As you can tell this is about 1/3, 1/2 way through first pass splining. I'm trying to get things pretty finalized when I'm smoothing out. Take 30-60 frames at a time from blocking, and starting at the root, work my way out. Extra love for the head.
From this, parts are not WAY too off when splining out, but I'd sure like to get them closer first time. I need to understand better what I'm going to get from my blocking, in terms a smooth, and how that set up effects smoothing out. Keeping the tension in the long pull is going to be a bitch I know it. And the end expressions are corny as all hell. What ever. Gotta try doing something other then humor and adolescent angst/rage some time.
And keeping on schedule as far as splining out. Clocking in at 35-40 hrs for the first 110 frames smoothing out. They need a face/polish pass, but aiming for 60-100 frames, final animation, per 60 hours, not doing too bad.
I reached the point where I was starting to loose objectivity, and not sure my changes were making it better. The mouth can be simplified, but I need to research that, as I'm fresh out of ideas. Also, I suspect the face needs another polish pass, and the resting hand, needs some love, but, I'm pretty much at the end of my current abilities with this one, and need an expert eye for any more improvements. Help please.
Audio fixed. Stupid youtube couldn't process it correctly.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
pahLehLeh_v019
Dialogue update. Making progress on all fronts. Also keeping decently in line with the schedule (100 frames per 60 hours worked). Splinning is so far ahead of schedule, on both tests. That is sweet!
Been learning a lot, and feel like my eye is getting much sharper. How ever, that also means I am not satisfied with anything for more then a few seconds, and the masters, seem to be getting farther away, not closer.
Oh, and PLAN!!!!! I've made this mistake with blocking, and see it profusely on 11 second club, in where, they have 4 "poses" for a 10 second piece of dialogue. I quote "poses," because moving the torso, does not count as a pose. You need STORY TELLING images. This needs to be a whole body pose, facial included, that COMMUNICATES an emotion, or idea, clearly, to the audience. The pose needs to be dynamic, interesting, weighty, balanced, all the principles of what makes a good image.
Then, once those few are figured out, start thinking about how they relate to each other, how one might move between them, then, just start in betweening them. Once you break it down enough, to where the story is told, with a little texture of timing and spacing, THEN, and ONLY then, is your shot "blocked." If what we are calling "blocking," does not communicate ANY ideas, its not blocking, and there is no way in hell we are going to have "happy accidents," and just stumble upon genius when we start splining things out. You'll have to think about it, and KNOW it, eventually, before you can animate it. Good animation, is proof that some one KNOWS something about life.
But there in lies the biggest hurdle. You need something to say, that more then one other human, will give to hoots about. Yes, if your poses are all balanced, and beautiful, and communicate clearly, the thoughts and feelings of the character, your off to a great start. But then the line that separates the artist, from the technical master, is drawn. The artist says something meaningful. The work becomes more powerful, each time it is experienced. The technical master how ever, looses its luster half way through the first viewing/listen, ect. You can't teach some one WHAT to say. Only the words, for HOW to say it. Here is hoping I can say something meaningful eventually.
A special thanks to Lou, for some great tips on refining this. Just few frame difference on the face stuff on the hit, and some larger "off model" suggestions that are really helping out. I need to sleep on it, take another look, tweak, send out for crits, polish, and call it done for now. CLOSE!
Hand Tweak
Been learning a lot, and feel like my eye is getting much sharper. How ever, that also means I am not satisfied with anything for more then a few seconds, and the masters, seem to be getting farther away, not closer.
Oh, and PLAN!!!!! I've made this mistake with blocking, and see it profusely on 11 second club, in where, they have 4 "poses" for a 10 second piece of dialogue. I quote "poses," because moving the torso, does not count as a pose. You need STORY TELLING images. This needs to be a whole body pose, facial included, that COMMUNICATES an emotion, or idea, clearly, to the audience. The pose needs to be dynamic, interesting, weighty, balanced, all the principles of what makes a good image.
Then, once those few are figured out, start thinking about how they relate to each other, how one might move between them, then, just start in betweening them. Once you break it down enough, to where the story is told, with a little texture of timing and spacing, THEN, and ONLY then, is your shot "blocked." If what we are calling "blocking," does not communicate ANY ideas, its not blocking, and there is no way in hell we are going to have "happy accidents," and just stumble upon genius when we start splining things out. You'll have to think about it, and KNOW it, eventually, before you can animate it. Good animation, is proof that some one KNOWS something about life.
But there in lies the biggest hurdle. You need something to say, that more then one other human, will give to hoots about. Yes, if your poses are all balanced, and beautiful, and communicate clearly, the thoughts and feelings of the character, your off to a great start. But then the line that separates the artist, from the technical master, is drawn. The artist says something meaningful. The work becomes more powerful, each time it is experienced. The technical master how ever, looses its luster half way through the first viewing/listen, ect. You can't teach some one WHAT to say. Only the words, for HOW to say it. Here is hoping I can say something meaningful eventually.
A special thanks to Lou, for some great tips on refining this. Just few frame difference on the face stuff on the hit, and some larger "off model" suggestions that are really helping out. I need to sleep on it, take another look, tweak, send out for crits, polish, and call it done for now. CLOSE!
Hand Tweak
Friday, July 11, 2008
"Final," chimp test.
Finished this guy up a few months back, and was feeling too good about myself before I got another awesome critique and notes from Mr. Andrew Coats. A little over whelming, and made me completely doubt myself, so I went back to my cave and commenced trying to make sense of it all. (these are the best times, as long as you don't give up, because you really have to figure out how to get up, and walk, when you think you were already)
Mostly bringing the ideas I have in there, together seamlessly. Like the first move on wait. Get a realy "w" mouth shape in there, and bring things together so its not, here is the pose, then an eyebrow move, then some mouth, now down with the head to the left, ect.
One day... Untill then, keep on trying things out.
Mostly bringing the ideas I have in there, together seamlessly. Like the first move on wait. Get a realy "w" mouth shape in there, and bring things together so its not, here is the pose, then an eyebrow move, then some mouth, now down with the head to the left, ect.
One day... Untill then, keep on trying things out.
Blocking updates
Here is some, hopefully, entertaining context before the dialogue bit.
The new blocking is about 150 frames, and took 10-12 hours. Which, if the quota is 100 frames a week, one would need to get it blocked in on monday, so, I'm getting closer. Plus, I have no direction, and making everything up as I go along, which I don't really know if its harder or not. Went through about 4-6 ideas/variations on the theme before I got it down to this. Which re-inforces what I've learned before. From initial inspiration its at least 5 idea revisions to clearify what I'm trying to communicate, before I start seeing what I want to see.
TripSlap update below. Spread out the hits, definitely liking that better, not happy with the last two poses though. Still off timing and spacing wise mocing into the second to last pose, and the last move, still seems, kitsche, or cliche, or, just bad acting to me. Not Olie yet.
The new blocking is about 150 frames, and took 10-12 hours. Which, if the quota is 100 frames a week, one would need to get it blocked in on monday, so, I'm getting closer. Plus, I have no direction, and making everything up as I go along, which I don't really know if its harder or not. Went through about 4-6 ideas/variations on the theme before I got it down to this. Which re-inforces what I've learned before. From initial inspiration its at least 5 idea revisions to clearify what I'm trying to communicate, before I start seeing what I want to see.
TripSlap update below. Spread out the hits, definitely liking that better, not happy with the last two poses though. Still off timing and spacing wise mocing into the second to last pose, and the last move, still seems, kitsche, or cliche, or, just bad acting to me. Not Olie yet.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Hurry!
All right, a few preliminary crits are in for the tests below. They are great, and I have to agree with what is being said so far. The good and the bad.
There is hope for the two character bit, the slap needs some work, which I am doing, and people seem to like it. I like it, all around.
The dialogue piece is getting a less favorable response, on the grounds of "what the hell am I watching?" I'm sticking to it, because I like the audio, and, non sequitur, fits with some of my sensibilities. This test is fun, and thats what I need right now. HOW EVER. It does need some context. As in, some emotion change/thought, before/after the bit, to give believable justification to his out burst. Which I think is a compelty valid request.
I shall rant about how sick I am of doing long tests, and my failed efforts to do some under 100 frames. But its very frustrating! (and the spell-check for this blog keeps underlining "sequitur," even though its spelled right)
There is hope for the two character bit, the slap needs some work, which I am doing, and people seem to like it. I like it, all around.
The dialogue piece is getting a less favorable response, on the grounds of "what the hell am I watching?" I'm sticking to it, because I like the audio, and, non sequitur, fits with some of my sensibilities. This test is fun, and thats what I need right now. HOW EVER. It does need some context. As in, some emotion change/thought, before/after the bit, to give believable justification to his out burst. Which I think is a compelty valid request.
I shall rant about how sick I am of doing long tests, and my failed efforts to do some under 100 frames. But its very frustrating! (and the spell-check for this blog keeps underlining "sequitur," even though its spelled right)
Monday, June 23, 2008
Blocking Updates
The two character bit has been evolving since I wanted to play around with how a character with the proportions of the Blue guy, might move. Just been making it up as I went along. Which is quite fun, and there are a lot of bits that I like in it, but its not as well staged, organized, or clear, as a piece thats well planned from the beginning, with a purpose, and good idea of who the characters are, and how the shot might be part of a larger story.
This dialogue piece is self explanatory. Both of these, I'm feeling i've done about as much as I can with them, with out wasting time, before I start splining. I'll add in some chair stuff, still in blocking, before I go to splines.
And if you got crits, lemme have em.
Fun times.
This dialogue piece is self explanatory. Both of these, I'm feeling i've done about as much as I can with them, with out wasting time, before I start splining. I'll add in some chair stuff, still in blocking, before I go to splines.
And if you got crits, lemme have em.
Fun times.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Important stuff
Close freinds and family matter.
Striving for excellence in one's work is necessary, but can be awfully lonely, and unrewardingly frustating some times; emotionally, spiritually, and monetarily, so chose your delusions carefully. Never settle.
Fault is one of the Wild Sound's "best animated films," of 2007. Here, is the screening schedule. Feels pretty good to be included on the same roster as the other big players up there. Pat Smith, who was a formative force in my undertaking of animation is screening, as well as fellow NYU alum, David Pagano.
Another school friend, Steve Neary, will be spending some time up at Blue Sky this summer, so kudos to him.
Striving for excellence in one's work is necessary, but can be awfully lonely, and unrewardingly frustating some times; emotionally, spiritually, and monetarily, so chose your delusions carefully. Never settle.
Fault is one of the Wild Sound's "best animated films," of 2007. Here, is the screening schedule. Feels pretty good to be included on the same roster as the other big players up there. Pat Smith, who was a formative force in my undertaking of animation is screening, as well as fellow NYU alum, David Pagano.
Another school friend, Steve Neary, will be spending some time up at Blue Sky this summer, so kudos to him.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Aussies like "Fault" ...
It seems the fine film going fellows from down-under, have, for a second time, honored me with the enjoyment of my movie
It kind of makes the hours, and money, of submitting to festivals worth it. I'm glad some people are getting a kick out of it.
It kind of makes the hours, and money, of submitting to festivals worth it. I'm glad some people are getting a kick out of it.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Short on Youtube
My short film is open again for viewing on youtube. Did about 6 months of festival stuff, and burned out. Not my bag of tea at the moment, so I let that train sail.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-_8WgVavqw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-_8WgVavqw
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
The approved
Here is the pencil test of the shot I've been working on for a while now. Many ideas tried, and versions experimented with, to the frame. Its for the film my Professor back in colege is making. Its ridiculous in what it tackles in craftsmanship, beautiful, and really a work of art. I'm honored I was trusted enough to contribute to it. This will later be cleaned up onto frosted cell, colored with colored pencil, then shot on a bolex.
I'm trying to get some of the versions we went through up on my training log, but blogger is being uncooperative.
I'm trying to get some of the versions we went through up on my training log, but blogger is being uncooperative.
Monday, April 07, 2008
APPROVED!
Yes, ladies and gentleman, shot 01_03_028, has been approved. Goal of finishing the chimp shot by end of next Sunday, and then we are back on the zone!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Monday, March 03, 2008
update
Here is an update with another 8 hours or so. Lip synch is getting better, hands still need a lot of polish. Tear it apart please.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
animation update
all right, finally found some time to get some more work on this test from months ago. I need to loosen up the hands, get some pressure in to them, and the arm reach, I don't like the movement, need to smooth that out a bit.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Evidently some one likes it. Might get a few more submissions out the door then.
Also the discussion for my film at Wild Sound up in toronto is on their site.
http://www.wildsound-filmmaking
Sorry for the lack of art work up here, work has been insanity, plus, I just moved appts, thanksgiving, freelance, personal projects, ect.
In the mean time go check out the newest film at www.fortaxreasons.com. I went to school with Matt and Ben, and have the pleasure of working with Matt at the moment. Probably will be "working for Matt and Ben," in the future.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Festival
New festivals to see Fault:
WildSound Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. At the National Film Board of Canada Theater, Noveber 20th.
Veneration Film Festival, in Newport News, VA, on November 3.
WildSound Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. At the National Film Board of Canada Theater, Noveber 20th.
Veneration Film Festival, in Newport News, VA, on November 3.
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