Where to begin

Well... I am being particularly slow at this, but I think I would like to begin where I left off at the end of last year. Looking at animation and working with after effects, a lot. As well as looking at a collection of other things.
From last year I discovered I have great enthusiasm for animation and the production that goes into it. And that I also like to work with computers and the technical side of things more than I realised. I also am keenly interested in the interaction animation and visuals can have with music.

I felt when working on my final project last year, that I learnt so much, and this was really really fun. Like being back at school but doing something that I actually wanted to do and learn, and I often woke up very early just to get on with the day that solely involved working on after effects.
So, for this project, I would like to get back to working with aftereffects, and refreshen my already learnt skills and to deepen my understanding of it, and also to stretch/begin my video making skills and combining visuals with music.

I also really like the idea of interactive arts and often find that I am often drawn to this. I find the idea of projection really interesting too, and something I believe I am capable of - And then the interaction an audience can have with a projection, I think this is really fun.

I'm also intrigued by the possible idea of making a game or small animation for children. My brother had a baby about a month ago now, and I still have not given her a proper present. Many people always expect me to have made something, as I am all arty and creative, but painting and sewing aren't really skills I have. However, I am gaining new skills in animation, and so making a personalised short animation for my new niece could be a very nice present, i think. I'm also expecting a nephew from my other brother within a few days, so if i'm able to make at least one animation, then maybe making another one could be a live project i set myself.

If I was to do this, I'd like to keep it really really simple and mainly all about shapes and colour, and a bit of music with maybe voice overs (very very similar to my final project last year). But she's very small, so nothing too complex.

So... the main things i'd like to do in this project and would like to learn would be

• more about animation and after effects
• what things i could project, and projector facts, and where i can project things
• possibly interactive games information, mainly for an ipad or touchscreen device - talking to the media department people would be ideal, if i was to do this.
• music video production, mainly with animation
• editing
• art direction in some sort, direction, what it involves to do art direction 

At the moment, I do think that I am interested in a bit too many things, however, they are all going down the same route of media and digital things, but I do think I need to begin researching and see which area really pulls me.

I'd also be interested, and always am in picking up better drawing skills, or some sort of style, just to make animations with... i think.