Class 4 is the first time we really get into the acting part of animation. IT'S KINDA CHALLENGING but also really fun. The past couple of weeks have made me realize that I've never actually done any acting where animation is concerned.

I've been thinking a lot about Wayne Gilbert's lecture where he spoke about external force vs internal force. Internal is what I'm trying to wrap my head around right now, the idea that your little 3D mesh with its rig is an actual thinking creature and has its own motivations for jumping across that pit, or lifting up a box. It's not simple body mechanics anymore.

A couple of resources on this topic:

http://theartofglenkeane.blogspot.com/2006/07/glen-keanes-notes.html

http://floobynooby.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/james-baxter-notes-on-acting-for.html

The last two assignments from Class 3!



Oy, that one is a little embarrassing. If there's one thing I learned from doing this, it's that I DON'T LIKE straight aheading animation! I like having a solid, definite plan much better. Maybe as I get more experience under my belt, I'll be better at it.

I was also having some issue with the timing in this one, because I know it needs to be slower, but also within the original time constraints of the assignment. Timing and spacing in general are things I'm still struggling with, though reading through Timing for Animation http://www.amazon.com/Timing-Animation-Harold-Whitaker/dp/0240517148 has been helping. I understand the need for "beats" in a shot, but it wasn't until I was told that timing gives meaning to the movement that I started to really understand.



This is the last shot I did for class 3, and definitely the strongest so far. Spacing also started to click for me here, though I do still see some issues in the jump.