Wednesday, March 23, 2011
crash course in rigging...
So I am following along in the "Learning AutoDesk Maya 2008: The Modeling and Animation Handbook" to set up a rig for my character. Been a couple of years since I played with joints and IK systems but no time for play now. Maya is very picky about joint orientation and the slightest rotation of joints can make your IK system do funky things. Good thing is that I am learning how to spot and fix those problems as they occur and rebuilding and re-parenting the systems is giving me a great tutorial. As well as Erik's personal tutorials, which are worth much more that I can ever express. Legs done, working on clavicles then roll bone, hands and spine.
Monday, March 21, 2011
setbacks..
so the work time that I had blocked out was blocked by no access to the lab. Guess this is good experience for the real world when a computer breaks down, power outages, life interrupts. Frustration is part of the territory, animation is not for the meek or tentative. Fortitude and determination and a new game plan are in order.
just keep suiting up and showing up. Charge!
just keep suiting up and showing up. Charge!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
In My Head
So completely in my head these days, seeing how my experience can influence my work. Currently working on a new model, or at least a proxy and rigging it so I can start blocking out scenes. I know not to fall in love with one idea or concept to where you cannot see when it needs to be changed or left behind. I'm wondering if holding on to the wire model, creating it in 3D is holding on... I really like the way it plays in light and the challenge of creating that in Maya. Just need to keep, keeping on.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Production Schedule
March 12 Base model and rig completed.
March 19 Scenerio 1 Blocked in pop through / Research environment styles remembering strengths of photo manipulation, After Effects, 3D.
March 26 Scenerio 2 Blocked in pop through / Decision on enviroment style
April 2 Scenerio 3 Blocked in pop through
April 9 Scenerio 4 Blocked in pop through
April 16 Timing, possible scenerio 5 blocked
April 23 Timing & possible music, Begin animation of one scene
April 30 Animation of one scene
May 4th, Last Day of Class, Render and tweak.
March 19 Scenerio 1 Blocked in pop through / Research environment styles remembering strengths of photo manipulation, After Effects, 3D.
March 26 Scenerio 2 Blocked in pop through / Decision on enviroment style
April 2 Scenerio 3 Blocked in pop through
April 9 Scenerio 4 Blocked in pop through
April 16 Timing, possible scenerio 5 blocked
April 23 Timing & possible music, Begin animation of one scene
April 30 Animation of one scene
May 4th, Last Day of Class, Render and tweak.
Moving along...
Next stage in Modeling, still need to find a script for rigging, then on to blocking out scenes.
I decided to lengthen the legs and shorten the torso, the shorter legs were reminding me of a clown character. I want the shapes to be simple yet relatable. The head is looking a little flat to me, may need to round out a bit more. There will be no arms as I am focusing on pantomine of the upper body to see how much expression I can get out of head, shoulder and torso. Still thinking about texture.
I decided to lengthen the legs and shorten the torso, the shorter legs were reminding me of a clown character. I want the shapes to be simple yet relatable. The head is looking a little flat to me, may need to round out a bit more. There will be no arms as I am focusing on pantomine of the upper body to see how much expression I can get out of head, shoulder and torso. Still thinking about texture.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
I'm back...
State-o-mind: moving along
Task at Hand: Journal Entry, masking test
On The Horizon: Pop thru scenerios... possible model work
What is working: suiting up and showing up
What is not working: self judgement
Other thoughts: So lost my momentum, but building steam. Key is to keep moving forward no matter what. Considering moving consistent work time for this project to early mornings. Got up this morning to get "something" done for class this morning and in my morning haze had less resistance than had previously faced. Possible blocks... I like to stay up late... Haven't been a morning person in a long time. Benefit of making the change... consistent progress on a daily basis.
Task at Hand: Journal Entry, masking test
On The Horizon: Pop thru scenerios... possible model work
What is working: suiting up and showing up
What is not working: self judgement
Other thoughts: So lost my momentum, but building steam. Key is to keep moving forward no matter what. Considering moving consistent work time for this project to early mornings. Got up this morning to get "something" done for class this morning and in my morning haze had less resistance than had previously faced. Possible blocks... I like to stay up late... Haven't been a morning person in a long time. Benefit of making the change... consistent progress on a daily basis.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Posting to try to keep up & avoid a downward spiral.
State-o-mind: dismal... yet it could be just a feeling, trying to ignore it and move ahead
Task at Hand: Journal Entry, treatment
On The Horizon: Model building... script writing (STILL?)
What is working: Little Engine that could...
What is not working: even thinking of giving in to this funk.
Other thoughts: Totally transparency has me being totally honest on this blog post today. I'd rather just put up an everything's fine and moving along but perhaps if others see the struggle they will see it is temporary. Hopefully I'm not the only one who hits these potholes. Somewhat overwhelmed and behind in schoolwork, missed classes, missed deadline, money issues, just got over a lung infection, minimal sleep on Sunday night, child leaving for two weeks, and no time to rest. All that rolled up into a big pile of **** in my psyche probably has me a little off today. SO I am getting up going to class and will work on what I can today and celebrate little victories along the way. 1. Child to school on time 2. Gas in car 3. Air in tire 4. Blog post finished!
Task at Hand: Journal Entry, treatment
On The Horizon: Model building... script writing (STILL?)
What is working: Little Engine that could...
What is not working: even thinking of giving in to this funk.
Other thoughts: Totally transparency has me being totally honest on this blog post today. I'd rather just put up an everything's fine and moving along but perhaps if others see the struggle they will see it is temporary. Hopefully I'm not the only one who hits these potholes. Somewhat overwhelmed and behind in schoolwork, missed classes, missed deadline, money issues, just got over a lung infection, minimal sleep on Sunday night, child leaving for two weeks, and no time to rest. All that rolled up into a big pile of **** in my psyche probably has me a little off today. SO I am getting up going to class and will work on what I can today and celebrate little victories along the way. 1. Child to school on time 2. Gas in car 3. Air in tire 4. Blog post finished!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Project Proposal
My time line for this term is to have the Ego piece completed by May 1, 2011.
Visual... Previously I used a small wire model to test stop motion. I plan to use a similar simple design on a larger scale, need to build a test model and shoot it to see if I can get the same lighting effect. I am thinking of adding minimal clothing or accessory to indicate a specific individual. Example: a tie for corporate climber who feeds off of other egos to build up his own in order to raise higher in his perception.
Treatment is in process rather in my mind... just need to spill it out.
Relationship to career goals / artistic vision: i started animation with the hope that I could create quality programming for children, less violence more learning. My goals have shifted in that I want to make pieces that are similar to fable or moral tales that help us figure out where we want to grow as human beings. If I could help do that with kids that would be cool. I always wished I had a better road map when I was growing up...
Visual... Previously I used a small wire model to test stop motion. I plan to use a similar simple design on a larger scale, need to build a test model and shoot it to see if I can get the same lighting effect. I am thinking of adding minimal clothing or accessory to indicate a specific individual. Example: a tie for corporate climber who feeds off of other egos to build up his own in order to raise higher in his perception.
Treatment is in process rather in my mind... just need to spill it out.
Relationship to career goals / artistic vision: i started animation with the hope that I could create quality programming for children, less violence more learning. My goals have shifted in that I want to make pieces that are similar to fable or moral tales that help us figure out where we want to grow as human beings. If I could help do that with kids that would be cool. I always wished I had a better road map when I was growing up...
Juggling and balance
State-o-mind: tired... long weekend of work
Task at Hand: Journal Entry, project proposal
On The Horizon: Model building... script writing
What is working: Communication
What is not working: my tired brain
Other thoughts: So the title of the blog is Juggling and Balance and have found something to be true especially over the last year. The three largest balls that I continually have up in the air are family, work and school. There are lots of little balls that get thrown at me from time to time and those balls that I should pick up but never seem to have everything flowing to do so. This weekend work ball grew and overtook all other aspects of my life. Though I did see this coming Superbowl is the biggest day of the year and today I am paying physically for it. Today, work is non-existent and family has eclipsed all else. I saw the double whammy coming yet felt that it would work out. I need to get better at recognizing that when an eclipse is coming I need to prepare to deal with it.
Task at Hand: Journal Entry, project proposal
On The Horizon: Model building... script writing
What is working: Communication
What is not working: my tired brain
Other thoughts: So the title of the blog is Juggling and Balance and have found something to be true especially over the last year. The three largest balls that I continually have up in the air are family, work and school. There are lots of little balls that get thrown at me from time to time and those balls that I should pick up but never seem to have everything flowing to do so. This weekend work ball grew and overtook all other aspects of my life. Though I did see this coming Superbowl is the biggest day of the year and today I am paying physically for it. Today, work is non-existent and family has eclipsed all else. I saw the double whammy coming yet felt that it would work out. I need to get better at recognizing that when an eclipse is coming I need to prepare to deal with it.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Visits to the hardware store...
State-o-mind: producing ideas all over the place
Task at Hand: Journal Entry... writing down new ideas.
On The Horizon: Model building... script writing, proposal for term goals.
What is working: Flow of ideas... even my dreams are more vivid these days. Not exactly sure what freed up my creativity, but need to figure it out so next time I am stuck, I will be able to get out of it sooner.
What is not working: everything seems to be flowing, just need to keep up the momentum...
Other thoughts: Ideas... the transfer of energy from one ego to another can be handled post production in after effects or maya particles. Think I will approach Ego subject matter in a documentary style with voice over, which complicates things as far as language barriers but I am not going to worry about that right now. I think that it will free me up from worrying if I can get my ideas across visually. Although visually showing the ideas is key, it has been a barrier to moving forward in this piece. I think if I have the narration as a structure, it will help me choreograph the dance of egos. The narration will help keep the subject light and humorous and away from being preachy.
Side note: Walked into Ace Hardware to pick up vacuum bags and had a few moments to wander down the aisles... forgot how inspiring it is for me to just look at materials, may need to spend a couple of hours at one of the big stores just feeding my imagination.
Task at Hand: Journal Entry... writing down new ideas.
On The Horizon: Model building... script writing, proposal for term goals.
What is working: Flow of ideas... even my dreams are more vivid these days. Not exactly sure what freed up my creativity, but need to figure it out so next time I am stuck, I will be able to get out of it sooner.
What is not working: everything seems to be flowing, just need to keep up the momentum...
Other thoughts: Ideas... the transfer of energy from one ego to another can be handled post production in after effects or maya particles. Think I will approach Ego subject matter in a documentary style with voice over, which complicates things as far as language barriers but I am not going to worry about that right now. I think that it will free me up from worrying if I can get my ideas across visually. Although visually showing the ideas is key, it has been a barrier to moving forward in this piece. I think if I have the narration as a structure, it will help me choreograph the dance of egos. The narration will help keep the subject light and humorous and away from being preachy.
Side note: Walked into Ace Hardware to pick up vacuum bags and had a few moments to wander down the aisles... forgot how inspiring it is for me to just look at materials, may need to spend a couple of hours at one of the big stores just feeding my imagination.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Starting up journal entries... and a few inspirations.
State-o-mind: focused
Task at Hand: Journal Entry, Post Inspirations and Proposal Questionaire... oh and email blog address.
On The Horizon: Model building
What is working: Me!
What is not working: any nagging doubts regarding my abilities, exorcised those demons... funny thing is they have a habit of returning... they do not get to rent space in my brain... not time for that!
Other thoughts: Inspirations... I really don't try to imitate other works of art that inspire me but interesting to see how they reflect my own tendencies. Must be why I am drawn to them in the first place.
Inspired by the inventiveness of Avatar's environment and plant life. I was blown away at the "genius" of how something new can be familiar.. then when looking for images to post came across James Cameron's marine influence on his films. Of course!! Nothing better than Mother Nature to show you diversity and variety, texture and pattern.
Surprising, I have not previously added Mary Blair to my inspiration list. Her ability to mix color, pattern and texture still inspires me today. Although the song gets on my nerves, I will never forget the first time I visited It's a Small World After All at the ripe old age of 18. I think I like the visual harmony of many elements, giving the eye lots to explore and ponder.
Looking for some stop motion inspiration I came across
Kihachiro Kawamoto - The Demon
In the beginning I was ready to dismiss the short, as I thought there was not enough movement, but the story caught me and I was waiting to see how it ended. He had a nice sense of how to build tension and move the story along, keeping me engaged. The mixture of puppetry and 2D elements is interesting to me, in some scenes where the puppets are on a black background, he added some visual texture to keep the scene from being static, without taking away from the subtle animation.
Task at Hand: Journal Entry, Post Inspirations and Proposal Questionaire... oh and email blog address.
On The Horizon: Model building
What is working: Me!
What is not working: any nagging doubts regarding my abilities, exorcised those demons... funny thing is they have a habit of returning... they do not get to rent space in my brain... not time for that!
Other thoughts: Inspirations... I really don't try to imitate other works of art that inspire me but interesting to see how they reflect my own tendencies. Must be why I am drawn to them in the first place.
Inspired by the inventiveness of Avatar's environment and plant life. I was blown away at the "genius" of how something new can be familiar.. then when looking for images to post came across James Cameron's marine influence on his films. Of course!! Nothing better than Mother Nature to show you diversity and variety, texture and pattern.
Surprising, I have not previously added Mary Blair to my inspiration list. Her ability to mix color, pattern and texture still inspires me today. Although the song gets on my nerves, I will never forget the first time I visited It's a Small World After All at the ripe old age of 18. I think I like the visual harmony of many elements, giving the eye lots to explore and ponder.
Looking for some stop motion inspiration I came across
Kihachiro Kawamoto - The Demon
In the beginning I was ready to dismiss the short, as I thought there was not enough movement, but the story caught me and I was waiting to see how it ended. He had a nice sense of how to build tension and move the story along, keeping me engaged. The mixture of puppetry and 2D elements is interesting to me, in some scenes where the puppets are on a black background, he added some visual texture to keep the scene from being static, without taking away from the subtle animation.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Professional status
So summer and fall terms did not produce a finished project, however more stuff marinating in my brain. After three weeks off to work, settle after a major move and just play DK, watch TV, and be me, I feel energized and ready to go. Perhaps I was suffering from a major case of burn out, or gave in to major resistance. Steven Pressfield states in the "The War of Art" pg 79. "The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist... ... once he gets into the action, his fear will recede and he'll be okay."
I am turning pro today, this is a declaration and commitment to art. Pass or fail, suck or not, time to charge forward. Writing this down will help me to remember to keep working.
I am turning pro today, this is a declaration and commitment to art. Pass or fail, suck or not, time to charge forward. Writing this down will help me to remember to keep working.
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