Decisions

Hey guys,

I'm seriously considering starting over on my Norman shot. I got some outstanding feedback from one of my AM classmates about animating subtlety that's pointed me in a whole new direction. Things are starting to make sense and those that still don't feel closer none the less. I feel lost and confused but I know its a good thing. Glen Keane said to treasure moments like this because it means you're about to learn something. I had this same feeling when I was working on the original version of my Piglet shot. I decided to start over, struggled with a new concept/technique, and then my new version of the shot turned out 200 times better than the original. I think I've reached that point again now. Unfortunately I can't sit and ponder what's been said because I have to work on stuff for portfolio class. There will definately be a lot of thinking and searching for reference once I'm done though.

Final Cards

Hey guys,

Here's the final design for my business card. I'm thinking of making the cat and the film shiny when its time to get them printed. What do you think?

The Next Level?

Hey guys,

Sorry for the lack of updates on my Norman shot. I'm having some problems with it and am trying to get them fixed before I post it again. I feel like my 3d work has been sitting at the same level for some time now and I'm trying to push it to the next level. Of course, that's easier said than done. I've been trying to analyze Alex Fleisig's shot to use as an example. I love how subtle yet loose his animation is here. I'm really struggling with loosening Norman up. Whenever I add more movement to his spine it always feels like its too much. Yet Helen's torso barely moves except for the few obvious spots where she leans forward, turns to the right and moves up and down. I emailed Alex a few minutes ago about his shot.

Hopefully I'll be able to figure this out soon, as I really want to be rendering this shot and sending it off to Pixar on Wed.

Another Drawing For My Business Card

To make a long story short, my previous business card design was rejected in class on Tuesday so I have to start over. I made this sketch as part of an idea the class helped me come up with. I'll upload the business cards themselves tomorrow. They aren't shaded yet and I only want to post the finished images here.

Business Card Variations

Hey guys,

Here's a revised version of my cards. Hopefully the prof. will like them tomorrow morning.

Blocking Plus

Hey everyone,

Here's my blocking plus so far. I'm really trying to work out my drag/overlap and my ease-in/out now. I'm also fleshing out the motion on the brows and such. My goal is to be refining by Wed. at the latest. Hopefully having really detailed blocking will make the refining pass simpler and faster.

New Design

Hey guys,

My friends and I have come up with a new design for my business card after getting some awesome feedback on Deviantart about my first idea. Here's the process we went through:



And what we're happy with now:



I'm quite happy with the new design. It looks tidy and more mature than my original idea. Plus, the best cat in the world supplied me with this pose. =D

Thanks

Hey guys,

I just wanted to thanks everyone who watched my show today. It was really fun! I wish uStream would create a sound or something whenever a message is left in the chat room though. I'm thinking of having regularly scheduled shows since I essentially animate everyday. Working out a solid schedule my be a challenge though.

I could just add the uStream widget to my sidebar. That'll allow it to always be visible and visitors can glance over to see if there's a broadcast. I'll work on coming up with a time range for you guys to use as a general reference.

Thanks again for watching!

Here's today's blocking update:

Animating Live

Hey guys,

I found this awesome site that allows you to stream your desktop live! Anyone who'd like to watch me animate is more than welcome to do so. =D

Business Card wip

Hey everyone,

Here's an example of the imagery for my business card. I have a bunch of variations on the font but the character and film will be the same. I like the color as well, so that may not change either. When they're printed the film and Twitch will be glossy which should add a nice shine effect to both sides. What do you guys think?

Final Blocking?

Hey guys,

Here's another pass on the blocking for my new shot. My prof and I originally planned on giving him a silent moment before sighing and looking up at the end, but I'm not sure if the shot still needs it. The idea behind it was Norman would thinking about what was said and then silently say "God, what should I do?" or something like that. Do you guys think the shot needs that or if it would be too much?

I'm also concerned about frames 31-45. I loosened him up from the previous version but now I'm not sure if it's too much. What do you guys think?

Wow!

Hey everyone,

Last week, I had an interview with the guys at Vancouver Animation about Cat Flap! I still can't believe that they choose to interview me and am honored by their choice. If you'd like to check it out, the article can be found here : Vancouver Animation Interview

Today's Blocking

Hey everyone,

Here's an update on my shot. I'm still trying to get the blocking done before my meeting with my prof. tomorrow. I think I'm going to make it. I only have one more large section to do and then I'll be working on more detail oriented things. I think I've gotten better with the over animating, but I'm still not 100% sure of myself.

WIP Blocking and Sample Lighting

Hey everyone,

Here's my blocking pass so far for my new shot. I'm still not sure if I'm over animating. This is my first really subtle shot, so I'm pretty unsure of myself. I'm not sure about the eye darts in the beginning. I think there are too many of them. He's supposed to be thinking something along the lines of "I dont know...I dont know" and feeling pretty lost. In phrase 1 ("You know, everyone's just out for himself") he's supposed to be troubled/concerned. My prof. suggested having his brows a little angry and intense here and then softening them up as the shot progresses. In phrase 2 ("It was like that everywhere I went") the main emotion is disbelief and the finally hopelessness at the end.

Oh, the 3d blocking is different from the 2d version now. My prof. gave me some awesome feedback today which caused the scene to vary somewhat from the original 2d idea.



I also did a quick test render for my prof. We have a specific mood in mind for the scene and this is what I imagined it would look like. My prof. used the spot lighting in Alice in Wonderland as an example. I went with that idea and made the background really dark while spot lighting the character. Obviously the lighting still needs a lot of work. I have no idea why there are ugly dark shadows under Norman's brows. I think I know how to fix the glowing floor though.



Oh, I heard back about using Bishop on my business card. It's a no go just as I thought it would be since the card is for a SCAD assignment. It's not a problem though because I dont want to use Bishop anymore anyway. Yesterday I came up with a 2d design that I like much better and feel like is more creative than a simple 3d pose. =D

Subtle Dialogue 2d Blocking

Hey guys,

I just finished my really rough 2d blocking for my new subtle dialogue assignment. I have a really hard time animating small, subtle movements in 2d (which I attribute to lack of drawing ability) so everything is broader than it will be in the 3d version. I also work broader in 3d and then tone everything down once I see the that the motion is working. My mentors have always said it's much easier to go to far and tone it down than to not go far enough and have to push things.

Possible Buisness Card Pose

Hey everyone,

Our first assignment in Animation Portfolio class is to create a business card. Here's a pose I came up with for Bishop that I might use on my card. I wanted something silly and fun, lol. Hopefully AM will let me use this since I think Bishop is WAY more appealing than Norman.

Preview

Hey guys,

I'm starting a new 3d dialogue shot! I'm not very excited about using Norman since I really miss Bishop, but I don't have a choice since this is a SCAD assignment. (AM forbids their students/alumni to use their rigs for another schools work) I am thrilled about returning to 3d though. I can't wait to get started!

Here's a screen shot of the staging I'll be using. If anyone has any critiques on the staging or the layout please let me know! Later I'll put a cross and the title on the Bible. I'm not 100% how I'll do it, so I figured that would be one of the things I work on after the animation's finished. This is also the first time I've tweaked Norman's appearance. I'm not completely happy with it, but it'll have to do for now.

Going on Vacation

Hey guys,

I just wanted to let everyone know that I wont be here for a little while. Tomorrow I'm leaving to go on a cruise for my spring break and wont be back until March 24th. I'll see you guys then!

I Cant Paint Rocks

I'm working on this painting for Mythology class and I think it's pretty clear that I dont know what I'm doing...



This is nowhere near finished. I'd like to make the rocks fit with the rest of the painting better but I don't know how to get them to do so. I also need to paint her hair, some mist rolling out of the cave and the ground. I'd like to get some moonlight on the rocks and the pig. Lol, I have a lot to do.

Cat Flap's Finished!