Great hand movements and fidgeting

A common issue I come across when animating, is knowing when to keep things moving and to hold that lovely pause for effect - but even then, eyes are probably darting, maybe there's a quiver in the lip etc etc and it's these moments when I try to watch people sitting around on the train or on the phone to someone, but this is when people are trying to be their most composed I find.
What I should look out for (and will from now on) are interviews!!!! I was watching this interview of Jamie Hewlett and I could not stop staring at his hands, he fidgets like mad and strikes some strong poses using them.  If you've done that great lip sync and think 'this is missing something!' add a fidget or 2 to show the character's emotion ranging from nervous, vulnerable, excited etc etc. But try not to let this overtake your main animation, these little bits should compliment your animation, not take away the attention.

Here's the short interview, enjoy...

CBeebies announces more Tree fu Tom

C21media has reported that UK preschool channel CBeebies has commissioned a second season of its ratings hit Tree Fu Tom!

Hopefully this will be good news for Blue Zoo animation studio in London, as they did the work for the first season and many local animators got to work on it (including a few of my friends).

Read the full story here:
http://www.c21media.net/archives/87749

Failing your way to success!

I was forwarded this interesting Tedx Talk by LeSean Thomas, Television Animation Producer, director, animator, comic book artist, writer, character designer, and how his career progressed from LA to Seoul, South Korea.
He has worked on some of my favourite shows like The Boondocks and Avatar: Legend of Korra so I was pretty excited listening to his experiences and how he got there.

If you want to know more here's a link to his website:
http://leseanthomas.com/

Laughing Matters

http://comedyforanimators.com/ posted a great link to Rowan Atkinson's guide to visual comedy 'Laughing Matters' on YouTube.
For character animation I think comedy is one of the most fun things to do, these videos show a great insight into classic British comedy such as Monty Python and Faulty Towers through the eyes of Rowan Atkinson.
I think this circulates the net quite often but if you haven't seen it, Enjoy!

(unfortunately part 4 isn't online anymore)

• Part 1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9fsn6lQBV4
• Part 2:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7JGaLgF8HM&feature=relmfu
• Part 3:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9k9lWYwrBY&feature=relmfu
• Part 5:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYrK0VhMjyI