Round 2

My last post was in 2013 and I cannot believe it's been that long! It feels like only yesterday I was toiling away in class 6, trying to make something of a useable reel. I will admit that I had burnt myself out by graduation time. The reel I had wasn't great but it was "good enough" and I think that's hurt me in the long run. I've applied here and there but haven't gone full throttle and now I sit here wishing but knowing the only thing stopping me is me.

So the scoop: I decided to go back to RCC and start/finish the animation program they have. There is finally a solid certificate program in place and I'm very excited to be going back to the drawing board (literally!). The instructor is Will Kim  and it looks like he's a fan of mixed media which is AWESOME because it means getting to dabble in more than just maya and makes you/your work/your reel that much stronger.

Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come! I can't wait to get started.

Silence Is Golden

Who needs words when you have Charlie Chaplin?

Blink And It's Gone!

Class 5 was an utter blast. Mentor Drew Adams really helped me hone in on my skill and create something that looks somewhat like animation.  The two person dialogue shot ended up pretty nice, if I do say so myself. It most definitely needs polish and more work but I like where it's at.  Here we go! Two person dialogue:

I feel like the dialogue and mouth shapes came out very nice. It took awhile to get it to this point but that's what the point of the class is! I'm already on to Class 6 (last class!!) which will focus on polishing shots and getting the reel together.... which means, soon friends I will be heading out to the "real" world! How exciting an adventure this will be! The latest mentor is Mark Oftedal. Currently, he is a freelance animator but got his start at Pixar (PIXAR!). Here's a link to his reel : Mark's Reel . Did I mention he totally animated my favorite scene in Toy Story ? (YOU! ARE! A! TOY!) I feel extremely blessed to be on this journey and being able to meet and get feedback from some amazing people :)

Worst. Week. EVER.

Wheeew!

It has been awhile! Poor neglected blog :( Anywho, since the last post I have finished up the pantomime shot and moved on to the one person dialogue shot.  Actually, at this point in time I'm almost done with the dialogue shot but there is a little progression reel below.  I decided to use a line of dialogue I had thought of last go around at Class 4.  It's Jimmy Stewart from The Philadelphia Story.  My thought with the line was that the character was a zombie who is reluctant to eat human flesh :) And you know that I love when my teachers agree with my off the wall ideas :D It makes me haapppeee! So! Here we go:

Finishing up the pantomime shot :) Not too shabby

Blocking for dialogue: first go around!

Revised blocking! ...nearly time to hit spliiine :/

Trucking Through

Last week was the first go at the pantomime shot! The inspiration for my shot was a nervous fellow waiting for his date.  He thinks he spots her, but alas no... until he looks over his shoulder and there she is!! He waves excitedly and prepares himself for her arrival!

This first video is the initial blocking of the shot with just enough info to get the message across.

This next video has added breakdowns as well as hitting some of the mentors notes (it also got moved from the static stepped mode to clamped mode)

Not With A Fizzle, But With A BANG!

It has been a little while since my last post! Nothing terribly exciting to note other than there was a break from school for a week then it was back to the grind!! Below is the final dialogue shot I ended up turning in. It's definitely better than the final of the pantomime Stewie, but still not really "final" material. Nonetheless, enjoy the Blue Shield!

Now onto this new class!! My mentor is Marek Kochout and he's worked for Disney Television animation and Dreamworks (where he currently resides). He's really fun and (what for iiiit) animated! It's a nice little inspiration boost I'll need to get through this class (more acting!!).