Prof. Marc Flash's Animation: Animation Mentor Class 1 Basic Foundations

2012/06/18

Animation Mentor Class 1 Basic Foundations

This class focused on the fundamentals of animation, like the 12 Priciples of Animation devised by Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas and basic physics.

Term: Winter 2011
Mentor: Paul Allen
http://paulallenanimation.blogspot.com/

Section 1
Introductions were made between the mentor and students.

Section 2
Public Sketches
I went to a shopping mall to do a few pages of quick sketches, catching people behaving casually. The goal was to apply what was seen, paying attention to line of action and silhouette, and develop understanding of the other principles of posing like balance, negative space, while avoiding tangents and twinning.

Public Stu Pose

Section 3
Bouncing Ball Planning
The goal was to learn the basics of momentum and arcs through how a ball bounces.

Excitement Sketches
The goal was to further familiarity with the Stu rig using IK and FK controls, and to further understand the principles of posing.

Excitement Stu Pose

Section 4
Bouncing Balls: Bowling Ball Vs. Exercise Ball Planning
The goal was to learn and demonstrate an understanding of how weight and momentum affects movement.

Section 5
Devastation Sketches

Devastation Stu Pose

Bonus Devastation Stu Pose

Obstacle Course Planning
I started by planning several different options using the sets provided by the school, modifying them as needed to create a unique course. The goal was to continue with what was learned from the previous ball shots, now incorporating squash and stretch and more complicated paths of action.

Section 6
Pendulum Planning
I slightly altered the school's Pendulum rig to allow for independent rotation between the block and tail. The goal was to take what was learned about momentum, and extend it to the concept of the successive breaking of joints.

Section 7
Tailor & OneLeg Planning
I used ramp shaders to give the Tailor rig a more realistic fluffy squirrel look, and modeled an acorn-like beanie hat and scout sash for the OneLeg rig. I also made the rest of the props for the scene. There were 2 goals for this shot. One was to continue with the bouncing ball motions, now applied with consciousness to both Tailor and OneLeg, not just physics. The other goal was to continue with the successive breaking of joints from the Pendulum shots, and apply it to the conscious character Tailor.

Section 8
Strength Sketches

Strength Stu Pose

Walk Planning
The goal was to animate a 'Vanilla' walk with the Ballie rig, as standard as possible, avoiding individual characterization.

Section 9
Concern Sketches

Concern Stu Pose

Section 10
Character Walk: Trudge Planning
The goal of this shot was to further what was learned with the 'Vanilla' Walk by incorporating individual emotion and personality. I chose a toe-dragging trudge.