The Spring 2010 Term starts April 10th - this Saturday at Gnomon.
I am teaching both Character and Creature courses this term, on Staurdays.
I worked very hard to create animation tests that will push animators and provide artists with shots that are similar to what you would work on, in production. I have rigs and scenes chosen for you, so you just have to animate. No messing with cameras or sets or anything else. Go sign up!
Creature I Course
I designed this course for the working professional who wants to get deeper into photo-realistic creature work and/or the student who is curious about the world of creature animation. I taught this class last term and learned a lot about what works best. Last term I left the projects too iopen and gave enough rope to the artists to hang themselves. This term, I am handing out shots to each animator exactly as they would be handed out on a real production. Above, is just one example. I have several rigs to choose from for the animators and will assign the rig to the skill set and interests of the artist.
This class builds on the Character Animation 1 and 2 courses. Students build on what they have learned in previous animation courses and continue to develop high quality animated tests that show photo-realistic weight shifts in the body and creature-driven acting. They expand on creature driven performances that are convincing in motion and draw empathy without speaking.
Exercises covered include a film quality animated creature cycle (bi-ped or quad) that moves through space from stop to full speed and then stop again (sliding, climbing, hit, attack, etc.) The second test is a pure performance-driven film quality animation using a creature or human that illustrates photo-real timing, weight and acting. This class will push students to deliver two final, finished creature pieces for their reel.
Character Animation 3 Course
I looked at what is expected of this course, since it existed before I came to Gnomon. I came up with some great challenges for animators that also "box" (pun intended) them into a shot. Most animators I teach seem to run around grabbing at shiny things. they are so wowed at all that is before them in CG, they manage to only do a mediocre job at all of it. My Character Animation class also provides a predefined shot with a set camera and goals for the character. Creativity must come from the animation. Not props, camera moves, additional cameras or characters. One character, one obstacle and one great animation.
This course covers advanced techniques in character animation. It focuses on producing at least two demo-reel-quality animation scenes through nailing down the subtleties of animation, including facial animation, working on giving characters proper weight, and good acting. Exercises include Heavy Lift — showing weight, clear staging and trimming; Dialog Acting Test — finding the most entertaining way to deliver dialog.
Students will animate starting from a blocking pass, then to final animation. Using a production-type environment, students pitch their idea via the blocking pass. Everything an animator does should have purpose, down to the smallest gesture. Exercises focus on making visual and tactual contact with objects and other techniques that will help sell the scene. Lectures will feature guest speakers. This course is designed for working pros who need a refresher and students who have already completed the Character Animation 1 and 2 classes.
I encourage students from last term to comment on their experience in my class!
Thanks,
Angie