Class 2 Week 6: Refining Wind - A Shift in Idea

Well...the big decision this week was what version of my shot to focus on.  Going after a suggestion by the wife, I thought it'd be fun to see the ground shift (rather than the original "wind" concept).  Also, looking at some upper classmen's websites...I found a few versions of this shot were already done with an identical giant red button on the ground.  Lame.

My mentor said he was okay with the idea...but warned it was going to be pretty difficult to pull off.  Since getting my demo reel (started AND finished) this weekend is sucking up a bunch of my time, I decided that simple was best.  To quote one of my favorite quotes:  "Done is good"

Class 2 Week 5: Second Project Begins!

Well, no rest for the weary, on the next project!  Again, we had a big list to pick from - I chose "walk in a heavy storm/wind."

Got a bit of a late start on this one - I was struggling with the setup for the shot.  Considered having Stu (as the guy is affectionately named) walk down a city street, having to avoid flying debris.  Thought about having him round a corner and getting hit with the wind.  At one point even planned him struggling to make it into a bus stop.  In the end, simpler is better - and what's more simple than a giant red button on the ground :)

Class 2 Week 4: Stairs Final

 

 

Well, the final version of my stairs assignment is turned in. Had some spare hours this weekend, so I took the time to render it proper. So, the bottom is the version I see within the software, and above it is the nicely rendered with lighting, motion blur, etc. I'm happy with how this turned out.

We've already started planning next weeks homework, so it's back at it tomorrow...

Class 2 Week 3: Refining Stairs

Two all-nighters on this one.  I need better time management....

Class 2 Week 2: Blocking Stairs

You've seen the reference, now see the blocking animation!
Try humming the theme to The Dick Van Dyke show while watching it :)

Class 2 Week 1: New Class!

Class 2: Pyschology of Body Mechanics

No break this week!  But it was a glorious two days without homework.  Mostly involved recovery sleep.
Really excited about this next class - it's going to consist of only 3 assignments, spending four weeks on each one.  We're given a list of about fifteen actions to choose from, and my idea incorporates a few of them: walking down stairs, a side step, and for the hell of it, a bit of a walk at the end.  I've been waiting for a chance to use Dick Van Dyke for reference, and here's my perfect chance.  We're also encouraged to film ourselves acting out the movements, so here's my best go at being Van Dyke.

According to my previous mentor, I tended to be "subtle" in my animation and poses, and he encouraged me to really push my animation more.  Hopefully this is a good project to push things.  My new mentor Jeremy Cantor, comes from the live-action visual effects world of animation, so I'll be excited to add his perspective on things.