a little longer, which is why I settled on my current one.

These ones are the original set of Volume 2 banners that I'd made a while ago:

[b]Volume 2[/b]
[img]http://www.otakuboards.com/jamesimages/kbanimation2.gif[/img]

[b]Volume 2[/b]
[img]http://www.otakuboards.com/jamesimages/kbanimation3.gif[/img]

[b]Volume 2[/b]
[img]http://www.otakuboards.com/jamesimages/kbanimation4.gif[/img]

With these ones, I ended up finally using the third version, because it was longer and looped a little better. The second one was just way too short...and in a looping animation, I think it's critical to have some kind of smooth transition.

[b]I, Robot[/b]
[img]http://www.otakuboards.com/jamesimages/robotanimation.gif[/img]

This is the banner I've been using at Group Sounds (Tony's boards).

[b]Pulp Fiction[/b]
[img]http://www.otakuboards.com/jamesimages/pf_banner.gif[/img]

This is the banner that I was using up until recently; the way that the camera comes out from behind the column worked really, really well for this image (as in, it provided a nice transition).

[b]The Bride/Volume 1[/b]
[img]http://www.killing-bill.com/images/james/kb_banner.gif[/img]

This is the banner I was using most recently. I really like this one, personally. It's a cool scene and I like the colours.

[b]Vernita Green[/b]
[img]http://www.killing-bill.com/images/james/vernitabanner.gif[/img]

My current banner. I've included some details about it in a later post.

[b]The Bride[/b]
[img]http://www.killing-bill.com/images/james/the_bride_banner.gif[/img]

This is my latest banner. It's also the largest I've produced, in terms of memory (it's about as many frames as the Vernita banner though). Considering that I wanted to do a theme for each character, I wanted to make The Bride's theme really cool. Afterall, she's my favourite character. ~_^

Once the image caches in your computer, you'll see it as it was meant to be (ie: you'll see the correct speed and fluidity). I am also having fun playing with new introductions of my logo.

[b]Appleseed[/b]
[img]http://www.killing-bill.com/images/james/appleseed_banner.gif[/img]

My newest banner...I'm only moderately happy with it. But yeah, I thought I'd have a brief break from Kill Bill. ~_^

[b]The Matrix Reloaded[/b]
[img]http://www.killing-bill.com/images/james/reanimatrix_1.gif[/img]

This is my current banner. I thought I'd take a break from Kill Bill to explore my other favourite film franchise: The Matrix. I think that The Matrix is going to be very ripe material for animated banners. It's also a good way to remind people about The Reanimatrix (which is still open! Go and post! ~_^)

[b]Star Wars: Episode III[/b]
[img]http://www.killing-bill.com/images/james/episodeIII.gif[/img]

Pretty self explanatory; these shots are from the The Revenge of the Sith. I'm using it for a bit, but I'll go back to a Matrix one pretty soon. If you'd like to use this one (or any of these banners), you can do so, provided that you credit me in your siggy.

So there you go...I don't think I've missed anything. ^_^;

Making GIF animations is a lot of fun, but it's very time consuming work. And it's [i]very[/i] hard to make a detailed animation that falls under several hundred KB. So I'm reasonably happy with these individual banners, in the sense that none of them are [i]too[/i] large. And after a few seconds, they cache, which is also good (so you don't have to re-download them every single time you view 'em).

Anyway, thoughts/comments? [/color]

[Guest Sean]

I Love Them All. They All Have That Amazing Thing About Them.

The first drew me in with the Flashing White ring around the J. And then the actuall character movement drew me in, the looping works well with it.

The Second, well what can i say, it rules, the animation in it rocks, and the movement of the J rules aswell. I would say good job, but thats an understatement !

Ah Now Onto The Volume Two's
The first one i like, it had the car and with the non-animated Kill Bill: Volume 2 at the side, the only thing about this was the looping, you could see where it was looped. The first time i looked at it i thought it was the car bouncing along the road.

The Second was kool, Plain and Simple. It had the car driving, looping as normal, and it has the flash of the back of her head. The J in the bottom right hand corner just topped it off.

The Third, one of my favourites, it had a good clip of the film, and the black fade in at the end, just split it up really well. I would have to give that one a 10/10, i couldn't see anything wrong with it at all.

Ah I, Robot, not seen the film myself but too the point. I thought this was cool, it showed the idea of the robot, and the little circle changing directions at random points was nice. I thought this was done really well.

Pulp Fiction, i thought this was done well, simple clip, with the J in the corner, done nicley. As you said the banner worked well with the camera coming from the side of the pillar.

And ah, my favourite out of them all. I loved this, this was a piece of my favourite sections of the film. The J in the corner, along with the Black, and Yellow border went well with the film idea.


All I Can Say For An Overall Is That, They Were All Excellent, and i loved them all, Good Job. I know i couldn't get anywhere near that quality of banners.

[Hevn]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1][B]I always get O.O when I see your banners. They're just amazing.

I personally love The Bride/Volume 1. The first time I saw it I stared at it for, like, minutes. Yes, the scene is awesome and the yellow border with that "J" trademark perfected it.

The border of the Pulp Fiction banner is pretty and fits well with the black and white scene. It's not everyday I see a border like that. And I second, or maybe third, your and Icarus2K's comment on the movement of the camera.

Once again, you're right on your own comment on the second Volume 2 banner so I prefer the first and third one. For the first one I thought "It just keeps on going doesn't it?" (heh, referring to the driving). Yes, it doesn't have a smooth transition but it's cool as it is. The caption on the left does not appeal too much to me though. The third one's actually one of the scenes I like most. I wanna hear her actually say the words "I'm going to kill Bill" though it is impossible ^_^. So I just kept on saying the words for her aloud, lol.

Not much to say on Elle Driver 1 banner. It's beautiful. Every element of it. ^_^

The animation on the yellow part of the second Elle banner is good but since the transition is too fast I have to go do the "minutes of staring" thing.

The hue of the I, Robot banner is very attractive. The circle thingy is genius.

Really genius, I say.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[PiroMunkie]

[size=1]I have always just wondered how the hell you got the movie clips in, heh. Do you just play it on your computer and take constant screen shots (that will actually catch the movie), or what? And, if so, what are you using to do that? I know a normal "Prt Scrn" does not catch movie stills.

They are really nifty, though. I have always liked that Pulp Fiction one.

And I am sure Tori would love the Elle Driver ones. =P[/size]

[James]

[color=#707875]Wow, thanks for all the compliments, guys. It's cool to see that my banners actually get noticed. Hehe

Anyway, um...to answer your question, I have a very specific way of making these banners.

Basically, I can only do screen captures of DVDs if I have my hardware acceleration off, which makes the resulting shot look pretty bleh. And that way isn't so good anyway, as it's very cumbersome.

What I do instead is take a QuickTime file and choose a specific shot that I want to capture.

Then I choose the first screen and press Ctrl + C. I then paste that as a new image in PSP (in this way, I can avoid taking a shot of the entire screen).

I repeat that step with every frame that I want to use, but I add the new frames as layers in the one image.

Once this is done, I have to change my canvas size and add the other bits in that I want to use.

It's really easy; I just add my own new content on layers that sit above the animation frames.

Then I hide the ones I don't want (so I only show the first layer, as well as the covering layers) and I save that as the first frame. I repeat that process until I've done about 25-50 frames.

Depending on the banner, there's more to it than that -- but I don't want to get too detailed here.

The second Elle Driver banner was the toughest, because I had to make the pulsating circle loop at the correct time; in other words, the circle has to be compressed as the left window animation ends.

If the timing and frame numbers were not right, the red window with the circle would skip; the circle wouldn't pulsate in and out nicely, it'd stop halfway through and start again or something. But the way I've done it, the transition occurs when the circle is pulled back, so you don't see the transition -- it looks constant.

You [i]do[/i] see the transition on the left window, however, I figure that it just looks like a movie cut (as in the trailer). So I didn't mind that so much.

Anyway, thanks again for your comments. I've never put all my animated banners in one thread before, so it's interesting to see which ones you like more.[/color]

[Tsurigane]

Its very cool James I wish I can make these kinds of banners but I need to depend on others to make them...:( sad huh? I GIVE YOU PROPS!!! :D
They are very cool and neat!

[Syk3]

[QUOTE=Houka]Its very cool James I wish I can make these kinds of banners but I need to depend on others to make them...:( sad huh? I GIVE YOU PROPS!!! :D
They are very cool and neat![/QUOTE]Please try to include a lot more constructive criticism in your posts when you comment on an art piece. Saying that something is cool isn't going to cut it; you have to expand on it and say why you think it's cool, what parts you like the best, or perhaps parts that could be improved upon.

[James]

[color=#707875]Okay, well, I've now changed my theme again. This time, my avatar/signature is about Vernita Green (AKA Copperhead).

The memory used is slightly lower than in the Elle Driver banner, despite the fact that I've used almost 100 frames.

Basically, I don't know if I'm entirely happy with the speed of it...I had thought of making it "slow motion", so that the animation on the right lasts a bit longer. It looks fine slow-mo, but it was tempting to speed it up a little. ~_^

So yeah, what do you think? I got a little bit more elaborate with the logo animation this time. I'm just wondering what character I should use for my next theme, too. Maybe you can make a suggestion.[/color]

[Ezekiel]

[SIZE=2][FONT=Book Antiqua][COLOR=DarkSlateGray]I'm in awe of your amazing banner making skills, James O_o seriously...they're always amazing. They put my little PaintMS banners to shame -.-;; I guess I'm lucky to have Gav as a friend so he can make me pretty banners...

The thing I like the most about your banners is...the fact that a lot of them are from Kill Bill. You see, my mum thinks I'm too young to watch it, so looking at your banners at least gives me some idea of what the movie is like XD;;

No, seriously now. Something I've always liked about your banners is the little 'J' icon. You always seem to do something different with it...it's just like your trademark and it's noticeable straight away ^_^

I've got to say, your Pulp Fiction banner is my favourite so far, but I'm loving your latest one too.[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE]

[*GaLxY-GiRl*]

I'm partial to your Pulp Fiction and the Bride, where she's defending herself against the Crazy 88. It's awesome that you've captured that scene where she draws back her sword and they all jump back... awesome, awesome capture from the movie.

Your last version of Kill Bill Vol. 2 is cool... I like how you've caught her mouthing, "I'm gonna kill Bill." =]

However, your Elle Driver icon and sig banner caught my eye a few days back. Her slow-mo strut and how the little characer beats like a heart, in unison. Very neat!

In general, though... I like such good qaulity GIF captures contained in itty-bitty parameters. Contrasts quite nicely. Yay.

[Mimmsicle]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=Navy]This isn't intended to come off as harsh, but your latest banner isn't up to scratch. At least not compared to the recent ones.

The movie capture is fine, it moves at a good pace and is pretty much seamless. The J logo is good too, but it's way too fast. When you combine that with the action in the Kill Bill part of the banner, it's just too ... busy. Your eye doesn't know where to go and it ends up being frustrating to look at.

On their own, the two parts would've been fine. Put together they cancel each other out, I'm afraid.

Maybe you should do a Budd banner next and see if you can appeal him to me :p[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[James]

[color=#707875]Isn't up to scratch? Yeah, that does sound a bit harsh. ~_^

But yeah, I can see what you're pointing out. If you look at my Elle banner, you'll find that it has animation on both sides, in the same way as this one. The key difference is that this banner has more variety in the animation, though it does have a similar speed (in fact, the frame display time is identical, at 6/100ths of a second per frame).

At the end of the day, I really had to decide whether I was going to slow down the video (and make it effectively slow motion), to keep the animation at a reasonable speed...or speed up the logo animation slightly and give the video a reasonable speed. This compromise normally wouldn't be necessary, but I had created each frame without putting many buffer frames between, which is what results in higher speed. But having said that, I'm reasonably okay with the speed. It could be adjusted, but I'll do that with my next theme, I think. I'm pretty happy with the current one, at least in that sense.

In terms of being confusing, well...it doesn't hurt my eyes or anything. And I'm incredibly anal about that type of thing. I can see how it would be confusing for various people though. But that's okay; I kind of like having an image that you can look at again and again without getting bored, or ignoring it. It kind of begs your eye to move around and explore, which isn't such a bad trait.

As far as Budd goes...I never said he was appealing, hehe. But the audience is meant to have some sympathy for him initially, for sure. I'm happy to discuss that anytime though -- and in actual fact, I haven't yet done a Budd theme for my OB stuff. I've done Elle and Vernita themes and that's all. I'll still do the rest at some stage. So maybe you'll see Budd in there. ~_^

Thanks for the critiques, everyone.[/color]

[Mimmsicle]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=Navy]*cracks knuckles* My English skills aren't good enough to allow me to participate in discussion, which is probably why I've not done it much. But I gotta start somewhere, so let's see if I do this.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='James][color=#707875']If you look at my Elle banner, you'll find that it has animation on both sides, in the same way as this one.[/color][/quote]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=Navy]Yes, but it's more balanced. At least the first one is. The J logo doesn't take [I]away [/I] from anything in that one, but rather it [B]adds [/B] to the Kill Bill video. You successfully captured the same feel as Mr Tarantino gave off as she was introduced.

The Vernita banner is competing with the logo for attention, the two animations almost segregating one another, whereas the animations in the Elle banner worked together.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='James][color=#707875']In terms of being confusing, well...it doesn't hurt my eyes or anything. And I'm incredibly anal about that type of thing. I can see how it would be confusing for various people though. But that's okay; I kind of like having an image that you can look at again and again without getting bored, or ignoring it. It kind of begs your eye to move around and explore, which isn't such a bad trait.[/color][/quote][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=Navy]I never said it was [I]confusing[/I]. Because the logo moves so fast and the video moves [a lot] slower, it doesn't feel like it has a ... It doesn't fuse as well as your Elle banner did, I guess. In my eyes, heh. But you're right about it demanding the attention of whoever scrolls down the page. And that [I]is [/I] a good thing.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Mimmi][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=Navy]Maybe you should do a Budd banner next and see if you can appeal him to me :p[/COLOR][/FONT'][/SIZE][/quote]
[quote name='James][color=#707875']As far as Budd goes...I never said he was appealing, hehe. But the audience is meant to have some sympathy for him initially, for sure. I'm happy to discuss that anytime though -- and in actual fact, I haven't yet done a Budd theme for my OB stuff. I've done Elle and Vernita themes and that's all. I'll still do the rest at some stage. So maybe you'll see Budd in there. ~_^[/color][/quote][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=Navy]What I meant with that was simply that I suggested you'd do him next and then I could find some sympathy for him [looking good] in your banner, seeing as I can't find it in the movie.

And you know I'm soft for your skills. Ehum.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[James]

[QUOTE=Mimmi]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=Navy]I never said it was [I]confusing[/I]. Because the logo moves so fast and the video moves [a lot] slower, it doesn't feel like it has a ... It doesn't fuse as well as your Elle banner did, I guess. In my eyes, heh. But you're right about it demanding the attention of whoever scrolls down the page. And that [I]is [/I] a good thing.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]

[color=#707875]Well, you said it was "too busy" and "your eye doesn't know where to go". So...I relate that to the image being confusing, not to put too fine a point on it.

But yeah, it's all good. I tend to prefer my Elle banner, if only because I think I like the colours a little more. But I don't view this one as being any more confusing or anything, I mean, the black on the right actually creates some negative space, which places emphasis on the left part. With the Elle banner, you've got the bright red and the yellow tinge of the left competing for attention. So one could argue that the Elle banner was more visually confusing. However, the animation on the right of it is more consistent (it: it repeats and doesn't have all of the little circles bouncing around). I really like that chaos though. I think it works.[/color]
[quote=Mimmi]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=Navy]What I meant with that was simply that I suggested you'd do him next and then I could find some sympathy for him [looking good] in your banner, seeing as I can't find it in the movie.

And you know I'm soft for your skills. Ehum.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

[color=#707875]Oh yeah, I know what you meant. I mean, I know you don't find sympathy with the character, I was just saying that he's designed to look somewhat pathetic and that, at least for a moment, the audience can feel sympathy for him. As to how I could translate that into an image...I don't know. Hehe

In fact, that raises another point. He doesn't have any fight scenes or anything. So making an animated banner of him might be a little more difficult than usual. Nonetheless, it'll be a fun challenge. ^_^[/color]

[Epitome]

[size=1]James, you never sieze to impress me. All I have to say for everyone of them is... WOW!!!

Your banners are always great and I have been trying to get a hold of you for you to possibly make me one but I never can. But they are great. I especially like the I Robot one and the Elle Driver ones. But the thing is, they almost all of them are Kill Bill... I can see you like the movie... lol. But anyways they are all great. So if you have a way for me to contact you... please post it here so I can request a banner from ya.[/size]

[James]

[QUOTE=Serraph-Angel][size=1]James, you never sieze to impress me. All I have to say for everyone of them is... WOW!!!

Your banners are always great and I have been trying to get a hold of you for you to possibly make me one but I never can. But they are great. I especially like the I Robot one and the Elle Driver ones. But the thing is, they almost all of them are Kill Bill... I can see you like the movie... lol. But anyways they are all great. So if you have a way for me to contact you... please post it here so I can request a banner from ya.[/size][/QUOTE]
[color=#707875]Thank you for the compliment, but I don't really do banner requests unless they're posted in the Art by Request forum. And even then, I tend to only do something in there occasionally.

The problem with banners like these, is that they take quite a while to make (for me, at least). I usually make them during times when I just want to relax. I mean, there are no specific requirements and I'm not having to meet a deadline or something. So I enjoy just diving in and seeing what I come up with after a couple of hours.

But having said that, I might consider doing some general animated banners that people can actually use. If you really want to use one of these banners (one that doesn't have my logo, like the I, Robot banner), you may do so, as long as you credit me in your signature.

EDIT: I've just added my latest banner to the list. It's a bit more memory-heavy (and I promise my next one won't be so memory-heavy), but I'm fairly happy with it. It's a little larger than all my others, and it includes one of my favourite moments in the film. ~_^[/color]

[Sol-Blade]

Wow, I must say those are pretty amazing. Very nice job. I couldn't even imagine of coming close to the amount of detail put into those. Again, very nice. I have to say that you really have a talent for that stuff. No seriously, those banners are pretty good...and that ain't the liquor talking (Im kidding...obviously...about the banners being good at least :D).

But if you don't mind, seeing as this is a thread about animated banners (Or [i]James's[/i] animated banners) I would like to share some of the few that I have produced. They aren't that good, but considering I have been trying to perfect computer animation for years now...literally, it's my college major...I would like to know what you guys think of them.

Edit: I didn't specify before...these banners belong to me and my friends.

[b]Note[/b]: We all play Unreal Tournament 2004 and our Clan "tags" are included in them. In case you were wondering...

[color=teal]Feel free to make a new thread to show your banners, rather than use James's thread. Images were removed so they didn't confuse other members. ~_^ -Syk3[/color]

[Mimmsicle]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=1][COLOR=Navy]*takes a moment to build Syk a shrine and bring offerings to it*


Aaaah, the latest banner is a joy to behold. The timing, composition, style; it's simply gorgeous. I'd dare to be so bold to say it's my favourite Kill Bill banner from you to date ~_^

There's great consistency in the flow, nothing is interrupting my eyes in this one (*coughs politely and grins*). The opening 'countdown' adds some fun to it and is a great attention catcher. It makes you curious as to what you've come up with, hehe.

The fact that you've taken those two video clips that match (in terms of content/feel), merged them splendidly [I]and [/I] flawlessly added your logo animation into it, just makes this banner all the more rocking.

Spiffing job, James ^___^[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Baron Samedi]

[size=1]You know I love your banners [or most of them >_>] James.

[B]Elle Driver[/B]: I think that you definitely made the right choice when you were deciding which banners to actually put in your signature. I find Elle #2 to be rather...well, not good. I think that it is too short and...yeah. It just doesn't appeal. What I do like about it though, is the cross transforming into the J. [i]That[/i] is cool.

[B]Volume #2[/B]: Volume 2, #2 is...bleh. I hate that flashing quality it has. It jars my eyes arrggh! o_O

lol. I can see why you wouldn't [couldn't...] just have the car coming over the hill, but having that tiny little clip after that... I really don't like that one. On a more positive side, I really [i]like[/i] Volume 2, #1. I love the Kill Bill logo, and although it has that annoying 'jump back' look, it is better than #2. As for Volume 2, #3, what can I say? Much better, and very impressive. But I wouldn't have known what she was saying if 'Galxy Girl' hadn't spilled the beans ~_^

[B]I, Robot[/B]: I don't really like the artwork you used, and I think that the circle could have been...expanded some more [a tad jumpy at parts], but I really like what you [i]have[/i] done with it [the circle].

[B]The Bride Volume 1[/B]: What can I say? This is one of my favourites [second always to that old one of the bullet firing ~_^]

[B]Vernita Green[/B]: I can kinda see what Mimmi is saying...but, conversely, I feel that both of the animations are very fast-paced, and that it works well. I think that the movie animation feels a little...small though. A 50/50 split would have done it more justice. Nice border there too.

[B]The Bride Volume 2[/B]: The last one is pretty damn cool too. I love that clip of the axe spinning past. One thing I would suggest is that the little J on the left you slide across and grow to become the big J on the right. Just a suggestion.

Overall very cool, especially with your signature 'J' marking the way.[/size]

[Epitome]

[size=1]James, I already told you about the banners, and I love the one that you have recently made for me, but I must ask you this... Where do you get all these animated images from???[/size]

[James]

[quote name='Serraph-Angel][size=1']James, I already told you about the banners, and I love the one that you have recently made for me, but I must ask you this... Where do you get all these animated images from???[/size][/quote]
[color=#707875]Well, the video clips are usually taken from QuickTime trailers. I choose what I want to capture and I do it frame by frame. It takes a lot of time to use this method, but the end result gives me a lot of control.

For example, if you look at my latest banner, where The Bride leaps up in the air...you will notice that the camera pans up.

In actual fact, the camera doesn't move at all (other than panning left to right). But the clip was actually taller than the banner size I'd selected. So to keep most of Uma in the picture, I had to manually pan the image up -- to do that, I moved the group of layers (that sequence was a group of layers, to keep them in the correct position, relative to one another) and I positioned them so that in each frame, they'd move down by one pixel. So when you put the sequence together, it looks like the camera is moving up, when in actual fact, that's just me dragging the group of layers down. Nifty, no?

Anyway, thanks to everyone for your critiques. This kind of feedback is good; it's good to see what you like and what you don't. In regard to the really quick Volume 2 banner (which I think Baron mentioned), I should probably underline that the banner wasn't actually complete. It was a test, more or less. The longer one (where Uma actually talks) is the complete and final version of it.

The same is true for the Elle banners. The second one is actually my first test, but in the end, it wasn't right for my signature. It was too quick, too sharp and as a result, kind of annoying. The second one loops a lot more nicely, which is what I was after.

Once I finish all of the Kill Bill characters, I don't know what subject I'll tackle next. But there are lots of options...I've even thought of doing a funky Requiem for a Dream style banner. So we'll see how that goes.

[b]Edit:[/b] I've just added an Episode III banner. I'll only use it for a short while, 'till I put up another Matrix banner. After that, anyone is free to use it (and any of the banners I've had here so far), provided that you credit me in your siggy. [/color]