Danielle's Animation Studies

Two Characters Interacting Shot - Planning

2011-08-01T10:58:00.002-04:00

Ogre Blocking with Plate

2011-07-17T10:25:00.003-04:00

Dragon Vanilla Flight & Character with bkgd plate Planning

2011-07-10T08:53:00.007-04:00

Dragon Vanilla Flight - Planning & Blocking

2011-07-03T11:44:00.004-04:00

Advanced Creature Production

2011-06-28T12:43:00.001-04:00

I have my first class tomorrow.

More Sketches

2011-05-29T09:50:00.002-04:00

Ogre Rough Blocking

2011-05-22T12:37:00.006-04:00

Planning

2011-05-17T15:48:00.003-04:00

Run to a Leap Planning

2011-05-01T14:22:00.003-04:00

Advanced Walk Planning

2011-04-17T13:28:00.003-04:00

Some Great Animal Reference

2011-04-11T09:57:00.005-04:00

http://www.rhinohouse.com/

http://www.vilppustore.com/index_rev1.htm

http://www.bbcmotiongallery.com

http://www.gettyimages.com/Footage

http://www.naturefootage.com/

http://www.arkive.org/

Animal & Creature Animation

2011-04-03T13:10:00.010-04:00

Well it's been a while since my last post. I started The Animal & Creature Animation class at Animation Mentor. I'm on my way to learning how to animate quadrupeds.

Inspiring Color Script Art

2010-06-04T14:33:00.006-04:00

Here’s the link to Toy Story 3 Color Script Art

Devils Angels and Dating

2010-04-30T16:05:00.005-04:00

So, I’ve started working on a group project, something I haven’t done in a while. I’ve been working on Colour Scripts for the short animated film Devils Angels and Dating directed by Michael Cawood. Here’s the link to My Page

Class 6 Short

2009-12-13T08:37:00.004-05:00

This is a Work in Progress

Class 6 - Blocking

2009-11-08T15:13:00.003-05:00

Class 5 - 3D Layout

2009-09-17T19:16:00.002-04:00

Class 5 - Story Time

2009-08-14T10:12:00.007-04:00

While it has been story time for me. Here is my rough storyboard that I have been working on.

Title:

Class 4- 2 Character Shot

2009-06-15T09:03:00.003-04:00

Here's my splined out animation for a two character dialogue shot - it's a work in progress.

Class 4- 2 Character Shot

2009-05-24T06:03:00.002-04:00

Here's my blocked out animation for a two character dialogue shot - it's a work in progress.

Dialogue

2009-04-19T11:52:00.002-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted.
Here's my spline animation for a dialogue shot - work in progress.

Those old TV sets

2009-02-24T13:09:00.006-05:00

Here's my spline animation for a acting shot - work in progress.

Dialogue

2008-12-19T10:05:00.006-05:00

Here's my spline animation for a dialogue shot, with limited facial controls - work in progress.

Blocked Dialogue

2008-11-16T10:10:00.003-05:00

Here's my blocked animation for a dialogue shot.

Class 3- Animation Mentor

2008-10-12T12:49:00.003-04:00

Here's my blocked animation for a 2 beat acting shot.

Progress Reel

2008-09-18T22:16:00.002-04:00

Here is my Progress Reel from Class 2

Dive

2008-09-14T07:29:00.002-04:00

Here's my splined animation for the Dive.

Dive

2008-08-24T12:01:00.004-04:00

Here's my blocked animation for a Dive.

Jump

2008-08-17T10:05:00.003-04:00

Here's my splined animation for the pole Jump.

Jump Block

2008-08-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

Here's my blocking animation for the pole Jump.

Ballie 180 degree turn

2008-07-28T14:26:00.007-04:00

Here's my polished animation for the 180 turn.

Animation Mentor Class 2

2008-07-13T12:47:00.003-04:00

Well, I started back up AM two weeks ago. Here's my first blocked animation for the 180 turn.

Wall•e

2008-06-27T10:28:00.004-04:00

I saw wall•e at the midnight showing. It was incredible. Wall•e is totally an ET meets Johnny 5. The movie was superb; the animation was incredible especially since the main characters don’t speak much. I definitely give it two thumbs up, go see it. Don’t forget to see Kung Fu Panda too, another great film this summer. I think it’s one of Dreamworks best films.

Thesis Defense

2008-05-09T20:39:00.000-04:00

Well, I passed my defense. It was so nerve racking. There are still a few things I would like to fix.
Here are the suggestions of the panel:
The credits - do a dissolve. Scrolling text has bugs in after effects.
Fix the lights
Bring the animation to that polished level (more movement)
Watch the cuts- on the one the guy’s arm should be in the shot

Thesis Due

2008-04-30T18:45:00.004-04:00

I handed in my project about hour ago. I had so much trouble burning my dvd. Idvd keep taking the sound from the previous projects. It's finally in and done

Update

2008-04-29T05:05:00.001-04:00

I got most of my shots rendered yesterday except for two and I still want to redo the occlusion pass. I want to tweak the animation on shot 4-20 a bit today. I’m also going to do the 2-d skeleton, tweak the color and fix the glow effect. The book is pretty much done; I’ll get it bound tomorrow, and burn the two disks than as well.

What I still need to work on

2008-04-28T05:51:00.006-04:00

Three days left and I still need to:
Fix the animation for Shots 3-20 and 4-20
Re-render out the shots with new render layers
Composite and fix colors
Motion Blur
2-D skeleton
Fix the Book
Burn the DVD and Data CD

Update

2008-04-27T10:37:00.002-04:00

My first shot has been taken 12 hours just for the beauty pass. The others seem to be ok. As I was compositing, I realized I set up my render layers wrong. For example I had the dog on a separate layer than the table, I thought that would work for the motion blur. Now the dogs hand is under the table. My lights need tweaking too. At least I should have a sample to show Mike tomorrow. I’m going to have to start re-rendering everything tomorrow and fix my layers and lights. I also want to fix the animation on two shots yet. My plan is to start re-rendering tomorrow on one computer. To fix the animation on another as well as fix the 2d skeleton for the electrocution shot. Rendering tomorrow night as well as I’ll have to fix my book. Hopefully I can work on compositing, and the motion blur on Tuesday any maybe burn my DVD on Tuesday night

Render Update

2008-04-26T21:41:00.002-04:00

Well, my renders were quick. Now that the characters are smoothed out, the renders are taking much longer. My first shot has been rendering since 10:30 this morning and is still going. Luckily the lab is quite so I look over two more computers, one to render with and one to animate with. I got two more shots rendered and set another for tonight.

Animation Update

2008-04-26T17:33:00.003-04:00

Well I'm still fixing four shots. My goal is to have everything ready for Monday to have Mike look at it and let me know what last minutes fixes I should make.

Things I need to do

2008-04-25T10:32:00.005-04:00

Well it’s less than a week left, and I still have a big to do list.
Notes to self:
My shots I have to fix are two, five, ten and eleven
Shot one- tweak animation if time and render
Shot two- tweak animation and render
Shot three- tweak animation if time and render
Shot four- tweak animation if time and render
Shot five- tweak animation and render
Shot six- tweak animation if time and render
Shot seven- done :)
Shot eight- tweak animation if time and render and fix the 2-d effects
Shot nine- done
Shot ten- tweak animation and render
Shot eleven- tweak animation and render
Credit- make sure audio ends ok
Let not forget the book and DVD

Meet with Patricia

2008-04-23T10:32:00.005-04:00

I meet with Patricia today, here's what I need to work on:
-More facial overall
-Shot two effects on his hand, blur, and add to the dog. Too stiff. Maybe tap fingers.
- Both characters to stiff
- When the light bulb goes out- more reaction from the dog, thinking, tilt of head
- Add to the frame when man in reacting with light bulb, have dog go out of that frame.
- When the man gets the light bulb, have him move bit more at the end, and facial look up, eyes. In the next shot, stiff all the animation keys
-Have action move from one to the next in cuts
-During electrocution, dogs are is to stiff. Shake the lamp
- Facial most at end, especially in dog, he's pissed- strain in ears and eyelids
-End Shot, bit more tilt on old man - grin
More emotion

Motion Blur Test

2008-04-23T10:08:00.004-04:00

I used reel smart motion blur on the dog, here's the first shot.

Sound and Storm Update

2008-04-23T09:51:00.005-04:00

Well here is the updated animatic with the edited sound and storm effects for the first shot. I'm still fixing the animation; I hope to be done with it on Sunday.

Background Images

2008-04-21T18:06:00.005-04:00

I finished the background images that go into the picture frames today.

Stormy Weather Effect

2008-04-21T09:51:00.003-04:00

Well, I worked on the weather today for the first shot as the camera dollies through the window. It didn't come out bad.

Sound Update

2008-04-20T21:44:00.002-04:00

Here's the new version of the sound with Michael's voice.

Things to do this week

2008-04-20T19:54:00.003-04:00

1- Refine Animation, and start refining final shots – I’d like to have all the animation done by next Sunday, that will give me a few days to but everything together
2- Fix any last poses for the images.
3- Fix the effects
4- By Sunday – start compositing and fixing the book

Paperwork Update

2008-04-20T17:21:00.005-04:00

Only 10 days left, the countdown begins. I have all the pre-vis stuff together and some of the thesis documents. I'm going to work on some paperwork today. I need to make sure this is all in order.
Final Deliverables

1. DVD, encoded
1.1 This DVD should contain your final thesis project and play on regular consumer DVD players.
Its primary purpose is to present your final piece in front of a panel/audience. This will be the DVD played during your presentation. Double check that it works and is labeled!!! A DVD handed in presentation day will not be accepted and viewed for presentation.

2. Printed Documentation of the Production Process
2.1 Thesis Statement and Thesis Synopsis (Updated if different from PreViz)
2.2 Faculty Critique Report and copies of Evaluation Criteria Forms
3.3 Industry Critique Report and copies of Evaluation Criteria Forms
2.4 Additional research materials including images and text references
2.5 Additional or changed production design elements, modified visual script
2.6 Post Thesis Self Critique
2.7 Acknowledgements, Production Credits and Clearances
2.8 Bibliography & appendices as it applies

3. Printed Documentation of Thesis Previsualization
3.1 One printed color copy of your un-edited pre-visualization booklet
This document will NOT be graded! It is an important part of your oral defense to the panelists.

4. Data DVD/CD
The data DVD is required for archiving purposes. It should contain all major components of your project such as:
4.1 Quicktime DV version of your thesis project
4.2 PDF data file of your complete Previz Thesis Documentation including text and images
4.3 PDF data file of your complete Execution Project Thesis Documentation including text and images
4.4 Showcase Catalog Image 720x540 or HD hero shots for promotional purposes (see spec sheet)
4.5 Additional stills at least 720 X 540 of your final project for promotional purposes
4.6 Important reference materials, additional pictures, text files and video clips etc.
4.7 Animatics
4.8 Additional Proof of Concept Tests, animations, models etc.
4.9 All digital elements of your previz submission: animatics, proof of concepts, reference

Animation Update

2008-04-19T22:37:00.004-04:00

I worked on 4 shots this week, and I feel like I brought them up another level. One I consider done for now. I’m going to bring the other shots up to that same level this week. I also got some of the effects working. I’m leaving tonight with a test render of the motion blur.

Animation Reference - Speedy

2008-04-19T16:13:00.007-04:00

The witch meets speedy. The witch actually has some nice touches like when she speeds off, her hairpins fall out. The short has some good reference for motion blur which I’m working with on the dog. It also has some nice samples of smoke which, I might add to Flash, if I have time.

A -Haunting We Will Go
A-Haunting We Will Go. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 16 April 1966
Director: Robert McKimson

Voice Over

2008-04-19T10:35:00.001-04:00

I meet with Michael and Alistair last night to record the voice over. Michael did a great job; I can't wait to hear the final cut.

Sound Update

2008-04-17T09:32:00.001-04:00

I got Michael Schultz to record/act out the voice of the old man and dog for me. So Michael, Alistair and myself will meet up on Friday Night and record the sound.

Animation Update

2008-04-16T08:49:00.001-04:00

I have one shot left to spline, which I’ll work on today. I worked on the take yesterday. I think it looks ok. My goal is to get all the shots up to that level within the next two weeks. Then if I have time, go back and tweak them all again.

Animation Reference - Speedy and Slowpoke

2008-04-15T15:31:00.003-04:00

Both shorts are great reference for the timing of my piece.

Mexican Boarders
Mexican Boarders. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 12 May 1962
Director: Friz Freleng

Mexicali Shmoes
Mexicali Shmoes. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 4 July 1959
Director: Friz Freleng

Animation Critiques

2008-04-14T18:36:00.004-04:00

Notes:
Well we had an animation meeting today.
Squash dog more on jump off the stool
In the first Shot, keep the one foot and opposite hand at the same time
Electrocution – more/bigger glow, start in chest not at the lamp
Electrocution – tone actually body to the color of the glow
starting with the color than go to white, then the opposite color
Electrocution – make sure light come from lamp.
Don't change animation at this point

Lightning Shot 3_70 Test

2008-04-14T15:13:00.006-04:00

Working on the lightning effect. In AFX it doesn't have that rough edge. Here is a test.
Lightning Test

Electrocution Shot 3_70

2008-04-14T10:22:00.004-04:00

Here's a test, I think it's too fast.
Electrocution Test

first pass on sound

2008-04-13T20:31:00.004-04:00

Well, we can hear that Alistair had fun

Actually he got it really close to the reference.
As a reminder, here’s my sample:
Quiet Please!

Update

2008-04-13T16:20:00.003-04:00

I plan on working more on my book today, and maybe some 2-D things I need to finish. I need a break from Maya.

I got some good suggestions this week. I had Chris a first year look at my piece for a fresh eye. He gave me some suggestion that could be quick fixes for the animation. John a graduated student also game me some easy fixes. One was to have two glows, and have them switch into each other, maybe even two different colors.

My Plan for next week:
Spline/Fix/Refine Animation
Play with Render Occlusion Passes
Work more on the Effects- Glow (Transfer of Powers) Rain/Thunder, Skeleton (Electrocution)
More Images for the Wall
Fix Paper/ Book Updated

Progress

2008-04-13T09:04:00.005-04:00

Well this week I wanted to spline all my shots. I didn’t block them out as well as I would have liked to, but I know from experience that every time I go from blocked animation to spline my timing changes. I felt that I would spline this week and than fix the splined animation. This week I got to spline most of my shots excepts the last 4, put I had blocked them some more in the beginning of the week, so at least every shot was worked on this week. I spoke with Alistair this weekend; he’s going to start working on my sound.
Here’s my updated animatic:

Picking and choosing my battles

2008-04-11T08:53:00.002-04:00

I find that at this point in production. I’m picking and choosing my battles. I’ve been working though my shots again this week. I left the lab Thursday night and set some renders and everything was fine. I walked in this morning all my textures and animation on the guy were all messed up. I wound up having to revert back to an older rig with less facial controls. It was either that or redo the animation on everyone of my shots. Today I’m playing with constrains. I need to constrain the light bulb to the characters hand. The problem is that the control on the hand when it moves, separates from the wrist, and with constrains the object follows the controller. I’ve tried a few different ways; I’ve even tried parenting it to the bone. Another animation student, Michael gave me one-way by working with parent and orient constrains and animating the constraint controls. I’ll give it a try again.

Greg's comments

2008-04-09T09:53:00.002-04:00

Well I had emailed Greg Rizzi one of the industry members from the animation panelist. Since I had trouble with my rigs I didn’t really have any animation to show them. He wrote back to me today, He found some of the story unclear.
1) There are a few things that are unclear. I am not sure why the flipping of the light switch and the changing of the bulb switched the two characters' powers. Is it because the man tries to put the new bulb in the socket before the dog turns off the light switch?
2) Perhaps you should think of a better way to show the two characters being electrocuted. Maybe have a close-up of the man's hand going into the light socket.
3) Also, a close-up of the blown bulb right after it blows might help clear that up.
4) If the dog turns off the light switch, why does he still get electrocuted?
5) Perhaps, simplifying the idea even more is best. Maybe the piece should simply be about the two characters playing checkers where the dog is really fast, but the man is slow and more thoughtful about how he plays. The dog is so quick to move his piece that he doesn't realize he's made the wrong move. The man realizes it and makes one final agonizingly slow move to finish off the impatient dog.
6) These are all things to think about. They are not concrete things that you must do in order to complete your piece. It's all about keeping your ideas simple, and most importantly, clear to your audience. You may ask several different people and get several different ideas of what to change and how. Part of becoming an animator is realizing what you can do and what you have time for. It can be difficult to sort through critiques, but I hope these things help you along. Lots of luck. I'd love to see it when it's further along.
So I decided in the shot were the man is screwing in the light bulb, to not have his arm go up as high, I think this might read better. I hope once I add my 2-D effects for the electrocution scene, It will read a lot better. I feel I have to work on the dogs slide better too, to help it read.

Meeting with Patricia

2008-04-08T16:02:00.001-04:00

Well I meet with Patricia today.
Her comments were:
to get the secondary animation in. (especially the wheelchair)
Let the dog’s body move more.
Make sure the dog is in frame for the action shots.
Transfer of power is not clear yet.
Exaggerate the guy even more, and make sure his personality comes across, plush the slow factor
Also detail the end a bit more

Flexman Rig

2008-04-08T09:03:00.002-04:00

Well I go the final Flexman Rig, with all his facial controls. So I’m on my way.

List of things to do this week

2008-04-06T21:21:00.003-04:00

Another pass of Animation – I wrote Nick, Mark and Greg for feedback on what I have so far. I’m hoping this will help
Play with Render Occlusion Passes again
Effects- Glow (Transfer of Powers), Skeleton (Electrocution), Fix Rain (lighten)
More Images for the Wall
Fix Paper/ Book Updated

Animatic Update

2008-04-05T19:57:00.004-04:00

Well, I almost got through all the shots again this week. I have to fix the last 24 frames on the electrocution shot and than go through them all again.

Animation Update

2008-04-02T09:10:00.003-04:00

Well, I'm working on my second pass of blocking the animation. I hope to get through all my shots by Saturday. My plans are to go each shot again next week. We have less than a month; I know I should leave a week to render and composite. Although I got somewhat caught up, I still feel behind.

Rain Effect

2008-03-31T15:43:00.005-04:00

I found a rain plug in for after effects. It works quite well.

List to Do this Week

2008-03-30T21:56:00.004-04:00

Block more Animation
Play with Render Occlusion Passes
Effects- Glow (Transfer of Powers) Rain, Skeleton (Electrocution)
More Images for the Wall
Fix Paper/ Book Updates

Animation Reference - More Looney Tunes

2008-03-30T20:47:00.013-04:00

Run and slip Slide
This is great reference for Flash when he's running to help Flexman.

Eatin' on the Cuff or The Moth Who Came to Dinner. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 22 Aug 1942
Director: Robert Clampett

Reaction and Run
This is great reference for Flash. They have a nice reaction than a take off to a situation.

Polar Pals. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 3 June 1939
Director: Robert Clampett

Run and Slide
This is great reference for Flash when he's running to help Flexman.

What Price Porky. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 26 Feb 1938
Director: Robert Clampett

Animation Reference - Looney Tunes

2008-03-30T09:00:00.018-04:00

Finger Tap
This is great reference for Flash. The impatient finger tapping

Buckaroo Bugs. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 26 Aug 1944
Director: Robert Clampett

Finger Tap
This is great reference for Flash. The impatient finger tapping
the Take
This is great reference for Flash, on the take, when he flips the switch
High Speed Run
This is great reference for Flash, great anticipation with a high speed run

Hare Ribbin. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 24 June 1944
Director: Robert Clampett

Old Age
This is great reference for Flexman, old age.
Old Age 2
This is great reference for Flexman, old age.
Old man (Bugs) Walk
This is great reference for Flexman, old age.

Old Grey Hare. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 28 Oct 1944
Director: Robert Clampett

Overlapping Action
This clip is just a great example of how Overlapping Action works.

The Bashful Buzzard. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 15 Sept 1945
Director: Robert Clampett

Updated on Animation

2008-03-29T16:50:00.004-04:00

Well as of today, I posed out all my shots for the animation. I don't consider it blocked, but a place to start from. One month left, the pressure is starting to sink in. At least I put AM on hold, so I’ve opened up a lot of time for thesis.

Flexman Rig is done

2008-03-29T16:02:00.005-04:00

Well, today I got the final Flexman Rig with facial controls. Here he is posed out.

Update Animation

2008-03-27T10:36:00.005-04:00

Well I’m still tying to get very basic blocking done in my animation. I figure I’ll just keep building up each of the shots as I go along, so it’s all at least at the same level by the end. Working in the lab has helped. John introduced me to Tradigitool, a Maya plug in that helps you animate in-betweens. It was created by an Animation Mentor teacher. I bought it, even though I’m not up to that part yet.
Check out Tradigitools Website

Last Animation Mentor Class 1

2008-03-26T00:33:00.008-04:00

Well last night was my last class of basic foundations. It was a great class. Our mentor Chris Chua gave really great critiques and was very specific in how to fix the animation. The class itself was so helpful on giving advice once I posted a public review. I’ve decided to postpone class two till the summer term, in order to focus on my Thesis.

My Progressive Reel

Update on Flexman Rig

2008-03-25T05:28:00.004-04:00

Well Hunter gave me the skinned Flexman Model today; I’m just waiting on the blend shapes. So I can start poses him out too.

Update on Project

2008-03-24T16:18:00.005-04:00

Well I’ve been starting to block out my animation. It’s so late in the game to start this and it’s taking so much time. Everything has been taking so much time, it seem once a week is done, I think to myself that’s all I got done within all that time. I’m going to continue blocking out my animation. I’ll work on my effects and images for the frames on the days the lab is closed since my computer at home is getting a bit slow when I’m animating with the files that contain a lot of geometry and textures.

Meeting with Mike

2008-03-23T20:47:00.009-04:00

Industry Review Write Up

Faculty Review Write Up

Showcase Catalog Image-

Animation Thumbnails

2008-03-23T09:01:00.004-04:00

Just some quick thumbnails to give me a starting point for animation.

Texture Sample

2008-03-23T07:47:00.006-04:00

Here's a sample of the texture and lighting, It still needs a few tweaking.

Animation Reference - Looney Tunes

2008-03-22T13:48:00.008-04:00

Red Riding Hoodwinked
This is great reference for Flash. It has a run and a skid, good for when Flash is coming back to save Flexman.

Red Riding Hoodwinked. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 29 Oct. 1955
Director: Friz Freleng

Wolf Motion Blur
This is great reference for Flash. The character moves so fast all we see is the motion blur
Wolf Run Cycle
This is great reference for Flash. It’s a really cool run cycle.

The Trial of Mr. Wolf. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 24 April 1941
Director: Friz Freleng

Tom Thumb
This is great reference for Flash. Tom slips on a bar of soap. IIt has a run good skid for when Flash is coming back to save Flexman.

Tom Thumb in Trouble. Looney Tunes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Burbank, California. 8 June 1940
Director: Chuck Jones

Flash Rig Done

2008-03-20T23:33:00.007-04:00

Well Koichi sent me the Flash Rig today. I'm so grateful to him, I didn't want to have to scrap my model after spending all that time on it. Here's a simple pose, he's 100 percent better than what I had.
007

Animation Reference - Enchanted

2008-03-20T15:59:00.006-04:00

Reference for the Character Personalities- Here is a scene that has one character acting out two different personalities. Even thought there is no dialogue, it works so well.
Personalities

Enchanted. Dir. Kevin Lima. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2007

Animation Meeting

2008-03-20T13:33:00.005-04:00

The character animation students meet for the first time yesterday to go over each other’s work. Unfortunately I didn’t have anything for the to judge yet. However, I can see how theses weekly meeting are going to help us out.

Update

2008-03-18T23:32:00.006-04:00

Well, I finished all my textures expect for the two characters; I’m waiting for the final rigs. Koichi is working on Flash and Hunter is working on Flexman for me. I so grateful, I’d still be rigging or have to ditch my characters and use online rigs by now. I also have three copies of my pre-thesis book all printed out. I’m still working on the images for the wall. Once I get the rigs, I will only need to animate and do the few effects: Work on Rain, Glow Effect, Motion Blur, and Electrocution. Maybe tweak things. It’s also my last week of homework from Animation Mentor; I’m going to take a term off to have more time finish my Thesis. Even though it was a lot of work doing the two schools, I feel I learned a lot about animation from AM that I can apply to my thesis.

Lighting Sample The Incrediables

2008-03-18T20:09:00.004-04:00

Well I was going though my animation reference, and found a great lighting reference. It actually has a similar setup to my room too.

Animation Reference - Smallville - super stretch

2008-03-18T18:21:00.008-04:00

Reference for Flexman- Pete gets the super stretch ability:

Stretch Arm
Stretch Arm for an Object
Pete saves Kara

Hero. Smallville. The WB Television Network, Los Angeles, California. 13 March 2007

Revised Thesis Statement

2008-03-18T18:04:00.005-04:00

During all of the reviews, I was getting back on my papers, marks that suggested my thesis statement matched my project, so I revised it to have it match the characters personalities.

A Character Animated Short with an emphasis on timing and poses that showcases the conflicting personalities between a retired superhero and his sidekick dog in a cartoon style.

Title Design

2008-03-18T09:56:00.004-04:00

Polly worked on my Title Design, and It came out great.

Animation Reference – Underdog - The Big Shrink

2008-03-18T09:34:00.009-04:00

Reference for Flash- Fast Run, showing how the sound effects and motion blur really adds to it.
Fast Run

The Underdog Show
The Big Shrink, Part 2. The Underdog Show. NBC Network, New York, New York. 1, Dec. 1964

Animation Reference – Underdog - The Great Gold Robbery

2008-03-17T21:49:00.007-04:00

Reference for Flash- good anticipation before a run, Nice pose:
Anticipation Run

The Underdog Show
The Great Gold Robbery, Part 3. The Underdog Show. NBC Network, New York, New York. 1, Nov. 1964

Reference for Flash- Running and Skidding when he sees Flexman getting electrocuted:
Run and Skid

The Underdog Show
The Great Gold Robbery, Part 4. The Underdog Show. NBC Network, New York, New York. 1, Nov. 1964

Animation Reference - Underdog -The Gold Bricks

2008-03-17T12:14:00.008-04:00

Reference for Flash's Ears- good for when he hears the electrocution:
Ears Up

The Underdog Show
The Gold Bricks, Part 3. The Underdog Show. NBC Network, New York, New York. 1, Oct. 1965

Industry Review Paper

2008-03-17T11:14:00.003-04:00

Industry Review Write Up

Horton Hears a Who

2008-03-14T21:22:00.004-04:00

Well a few of use at NYU went to see Horton today. It was more exciting to see it since we had teachers that worked on the film. It was great. It would actually have been great reference for my project. First of all Morton, is extremely fast, much like I want Flash to be. There is one scene in the movie, where the Mayor had got a Novocain shot in his arm by mistake. That was originally how I wanted Flexman to be when he loses the elasticity in his arm. I’ve now cut that part out of the story to save time to be able to finish it.

Meeting with Cushny

2008-03-14T09:21:00.004-04:00

Well I meet with my advisor today about the review. I’ve decided instead of cutting my story to the checkers game as the panel has suggested, I would edit my story down. I cut out part of the short taking into consideration what the Industry panelist concerns where. I feel I’m in a better state.

Industry Review

2008-03-13T06:31:00.003-04:00

Their Advise:
Mark Harris, Blue Sky Animator
- Models more expressive
- Animate; don’t get caught up in other stuff
- Story clarity, animation clarity
- Find 1 or 2 shots in the story to animate
- Shorter film
- Great reference, ideas
- 70 frames per week –try to hit
Show characters contrast- that’s the point of your story

Gregory Piizzi, Blue Sky Animator
- choice one idea that’s simple and realistically achievable
- Use poses in layout to convey idea
- Make sure your idea is clear
- Keep your idea down to one or two shots
- Good real is about quality, not quantity

Patricia, NYU faculty
- Redefine thesis point
- Take the opportunities to shit down and animate characters traits rather than characters action

Getting Ready for the Industry Review

2008-03-12T03:11:00.003-04:00

Well I'm still trying to block out animation with Rigs that aren't done, it doesn't work well. I can't get the Flash (auto rig) model to scale. Flexman is breaking since his rig isn’t skinned yet. I think I am going to wind up have a mixed 2D and 3D to show. Nothing is going right for me. I'm tired, stressed out and rushing to get it done, a bad combo. I just wish the review were after spring break. I don’t like the idea f getting feedback from the industry professionals when I’m not at the point to receive animation feedback.

To Do List

2008-03-11T15:20:00.003-04:00

Things I need to do for during break after blocking out my animation for the review.
1- Block Animation
2- Fix Rigs/ Blend Shapes
3- Finish Texture
4- Work on Rain/ Glow Effect/ Motion Blur
5- Images on the wall
6- Refine Animation

Danielle's Animation Studies

Two Characters Interacting Shot - Planning

Ogre Blocking with Plate

Dragon Vanilla Flight & Character with bkgd plate Planning

Dragon Vanilla Flight - Planning & Blocking

Advanced Creature Production

More Sketches

Ogre Rough Blocking

Planning

Run to a Leap Planning

Advanced Walk Planning

Some Great Animal Reference

Animal & Creature Animation

Inspiring Color Script Art

Devils Angels and Dating

Class 6 Short

Class 6 - Blocking

Class 5 - 3D Layout

Class 5 - Story Time

Class 4- 2 Character Shot

Class 4- 2 Character Shot

Dialogue

Those old TV sets

Dialogue

Blocked Dialogue

Class 3- Animation Mentor

Progress Reel

Dive

Dive

Jump

Jump Block

Ballie 180 degree turn

Animation Mentor Class 2

Wall•e

Thesis Defense

Thesis Due

Update

What I still need to work on

Update

Render Update

Animation Update

Things I need to do

Meet with Patricia

Motion Blur Test

Sound and Storm Update

Background Images

Stormy Weather Effect

Sound Update

Things to do this week

Paperwork Update

Animation Update

Animation Reference - Speedy

Voice Over

Sound Update

Animation Update

Animation Reference - Speedy and Slowpoke

Animation Critiques

Lightning Shot 3_70 Test

Electrocution Shot 3_70

first pass on sound

Update

Progress

More Problems

Picking and choosing my battles

Greg's comments

Meeting with Patricia

Flexman Rig

List of things to do this week

Animatic Update

Animation Update

Rain Effect

List to Do this Week

Animation Reference - More Looney Tunes

Animation Reference - Looney Tunes

Updated on Animation

Flexman Rig is done

Update Animation

Last Animation Mentor Class 1

Update on Flexman Rig

Update on Project