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.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The World of 2D
So, a lot of people think that the world of 2D animation is dead, but I would have to disagree. I personally still love to watch those wonderful Saturday morning cartoons. Granted, some of them are not all that great, but the really good ones are rich with character, story and kinematics. This semester I have broken into the realm of 2D animation on my own, and I have learned a great deal about animation in general. I am currently working on an animation that combines after effects animation and flash drawings, but unfortunately I think this one will be filed under learning experiences and hopefully never shown again.
Anyway, here are some of the conclusions that I have discovered throughout my research into the realm of 2D. LEARN HOW TO DRAW!!! This is what it boils down to, and unfortunately I finally discovered it in my Senior year right when I'm about to graduate (ironic... I know). While reading the Illusion of Life (a must have for animators) and searching online I realized that this is what made the animators at Disney so successful. These guys would come into work after hours to have drawings sessions. One name in particular comes into mind and I think he is living proof of a successful animator. His name is Glen Keane and he animated the Beast on Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This guy can definitely draw, and I highly suggest looking up some of his videos on youtube. In one of these videos he mentions Burne Hogarth who has many fantastic books on drawing (highly recommended). Even one of my friends who currently works at Dreamworks says that the guys there really know how to draw and there sketches simply blow him away. I think that this is such an important skill that is overlooked in animation these days. What it boils down to is this: If you can draw good figures, pose, gesture, expressions.... then you can animate it (both 2D and 3D). I feel that by learning how to draw it well, I can then visualize it better even while working in 3D animation.
So after all of that, I say to you successful animation = good drawing skills.
Here are a few videos I found online that I think show some really good 2D animation.
This is what I have found out, so good luck to all who read this and happy animating!
Anyway, here are some of the conclusions that I have discovered throughout my research into the realm of 2D. LEARN HOW TO DRAW!!! This is what it boils down to, and unfortunately I finally discovered it in my Senior year right when I'm about to graduate (ironic... I know). While reading the Illusion of Life (a must have for animators) and searching online I realized that this is what made the animators at Disney so successful. These guys would come into work after hours to have drawings sessions. One name in particular comes into mind and I think he is living proof of a successful animator. His name is Glen Keane and he animated the Beast on Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This guy can definitely draw, and I highly suggest looking up some of his videos on youtube. In one of these videos he mentions Burne Hogarth who has many fantastic books on drawing (highly recommended). Even one of my friends who currently works at Dreamworks says that the guys there really know how to draw and there sketches simply blow him away. I think that this is such an important skill that is overlooked in animation these days. What it boils down to is this: If you can draw good figures, pose, gesture, expressions.... then you can animate it (both 2D and 3D). I feel that by learning how to draw it well, I can then visualize it better even while working in 3D animation.
So after all of that, I say to you successful animation = good drawing skills.
Here are a few videos I found online that I think show some really good 2D animation.
This is what I have found out, so good luck to all who read this and happy animating!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Coolest Construction Post
My dear friend Paul Jarvis is reconstructing his site and for now he has this posted with on of his characters on it. Personally it cracks me up. Check it out here.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Soccer Juggling
I did this short little animation test the other night just for the fun of it. It actually only took about and hour and a half, but I like how it turned out. I might go back and rework it (time permitting), but for not I'd like to so do what you like and happy animating!!!
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