So, I am inbetween matchmove/rotoAnimation contracts again! I am going to try and get some new animation out there (I think it's been about 5yrs since I've been brave enough to post anything - or simply because I got so wrapped up in being in VFX I neglected personal work).
This is the scary part now. I went into one discipline, wanted to get really great at it before I moved on but have now lost touch with animating - especially my favourite, cartoony animating!
It almost feels like I am fresh out of uni again, forgetting that I've been in the industry for 5yrs and have a nice number of films under my belt. All that means nothing if you haven't kept up with your own personal development! So I am doing the humbling act of going back to basics. I need to get the 12 principles of animation down, but not only make a simple reel reflecting all of the 12 examples, oh no, there's too much competition out there now. There are great online short courses spewing animators out left, right and centre. If I had the means, I would simply take time off and do a few refresher courses. Since this is something I have to save for, in the mean time I am left to my own devices. Although I am lucky enough to have a great network of contacts since I have been around 4 VFX facilities now - never lose touch with your contacts, an occasional 'hey, how's it going?' can work wonders in the long run, and you may be able to repay the favour one day.
Now the even trickier part, I've never not had a job (even typing 'unemployed' makes me cringe). My body is screaming at me to eat and play computer all day, catch up on series and there's also a mysterious urge to do DIY....
To keep myself in line, I have acquired the assistance of some animator friends to not only give feedback, but to also tell me off if I am slacking (some of us need a drill sergeant to get stuff done, I don't do well with people who try to butter me up). I'm quite lucky in that respect, they care enough to tear themselves away from their own work to raise me up and keep me moving (metaphorically of course). So, I'm going to write a journal of sorts of progression. I've already started a new walk cycle so cannot show off any sort of early days blocking, but I will show progress from now.
One thing I have to get over is showing work, even if it's bad. When I was still learning it was drilled into me to never show work until it's perfect. After a few years of growing since then, I've realised (in my eyes at least), it will never be perfect. It will be rough, mistakes will be made - even stupid ones. When you reach the animation or film industry there will be people there to point out your mistakes all day long so get used to it, it's how you grow. Why haven't I been able to apply this theory to my animation work?.... probably because I love animation, and it's scary as hell for someone to point out 'hey that pose could do with a little more weight' when it's like your baby.
Anywho, let's start with week 1.....
Monday, 10 June 2013
Friday, 18 January 2013
It's been aaaaaaaaages/ Cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2!
I've been a bit poo at this blog thing since winter hit. No, I haven't been hibernating - but I have been jumping around VFX companies, and as such have commited all my attention to them and making good impressions and what not.
Actually have a stack of cool posts I wanted to make based on more animation news findings. But let's start with this one....
USA Today released lovely artwork for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2", looks like we'll be seeing a whole load of funny half animal/half food creatures, which can make for some fun story ideas.
Enjoy!
Actually have a stack of cool posts I wanted to make based on more animation news findings. But let's start with this one....
USA Today released lovely artwork for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2", looks like we'll be seeing a whole load of funny half animal/half food creatures, which can make for some fun story ideas.
Enjoy!
Sunday, 7 October 2012
The UK's first VFX Festival!
Escape Studios are hosting the UK's first VFX Festival from 10 to 13 October in London!
"I think we're seeing a cultural shift -- for
instance, George Osborne announced that the latest Tom Cruise film
will generate 500 jobs. I don't think even a few years ago we would
have seen a chancellor announce a new film, but it's now seen as an
important part of the economy."
~ Ed Vaizey, Minister for culture,
communications and creative industries
Some really exciting news and well deserved attention for the VFX workforce in London's Soho.
Follow these links for more information and articles:
Friday, 28 September 2012
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...
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...
Monday, 17 September 2012
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
Sunday, 9 September 2012
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
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