What a week! We were supposed to be in splined mode this week and I was already struggling getting my mentors feedback adressed. So I ended up having a superbusy week, occasionally doing school stuff in lunchbreaks, nightshifts and whatnot. Oh yes, lot's of junkfood, too! (Note to self: Need to go to the gym more often!)
So, this is the current state of the shot, two weeks left to get it done:
I can already tell this is not going to end up being the most polished piece of animation you have ever seen. But I'm pushing myself with this one on so many levels, that I will benefit so much more from it than if I had chosen what I first intended to do with the audio. Doing lot's of bodymechanics, walks (two characters walking and talking to each other at the same time is not as easy as you might think! Or as I did, for that matter;) and lots more.
So even if the shot might not turn out being the best animation I could do, it's probably one of the shots I can learn most from.
So now, let's enjoy what's left from that weekend!
Take care
Christoph
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Class 5 Week 8 at Animation Mentor
You might have read in my previous post how I came up with an entirely new idea for my dialogue shot. This is how the animation developed over the past two weeks:
I'm having a blast animating this, I feel this might turn out quite nicely. Three weeks left, so let's just see.
It's a real physical shot and very time consuming to animate. I really hope I will get time to work in all the subtleties in the face and hands, and get those smooth arcs. If not, there's still class 6 to work on that.
Take care
C
I'm having a blast animating this, I feel this might turn out quite nicely. Three weeks left, so let's just see.
It's a real physical shot and very time consuming to animate. I really hope I will get time to work in all the subtleties in the face and hands, and get those smooth arcs. If not, there's still class 6 to work on that.
Take care
C
Super Great Blog Post by Jason Schleifer
Found these blogposts by Jason Schleifer via Spungella.
Check them out, they are a great read:
This is just the right input before getting back to work on my dialogue piece. Will update you on that soon too.
Have a good one!
C
Check them out, they are a great read:
- Animation Quality vs Quantity - The Great Debate
- Animation Quality vs Quantity - Learning To Focus
- Animation Quality vs Quantity - What About Quality?!
- Animation Quality vs Quantity - Intent
This is just the right input before getting back to work on my dialogue piece. Will update you on that soon too.
Have a good one!
C
Monday, May 9, 2011
how to get more out of your shots: learning process reviewed
Ok, so as I wrote earlier, I have come up with an entirely new idea for the current dialogue exercise.
I gained a whole lot of insight at Ed Hooks' Masterclass and Bobby Beck's lecture while I was at FMX, so I wanted to share that as good as I can and tell you about the thought- and learning-process I was going through..
Ok, let's jump into it by looking at the first version of the shot I submitted:
I love that audio! It's full of energy, has great contrast between the two characters and is just plain entertaining. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone with this one and really push myself with my last exercise at Animation Mentor.
I wasn't happy with what I came up with as I submitted the layout pass. Two guys, with a desk between them, one is even sitting and the other barely moves during the whole piece? Come on! Where's the energy? But I wasn't able to put my malcontent in words.
Then came FMX and I've learned a ton there. Let's check it out:
Basic lessons learned by Ed Hooks and Bobby Beck:
1. Acting is doing!
The character needs to be doing something all the time. It's not like you have to let him jump around all the time though. Waiting is an action too! But then ask: "who is he waiting for?" A character waiting for a first date acts completely different from a character who's waiting for his girlfriend he is about to break up with!
2. The magic formula: Action ---/Obstacle/---> Objective
The character takes action in pursuit of an objective and is interrupted by an obstacle/conflict. There are three types of conflict:
- conflict with yourself
- conflict with the situation
- conflict with the other person
3. The scene takes place in the middle!:
Know what the character was doing before your shot and what he/she will do after the cut.
4. Acting has almost nothing to do with words!
You can tell the audience one thing with words and show them another thing. What the audience sees overrides what they hear.
5. Goals of an animator:
- communicate your character to the audience
- make your character feel present in the scene
There's a lot more you could and should consider when thinking about your shot, but let's keep the list brief for the sake of easy reading. I'm currently reading Ed Hooks book and there's so much more info that will help you create better performances. Go get it!
Are you still with me?
Ok, let's go back to the clip above and cross check it with the list. The first and second points are more or less covered: Both characters have their objectives and obstacles (will describe them below), but it's provided by the audio and sort of given in this case. Number 3? I give away no context at all to what has happened before or will happen after.
Let's put 4 in other words: Turn off the sound and there should be a story unfolding on your screen. If it's not happening, you obviously failed to use your character to communicate a story or their character traits. It's just moving puppets to sound.
As for 5, they go along with the other points: As long the characters don't have an objective to follow, a story to tell, backstory and emotions, there's no way you can make the character feel present and real in a scene.
When I came up with the idea for the clip I wasn't aware of any of these things and just made up something random that felt like fun to animate. Now here's what I submitted after going over my notes and with the checklist in my mind:
First of all I wanted to come up with something that was up to par with the energy in the audio clip. So there should be movement and action in there.
Then I tried to describe the characters actions, objectives and obstacles:
Writer:
Action: write the script, get help from other scriptwriters
Objective: Write a great script, that satisfies producer, audience, critic and stands out as a piece of art
Obstacle: Can't find a middleway between producer/deadline and his artistic expectations
Producer:
Action: Delegate tasks (script to writer), organizing and overviewing the production
Objective: Get the movie done
Obstacle: Writer is unable to work in a production environment because he thinks he's an actual artist! can't work with people like this!
Point 2, check!
So I had this idea that there should be movement. And the characters' schedules and objectives are never in sync.. basically the writer is unable to keep up with the producers pace.
Movement. Unable to keep up with the producer.. see what I'm getting at? Easy! They are walking towards the producers office while discussing the writers work -Point 1, check-, and the producer sets the pace! Even without the audio we now can read this relationship clearly! Point 4, check! To stress the fact that the producer is in a stronger position than the writer, we put the scene into the building of the production company.
In the end the producer shuts the door in front of the writer. There's a producer tag on the door. So basically he shuts himself, he's not open to the writers suggestions anymore. The writer failed.
Guess we have covered points 1, 2 and 4 so far. But what's with 3 and 5? Aight, let's have a look at 3 first:
Even though we don't have an explicit indication about where they came from, the fact that they are quickly walking through the hallways gives us a sense of context. The producer looks like a man who's hard to get a hold of, so the writer might just had to wait for him to come out of the conference room and intercept him on the way to his office. The end is obvious: the producer is back in his office and keeps on being busy. Whereas the writer.. well he's going either home or straight into the next bar..
Opposing to this scenario, two men sitting in an office isn't exactly rich, right?
Point 5 seems like a culmination of the other points to me. If you managed to create a scene that contains those four points you will most likely be able to communicate your characters to the audience and the will feel present in the scene and context you've created.
Wow. This is easily the most elaborated post I've wrote so far. I surely went through a huge learning process during the last few days and I wanted to make shure I'll share my thoughts. Hope you enjoyed reading and could take something away for yourself. Let me know if I left anything open or unclear, or if you have anything you'd like to add.
And right back to work! Have fun!
C
I gained a whole lot of insight at Ed Hooks' Masterclass and Bobby Beck's lecture while I was at FMX, so I wanted to share that as good as I can and tell you about the thought- and learning-process I was going through..
Ok, let's jump into it by looking at the first version of the shot I submitted:
I love that audio! It's full of energy, has great contrast between the two characters and is just plain entertaining. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone with this one and really push myself with my last exercise at Animation Mentor.
I wasn't happy with what I came up with as I submitted the layout pass. Two guys, with a desk between them, one is even sitting and the other barely moves during the whole piece? Come on! Where's the energy? But I wasn't able to put my malcontent in words.
Then came FMX and I've learned a ton there. Let's check it out:
Basic lessons learned by Ed Hooks and Bobby Beck:
1. Acting is doing!
The character needs to be doing something all the time. It's not like you have to let him jump around all the time though. Waiting is an action too! But then ask: "who is he waiting for?" A character waiting for a first date acts completely different from a character who's waiting for his girlfriend he is about to break up with!
2. The magic formula: Action ---/Obstacle/---> Objective
The character takes action in pursuit of an objective and is interrupted by an obstacle/conflict. There are three types of conflict:
- conflict with yourself
- conflict with the situation
- conflict with the other person
3. The scene takes place in the middle!:
Know what the character was doing before your shot and what he/she will do after the cut.
4. Acting has almost nothing to do with words!
You can tell the audience one thing with words and show them another thing. What the audience sees overrides what they hear.
5. Goals of an animator:
- communicate your character to the audience
- make your character feel present in the scene
There's a lot more you could and should consider when thinking about your shot, but let's keep the list brief for the sake of easy reading. I'm currently reading Ed Hooks book and there's so much more info that will help you create better performances. Go get it!
Are you still with me?
Ok, let's go back to the clip above and cross check it with the list. The first and second points are more or less covered: Both characters have their objectives and obstacles (will describe them below), but it's provided by the audio and sort of given in this case. Number 3? I give away no context at all to what has happened before or will happen after.
Let's put 4 in other words: Turn off the sound and there should be a story unfolding on your screen. If it's not happening, you obviously failed to use your character to communicate a story or their character traits. It's just moving puppets to sound.
As for 5, they go along with the other points: As long the characters don't have an objective to follow, a story to tell, backstory and emotions, there's no way you can make the character feel present and real in a scene.
When I came up with the idea for the clip I wasn't aware of any of these things and just made up something random that felt like fun to animate. Now here's what I submitted after going over my notes and with the checklist in my mind:
First of all I wanted to come up with something that was up to par with the energy in the audio clip. So there should be movement and action in there.
Then I tried to describe the characters actions, objectives and obstacles:
Writer:
Action: write the script, get help from other scriptwriters
Objective: Write a great script, that satisfies producer, audience, critic and stands out as a piece of art
Obstacle: Can't find a middleway between producer/deadline and his artistic expectations
Producer:
Action: Delegate tasks (script to writer), organizing and overviewing the production
Objective: Get the movie done
Obstacle: Writer is unable to work in a production environment because he thinks he's an actual artist! can't work with people like this!
Point 2, check!
So I had this idea that there should be movement. And the characters' schedules and objectives are never in sync.. basically the writer is unable to keep up with the producers pace.
Movement. Unable to keep up with the producer.. see what I'm getting at? Easy! They are walking towards the producers office while discussing the writers work -Point 1, check-, and the producer sets the pace! Even without the audio we now can read this relationship clearly! Point 4, check! To stress the fact that the producer is in a stronger position than the writer, we put the scene into the building of the production company.
In the end the producer shuts the door in front of the writer. There's a producer tag on the door. So basically he shuts himself, he's not open to the writers suggestions anymore. The writer failed.
Guess we have covered points 1, 2 and 4 so far. But what's with 3 and 5? Aight, let's have a look at 3 first:
Even though we don't have an explicit indication about where they came from, the fact that they are quickly walking through the hallways gives us a sense of context. The producer looks like a man who's hard to get a hold of, so the writer might just had to wait for him to come out of the conference room and intercept him on the way to his office. The end is obvious: the producer is back in his office and keeps on being busy. Whereas the writer.. well he's going either home or straight into the next bar..
Opposing to this scenario, two men sitting in an office isn't exactly rich, right?
Point 5 seems like a culmination of the other points to me. If you managed to create a scene that contains those four points you will most likely be able to communicate your characters to the audience and the will feel present in the scene and context you've created.
Wow. This is easily the most elaborated post I've wrote so far. I surely went through a huge learning process during the last few days and I wanted to make shure I'll share my thoughts. Hope you enjoyed reading and could take something away for yourself. Let me know if I left anything open or unclear, or if you have anything you'd like to add.
And right back to work! Have fun!
C
Saturday, May 7, 2011
FMX Diary Part 2
Wow, was that a week just passing by?!
Ok, so lets try to wrap this up:
1. Animation Mentor
Wow, finally: real animation mentor folks, and lots of them! And it was a real fine crowd too. When you arrived at the Festival site in the mornings, you could just walk over to the AM booth and have a chat with everybody. Then we would go to the panels together, have lunch, go see more panels or just kept hanging out. And then it was dinner and beer til late. It was great to see how the community stuck together during the festival.
Bobby Beck was there, and took the time to give extensive feedback on students' demoreels, which was really cool. I was looking forward to meet these folks and I couldn't be happier with how the whole week has turned out. Can't wait for next year!
2. Input Input Input!
As I said in Part 1, I attended Ed Hooks' Acting for Animators Masterclass. So much interesting stuff about the acting side of animation! Did you know that when two people talk to each other, the one talking will look into the opposites face about 40% of the time whereas the listener looks into the talkers face at about 80% of the time? No? That the person listening is most of the time busy to think of what to say after the other person is done talking? Guess you knew that one! But for animators it's specially important to know and be aware of. If you can make the listener display believably that he is in a thought process, you can add so much to your shot!
If you're an animator make sure you go get his book, it's filled with gold!
Then there was Bobby Beck's school presentation. I was expecting him to simply just introduce the school and what it's all about. but instead he gave a lesson in acting choices, where to draw inspiration and reference for your shots from and so on. Totally unexpected and really helpful as you can read in part three...
3. Inspiration
Last week's assignment was to come up with the layout for our dialogue shot exercise. I worked something out, but was never really happy with what I came up with. Well, after Bobby's talk and Ed Hook's class I was aware of what I've done wrong and went right back to my place to think my shot over. And I think the idea I came up with is really worth the trouble I'll be getting myself into now:) Since I was busy with the festival and brainstorming, planning and stuff, I now have two days left to create the new layout AND make a first blocking pass..
Well but it's totally worth the extra effort -I went home a day earlier than planned and even missed the closing party-. The shot is going to be a lot more entertaining and believable and, well... just plain better. Once the superhurry of the next couple days is over, I'll try and write a post where I compare the two layouts and analyze why I made some of the changes. So look out for that one!
So, is that all there's to tell about last week? No, certainly not, but if I kept writing about all the good things that happended, I'd still be sitting here tomorrow and I really need to get going with my shot;)
I really had a blast at FMX and it was great to meet the Animation Mentor folks and staff, listening to great panels and enjoying the occasional 7 beers.. I'm all charged to tackle this last assignment at Animation Mentor and looking forward to see how it develops over the next weeks.
I'll keep you posted, thanks for tuning in!
Christoph
Ok, so lets try to wrap this up:
1. Animation Mentor
Wow, finally: real animation mentor folks, and lots of them! And it was a real fine crowd too. When you arrived at the Festival site in the mornings, you could just walk over to the AM booth and have a chat with everybody. Then we would go to the panels together, have lunch, go see more panels or just kept hanging out. And then it was dinner and beer til late. It was great to see how the community stuck together during the festival.
Bobby Beck was there, and took the time to give extensive feedback on students' demoreels, which was really cool. I was looking forward to meet these folks and I couldn't be happier with how the whole week has turned out. Can't wait for next year!
2. Input Input Input!
As I said in Part 1, I attended Ed Hooks' Acting for Animators Masterclass. So much interesting stuff about the acting side of animation! Did you know that when two people talk to each other, the one talking will look into the opposites face about 40% of the time whereas the listener looks into the talkers face at about 80% of the time? No? That the person listening is most of the time busy to think of what to say after the other person is done talking? Guess you knew that one! But for animators it's specially important to know and be aware of. If you can make the listener display believably that he is in a thought process, you can add so much to your shot!
If you're an animator make sure you go get his book, it's filled with gold!
Then there was Bobby Beck's school presentation. I was expecting him to simply just introduce the school and what it's all about. but instead he gave a lesson in acting choices, where to draw inspiration and reference for your shots from and so on. Totally unexpected and really helpful as you can read in part three...
3. Inspiration
Last week's assignment was to come up with the layout for our dialogue shot exercise. I worked something out, but was never really happy with what I came up with. Well, after Bobby's talk and Ed Hook's class I was aware of what I've done wrong and went right back to my place to think my shot over. And I think the idea I came up with is really worth the trouble I'll be getting myself into now:) Since I was busy with the festival and brainstorming, planning and stuff, I now have two days left to create the new layout AND make a first blocking pass..
Well but it's totally worth the extra effort -I went home a day earlier than planned and even missed the closing party-. The shot is going to be a lot more entertaining and believable and, well... just plain better. Once the superhurry of the next couple days is over, I'll try and write a post where I compare the two layouts and analyze why I made some of the changes. So look out for that one!
So, is that all there's to tell about last week? No, certainly not, but if I kept writing about all the good things that happended, I'd still be sitting here tomorrow and I really need to get going with my shot;)
I really had a blast at FMX and it was great to meet the Animation Mentor folks and staff, listening to great panels and enjoying the occasional 7 beers.. I'm all charged to tackle this last assignment at Animation Mentor and looking forward to see how it develops over the next weeks.
I'll keep you posted, thanks for tuning in!
Christoph
Monday, May 2, 2011
FMX Diary Part 1
It's FMX time in Stuttgart. I just arrived at my cozy bed and breakfast place, quite close to the festival site. Well actually it's bed only, even coffee is charged separately, but it's cozy nevertheless. Perfect to do my homework in the mornings before heading over to the festival.
It's my first time here at FMX, so I'm really excited about being here and finally meet some of my fellow Animation Mentor students! Phew, I've been in this school for about a year now and never have met anyone in person (from AM that is, although I haven't seen lot's of my friends during that time either;)
Time to change that!
So tomorrow is going to be day one and I have quite a schedule going. First in the morning I'll be attending Ed Hooks' Acting for Animators Masterclass, a three hour workshop. Friends of mine have already been to one of his classes and told me only great things about it, so... Yay!
Then I'll be helping out at the Animation Mentor booth, talking about my experiences during my time at the school. Bobby Beck, co-founder and president of AM will be present too, which is really exciting, since I see him on screen every week but (again) never in person. Time to say a 'thank you' for that wonderful school he and his buddies founded.
Well and then later on I have my regular tuesday evening Q&A. And as a special treat, two classmates and I are going to attend together. Usually I'm sitting alone in my room or the office and talk via webcam to classmates and the teacher. It's going to a blast, I'm really looking forward to that!
Well that's it for now. The title says "diary part one", so I'll be shure to post an update later this week. Might not be tomorrow though ;)
Take good care y'all!
Christoph
It's my first time here at FMX, so I'm really excited about being here and finally meet some of my fellow Animation Mentor students! Phew, I've been in this school for about a year now and never have met anyone in person (from AM that is, although I haven't seen lot's of my friends during that time either;)
Time to change that!
So tomorrow is going to be day one and I have quite a schedule going. First in the morning I'll be attending Ed Hooks' Acting for Animators Masterclass, a three hour workshop. Friends of mine have already been to one of his classes and told me only great things about it, so... Yay!
Then I'll be helping out at the Animation Mentor booth, talking about my experiences during my time at the school. Bobby Beck, co-founder and president of AM will be present too, which is really exciting, since I see him on screen every week but (again) never in person. Time to say a 'thank you' for that wonderful school he and his buddies founded.
Well and then later on I have my regular tuesday evening Q&A. And as a special treat, two classmates and I are going to attend together. Usually I'm sitting alone in my room or the office and talk via webcam to classmates and the teacher. It's going to a blast, I'm really looking forward to that!
Well that's it for now. The title says "diary part one", so I'll be shure to post an update later this week. Might not be tomorrow though ;)
Take good care y'all!
Christoph
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