2D Final Scene

Reflection

     Enrolling into the animation program and experiencing ACM 216 this semester was an eye opener for me. Originally, I was always amazed by all the work and effort that is put into animated films. After this course, I have a new found respect for all the animators out there. The assignments I had to do for the class seemed quite simple. When I actually tried to do the assignments, it became harder than I thought. The critiques of the assignments during class time was helpful. I was able to understand why my assignments don not look quite right. Also, it became review when I did not understand a certain animation concept. 

     In this class, I learned about the seven animation principles. (Arcs, Squash and Stretch, Reversal of Curves, Successive Breaking of Joints, Secondary Motion, and Overlapping Action) The readings helped me because it explained the steps and gave examples on certain basic animation principles or tricks. I always knew that it will be tough to find a career in animation because there is a lot of competition. In order to stand out from the crowd of student animators, I learned that I have to have experience in multiple programs. As well as being able to draw 2D animation. After that lecture during class, I thought about my future. I can not expect myself to get lucky enough to find a job. I have to continue to practice drawing and animating.

     In the future, I hope to be able to have a career in animating. Whether I have my own company or work for someone. I want to become better so I can stand out from the sea of people who also have the same dream. 

Assignment #9: 3D Walk Cycle

Reading Write-up #3

     It's close to the end of the semester and I believe I have a good idea of animating. I know the basics how to animate but it's not enough to just get by. I feel like I need to find out more about how to animate and make my scenes come to life. I just have to follow the tips of the following articles.
 
     In the DanStpsAnimScn.pdf, it shows the steps to animate a scene. It goes in detail on how to make a successful scene. First, you have to think about the scene. The amount of frames to use, the camera view, and the staging. Next, deciding how to display the actions of your character through those scenes. Next, create a rough draft of the frames and so on... This reading also includes specific steps to clean up the scene, "Key first, breakdowns second, in-betweens third..." This reading will be helpful because it's the processes to create a scene so I will not be overwhelm when I start to animating.

     In the FrankOllieStepsInAnimatingScene.pdf, I learned that steps to plan and create a layout for the animated scene. It also shows the different jobs of the animator and steps to animate a scene just like the DanStpsAnimScn.pdf. It shows specific ways on determining the size and layout of the scene. "Seeing the picture all together for the first time is always a startling experience. Somehow, it picked up a life of its own." This reading is helpful because I will understand the different jobs of the animator and how to create the layout of the animated scenes.

     Just like in the previous readings, ollie_johnston_notes.pdf shows tips to think of the scene before putting it on paper. It asks questions like, "What is the purpose of your scene in the picture?...What is the emotion of your scene?...What is the rhythm of your scene?" This article is quite helpful because it makes me think before starting anything on paper. I always would "wing-it" when it comes to drawing scenes.  

Assignment #8: 2D Walk Cycle

Assignment #7: Bouncing Ball on Maya

Reading Write-up #2

     It's the middle of the semester and I feel like I know nothing about animation. From the start, I believed it would be simple to just draw an object moving frame by frame. I never considered to think about the concepts. Not until I took this class, I want to understand the the concepts and hopefully apply them to my future projects.
   
     In the Joints_theBasics.pdf, it shows the steps to connect and create joints for the skeleton of the object or character. Without these joints, the animator will have to move the object one by one which is quite tedious. "A joint's position in the hierarchy determines which joints transform with it..." This article will help me in the future because I will be applying the joint rigging for my projects. Allowing my character to move and come to life.    

     In the PixarAnimationProcess.pdf, I learned that steps Pixar use to make their films. The steps are storyboards, modeling, animation, shading, lighting, and rendering. Reading this made me understand that an animation film does not pop out of thin air or within one try. "Over 4,000 storyboards... they are revised many times during the creative development process." This article will be helpful because these are the processes I have to go through when making a film.

     Just like in the previous article, GlenHandout01.pdf, is about the process of creating and animation. The difference is to make the film appear more personal and relatable for the viewers.  Anyone can make a film but it's up to the animator to make it shine. This article talks about what makes a good animator along with steps to make viewers understand the film. "Animation is not purely technical exercise. It is primarily and emotion creation you are communicating..." This article made me think about how I am. I know I'm not at the stage but it's my future goal to complete.

Assignment #6: Redo Head Turn

Assignment #6: Head Turn

Reading Write-up #1

To tell you the truth, I thought animation was all about creativity. I never put much thought into the strategies or principles to make my animation more realistic. This was not until I took this class, it opened my eyes. The Animation Principles helped me understand how objects are supposed to be drawn whether they are bouncing, falling down, etc. There is a specific way to every item which I didn’t realize. The readings on arcs, timing, squash & stretch, and spacing helped me the most through the animation process. 

From the beginning of class, I learned that timing really matters in animation. The Timing article (Timing.pdf) states, “Neither acting nor attitude could be portrayed without paying attention to Timing.” It helps to understand the characters emotions whether they are excited, lethargic, etc. It also helps with speeding or slowing down object to make them look realistic. Like the rollercoaster assignment. I learned that the rollercoaster is slowing down as it reaches the top so it’s slowly getting pulled up. When it goes down, it speeds up which takes less frames compared to it going up. This will help me understand how many frames I need for each future animation project I do and hopefully it makes sense like the objects seen in this world.

In the article on Arcs (Arcs.pdf), it talks about how everything in the world moves in an arch. There are some exceptions but majority move in a slight circular path. “The animator charts the position of his drawings along this arc… makes key drawings, indicating where in-betweens should be placed to keep the line of action.” This will be helpful for me in the future because my animations will move more naturally. I remember creating a short animation about two boys fighting for a girl’s attention. Everything in that clip looked extremely stiff and I was embarrassed because I had to present it in my art class. Reading this article made me understand what I was doing wrong.

In the Squash and Stretch article (SqshNdStrch.pdf), it talks about how all fleshy objects go through that action. “Anything composed of living flesh, no matter how bony, will show considerable movement within its shape in progressing through an action.” This reading is useful to me because I can make my characters/objects look less stiff when they bounce or other motions incorporated with that. 

In the article about line of action (P_Blair_01.pdf), it talks about how each main action of a character is in a curve which strengthens the dramatic effect of the action. It also sets the attitude to make the character more believable. “And when he acts, the audience emotionally responds.” Before reading this article, I never put much though into the line of action. The drawings from the article especially help me understand how to make an action run more smoothly. Now I know why my characters look extremely strange when they are doing an action. This will help me create animations that follow better and hopefully make my characters more believable.

Assignment #5: Anticipation

Assignment #4: Bouncing Ball w/ Tail

REDO: Bouncing Can & Rollercoaster

Assignment #3: Bouncing Can

Assignment #2: Bouncing Ball

Assignment #1: Roller Coaster