Well, it's been a couple of weeks and boy have things happened.
1. The last week of Critical Thinking Class didn't kill me with three consecutive papers, and I found out today my final grade for the class is an A.
2. Footloose the Musical is going strong and selling out.
3. Got cast in my next show, the Fantasticks, with an unlikely part, Mortimer the Cockney Native American.
4. And best for last ... Thanks to his amazingly talented son, who is also staring in Footloose, Chris Buck, the Director of Disney's upcoming feature "Frozen," lead me on a personal tour of the Disney Animation Studio in Burbank!
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| Geeking out with my guest pass. |
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| Me, Chris Buck, and the Studio |
And now that I'm free of classes, motivated, and inspired here's my animation from the past two and 1/2 weeks.
Here's my current work in progress:
Biggest note- SPACING
Two solutions I was given by my mentor:
1. Change the spacing by altering the "Poses." Have them favor one side of the action.
2. If spacing issues persist, Move the keys around, take away inbetweens.
One instance of the spacing issue is in the steps. They must land faster, like the character's weight is shifting into a fall that the foot needs to catch.
Submitted Blocking-Plus Pass:
...and as a Bonus here's the Squash and Stretch blocking that didn't get submitted... ; )
(Bit of a Stretch don't you think?)
The AM news week 6 featured a great example of "cartooney" style animation and I was inspired to give it a try. However, my peers reeled me back in (Pun intended.)
and...
Submitted Blocking (11 Story Poses) :
If bare bones blocking was the goal some of these poses could have been removed , but I was just thinking "under 12 poses."
Some things I learned from the Tour:
1. ~"Keying everything can get messy"
2. Cal Arts is back on my radar as a college to apply to.
3. You don't have to be a writer to be a story artist if you can build on a small idea and make it entertaining.
4. Blocking a shot is more than building fixed poses, it's breaking down movement.
5. (Reinforced) You have to know the broad basics to do subtle acting.
Lastly, here's some reference for Shot 3 - Tai Chi:
The goal is to use spacing to vary the motion and engage the viewer through the whole shot.
Balance will be important.
Fluid overlapping actions.
Breaking down a motion instead of "Posey" animation.
Thanks for stopping bye,
--Max : )
