Woodland of Weir

It was night in the lonesome October 

      Of my most immemorial year; 

It was hard by the dim lake of Auber, 

      In the misty mid region of Weir— 

It was down by the dank tarn of Auber, 

      In the ghoul-haunted woodland of Weir.

Woodland of Weir from Jay Stelling on Vimeo.

I think it's finished! Trying to tell myself that I don't need to add or change anything else even though I want to. It's not that I think it needs more, just that I would like to keep working on it, make it even better, keep playing around.
Despite all the technical horror of After Effects, I've had fun making this animation. I'm proud of it, my first born child.

I think it's successful in capturing the atmosphere of Poe's writing. It's dark and mysterious and matches my printed pictures outcome. It's moving and melancholy, which is what I intended. It's everything I wanted it to be and I'm taking a moment to sit back and appreciate that. Celebrate!

If I could do it again, I'd make the crow's movement better (different angle, wings moving up and down from the side of the body not just bending in the middle), more the detail on the wings, more trees in the background.
And, again, I can't help but imagine how chilling this scene could be if it was made physically. Tactile tree textures, real smoke/fog, DEPTH - not just layers but real depth in distance.
After Effects is annoying but really useful software that I'd like to work with again. I'd love to work with animators and musicians to create something awesome with people who really know what they're doing!

Feedback:
Beth says it has 'ominous vibes'