After thinking about it.. The character is always thinking! I shouldn't just make one certain point where I'm worried about what the character is thinking.
Because people are constantly thinking right? I realized this after thinking about it. Haha. Because I was wondering... What makes a silent part sooo dramatic? What is going through the characters mind that is always special?
I mean things are always going thru our mind. Even for fast action we think about it before doing it. Even if we react to it real quick.
With short thought processes it shows we know what we are doing. Like in typing. There is always some thought before typing it, and since I am quick at it, it shows I am experienced at it.
But with my mom for example. She has a longer thought process looking for the keys. And to make something like that interesting. You can have the inexperience typer have a lot of eye darts. This is shows they are looking for the right key. And have them aim at keys before they type it.
THATS how you can make a thoughtprocess more interesting instead of just staring at something blankly. And more having them in a more better pose. Like hunched over so they can see all the keys.
Man this is awesome! haha
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Thought Processes
Whenever I right something in here, its about the animation I am working on, and when I type it, it makes me think more outside the box. So here it goes.
How do you make a thought process more interesting? Right now in my animation, I'm having a guy thinking right? But for me, its boring to watch. And if its lame and boring for me, then it'll most likely be lame and boring for the audience watching it.
So how do you spice it up? Is it the situation they are in? Is it how they think? The poses they are in while they are thinking?
A lot of thought process seems to be in the eyes, and micro expressions in the face. But what if the rig isn't that advanced on facial controls. How do u make it interesting?
Is it how they are timed? How long they think?
Because with the rig I am using it have limited facial controls. The jaw moves up and down, side to side, the eyes are just circles, the eyelids can't change shape, and some eyebrow control.
I have to find another way to make him think. Because right now the way he is thinking is just staring at the door that closed down on him. How can I spice that up?
Eye darts? Moving his jar?
What about his body language? Have him hand up to his chin, head cocked up? hm.. But I don't want to be to cliche.. But maybe for now I have to be before I can develop my mind to get more creative, and more into the character.
But the thought process also have to match the type of character they are right? I mean, not all characters have the same type of thoughts. But is it in the poses they are? Or how long they react to something?
Hmm..
How do you make a thought process more interesting? Right now in my animation, I'm having a guy thinking right? But for me, its boring to watch. And if its lame and boring for me, then it'll most likely be lame and boring for the audience watching it.
So how do you spice it up? Is it the situation they are in? Is it how they think? The poses they are in while they are thinking?
A lot of thought process seems to be in the eyes, and micro expressions in the face. But what if the rig isn't that advanced on facial controls. How do u make it interesting?
Is it how they are timed? How long they think?
Because with the rig I am using it have limited facial controls. The jaw moves up and down, side to side, the eyes are just circles, the eyelids can't change shape, and some eyebrow control.
I have to find another way to make him think. Because right now the way he is thinking is just staring at the door that closed down on him. How can I spice that up?
Eye darts? Moving his jar?
What about his body language? Have him hand up to his chin, head cocked up? hm.. But I don't want to be to cliche.. But maybe for now I have to be before I can develop my mind to get more creative, and more into the character.
But the thought process also have to match the type of character they are right? I mean, not all characters have the same type of thoughts. But is it in the poses they are? Or how long they react to something?
Hmm..
Sunday, December 14, 2008
What makes a shot stand out?
Right now I'm finishing up my latest animation. And realized it doesn't stick out as much as I want to.
Then it got me thinking. What makes an animation stand out? How do you make it stick out of the crowd?
Is it the extreme timing between poses? How much personality the character have? Because cartoony timing makes thing pop out more right?
But what about subtle animation?
What I think is, to make an animation stick out is, good acting. The character needs to have a personality. I realized in my animation. There isn't much of that. Not good acting.
My next animation I will really have to push what I can do. Learn more about acting. Come up with more ideas.
I am still debating between a dialogue shot or just, a simple one with body language. I'll see what comes up and inspires me.
But when I see an animation, the thing that I realize first is the personality. Man I need to get that!
My characters feel dead to me, how do I change that? Hmmm. We'll see. I think I have to get in the characters mind even more.
man this is sooo awesome! haha
Then it got me thinking. What makes an animation stand out? How do you make it stick out of the crowd?
Is it the extreme timing between poses? How much personality the character have? Because cartoony timing makes thing pop out more right?
But what about subtle animation?
What I think is, to make an animation stick out is, good acting. The character needs to have a personality. I realized in my animation. There isn't much of that. Not good acting.
My next animation I will really have to push what I can do. Learn more about acting. Come up with more ideas.
I am still debating between a dialogue shot or just, a simple one with body language. I'll see what comes up and inspires me.
But when I see an animation, the thing that I realize first is the personality. Man I need to get that!
My characters feel dead to me, how do I change that? Hmmm. We'll see. I think I have to get in the characters mind even more.
man this is sooo awesome! haha
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Robot Chicken Star Wars
Maan some funny stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK1RphU8uqQ
I love the acting for boba fet. it completely matches his personality!
I can just keep on watching it, and feel like acting it out cuz its soo fun!
Check it out.
I love the poses they gave to him. Especially when he says "right between those baby blues" hahaha!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK1RphU8uqQ
I love the acting for boba fet. it completely matches his personality!
I can just keep on watching it, and feel like acting it out cuz its soo fun!
Check it out.
I love the poses they gave to him. Especially when he says "right between those baby blues" hahaha!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Is animating just moving a character pose to pose?
I read from Carlos Baena about something similar to this. It feels like I'm going through the same boat. When I first started I just moved the character around. Not thinking about the character. Just from a pose to another pose with no reason. I started to think that animation was that.
But now after learning more, and experimenting and just animating I realize there is more behind it.
Of course poses tell the story of the animation, and the type of character you are animating. But I can't explain it but there is more behind it.
You are making a image on a computer alive. Like a human. People just do things for no reason. We don't think of poses we do. We just live. Thats how our characters should be. They should be flowing, not just go from one pose to another with no life.
I can't explain it so well. But when I first read it on his blog I couldn't really connect. I thought thats what animation was right? So I just kept it in the back of my mind, and realized that he was right. There is so much behind the movement of the character.
I need to study more types of characters man. This is so interesting!
But now after learning more, and experimenting and just animating I realize there is more behind it.
Of course poses tell the story of the animation, and the type of character you are animating. But I can't explain it but there is more behind it.
You are making a image on a computer alive. Like a human. People just do things for no reason. We don't think of poses we do. We just live. Thats how our characters should be. They should be flowing, not just go from one pose to another with no life.
I can't explain it so well. But when I first read it on his blog I couldn't really connect. I thought thats what animation was right? So I just kept it in the back of my mind, and realized that he was right. There is so much behind the movement of the character.
I need to study more types of characters man. This is so interesting!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Blocking down key poses
I tried this new way today. Well its not really new, but I never really used it.
Before I did straight ahead animation. Which was more comfy for me to do. But I decided to do the other way with key poses with this new animation.
And I gotta say, man it is awesome!!! Because my biggest struggle is the story part. So just quickly blocking out the poses and what happens give me a good visual on how it is going to work. And since I am a visual person it helps a ton.
So I can tweak the story real easily if needed without moving a lot of curves.
Also it is super helpful because it'll make sure what your story points are, and make those poses really strong.
Before I was worried about the mechanics and such, but since now I'm worried more about the story, and the personality of the character, i think this will help out a lot!
Before I did straight ahead animation. Which was more comfy for me to do. But I decided to do the other way with key poses with this new animation.
And I gotta say, man it is awesome!!! Because my biggest struggle is the story part. So just quickly blocking out the poses and what happens give me a good visual on how it is going to work. And since I am a visual person it helps a ton.
So I can tweak the story real easily if needed without moving a lot of curves.
Also it is super helpful because it'll make sure what your story points are, and make those poses really strong.
Before I was worried about the mechanics and such, but since now I'm worried more about the story, and the personality of the character, i think this will help out a lot!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
New Idea's/Why I animate
Anyways I was animating something and thought it was a simple idea. Its about a guy bouncing a ball and is optimistic, but it hits in the face and blah blah blah. It's kinda complicating for me, I need to simplify it.
At first I realized my character wasn't being himself the whole time. The walk cycle was dull, everything didn't show personality.
So I ended up deleting everything and re did everything
Also I am learning and realizing why I make animations. There needs to be a reason a person looks at it. Whey would they waste there precious time to look at my animation? I need to make it worthwile for them. I need it to have a point. A good laugh, a touching story etc. And to do this I need to make my animation clear, and entertaining from beginning to end.
I need to ask myself these questions so I can make my animation better, ask why would someone like this? Why would someone not?
And for me.. I like funny things. I like to make people laugh, I like being simple, a happy guy. And thats what I want to show through my animations. But how do I show that?
I guess I can show it through how he reacts to thing. What he thinks of an object, how he reacts to different people. But how make it worth watching? By making it funny. How making it funny?
Not sure. I don't want to do something completely random. But I like humor through people's personalities.
Like my friend Hiro. He doesnt' do random stuff. But his timing, and reactions to certain situations are just soo hilarious.
But how would the audience know it should be funny? How would they know what his personality is like with just a few frames?
Key poses. Those should tell what type of character he is. Even just in a few frames. The audience needs to know just by how he walks, how he looks etc.
At first I realized my character wasn't being himself the whole time. The walk cycle was dull, everything didn't show personality.
So I ended up deleting everything and re did everything
Also I am learning and realizing why I make animations. There needs to be a reason a person looks at it. Whey would they waste there precious time to look at my animation? I need to make it worthwile for them. I need it to have a point. A good laugh, a touching story etc. And to do this I need to make my animation clear, and entertaining from beginning to end.
I need to ask myself these questions so I can make my animation better, ask why would someone like this? Why would someone not?
And for me.. I like funny things. I like to make people laugh, I like being simple, a happy guy. And thats what I want to show through my animations. But how do I show that?
I guess I can show it through how he reacts to thing. What he thinks of an object, how he reacts to different people. But how make it worth watching? By making it funny. How making it funny?
Not sure. I don't want to do something completely random. But I like humor through people's personalities.
Like my friend Hiro. He doesnt' do random stuff. But his timing, and reactions to certain situations are just soo hilarious.
But how would the audience know it should be funny? How would they know what his personality is like with just a few frames?
Key poses. Those should tell what type of character he is. Even just in a few frames. The audience needs to know just by how he walks, how he looks etc.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The office
I love how they make the camera man part of there show.
Because they know they are there, and sometimes they don't really care.
Another thing that I recognize when something ackward happens, and the character is in it, they stare at the camera! They stare at it because it was ackward ofcourse, and I can't really interpret what it means. But it is funny
I think like if Michael does something, they stare at the camera or other characters to make it more ackwards, or to like, I guess have a "I can't believe he done this type of thing" or like agree with it.
It's kind of complicating but I'll have to study it more
Because they know they are there, and sometimes they don't really care.
Another thing that I recognize when something ackward happens, and the character is in it, they stare at the camera! They stare at it because it was ackward ofcourse, and I can't really interpret what it means. But it is funny
I think like if Michael does something, they stare at the camera or other characters to make it more ackwards, or to like, I guess have a "I can't believe he done this type of thing" or like agree with it.
It's kind of complicating but I'll have to study it more
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
My art teacher!
She is soo good at thinking about art!
I told her I wanted to learn animation, and she thought it was just technical stuff. So like we have to come up with something we want to study for the year, like a theme type of thing.
So I talked to her about it, and we found out something that can relate to animation, and the theme thing! Body gestures.
This is really gonna help me with my idea's and key poses! Also get my sketching better.
And its awesome that she is open to the idea for animation, and is interested in it a bit! Hopefully I'll learn a lot from everyone in that class because they are all awesome!
I told her I wanted to learn animation, and she thought it was just technical stuff. So like we have to come up with something we want to study for the year, like a theme type of thing.
So I talked to her about it, and we found out something that can relate to animation, and the theme thing! Body gestures.
This is really gonna help me with my idea's and key poses! Also get my sketching better.
And its awesome that she is open to the idea for animation, and is interested in it a bit! Hopefully I'll learn a lot from everyone in that class because they are all awesome!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
My animation problems
When listening and practicing on a dialogue piece, I realized that I try to much to stick to what I have.
I need to keep an open mind. I should be able to change things quickly.
Since my blocking is fast, I should block out my original idea, then see if the idea is gonna work, see how it looks on with my character. If I don't like it I should delete it. Since my blocking is getting pretty fast i should learn to question every single movement of my character.
I think thats what I am doing now...
Also when I first started, I wanted to hit certain parts. I was stubborn on changing it. But then I realized it won't have a lot of texture, or i the dialogue part when to fast. So I have to get those key places that can actually fit.
So yea my animation journey is just still starting!
I need to keep an open mind. I should be able to change things quickly.
Since my blocking is fast, I should block out my original idea, then see if the idea is gonna work, see how it looks on with my character. If I don't like it I should delete it. Since my blocking is getting pretty fast i should learn to question every single movement of my character.
I think thats what I am doing now...
Also when I first started, I wanted to hit certain parts. I was stubborn on changing it. But then I realized it won't have a lot of texture, or i the dialogue part when to fast. So I have to get those key places that can actually fit.
So yea my animation journey is just still starting!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Blocking
I dunno, its weird for me. I get the blocking done pretty fast. I'm not sure if that is good or not.
The hardest part for me is getting the idea. But yea.
Just the blocking out part is worrying me...I'll try other things.
Before I did straight ahead animation with a my reference video. But now I'm kind of trying the golden poses, and like inbetween them so it won't bother me, and it shows how they get to it.
I hope doing this can get my poses to more stronger!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
How I work, need to change
I get distracted to easily.
I work for like 10 minutes then take like a 4 minute break. It's annoying.
I need to stop!
Maybe I should disconnect my internet when animating.
Yea i'll do that
I work for like 10 minutes then take like a 4 minute break. It's annoying.
I need to stop!
Maybe I should disconnect my internet when animating.
Yea i'll do that
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Animation Mentor new showcase!
Its friggin awesome! Watched it a ton! Good job!
Anyways I am working on my first dialogue piece, I'll post it up when I am done! It is super fun, I really like doing this dialogue thing because I like have an audio for how my character is and stuff!
But thanks AM for the awesome showreel it really inspires all the animators out there!
Anyways I am working on my first dialogue piece, I'll post it up when I am done! It is super fun, I really like doing this dialogue thing because I like have an audio for how my character is and stuff!
But thanks AM for the awesome showreel it really inspires all the animators out there!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Feeling rusty
Haven't had time to touch a computer for 2 weeks! I feel soo...Weird to it.
But I am ready to jump back in, got inspired with the amazing people I was with!
Now need to study!
But I am ready to jump back in, got inspired with the amazing people I was with!
Now need to study!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
My imagination part
What I have figured out for me, most of my imagination comes out when I start blocking out the character.
The reason video reference is so hard for me is because I have nothing to see ( I have a visual type of person I think) So it was really hard for me to make up my mind and making a video reference.
But right now I am blocking out my animation, and for now, this is where I think I get creative. I'm changing things around, I see the character movement in front of me, I can get inside his head and think of more ideas.
What a huge relief for me!
The reason video reference is so hard for me is because I have nothing to see ( I have a visual type of person I think) So it was really hard for me to make up my mind and making a video reference.
But right now I am blocking out my animation, and for now, this is where I think I get creative. I'm changing things around, I see the character movement in front of me, I can get inside his head and think of more ideas.
What a huge relief for me!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Video References
For me this is the hardest part of animation.
This is where your character comes to life. You have to get inside there head. Being a beginner it is hard to do.
I've spent all day trying to get into my characters head. But I keep on changing the story and stuff. So it is hard to get a good understanding.
I've been in my basement for a while just acting things out. And for me it is tiring lol.
But I'm going to try my best to get good video references
This is where your character comes to life. You have to get inside there head. Being a beginner it is hard to do.
I've spent all day trying to get into my characters head. But I keep on changing the story and stuff. So it is hard to get a good understanding.
I've been in my basement for a while just acting things out. And for me it is tiring lol.
But I'm going to try my best to get good video references
Friday, July 11, 2008
Lack of posts
Man I haven't posted for a while but I've been busy! Camp, then cedar point and hanging out with out of state friends.
But I finally have time to animate now! Also I found a nice side hobby...Music! People from BTA really inspire me to do that too. And it will be good if I get burned out on animation to much.
Also I contacted Tom Richner about starting an animation studio! I need to start writing a letter about why I love animation and why I love ohio. I love both so it will be easy!
Anyways still working on that hammer smash!
But I finally have time to animate now! Also I found a nice side hobby...Music! People from BTA really inspire me to do that too. And it will be good if I get burned out on animation to much.
Also I contacted Tom Richner about starting an animation studio! I need to start writing a letter about why I love animation and why I love ohio. I love both so it will be easy!
Anyways still working on that hammer smash!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Animation makes me feel like God lol
I was browsing 11 second club and saw one guys sig. It said that animation makes you more powerful than God. And after thinking about it, it was somewhat true.
You can choose your character, you can choose its personality, what he/she does etc. So it makes you more powerful than God in a certain way!
Also I plus(ish) thing about it is that you get to break your creation. You can destroy the rig, squish it, stretch it, break the back etc... (Don't want to sound to gruesome) But you have to do this to make them live ironically
You can also break gravity with your character! Make them snappy, scramble there legs, there arms anything!
I just thought that was pretty funny and pretty cool
You can choose your character, you can choose its personality, what he/she does etc. So it makes you more powerful than God in a certain way!
Also I plus(ish) thing about it is that you get to break your creation. You can destroy the rig, squish it, stretch it, break the back etc... (Don't want to sound to gruesome) But you have to do this to make them live ironically
You can also break gravity with your character! Make them snappy, scramble there legs, there arms anything!
I just thought that was pretty funny and pretty cool
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Practice Practice Practe makes perfect!
Before I really started animating, I wanted to get alll the info I could get before because i wanted to be "ahead." Sure I got the ideas down and stuff, squash stretch, it is easy to remember. But putting them to use is another thing.
So what I learned the only way you could really get better is practice and practice. I knew the concept of squash and stretch before. And I animated some character but didn't use it. This is another thing.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO BREAK THE RIG! DESTROY IT WITH THE BROKEN JOINTS, STRETCH, SQUASH!
I am just getting that concept now with my new animation.
Also it is very good to have some critiques because it really helps.
But practice makes perfect, and makes it fun!
So what I learned the only way you could really get better is practice and practice. I knew the concept of squash and stretch before. And I animated some character but didn't use it. This is another thing.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO BREAK THE RIG! DESTROY IT WITH THE BROKEN JOINTS, STRETCH, SQUASH!
I am just getting that concept now with my new animation.
Also it is very good to have some critiques because it really helps.
But practice makes perfect, and makes it fun!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Coming up with ideas to animate
One of the most hardest part for me animating is coming up with an idea.
The sad thing is that I don't have to like follow any directions or anything. So yea, I can basically can animate anything I want. (Well in body mechanics because I still need practice)
So today while at home I was trying to think of an idea for a while. I am pretty picky of what I animate. I thought a vball serve will be good practice but then I realized I want to try to add some personality to it, not just a movement and stuff. Well everything has a personality but I wanted to make it more interesting. Not just follow a film reference. I want to show more anticipation and stuff.
So the idea I got is pretty good but maybe to long for me...We'll see...
It's like a guy hitting the thing at a fair and it hit the bell thing. But I think I have a pretty original idea going on...Not sure..We'll see like I said.
But lets go on about the reason I am writing this post. And how I get pass my mental block and what my mind is thinking in those situations...
When I finish an animation I go right away to find something else to animate. But the thing is I have all these videos stuck in my head about AM students and I just keep on replaying them in my head and don't get any ideas. So what I do is get out of my room and do something else. Half the time I usually walk around thinking about things, picking things up, going outside, jump on the trampoline. Then when a good idea pops up, I think about the character and stuff.
So Carlos Baena's blog really helped me. It really got to me about getting off the computer. I'm glued to the computer to much. Animation doesn't come from it, it is just a tool to animate. I can't get inspiration from facebook or engagdet. I have to get it from myself and experience life.
So what I am saying, get out of your seat and have fun! Then when you have some experiences and find something out, animate it!
The sad thing is that I don't have to like follow any directions or anything. So yea, I can basically can animate anything I want. (Well in body mechanics because I still need practice)
So today while at home I was trying to think of an idea for a while. I am pretty picky of what I animate. I thought a vball serve will be good practice but then I realized I want to try to add some personality to it, not just a movement and stuff. Well everything has a personality but I wanted to make it more interesting. Not just follow a film reference. I want to show more anticipation and stuff.
So the idea I got is pretty good but maybe to long for me...We'll see...
It's like a guy hitting the thing at a fair and it hit the bell thing. But I think I have a pretty original idea going on...Not sure..We'll see like I said.
But lets go on about the reason I am writing this post. And how I get pass my mental block and what my mind is thinking in those situations...
When I finish an animation I go right away to find something else to animate. But the thing is I have all these videos stuck in my head about AM students and I just keep on replaying them in my head and don't get any ideas. So what I do is get out of my room and do something else. Half the time I usually walk around thinking about things, picking things up, going outside, jump on the trampoline. Then when a good idea pops up, I think about the character and stuff.
So Carlos Baena's blog really helped me. It really got to me about getting off the computer. I'm glued to the computer to much. Animation doesn't come from it, it is just a tool to animate. I can't get inspiration from facebook or engagdet. I have to get it from myself and experience life.
So what I am saying, get out of your seat and have fun! Then when you have some experiences and find something out, animate it!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Heading out for a few days
The next three weeks I am going to be busy!
But hopefully I can still animate.
Anyways today I am going to leave to northern michigan for family vacation till sunday.
Then on tuesday dentist to check my wisdom teeth, then friday wisdom teeth is gonna get removed.. But hopefully I will feel ok to watch wall-e! I am so pumped for that!
Then after that church camp.
The animation I am working on is going good!
I think I am almost done.. Still waiting for critique's on 11 second club.
So long!
But hopefully I can still animate.
Anyways today I am going to leave to northern michigan for family vacation till sunday.
Then on tuesday dentist to check my wisdom teeth, then friday wisdom teeth is gonna get removed.. But hopefully I will feel ok to watch wall-e! I am so pumped for that!
Then after that church camp.
The animation I am working on is going good!
I think I am almost done.. Still waiting for critique's on 11 second club.
So long!
Monday, June 16, 2008
My way of animating
It seems different than other people. Not sure if that is a good thing or not.
Anyways the way I am doing it, is of course I first block it out. But most people block out the major poses. But for me...I do that too but not for the whole animation. I block out a certain action, then I try to put more inbetweens depending on the spacing and timing. So I go through different passes of blocking in one.. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not.
And I am happy to get back into animating! Because I spent a lot of time out of the house because being in the house, and I have no inspiration from doing that.
But I am planning to spend this week animating because all my friends are going to help at a church camp, and I can't because family vacation, but yea I will have a lot of time to catch up.
So what I am basically telling myself is that I will always have time to animate, I just need the right time, I can't force anything, especially when its summer and I have a lot of free time!
Anyways the way I am doing it, is of course I first block it out. But most people block out the major poses. But for me...I do that too but not for the whole animation. I block out a certain action, then I try to put more inbetweens depending on the spacing and timing. So I go through different passes of blocking in one.. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not.
And I am happy to get back into animating! Because I spent a lot of time out of the house because being in the house, and I have no inspiration from doing that.
But I am planning to spend this week animating because all my friends are going to help at a church camp, and I can't because family vacation, but yea I will have a lot of time to catch up.
So what I am basically telling myself is that I will always have time to animate, I just need the right time, I can't force anything, especially when its summer and I have a lot of free time!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
AM not getting accepted
On facebook I found a post about a guy getting rejected from AM. Man that is getting me scare D:
But on the other hand I am enjoying life and getting a ton of experiences!
But on the other hand I am enjoying life and getting a ton of experiences!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Video References
Before when making video reference I kind of dreaded it. Which is not a good thing. This is because I wasn't into what I was making, I wanted to go straight to the animating part! But not doing good on my video reference made my animation worse.
But now I enjoy making them! Before I go I talk to the camera telling it what I am going to do, then I think about it. Then when I record the action, I have fun with it! I put myself in the setting that the character is in, then act it out!
Need to get my acting better tho..But practice makes perfect!
But now I enjoy making them! Before I go I talk to the camera telling it what I am going to do, then I think about it. Then when I record the action, I have fun with it! I put myself in the setting that the character is in, then act it out!
Need to get my acting better tho..But practice makes perfect!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Kungfu Panda!
Awesome. Just loved it!
I took a break from animation for about two days to live life like I said and it was fun! Got a whole bunch of experiences and stuff that I can always pull back too!
I shouldn't have animation pull back my life should I?
But I got some neat ideas for my cannonball jump into a pull. (There is gonna be no water in the pool so no splashing)
Anyways I am trying to stay away from the computer because I don't have that many experiences on the computer. I'm on it way to much. It doesn't help with my animation because its just a tool for it, I can't get inspiration just looking at a screen! I have to do stuff.
So thats what I learned this passed two days.
Just need to find the right time to animate because before I just animated, no life, just on the computer so it was hard on myself and I didn't get that far!
Man still learning... from everything...Thats awesome!
I took a break from animation for about two days to live life like I said and it was fun! Got a whole bunch of experiences and stuff that I can always pull back too!
I shouldn't have animation pull back my life should I?
But I got some neat ideas for my cannonball jump into a pull. (There is gonna be no water in the pool so no splashing)
Anyways I am trying to stay away from the computer because I don't have that many experiences on the computer. I'm on it way to much. It doesn't help with my animation because its just a tool for it, I can't get inspiration just looking at a screen! I have to do stuff.
So thats what I learned this passed two days.
Just need to find the right time to animate because before I just animated, no life, just on the computer so it was hard on myself and I didn't get that far!
Man still learning... from everything...Thats awesome!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Alrighty new idea! And living life!
Anyways the other animation i was working on was to long and complicated for me.. For now!
I need to try more simple things. Still need to work on body mechanics.
So last night while laying in bed, I was thinking...Hmm what will be a good idea to animate? I was thinking about it for like 40 minutes just laying there. Then I thought, well lets see what I do in my life.
Doing that it made me realize. Wow I don't have a lot of situations and a lot of experience in life. Because a lot of the times I just worry about animating at home and practice. So I'm usually in my room all the time just, animating. Don't get me wrong its fun! But I don't have a lot of ideas because I'm not living life that much!
But I got an idea because it is something I am going to do today. I am gonna go to the pool and record people jumping into the water. So yea that's what I'll be animating.
I think it'll be a good practice!
But now I am gonna enjoy my summer outside, get inspiration, keep animation always in mind! (it's a lifestyle for me lol) but not stay in my room that much! And I am gonna observe people and stuff!
I need to try more simple things. Still need to work on body mechanics.
So last night while laying in bed, I was thinking...Hmm what will be a good idea to animate? I was thinking about it for like 40 minutes just laying there. Then I thought, well lets see what I do in my life.
Doing that it made me realize. Wow I don't have a lot of situations and a lot of experience in life. Because a lot of the times I just worry about animating at home and practice. So I'm usually in my room all the time just, animating. Don't get me wrong its fun! But I don't have a lot of ideas because I'm not living life that much!
But I got an idea because it is something I am going to do today. I am gonna go to the pool and record people jumping into the water. So yea that's what I'll be animating.
I think it'll be a good practice!
But now I am gonna enjoy my summer outside, get inspiration, keep animation always in mind! (it's a lifestyle for me lol) but not stay in my room that much! And I am gonna observe people and stuff!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Why I love animation
Today I realized why I loved animation. I never really thought about it. It just kind of grew into me.
But the reason I love animation is because before, I was a type of person that only saw one thing in one point of view/stubborn. I wasn't very open, I thought there was like one way for things. I judged the book by the cover. (for people) I thought everyone fits into a stereotype. I always wasted time watching tv and doing nothing. Haha I was basically emo.
But when I got into animation, it made me open my eyes. There are so many types of personalities. I know like no one that fits into a stereotype. It made me think. It made me realize there is a whole new world. I see into other peoples point of view. So I can get there feeling, know how they feel. And that will help in animation.
Even though I am not good at animation for now but I know it will help me later on.
Animation changed my life, it made my life more interesting. I broke out of my personal bubble to realize things, so I can observe. I am always studying
I'm just kind of sick when people say I am young, and stats say that my generation is going to change their career 7-8 times. It may be true, but I don't think for me.
I doubt any other job will have such an impact on my life like animation.
Before too, I thought that I would like to get into special effects because it looked cool and stuff. But it never got to me.
For me, animation really changed my life.
I have sympathy for people who are in college and are switching majors. Because they spent a lot of money on college and halfway thru they change it so they can't get all the info they needed.
So I am lucky I had this experience when I am in high school.
And my teacher told me about AM. Where I will try to attend.
Look out world, here comes a new animator!
But the reason I love animation is because before, I was a type of person that only saw one thing in one point of view/stubborn. I wasn't very open, I thought there was like one way for things. I judged the book by the cover. (for people) I thought everyone fits into a stereotype. I always wasted time watching tv and doing nothing. Haha I was basically emo.
But when I got into animation, it made me open my eyes. There are so many types of personalities. I know like no one that fits into a stereotype. It made me think. It made me realize there is a whole new world. I see into other peoples point of view. So I can get there feeling, know how they feel. And that will help in animation.
Even though I am not good at animation for now but I know it will help me later on.
Animation changed my life, it made my life more interesting. I broke out of my personal bubble to realize things, so I can observe. I am always studying
I'm just kind of sick when people say I am young, and stats say that my generation is going to change their career 7-8 times. It may be true, but I don't think for me.
I doubt any other job will have such an impact on my life like animation.
Before too, I thought that I would like to get into special effects because it looked cool and stuff. But it never got to me.
For me, animation really changed my life.
I have sympathy for people who are in college and are switching majors. Because they spent a lot of money on college and halfway thru they change it so they can't get all the info they needed.
So I am lucky I had this experience when I am in high school.
And my teacher told me about AM. Where I will try to attend.
Look out world, here comes a new animator!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
New story block...
Man this really sucks.
I want to animate a character that has a personality!
And changing emotions will be a plus.
But anyways...I can't think of any situations.
One that I had was a guy was hurrying to take a seat, and trying to find his pencil to write some notes. He is looking around because he can't find it and then gives up. Then he puts his hand on his head and found out that it was on his ear the whole time.
It might work, but I don't know how to finish it. You can tell he is in a hurry, you can tell he is struggling. He is giving up when putting his hand on his head.. But what after that? Going to write some more notes?
Gah! I'm not sure if I should think of a new scenario, or just figure out what he is thinking
If anyone reads my blog (doubt anyone does) but can anyone have input?
I want to animate a character that has a personality!
And changing emotions will be a plus.
But anyways...I can't think of any situations.
One that I had was a guy was hurrying to take a seat, and trying to find his pencil to write some notes. He is looking around because he can't find it and then gives up. Then he puts his hand on his head and found out that it was on his ear the whole time.
It might work, but I don't know how to finish it. You can tell he is in a hurry, you can tell he is struggling. He is giving up when putting his hand on his head.. But what after that? Going to write some more notes?
Gah! I'm not sure if I should think of a new scenario, or just figure out what he is thinking
If anyone reads my blog (doubt anyone does) but can anyone have input?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Can't finish...Aaa!
I think I am gonna have this problem a lot... But I can't let go of an animation! I keep on having tweaks and stuff gah!
I never been a "real" perfectionist until I came to this situation!
Its just imitating life can be sooo...fun!..and so...perfect!
I don't want one tiny thing throw off my animation!
But sometimes I need to just let go and learn new stuff instead of nick picking on small things in other animation!
I learned a lot on this animation! I'll let go of it 2morrow :P
I never been a "real" perfectionist until I came to this situation!
Its just imitating life can be sooo...fun!..and so...perfect!
I don't want one tiny thing throw off my animation!
But sometimes I need to just let go and learn new stuff instead of nick picking on small things in other animation!
I learned a lot on this animation! I'll let go of it 2morrow :P
Friday, May 30, 2008
Authors
Haha I think about animation way to much.
But I respect authors so much now. Because they are basically living in the character like animators. They have to think the way they think, know whats going on. Instead of studying movement they study speech. On how the character is like, what they said, how they react to what other people say.
Thats it for now!
But I respect authors so much now. Because they are basically living in the character like animators. They have to think the way they think, know whats going on. Instead of studying movement they study speech. On how the character is like, what they said, how they react to what other people say.
Thats it for now!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Reality Sucks..!?
haha I found this image on digg, and I thought it related to my animation...
The reason I think it relates to it because I followed my reference to much! It's to real..I need to make it better! I CAN make it eye candy.
Exaggerate. Animate interesting life! You don't want to animate something that is boring, repetitive, something that you do mechanically!
There has to be a reason to the animation! (I guess unless you are doing a test animation)
Inspiration comes from everywhere...
Exaggeration
I found out a new rule that I knew about since the beginning but never really used to now!
Alright I was making an animation of a guy throwing a frisbee. I thought it was awesome at first.
But then I posted it on 11 second club and people said I needed to exaggerate the movements because its not eye candy! Thanks 11 second club you saved me! If I didn't post this then I would of never thought of it.
And thanks Carlos to get me think about other people opinion on how to make it better.
Most people said I needed to push the poses and thats what I did...
there it is!
Then I posted it up again and then someone told me about silhouette's. I am not sure what that means but he posted a picture of part of my action in the animation and it showed a dull picture. So what I think he means make every image interesting to look at!
Less linear poses!
So that it what I am doing now!
Alright I was making an animation of a guy throwing a frisbee. I thought it was awesome at first.
But then I posted it on 11 second club and people said I needed to exaggerate the movements because its not eye candy! Thanks 11 second club you saved me! If I didn't post this then I would of never thought of it.
And thanks Carlos to get me think about other people opinion on how to make it better.
Most people said I needed to push the poses and thats what I did...
there it is!
Then I posted it up again and then someone told me about silhouette's. I am not sure what that means but he posted a picture of part of my action in the animation and it showed a dull picture. So what I think he means make every image interesting to look at!
Less linear poses!
So that it what I am doing now!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Comedy
After reading Carlos Baena's post about comedy it made me think of a few things.
This morning at school we had a tv show special. And it was ofcourse the football players and people doing stuff. Other people thought it was funny but I was like bleh its not that funny. But then when I saw my friend in a part of the show for like a music video, I thought it was funny to see him in there.
Then I wonder....If I was in someone else's shoes I wouldn't be laughing at it. Then I realized the people in my class that was laughing probably knew the people on the show.
I was thinking... It is probably funny for them because they know the people who were in it, and it was because they usually wouldn't do that...
I don't know. I still think the humor is pretty bad but it made me think.
Also made me think of the office. If I never saw it before, and came to the middle of the season I wouldn't see why it would be funny.(I never saw the first season but I got to get to know the characters) I want to study how the actor build up there character. Need to get the first season of the office then.
Movie companies are sooo smart with there jokes and stuff its amazing. Have you ever been in a situation when you hear a funny part of the movie and didn't think it was funny until you saw that part?
It's because you know what type of person the character is and you know what is going on! It's amazing!
This morning at school we had a tv show special. And it was ofcourse the football players and people doing stuff. Other people thought it was funny but I was like bleh its not that funny. But then when I saw my friend in a part of the show for like a music video, I thought it was funny to see him in there.
Then I wonder....If I was in someone else's shoes I wouldn't be laughing at it. Then I realized the people in my class that was laughing probably knew the people on the show.
I was thinking... It is probably funny for them because they know the people who were in it, and it was because they usually wouldn't do that...
I don't know. I still think the humor is pretty bad but it made me think.
Also made me think of the office. If I never saw it before, and came to the middle of the season I wouldn't see why it would be funny.(I never saw the first season but I got to get to know the characters) I want to study how the actor build up there character. Need to get the first season of the office then.
Movie companies are sooo smart with there jokes and stuff its amazing. Have you ever been in a situation when you hear a funny part of the movie and didn't think it was funny until you saw that part?
It's because you know what type of person the character is and you know what is going on! It's amazing!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Don't take animation literally
What I found out that is a big deal for me is thattt.. You can make animation "to realistic"
What I mean by this is that you follow your reference to much. For me I am an ok actor but when I act things out it looks boring to watch. I am making a person lift up a box. I tried to get the timing and stuff right. I think I got it right buut its boring to watch!
I mean seriously, who would want to watch a person lift up a box a normal way?! I mean like, atleast I can add some character and stuff behind it. Give him some struggle.
Also if it is real life action, in animation it tends to look to slow. We want to see something interesting!
But it doesn't mean to make animation jumpy all the time. You have to pick out the right moments.
Now to make my animation more interesting...and more fast!
I tend to animate in slooooooow motiiioooooon
I need to speed it up!
What I mean by this is that you follow your reference to much. For me I am an ok actor but when I act things out it looks boring to watch. I am making a person lift up a box. I tried to get the timing and stuff right. I think I got it right buut its boring to watch!
I mean seriously, who would want to watch a person lift up a box a normal way?! I mean like, atleast I can add some character and stuff behind it. Give him some struggle.
Also if it is real life action, in animation it tends to look to slow. We want to see something interesting!
But it doesn't mean to make animation jumpy all the time. You have to pick out the right moments.
Now to make my animation more interesting...and more fast!
I tend to animate in slooooooow motiiioooooon
I need to speed it up!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Arcs
Important too!
I am working on a heavy object lift for a character now. To get the sense of weight.
One thing looked wrong.. But I couldn't find out. Then I remembered shawn kelly's webinar. Arcs!
So I looked around then found something wrong with the lift. Then I looked at the butt.. ANd there it was!
The arc of it going up was messed up. Before I just went down then up. It was weird. Then I watched my reference that the butt gets a little bit lower and goes towards the box. That little thing changed a ton! Now I am going to have to look for different places and watch out for arcs now..
Having tons of fun blocking it out! It helps out a ton!
I am working on a heavy object lift for a character now. To get the sense of weight.
One thing looked wrong.. But I couldn't find out. Then I remembered shawn kelly's webinar. Arcs!
So I looked around then found something wrong with the lift. Then I looked at the butt.. ANd there it was!
The arc of it going up was messed up. Before I just went down then up. It was weird. Then I watched my reference that the butt gets a little bit lower and goes towards the box. That little thing changed a ton! Now I am going to have to look for different places and watch out for arcs now..
Having tons of fun blocking it out! It helps out a ton!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Rig problems?
Not sure if it is my rig or not. But when I rotate my rig past 90 degrees it gets messed up and like spazzes out...
I'm going to try out a proffesionally made rig to see if it is any better.
But I would be way to much tweaking if I had to fix all that.
Who said animation was easy? lol
I'm going to try out a proffesionally made rig to see if it is any better.
But I would be way to much tweaking if I had to fix all that.
Who said animation was easy? lol
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Learning by trial and error
Siiinnccceee I am kind of learning by myself I am learning a ton from my mistakes.
First off it was with the planning. Second was with the video reference. And I figured out the new one. Its not really the animation part. More of the technical issue.
I blocked out the poses in Maya to get the timing right with no inbetweens. But when I added inbetweens. (flattening out the curves instead of stepped and clamped) A ton of deformation appears. Like the character was turning around and since I was rotating on the global control it was hard to get the rotation right and stuff. Just yea looks like a big mess now.
Anyways I am going to try to fix this and see what happens. If it doesn't turn out as good as I wanted. I am going toooo
Still block out the animation key poses. Then just go key to key on it.
When I make the key poses I am going to write them down on wordpad to see what parts I might need to fix late and which keys to keep.
After that I'll see what happens.
First off it was with the planning. Second was with the video reference. And I figured out the new one. Its not really the animation part. More of the technical issue.
I blocked out the poses in Maya to get the timing right with no inbetweens. But when I added inbetweens. (flattening out the curves instead of stepped and clamped) A ton of deformation appears. Like the character was turning around and since I was rotating on the global control it was hard to get the rotation right and stuff. Just yea looks like a big mess now.
Anyways I am going to try to fix this and see what happens. If it doesn't turn out as good as I wanted. I am going toooo
Still block out the animation key poses. Then just go key to key on it.
When I make the key poses I am going to write them down on wordpad to see what parts I might need to fix late and which keys to keep.
After that I'll see what happens.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Blocking out animation
Is a HUUGE difference.
Before I thought that it wouldn't be a big difference but it is.
I got a way for Maya to not make any inbetweens so I can just go pose to pose.
I got around 300 frames worth of poses today! Well its like 15 poses but I got the timing and stuff for it right...hopefully.. Gonna take a look at it tomorrow.
But ya its a serious improvement I think and it saves a lot of time. Another thing that helped a lot is that I spent one whole day planning. (Well I played brawl too) But I knew what type of character I wanted and everything.
It was sooo worth doing that.
So tomorrow if I have time I am going to add more poses. More inbetween poses, and see if it is better. Then after that, gonna smooth it out and mess with the curves etc.
Before I thought that it wouldn't be a big difference but it is.
I got a way for Maya to not make any inbetweens so I can just go pose to pose.
I got around 300 frames worth of poses today! Well its like 15 poses but I got the timing and stuff for it right...hopefully.. Gonna take a look at it tomorrow.
But ya its a serious improvement I think and it saves a lot of time. Another thing that helped a lot is that I spent one whole day planning. (Well I played brawl too) But I knew what type of character I wanted and everything.
It was sooo worth doing that.
So tomorrow if I have time I am going to add more poses. More inbetween poses, and see if it is better. Then after that, gonna smooth it out and mess with the curves etc.
Monday, April 14, 2008
My planned out new animation!
After not planning out the animation. It inspired me to plan one out and see how helpful it is.
So this is what I wrote out on a word pad....
--------------------------------------
Turn around
Someone is calling the name of the ball. He turns the other way to look and realizes the person isn't on that side. So then he goes to the other side to look. His left foot is planted on the ground and the right leg swings over for the last turn. The feet is stationary when he looked the wrong way.
This character is comfy and very "cool". He is just turning around because he heard someone calling his name and he is curious who is calling. Like you are waiting in line and then you hear your name.
Before he turns around he is patiently waiting in line looking around. After he turns around a ball is thrown at him and he stumbles back. After that he stares at a the ball and then he looks at the person that threw it at him all serious. He knows who throws it because the person that threw it was right there. So he doesn't look around. Now at this moment he is mad.
Then he is about to kick the ball. Anticipate it like he is gonna kick it hard. But then he lightly kicks it with his toe.
Then the ball roll of the scene.
------------------------------
I tried to get everything that was needed to make this animation good into this description of it.
Now I know why the top animators don't go to the computer/drawing(except doodle key poses) until they know what they want.
So this is what I wrote out on a word pad....
--------------------------------------
Turn around
Someone is calling the name of the ball. He turns the other way to look and realizes the person isn't on that side. So then he goes to the other side to look. His left foot is planted on the ground and the right leg swings over for the last turn. The feet is stationary when he looked the wrong way.
This character is comfy and very "cool". He is just turning around because he heard someone calling his name and he is curious who is calling. Like you are waiting in line and then you hear your name.
Before he turns around he is patiently waiting in line looking around. After he turns around a ball is thrown at him and he stumbles back. After that he stares at a the ball and then he looks at the person that threw it at him all serious. He knows who throws it because the person that threw it was right there. So he doesn't look around. Now at this moment he is mad.
Then he is about to kick the ball. Anticipate it like he is gonna kick it hard. But then he lightly kicks it with his toe.
Then the ball roll of the scene.
------------------------------
I tried to get everything that was needed to make this animation good into this description of it.
Now I know why the top animators don't go to the computer/drawing(except doodle key poses) until they know what they want.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
More on anticipation and planning out animations
Ok well I am going to give up on my soccer kick animation because I realized I really screwed things up.
First of all... I didn't plan it out at ALL.. Which is a big mistake I won't make again... But hey you learn from your mistakes and I am ready to work on my new animation anyways. Second of all. I didn't work on my anticipation at all. I found a website a while ago (danimating.com) and I found a person hitting a tennis racket.
What I realized. This guy probably did a ton of studying references and took videos of himself before he made this animation. And furthermore you can tell what type of person it is. He is a pro because the ease of him serving and the power he had in it showed it. And after the action he landed with ease and shuffled his feet to get the return hit.
Another thing I realized was that. There are more frames for the anticipation instead of the actualy swing of the racket.
Actually when he swings the racket it goes in a few frames. To show how fast it is going, and to show power. What I made a mistake on was actually making the frames not skip when kicking the leg. I had it evenly spaced out as I can. But I realized it doesn't matter if you have the anticipation right.
And there was a slight breaking of the arm when he was serving but went by to fast that you cant tell.
Also another thing that I realized that there was a Double X. The crossing of the elbow.
(From the Animator's Survival Kit)
So rule of thumb. Work on anticipation a lot. Don't make the animation to slow (my problem) Fly by the movement. And prepare your animation!
First of all... I didn't plan it out at ALL.. Which is a big mistake I won't make again... But hey you learn from your mistakes and I am ready to work on my new animation anyways. Second of all. I didn't work on my anticipation at all. I found a website a while ago (danimating.com) and I found a person hitting a tennis racket.
What I realized. This guy probably did a ton of studying references and took videos of himself before he made this animation. And furthermore you can tell what type of person it is. He is a pro because the ease of him serving and the power he had in it showed it. And after the action he landed with ease and shuffled his feet to get the return hit.
Another thing I realized was that. There are more frames for the anticipation instead of the actualy swing of the racket.
Actually when he swings the racket it goes in a few frames. To show how fast it is going, and to show power. What I made a mistake on was actually making the frames not skip when kicking the leg. I had it evenly spaced out as I can. But I realized it doesn't matter if you have the anticipation right.
And there was a slight breaking of the arm when he was serving but went by to fast that you cant tell.
Also another thing that I realized that there was a Double X. The crossing of the elbow.
(From the Animator's Survival Kit)
So rule of thumb. Work on anticipation a lot. Don't make the animation to slow (my problem) Fly by the movement. And prepare your animation!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Claps
After finding a snack to eat I sat down and decided to turn on the tv. This is when I saw the new Nickelodeon show called like "Dance on the sunset." This is the type of show that will only have on season *cough**cough*
Anyways one thing that I realized was the people clapping to the beat. I don't know how I came up to think of animation.. I guess its just getting into my head! Being very observant. Anyways...
What I realized was the the claps seem to be all anticipation! Because you never see the hands make contact. (well depends on the type of clap and timing you want.) But you never really see the hands touching each other completely. Probably just for one frame then they are apart. But the clap isn't all that fast. Just the anticipation for it lasts a long time.
The wrists leads when your hands are moving apart to prepare the clap. And your wrist usually leads when your hands are going together! So overlapping action!
But ofcourse anything can change. Break the rules!
Anyways one thing that I realized was the people clapping to the beat. I don't know how I came up to think of animation.. I guess its just getting into my head! Being very observant. Anyways...
What I realized was the the claps seem to be all anticipation! Because you never see the hands make contact. (well depends on the type of clap and timing you want.) But you never really see the hands touching each other completely. Probably just for one frame then they are apart. But the clap isn't all that fast. Just the anticipation for it lasts a long time.
The wrists leads when your hands are moving apart to prepare the clap. And your wrist usually leads when your hands are going together! So overlapping action!
But ofcourse anything can change. Break the rules!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Planning out Animations!
Crucial!
Plan out your animations! It will make things go by faster!
I am making a character kicking a ball and I was undecided of how I wanted him to kick the ball. So I started animating (bad idea to start off with) and realized...wow...I should film this. So I filmed it and then I went back to animating...Then after that I was like wow...it has no character..its just..a kick..nothing interesting!
So finally I filmed something and made sure I finished it off well..To show personality. To show life! Since I am just beginning animating it isn't as good. I don't know how the character is or anything. I guess it is just myself.
Just remember to plan out every little thing before you start animating! It saves a lot of time and it makes your character come more to life!
Plan out your animations! It will make things go by faster!
I am making a character kicking a ball and I was undecided of how I wanted him to kick the ball. So I started animating (bad idea to start off with) and realized...wow...I should film this. So I filmed it and then I went back to animating...Then after that I was like wow...it has no character..its just..a kick..nothing interesting!
So finally I filmed something and made sure I finished it off well..To show personality. To show life! Since I am just beginning animating it isn't as good. I don't know how the character is or anything. I guess it is just myself.
Just remember to plan out every little thing before you start animating! It saves a lot of time and it makes your character come more to life!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Thought Process and Timing
Finally something I realized that I knew and seen it applied!
While watching monsters inc (one of my fav movies) I was paying a lot of attention to Mike. He was just an interesting character to follow and tried to figure out his character. I loved it when he jumped from the steps after watching the commercial and kinda skipped.. Anyways..
When Sully and Mike was in the locker room (Mike was putting in his contact lense) I also liked it when Mike was like "She is the one!" I loved how he jumped and shook the other hand. ANYWAYS... When Randal came and said "there is a change in wind" I was looking at Mike's face and realized how he was thinking and it was only through the eyes! At first I was looking what was making that change in his thought. To start off with he was kind of scared of Randal and was kinda uneasy. But when Randal said his line, "change in wind" Mike seemed kinda confused and a tiny bit more confident.
So I was trying to figure out what was triggering this type of change in emotion. I looked at the mouth first (I love the way they make Mike's mouth shapes...sorry I just realized a ton of stuff) and there was no change. Then I took a look at the eyes. And there it was! First off he was kinda looking scared, looking straight I believe. Then the line came in (wind...whoosh!) and then Mike blinked and his eye direction changed. And that made the right mood! Amazing! And another thing they kinda added was a sway in his body so he is facing Randal more to show he wasn't that scared and he was in kinda in disbelief. Try it, imagine he hears something surprising out of nowhere and kinda funny he kinda face towards the person that said that line.
Next thing I realized is that most of the times they don't really follow the "rules of gravity" when they try to put out a feeling. Its kind of hard to explain. But like when Randal became lead scarer, then Sully won after that. Mike was collecting the scream canisters real fast. (because of the slumber party) I if I recall...The can was heavy before and took his back muscles and leaning back to carry that thing.
But when he was switching canisters he did it real fast so he can fill as much as he can. Even though in "real life" he can't do that, the way he did it made it seem more "heroic" for me atleast. (BTW I loved the way he finished that spree! the can rolling around and Mike walking slowly back just amazing!)
So rule of thumb(haha read to many blogs with professional animators and books) really think about what the character is thinking about, and don't forget the blinks! And you can break the "rules of gravity" if you want to set a certain emotion.
While watching monsters inc (one of my fav movies) I was paying a lot of attention to Mike. He was just an interesting character to follow and tried to figure out his character. I loved it when he jumped from the steps after watching the commercial and kinda skipped.. Anyways..
When Sully and Mike was in the locker room (Mike was putting in his contact lense) I also liked it when Mike was like "She is the one!" I loved how he jumped and shook the other hand. ANYWAYS... When Randal came and said "there is a change in wind" I was looking at Mike's face and realized how he was thinking and it was only through the eyes! At first I was looking what was making that change in his thought. To start off with he was kind of scared of Randal and was kinda uneasy. But when Randal said his line, "change in wind" Mike seemed kinda confused and a tiny bit more confident.
So I was trying to figure out what was triggering this type of change in emotion. I looked at the mouth first (I love the way they make Mike's mouth shapes...sorry I just realized a ton of stuff) and there was no change. Then I took a look at the eyes. And there it was! First off he was kinda looking scared, looking straight I believe. Then the line came in (wind...whoosh!) and then Mike blinked and his eye direction changed. And that made the right mood! Amazing! And another thing they kinda added was a sway in his body so he is facing Randal more to show he wasn't that scared and he was in kinda in disbelief. Try it, imagine he hears something surprising out of nowhere and kinda funny he kinda face towards the person that said that line.
Next thing I realized is that most of the times they don't really follow the "rules of gravity" when they try to put out a feeling. Its kind of hard to explain. But like when Randal became lead scarer, then Sully won after that. Mike was collecting the scream canisters real fast. (because of the slumber party) I if I recall...The can was heavy before and took his back muscles and leaning back to carry that thing.
But when he was switching canisters he did it real fast so he can fill as much as he can. Even though in "real life" he can't do that, the way he did it made it seem more "heroic" for me atleast. (BTW I loved the way he finished that spree! the can rolling around and Mike walking slowly back just amazing!)
So rule of thumb(haha read to many blogs with professional animators and books) really think about what the character is thinking about, and don't forget the blinks! And you can break the "rules of gravity" if you want to set a certain emotion.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Anticipation and Breakdown?
Now I am working on an animation with a soccer ball kick. And I realized how important anticipation is for animation.
Because not all frames are going to be seen because they need to be shown like they are fast. So while watching the old AM student demo reel I saw a person animate a character throwing a ball and it was amazing. I loved how he did everything.
I realized that the throw wasn't like evenly spaced (ofcourse) to show speed. But if he didn't anticipate it correctly it will look wrong. Before the character threw the ball he held that position for a while. And then he also held out the ending position. Probably skipping through the throw in a few frames. Also he exaggerated a lot (what I learned you need to do for my animations) to make it look like there is effort.
Also another thing that made that animation even better was the way he finished it. He just didn't stand still. He was still walking for his balance but did it such a certain way so it seemed like he was saying "yea look at my throw it was so good" and kept looking at it.
It was amazing!
Then while taking a break from my animation I decided to go youtubing for AM students. And then I saw another throw... But was pretty dissapointed...
The character didn't seem like they have a character. It was just a rig that was throwing.
So after that I checked my animation and I had that too! Lifeless!
So then I got out of my seat to find out a way to finish off the kick like the one I was on the student showcase.
I really want to record something but it is to late to go outside and won't be able to get a full body shot recording inside.
Anyways the thing I realized for myself is. Finish off the action to show character (thats what usually define a character)! and exaggerate movements, even from the reference! And anticipate the movement so you can swing through it without it looking choppy!
But what I read you don't always wanna build up anticipation for the whole animation. Animate in 3 speeds!
Because not all frames are going to be seen because they need to be shown like they are fast. So while watching the old AM student demo reel I saw a person animate a character throwing a ball and it was amazing. I loved how he did everything.
I realized that the throw wasn't like evenly spaced (ofcourse) to show speed. But if he didn't anticipate it correctly it will look wrong. Before the character threw the ball he held that position for a while. And then he also held out the ending position. Probably skipping through the throw in a few frames. Also he exaggerated a lot (what I learned you need to do for my animations) to make it look like there is effort.
Also another thing that made that animation even better was the way he finished it. He just didn't stand still. He was still walking for his balance but did it such a certain way so it seemed like he was saying "yea look at my throw it was so good" and kept looking at it.
It was amazing!
Then while taking a break from my animation I decided to go youtubing for AM students. And then I saw another throw... But was pretty dissapointed...
The character didn't seem like they have a character. It was just a rig that was throwing.
So after that I checked my animation and I had that too! Lifeless!
So then I got out of my seat to find out a way to finish off the kick like the one I was on the student showcase.
I really want to record something but it is to late to go outside and won't be able to get a full body shot recording inside.
Anyways the thing I realized for myself is. Finish off the action to show character (thats what usually define a character)! and exaggerate movements, even from the reference! And anticipate the movement so you can swing through it without it looking choppy!
But what I read you don't always wanna build up anticipation for the whole animation. Animate in 3 speeds!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Everything happens for a reason right?
I joined my school's volleyball team and we have practice everyday until 6. The thing I am worried about though is that maybe I won't have enough time to animate things. But I need exercise and it is fun.
Hm.... I think it will be a good experience and I will meet more people and I will know how to animate those characters more because I know more characteristics of people and such. So I guess it won't be that bad.
I just feel bad if I don't animate to much.
I should start bringing around a notepad to draw stuff and right down notes... Hm.. I think a sketchpad will be better actually. I will start in the summer because I might be doing a lot in the summer. It depends if I get that intern at Mills James production or go help at a camp that I went to as a child.
Anyways... Lets see if I can talk about animation somewhere...
Oh ya right now I am animating a skate cycle of a rollerblader. I made a skip cycle too and it turned out decent. I think I did ok but I am not to pleased with it. It seems like the ball doesn't go down right when it is supposed to but I am working on it.
But one thing that I recognize when you animate you want to keep it like a beat. Well not always but for walk cycles or skip cycles etc. Because I was animating the skate cycle and it didn't seem right when looking at it. Then I tried it myself there is a steady beat because I rollerblade so I know what I am doing and the reference was steady too.
So then I looked at the skater. Then I realized that even though the steps are spaced evenly the timing of how the leg swings for one of the legs was going faster than the other! And now it looks pretty good.
Same with the skip cycle one leg was swinging to fast compared to the other leg. It doesn't have to be exactly the same ofcourse but it can't be completely different either in my opinion.
Also I have to watch out when to move the hips down so it won't look like the character is floating.
These are what I am getting through my experience and the rules I am making for myself. But like in animation "You make rules to break them" I know when to break the rules that I made up to! Which I am pretty proud about.
Like if a rollerblader wasn't that good and was kinda new. There steps won't be smooth and fluent. Maybe they will balance on one leg more than the other because they are going to fall down that way like to the left.
And for the skip having the skips evenly spaced. Just imagine him swinging one leg real small with a small arc and then when it comes back it makes the other foot swing reaaal far making a big arc to the side.
I am not sure what type of person will do this because it is just an idea.
Anyways thats enough babbling right now
Cye
Hm.... I think it will be a good experience and I will meet more people and I will know how to animate those characters more because I know more characteristics of people and such. So I guess it won't be that bad.
I just feel bad if I don't animate to much.
I should start bringing around a notepad to draw stuff and right down notes... Hm.. I think a sketchpad will be better actually. I will start in the summer because I might be doing a lot in the summer. It depends if I get that intern at Mills James production or go help at a camp that I went to as a child.
Anyways... Lets see if I can talk about animation somewhere...
Oh ya right now I am animating a skate cycle of a rollerblader. I made a skip cycle too and it turned out decent. I think I did ok but I am not to pleased with it. It seems like the ball doesn't go down right when it is supposed to but I am working on it.
But one thing that I recognize when you animate you want to keep it like a beat. Well not always but for walk cycles or skip cycles etc. Because I was animating the skate cycle and it didn't seem right when looking at it. Then I tried it myself there is a steady beat because I rollerblade so I know what I am doing and the reference was steady too.
So then I looked at the skater. Then I realized that even though the steps are spaced evenly the timing of how the leg swings for one of the legs was going faster than the other! And now it looks pretty good.
Same with the skip cycle one leg was swinging to fast compared to the other leg. It doesn't have to be exactly the same ofcourse but it can't be completely different either in my opinion.
Also I have to watch out when to move the hips down so it won't look like the character is floating.
These are what I am getting through my experience and the rules I am making for myself. But like in animation "You make rules to break them" I know when to break the rules that I made up to! Which I am pretty proud about.
Like if a rollerblader wasn't that good and was kinda new. There steps won't be smooth and fluent. Maybe they will balance on one leg more than the other because they are going to fall down that way like to the left.
And for the skip having the skips evenly spaced. Just imagine him swinging one leg real small with a small arc and then when it comes back it makes the other foot swing reaaal far making a big arc to the side.
I am not sure what type of person will do this because it is just an idea.
Anyways thats enough babbling right now
Cye
Friday, March 28, 2008
Portfolio
Right now I am working on things to try to get an internship and mill james production.
I have a few rendered stuff but the thing I really want to get into is the character animation. Soo I am making some stuff with the leg rig like the one from AM.
Anyways I got a skip done... It is decent but can use some work. But the thing I am working on now is the rollerblade cycle... It is pretty hard for me a beginner, but with most stuff I work on if I work on it to much then things seem wrong even though they are right. So I need to take a break and think about it. It is just hard because it is like the treadmill cycle, so its kind of hard to visualize things.
But I figured out one problem. When your leg is passing the knee leads first and then the foot follows like a pendulum and I think that is overlapping action! Woohoo!
haha that took me a while to figure out.
Anyways I hope I can get that intern at Mills James Production because that would just be awesome.
Gonna take a quick break right now!
Cya!
I have a few rendered stuff but the thing I really want to get into is the character animation. Soo I am making some stuff with the leg rig like the one from AM.
Anyways I got a skip done... It is decent but can use some work. But the thing I am working on now is the rollerblade cycle... It is pretty hard for me a beginner, but with most stuff I work on if I work on it to much then things seem wrong even though they are right. So I need to take a break and think about it. It is just hard because it is like the treadmill cycle, so its kind of hard to visualize things.
But I figured out one problem. When your leg is passing the knee leads first and then the foot follows like a pendulum and I think that is overlapping action! Woohoo!
haha that took me a while to figure out.
Anyways I hope I can get that intern at Mills James Production because that would just be awesome.
Gonna take a quick break right now!
Cya!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
No Circus
Well my family decided not to go to the circus today. Which I am kinda sad/glad about it. I'm glad that we didn't go because we already spent a lot of money this spring break. Like shopping, I got shoes for volleyball and watching Horton hears a who eating out etc.
But kinda sad that I can't observe the people. Ohwell.
So far today I dedicated myself on a skip cycle I was working on about for 2 days. I thought it was decent until... I went on youtube to watch some AM students work... This bummed me out more but inspired me to work harder.
But man I am so jealous of those students because they have such a wonderful community. They get help from everyone. The forums I find are mostly 3d animation haters (or it seems) or they are more interested in rendering/modeling etc.
I wish sooo badly that I can join the AM forums because I need that to get better. I don't know where to get advice from. But I am not letting that stop me. The nine old men didn't have anywhere to go! Just by trial and error. I'll just try what they do and hopefully it works!
I'm not quiting!
But kinda sad that I can't observe the people. Ohwell.
So far today I dedicated myself on a skip cycle I was working on about for 2 days. I thought it was decent until... I went on youtube to watch some AM students work... This bummed me out more but inspired me to work harder.
But man I am so jealous of those students because they have such a wonderful community. They get help from everyone. The forums I find are mostly 3d animation haters (or it seems) or they are more interested in rendering/modeling etc.
I wish sooo badly that I can join the AM forums because I need that to get better. I don't know where to get advice from. But I am not letting that stop me. The nine old men didn't have anywhere to go! Just by trial and error. I'll just try what they do and hopefully it works!
I'm not quiting!
Circus
I think my family is going to the circus today!
The thing I am looking forward to is seeing the people there and studying them. Because I bet you there are a lot of interesting people going to the circus and I can pick up a lot of stuff.
I really have to get in the habit of studying instead of just seeing what is happening... And I always forget to ah!
But I am still learning and trying.
I'll type up everything that I notice and see if I did recognize anything!
The thing I am looking forward to is seeing the people there and studying them. Because I bet you there are a lot of interesting people going to the circus and I can pick up a lot of stuff.
I really have to get in the habit of studying instead of just seeing what is happening... And I always forget to ah!
But I am still learning and trying.
I'll type up everything that I notice and see if I did recognize anything!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Timing and Getting into the character
This is my first try at doing this. And after reading a ton of blogs about animation I'm gonna give it a try on how to do this. And I am a type of learner when I type it out I remember things better for myself so heeeereee it goes.
Timing.
I read a lot about timing in blogs and how important it was. I thought hm.. thats not a hard concept to understand. Why make it such a big deal? But then I realized it can change everything in a situation, just by how things are timed. I realized this while walking in my High school. I was walking to my computer class (late as always) trying to avoid my strict math teacher looking at me because I am tardy everyday. When I was walking down a hall there was these office helpers walked across the hall from me. When they were halfway between the hall in front of me they looked over at me and was still walking then kept on walking. For some reason there, I have no idea how, but it got me thinking about timing in animation.
For example, since they turned there head halfway not right away when they entered they didn't know I was there and probably caught me on the side of there eye. So they wanted to see who I was so they turned to look to see who was walking towards them. They didn't because they probably think that they don't know me because there friends would probably say "hey!" outloud.
While still walking to class I was thinking of different situations and messing around with the timing to see what different results I could get.
One thing that kind of freaked me out when if the person that was walking across the hall when I saw them had there head turned towards me the whole time. This would make me think they were expecting me there and they are going to plan something.
If the person looked at me once in the middle of the hallway then looked again they can be one checking me out (lol) or they recognize me and want to ask me a question or I know them.
I could go with so much more examples about this and come up with a certain situation.
Another thing that I realized that was kinda easy but not. Getting into the character.
I was watching 11 second club films and listening to the audio file. There was one that I liked "There is a moment, there is always a moment, I can do this, I can give into it... I don't know when your moment was, but I bet you there was one"
I enjoyed watching all the different types of ways people expressed this dialog's. But I still didn't understand about the character or anything.[
Then recently I watched the movie closer... And then BAM! I heard the line! I got sooo excited about this and watched it over and over again. This is because I know how the character is, I know what type of person the character is! I got soo excited! Then I realized, wow the 11 second club people have to put like sooo much effort to get into that expression and have that feeling because it took a lil bit in the movie to get into that line.
The next day I tried acting out the lines and tried different methods to express this feeling. There are sooo many possibilities. But in my opinion it is hard to find the exact one to get that feeling right. And I questioned everything I did. Once I grabbed my face to wipe about the tear. Then I thought to myself... Why did I do this? Would the character do this? I realized NO they wouldn't. Because she was mad when they were breaking up and she wouldn't recognize this, she will just talk.
Then I thought of putting the hand behind there head stretching but then I thought that is more of a manly thing to do in this situation.
I couldn't get the right expression for it but I am going to keep on searching because I remember the line, and this is the first time I can think in the character and I want to get a hang of this.
But I think the actor for that part did the perfect job for it. It feels natural, it feels like the character etc.
That also reminds me a lot about acting. Geez I need to learn a lot.
Sorry my english is bad.
But I hope you enjoyed reading!
Timing.
I read a lot about timing in blogs and how important it was. I thought hm.. thats not a hard concept to understand. Why make it such a big deal? But then I realized it can change everything in a situation, just by how things are timed. I realized this while walking in my High school. I was walking to my computer class (late as always) trying to avoid my strict math teacher looking at me because I am tardy everyday. When I was walking down a hall there was these office helpers walked across the hall from me. When they were halfway between the hall in front of me they looked over at me and was still walking then kept on walking. For some reason there, I have no idea how, but it got me thinking about timing in animation.
For example, since they turned there head halfway not right away when they entered they didn't know I was there and probably caught me on the side of there eye. So they wanted to see who I was so they turned to look to see who was walking towards them. They didn't because they probably think that they don't know me because there friends would probably say "hey!" outloud.
While still walking to class I was thinking of different situations and messing around with the timing to see what different results I could get.
One thing that kind of freaked me out when if the person that was walking across the hall when I saw them had there head turned towards me the whole time. This would make me think they were expecting me there and they are going to plan something.
If the person looked at me once in the middle of the hallway then looked again they can be one checking me out (lol) or they recognize me and want to ask me a question or I know them.
I could go with so much more examples about this and come up with a certain situation.
Another thing that I realized that was kinda easy but not. Getting into the character.
I was watching 11 second club films and listening to the audio file. There was one that I liked "There is a moment, there is always a moment, I can do this, I can give into it... I don't know when your moment was, but I bet you there was one"
I enjoyed watching all the different types of ways people expressed this dialog's. But I still didn't understand about the character or anything.[
Then recently I watched the movie closer... And then BAM! I heard the line! I got sooo excited about this and watched it over and over again. This is because I know how the character is, I know what type of person the character is! I got soo excited! Then I realized, wow the 11 second club people have to put like sooo much effort to get into that expression and have that feeling because it took a lil bit in the movie to get into that line.
The next day I tried acting out the lines and tried different methods to express this feeling. There are sooo many possibilities. But in my opinion it is hard to find the exact one to get that feeling right. And I questioned everything I did. Once I grabbed my face to wipe about the tear. Then I thought to myself... Why did I do this? Would the character do this? I realized NO they wouldn't. Because she was mad when they were breaking up and she wouldn't recognize this, she will just talk.
Then I thought of putting the hand behind there head stretching but then I thought that is more of a manly thing to do in this situation.
I couldn't get the right expression for it but I am going to keep on searching because I remember the line, and this is the first time I can think in the character and I want to get a hang of this.
But I think the actor for that part did the perfect job for it. It feels natural, it feels like the character etc.
That also reminds me a lot about acting. Geez I need to learn a lot.
Sorry my english is bad.
But I hope you enjoyed reading!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Animation
I love it!
But I have no one to talk to about it :(
Thats why I can't wait to go to animation mentor! So many people connected and so many people to help!
But that isn't stopping me from practicing ;)
But I have no one to talk to about it :(
Thats why I can't wait to go to animation mentor! So many people connected and so many people to help!
But that isn't stopping me from practicing ;)
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