The other half of my Obstacle Course

First attempt at a run and slide combo. The running cycle was difficult as i tried to show that at some points in the cycle both feet left the ground. This became a challenge because as a result of the frame timing being shorter to make the cycle faster, there was less time and space to show the feet lifting high off the ground. The slide also proved difficult as the feet had to continue moving to the left but still had to look believable. The difficulty was making the character look like it was sliding on the floor and not gliding or hovering. I overcame this problem by creating bends in the knees and arms to show the weight distribution around the body which wouldn't exist if he was floating. 

NOTE: I know the right arm isn't moving correctly but i left that aspect of animation out for this beginning section as i just wanted to focus on the slide. I will be editing this piece to make it more realistic and interesting. I intend to add in different camera shots to create a dynamic and dramatic narrative. I will also be changing the direction of the walk and run as to maneuver the character around an obstacle course. This cycle will be combined with the 'Turn, Run and Jump' cycle.

Video reference for floor slide.

Obstacle Course- Test- And video reference

The first attempt at mirroring the video reference. The walk cycle is clearly not right. It's too slow and jagged. But my main focus was the jump and the starting position. I will edit the walk cycle so it's more realistic.

Video reference of my brother reenacting a superhero. 

• Dramatic kneeling pose
• Hears 'trouble'
• Stand up proud and ready for action

Theatrical Jump

Reference Sketches for the extreme interaction project

 

For these images i used a combination of live references and video footage. This exercise was very beneficial as it helped me understand the movement of certain activities and the weight shift of the body. It also helped me focus on the angle of the spine and legs when the subject performed grand gestures.

Subtle and Extreme interaction between Two people - Experiment. Not Finished!

Wave and then FIGHT!
The walk cycle will be edited to look more aggressive and realistic. At the minute the walk cycle looks jagged and way too slow. Also the main blue character will lean back on his right foot before kicking the other character. 
I am very pleased with how the kick has turned out and i think the bounce in his knees after this maneuver shows the weight of the character correctly and makes it look more realistic as his body is reacting to his grand movements.
    I want to use this animation for my final piece to show a subtle interaction (the wave ) and an extreme one (the kick). This animation will also include dynamic camera shots such as close ups on the character's face to convey their emotion and mid shots which focus on the main interaction (the wave and kick)

Lip sync- Experimental/Test. No way near Done

Scene from 'Funny Girl' - Musical with Barbra Streisand!

This animation is based on an old musical in which the main character is extremely expressive and so this proved to be difficult to replicate. However i enjoy lip sync animation very much and this was a fun challenge. Much work is still be done on this piece but it could make for an interesting animation which would be full of grand gestures and exaggerated facial and body movements. 

Fever by Peggy Lee, Lip sync

First experimental example of an extreme interaction

This piece is not finished, however this was my first attempt for this module at creating an interesting lip sync animation. I will use this animation in my final as it conveys an extreme interaction between two people. I will add in camera shots to show close up facial expressions which will add volume to the narrative. I will also attempt to show the weaker character 'Derek' walking away and crying. This will reinforce the interaction as he is effected by The main character.

Quick Elephant test

This piece may not be involved in my final, however it was very interesting to focus on animal movements and i think i will continue to study animal animation. One of the most interesting challenges of this study was to correctly convey the weight of the elephant. The anatomy and weight distribution of the animal made this an engaging activity. 

Captain Ham with Camera Shots

I am very pleased with how this final version turned out.
This was my first attempt at using camera shots and the process appears to be simple. I would like to improve the camera shots as some change from one to another too quick. Also some shots become messy as the camera zooms in and out too much.
I would like to see a fully rendered version of this animation.

Subtle Interaction Between Two Characters -Ideas:

1. Whispering
2. Phone Call?
3. Pointing at a character?
4. Walking past someone/ Avoiding them
5. Winking at character
6. Giving Evil eyes
7. A head nodding/shaking at character
8. A wave
9. A smile
10. Hand on shoulder/Arm around friend
11. Quick glance, side glance
12. Handshake
13. Passing an object to other character
14. Nudging a character

Extreme interaction between two characters-Ideas:

1. Drunk character, falling over on other person
2. Hugging/Kissing
3. Fighting- Martial Arts- Warriors 
4. Two characters shouting at each other
5. Two characters dancing with each other
6. Extreme emotional interaction ? Crying, Laughing together

Character negotiating a path through an obstacle course-Ideas:

1. Avoiding bombs?
2. Avoiding objects - Walking through corridor - Boxes and files - 
3. Jumping over objects, ducking underneath, crawling, side stepping, forward roll, on back shimmying, slowly stepping around/over something, tip toeing. 

Complex And Dynamic interaction between no less than two people lasting no less than 5 seconds of action:

1. Dancing- Party
2. Fighting

Lip Syncing- Ideas:

1. A speech- Famous/powerful/memorable
2. A podcast
3. A stupid/Gormless/Silly character saying pointless things
4. An angry character- Shouting/pointing
5. Sad Characters
6. Happy character/ Laughing and joking
7. Conversation between two people
8. Radio Show?
9. Character singing

                                     

Captain Ham Walk Cycle

Watch at 720p HD