During the weeks we got to try some 3D animation with Alec helping us out and uploading tutorials on blackboard. Using Maya from a modelling tool to then use it as an animation tool is such a strange that it took me a good while to try and get used to it.

I really enjoy animating in 3D, its really time consuming and sometimes delicate to try and get right, but I find it really rewarding.

I tried to reference back and keep note of animation fundementals –

Squash and Stretch

Anticipation

Staging

Straight ahead / pose to pose

follow through and overlapping

slow in and slow outs

Arc

Timing

Exaggeration

Solid Drawing

Appeal

 

I rewatched past videos on animation that I still find useful.

 

Animating to sound-

This was a weird way to animate at first, but I do find it helpful matching movement to sound. I had some trouble with the landing of the blob, and creating overlap to make it seem more natural but I think I got close in the end. Using the bouncing ball as a visual aid was really helpful, and may try it again for more difficult shots that require a lot of movement.

 

Animating a jump-

I tried to reference some people jumping, I knew the rough idea of how that works. For example one leg always will touch the ground first instead of both, I tried to replicate this in my exercise. Smaller details like that I feel make the animation more believable and natural to the viewer.

 

How to create a previs, Jurassic Park style – 

The camera movement in this was annoying me, I couldn’t figure it out but I was happy that I attempted this and it came out decently. I gave me courage to try my own previs. While animating my actualy final project I finally understood how to create camera cuts… sometimes it just dawns on you at random times.

 

My animation previs – 

My first attempt was very very fast, and the characters were not introduced very well. Alec pointed out that there isnt much storytelling through the camera that enhances what the little monster feels, so the audience doesn’t really relate as well as they could. He sggested either the big monsters be hidden behind the graves, and revealed as the little one moves around OR the shot begins with the big monsters and from the distance the little monsters body pops around the grave. Both add a bit more story that the little monster is in awe and secretly watching the bigger monsters. I took his advice and tried out one of the ways he suggested and I liked it much better and it fit intonthe narrative much better.

2nd attempt – still too fast