Monday, January 02, 2006

10secondclub

Started this one yesterday its for the 10secondclub entry this month, thought I would post my progress. :)



http://www.dondixon.com/MoMoney1.mpg

10 comments:

Jeremiah Alcorn said...

Nice stuff Don! I really like what your doing with the hands especially towards the end of the test. And the litte expression changes really add to the performance. Can't wait to see the final. Keep the dream alive.:)

virginiavalle.blogspot.com said...

OHH Don all your new stuff are awesome I love your new icon profile :)too look so greatttttttttt :)

PEPE said...

nice piece!! the emotion is great here!! you got someting really special in this one!!

Dan Segarra said...

A'ight Donald! Your spacing and timing are strong my friend. But I'm not gonna' sell u short, because you've got good stuff here, man. An area I feel needs work in this piece are your poses.

1. Don't look at the camera. It's not a hard and fast rule, but I think you could benefit the believability of this scene if you have her speaking to someone in her own world rather then us. Having her talk offset the camera will also strengthen the poses because you'll see her in 1/4 view instead of straight from the front.

2. When she's bending down in the beginning that's cool, but THEN her spine straightens up for the entire rest of the piece. Animation is about changing shapes... wether it's subtle or exaggerated, you go from curved to straight, stretched to squash, up to down, in to out, whatever! Loosen up that spine buddy.

3. When hitting those contrasted poses, her emotion has to read without question. You have it in the facial expressions, but her body needs to show it... from the shoulders all the way down through the spine. Work your keys so that they read clearly and fully before adding your inbetweens so your inbetween will reflect what you have in your keys.

4. I can't read her overall emotion. Sure she's angry in the dialogue, but in your animation she goes from angry, to crazy, confused, then back to angry. Why is she angry? Tap into that and make that read in her body expressions throughout the ENTIRE piece.

I need to make sure I'm doin' all that stuff too, but I've found out that you can solve all of that stuff early on if you plan enough. Take advantage of pencil and paper expecially since you enjoy it and are familiar with drawing. You have an advantage the many people wish they had, a sense of interpreting form on paper with a pencil. Use it to it's fullest when animating in CG Don. Alright, I suck. That's enough outta' me, man.

- dan

Art of Don Dixon said...

Thanks for all the comments! This was a really fun clip to work on. Dan I hear what you are saying, As I make more and more animated clips I learn a ton, and i want to be able to apply all the knowledge i gain as I keep creating these clips. So thank you for the crit and I will try all that you suggested as I progress and keep creating. Thanks Pepe! A actual pat on the back from you! amazing! (just k iddin) thank you virginajoe, and thank you MIAH!

Dan Segarra said...

You still need to mess around with that spine bud. It's very straight all the way through the last few phrases. Here are some thumbs I drew for the curve of the spine as a suggestion.
Click for thumbs

Art of Don Dixon said...

I posted a new version over the previous one today. I think its getttin stronger, ITs definatley driving my girlfriend crazy, I need to get some headphones at home so she doesnt have to hear this clip a million times! :)

Dan Segarra said...

Yeah man! I like the changes you made. It's much more solid. I like how she's not moving as much and your motions are getting more subtle with her. Cool man, keep it up! ;)

Unknown said...

I like this Don.

You've come a long way as an animator within the last few years (tear in corner of eye).

Seriously though - it seems like you are learning a lot from your constant observations. Keep it up!

Art of Don Dixon said...

Thanks alot Dave! I try, and been having the most fun ever working on my skills as an animator.