Animation Showreel Submission Post

Learning and progressing my skills in 3D animation through the term has proven challenging yet has given me a more substantial base understanding of the toolset in Maya and the application of the 12 principles of animation. Engaging with tasks, especially character performance-driven exercises, proved enjoyable and stimulating, allowing me to establish effective workflows with in-class teaching and research from Richard Williams The Animator’s Survival Kit and Kenny Roys How to Cheat in Maya 2014.

Alternate Video Links: https://vimeo.com/664528146/aebffcca26, https://youtu.be/L1WbyQtwRIg

Reflecting on the work I have produced overall this term, I feel I have pushed myself to a higher level of creating animated work. While there are aspects of my work that need improvement, especially in terms of refining and weight conveyance. I feel my particular weaknesses were in walk cycles. Going forward, I intend to experiment with different character performance walk cycles, focusing on cleaning pops in the knees and elbows. Pairing this and gaining a better understanding of more complex rendering techniques to those I have already researched, looking further into the capabilities of the Arnold renderer. I have found particular enjoyment in creating character performance and facial animation and hope to continue to record strong references and really push my capabilities. It could be beneficial to take practises from Acting and Performance for Animation ( Derek Hayes, Chris Webster) going forward in this direction of animation. Using applications such as SyncSketch has proven extensively beneficial for me in reflecting on my work. Next term, it will be particularly effective as a collaborative feedback tool for the group project module.

Further reading material ideas for next term:

Character animation in 3D: use traditional drawing techniques to produce stunning CGI animation- Steve Roberts
The illusion of life: Disney animation- Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.
3D art essentials: the fundamentals of 3D modeling, texturing, and animation-Ami Chopine
Cartoon animation- Preston Blair

Challenge Blog Posts

Challenge 1:The 12 Principles of Animation – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk) Challenge 1: The 12 Principles Applied to Industry Standard work – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Challenge 2: Bouncing Balls – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Challenge 3: Challenge 3:Obstacle Course – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Challenge 4:Challenge 4: Gesture and Posing in 3D Space – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Challenge 5:Challenge 5: Tail and Ball Animation – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Challenge 6:Challenge 6: Walk Cycles – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Challenge 7:Challenge 7: Reference Footage – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Challenge 8:Challenge 8: Body Mechanics – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Challenge 9:Challenge 9: Advanced Body Mechanics – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Challenge 10: Challenge 10: Lip Sync and Facial Performance – Esme’s Blog (arts.ac.uk)

Class Workshops