football header
My mentor before providing me with the character, requested I produce a short body mechanics exercise. Knowing my passion for football, or soccer as they call it in Canada, I had to animate a move of my choice. I chose heading a ball.
I wanted to hit the following: - A step into the jump - a reverse 'c' for the anticipation, followed by 'c' shape in the jump. Looking through reference online, I stumbled across a series of basket ball clips that had some nice footwork while in the air. Some footballers can of course leap to similar heights, however, footage of slam dunks was more easily accessible to study. Of particular note were the movements of Terrence Ross:
Next job was thumb-nailing. My mentor was pretty firm on following any planned actions, noting how breaking away from any agreed planning material from a studio supervisor, could easily cause production costs to increase.
Once animating, the largest amount of time went into building the root and footwork. I began by posing each chuck of action, before my mentor reminded me how much easier it is to plan the whole sequence with the root attached to a bouncing ball.
Seeing the final result was especially pleasing when compared to my original planning. It matched so well and had the breakdown of beats that I originally aimed for. It has given me a boost, an extra shot of confidence I hope to carry into my next shot.
Thursday 14th February
Evening or should I say goodnight,
The last two weeks have been disheartening. I lost belief in my shot and it has been shelved. There is the potential to revisit part of the shot via a monologue. I need good practice at facial animation and it seems a good opportunity if I already have reference planned out.
On a positive note, Matthew has been challenging me on my problem solving. He sets high standards and expects them to be met. Yes, I haven't met them so far, but together, we are addressing my approach to animation and the creative problem-solving it involves.
Once I have rested and slept, I hope to produce 5 seconds of an upper body monologue. I have selected a track from one of my old favorite TV shows and hope to animate with Mallory, Matt's female child modification of the Malcolm rig.
Thoughts on Canada: I am yet to see much. I have been too busy buried in work, which feels a shame as much has been wasted. I am awoken most mornings at 6am by Lilo, Matt's kitten who very much enjoys nibbling my toes through the blanket. I've taken to hiding them under a cushion, but this seems to only encourage her to find new ways to encourage me out of bed to play.
The last two weeks have been disheartening. I lost belief in my shot and it has been shelved. There is the potential to revisit part of the shot via a monologue. I need good practice at facial animation and it seems a good opportunity if I already have reference planned out.
On a positive note, Matthew has been challenging me on my problem solving. He sets high standards and expects them to be met. Yes, I haven't met them so far, but together, we are addressing my approach to animation and the creative problem-solving it involves.
Once I have rested and slept, I hope to produce 5 seconds of an upper body monologue. I have selected a track from one of my old favorite TV shows and hope to animate with Mallory, Matt's female child modification of the Malcolm rig.
Thoughts on Canada: I am yet to see much. I have been too busy buried in work, which feels a shame as much has been wasted. I am awoken most mornings at 6am by Lilo, Matt's kitten who very much enjoys nibbling my toes through the blanket. I've taken to hiding them under a cushion, but this seems to only encourage her to find new ways to encourage me out of bed to play.
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