I also wanted to share with everyone this clip that I found in the forum for this month's eleven second club competition. I find it very refreshing that this individual filmed himself as reference footage, and you totally get a better sense of character and what is going on the scene while watching it. My suggestion to you is to go and watch some of the other works in progress and see some of the subtleties that are missing and that you can clearly see in this reference footage.
I want to add that by diving into the characters within the scene, filming ourselves in their positions, and then referencing our footage, we can all make our animations that much stronger. This clip definitively pushes me to work with these methods in my work too.
For better tips on acting, check out Tom Jech's blog and his posts on thinking about acting within one's scene. TOM'S POST ON SUBTEXT / TOM'S POST ON BEING ORIGINAL
Friday, September 26, 2008
SCAD Week 2
Unfortunately, the quarter system is much rougher and I can already feel it catching up to me. This week we continued with the ball bouncing exercises, but this time we had to do it in perspective. I chose to have the ball go back into space, but if YOU are up for a challenge, try getting one to come towards the camera; it is much more difficult! So here is my perspective piece in progress.
This week was also interesting in that I went to my first figure drawing session today and it was so worth it. If I've said it once I'll say it again. DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW and DRAW!!! Here is a quick sketch dump of some of the gestures I worked on today.
Anyway, those are my most recent activities. Next week = Overlapping action.
This week was also interesting in that I went to my first figure drawing session today and it was so worth it. If I've said it once I'll say it again. DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW and DRAW!!! Here is a quick sketch dump of some of the gestures I worked on today.
Anyway, those are my most recent activities. Next week = Overlapping action.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
SCAD Week 1
The post will hopefully be the first of many where I can document what exactly I'm learning here at SCAD.
In review of my first week here I have simply come up with one conclusion and that is:
One of my assignments in ANM 202 is to completely fill a sketchbook by the end of one quarter, which averages out to 10 pages a week. Sometimes it's almost beneficial to doodle and sketch in class NOW. Unfortunately, at times it feels like a burden and you have to force yourself to do it, but in the long run you will definitely come out on top. Richard Williams, the author of The Animators Survival Kit, says that computer animators don't need as good of drawing skills, but the best of them do. My friend and I went to the traveling bodies exhibit awhile back and we sketched there for 4 hours and I must say I learned a lot and gained so much from it. So make a day of it, grab a sketchbook and friend and go draw stuff!
Also, one of our very first assignments is to do a hand drawn ball bounce. I can not emphasize the importance in this enough. If you don't understand the timing and spacing then you need to go back to the fundamentals. Not understanding the principles of a ball bounce is like racing a car without wheels. You can pretend your going somewhere, but without the basic parts your not going to get past go.
Here are the two that I animated.
I found the light ball to be the most difficult, because I was constantly guessing how high it would go the next time, how far, and how many frames to draw within each consecutive arch. I feel that the heavy ball is much easier.
However, when doing it on the computer the same principles apply, but the work flow is a little different. I believe my friend Jacob Gardner best explains it in his blog here.
Anyways, that is what I have learned from week one here at SCAD. That's all for now.
In review of my first week here I have simply come up with one conclusion and that is:
One of my assignments in ANM 202 is to completely fill a sketchbook by the end of one quarter, which averages out to 10 pages a week. Sometimes it's almost beneficial to doodle and sketch in class NOW. Unfortunately, at times it feels like a burden and you have to force yourself to do it, but in the long run you will definitely come out on top. Richard Williams, the author of The Animators Survival Kit, says that computer animators don't need as good of drawing skills, but the best of them do. My friend and I went to the traveling bodies exhibit awhile back and we sketched there for 4 hours and I must say I learned a lot and gained so much from it. So make a day of it, grab a sketchbook and friend and go draw stuff!
Also, one of our very first assignments is to do a hand drawn ball bounce. I can not emphasize the importance in this enough. If you don't understand the timing and spacing then you need to go back to the fundamentals. Not understanding the principles of a ball bounce is like racing a car without wheels. You can pretend your going somewhere, but without the basic parts your not going to get past go.
Here are the two that I animated.
I found the light ball to be the most difficult, because I was constantly guessing how high it would go the next time, how far, and how many frames to draw within each consecutive arch. I feel that the heavy ball is much easier.
However, when doing it on the computer the same principles apply, but the work flow is a little different. I believe my friend Jacob Gardner best explains it in his blog here.
Anyways, that is what I have learned from week one here at SCAD. That's all for now.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Things To Look For
For those who follow this blog I apologize for not posting in awhile, but it has been a long summer and I am finally back to work at school doing exactly what I love most.
Here are a few things I think everyone should look forward to. The first is the film Monsters VS. Aliens which has a very unique look from that of Pixar's films and in my opinion gives Dreamworks it's own distinctive signature.
The other news is the release of The Animation Show 4 which is yet again a great selection of various animated shorts.
Anyways, that is the latest news for me. Keep reading for additional posts on animation and what I'm learning here at SCAD.
Here are a few things I think everyone should look forward to. The first is the film Monsters VS. Aliens which has a very unique look from that of Pixar's films and in my opinion gives Dreamworks it's own distinctive signature.
The other news is the release of The Animation Show 4 which is yet again a great selection of various animated shorts.
Anyways, that is the latest news for me. Keep reading for additional posts on animation and what I'm learning here at SCAD.
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