Stewie! Watch Out! The Continuing Saga

Well I was pretty pleased with what I had turned in last week as my blocking for Stewie getting hit by a dodge ball. But after watching my critique, it was clear that the boss (aka mentor Pete!) wasn't as enthusiastic about it as I was.  After retooling the blocking to try and get more of the flair he was looking for, I have to say (again!) I'm pleased with the direction its going in.  I was definitely a little bummed when he asked me to change nearly the whole thing but after the new blocking pass, I can see that its much more interesting to watch.  So lesson of the week: listen to your director/mentor! The school technically lets you work on your own ideas BUT the mentor still acts as the director.  If he doesn't feel its working, then its gotta be changed.  This was a great lesson in the realities of work and I think I took it pretty well :D Below is the second blocking of my shot.  Still needs work (of course, right after its turned in I can see a million things wrong with it) but its definitely more interesting and appealing and I thank my mentor for making me redo it :)

On another note: I'd also like to write something a little sentimental for me to remember as I continue this journey.  A year ago I wasn't a happy camper with how life was going.  I was bored at work (although a little less so as I had been promoted to the sales floor and finally got out of the box that is the cashiers desk) and very discouraged with school.  After the fiasco that was private college, I found myself wondering what to do with the rest of my life.  Animation has been something I've always loved, albeit not something I had always considered as a viable career option.  In the later years of high school (thanks to Ms. Sanzberro!) and throughout community college (shout out to Donivan Howard!) I came to the realization that this was something I loved and felt like I could really see myself doing.  So when I searched online for animation schools, one popped out among the rest: AnimationMentor.com.  I watched the student showcases and was completely convinced that this was it ...this was the place that would push me to my potential and really let me prove that this is what I wanted.  Since starting this amazing journey, I've met some incredible people and have had the most excellent adventures.  I can honestly say that I never imagined that I would have as many new and amazing experiences that have come out of this last year.  Animation Mentor, its amazing staff, the wonderful AM students that I've had the honor of meeting, my friends and family ...you all truly make me feel like anything I dream is possible and for that I am eternally grateful :)

Stewie! Watch Out!

Here it is! The first assignment of class 3 has officially been turned in :D All in all, I'm pretty happy with the blocking pass ....except for the arcs on the dodgeball (which is ironic, no?!).  Not to toot my own horn or anything but I'm really, REALLY liking the ball to the face reaction part the most :D This next week will be blocking plus (more tweeking will be done I'm sure!).  I'm excited and kind of scared to see what mentor Pete has to say about it :/ Oh well! Until next week :D Excelsior!!

Class 3 ...So It Begins!

Ah! Back at AnimationMentor.com and back on the computer!! The winter break was just what I needed to get a little relaxation in and rejuvenate my creative skills... Ironically, in the absence of AM work at the hardware store has become more ...colorful and full of creative projects lol I had to have an outlet for all that pent up energy! So tonight completes the first Q and A of Class 3!! I can hardly believe it really ...It seems like just yesterday I was learning how to use Maya. I feel like I've come along way in only a few months but I know I have so much more growing to do! My new mentor this class is Pete Paquette. He's worked at Blue Sky for quite a few years until just recently making the switch to video game animation.  He seems really fun and creative but also very honest, which is good as it may hopefully help me thicken my skin to critiques! I can't wait to start up animating again :D Excelsior!


http://petepaquette.com/

Class 2 Officially Ends

Its hard to imagine that I've already gone through 2 of the 6 classes for Animation Mentor... but it's true. It is a bittersweet moment: I'm terribly excited to be moving on to the next phase of the program but it is certainly scary to face what is coming up next :/ All in all, I feel pretty good about how I did this class.  I worked really hard and I learned a lot.  I can't wait to see what is next on the horizon! Below is the final for the Stewie Drag project. It's gone through many stages and although not 100% amazing, I quite like how it turned out :)

Watching my progress from Class 1 till now makes me feel happy.  I think it's pretty obvious I've learned a lot already and that makes me happy :) I like the feeling of self awesomeness that comes with hard work! Below is my progress reel from Class 1 and Class 2.  And with that, I sign off until the new year :) Oh 2012 ...what will you bring?

Baby Steps!

Oh. My. GOSH. Who knew making a character pull a heavy object would be this labor intensive ? After all the hype in my mind of doing the Time Warp as an assignment, I ended up ditching that idea and going with "Stu Pulls Something ...Heavy" instead.  Class 2 is focusing on body mechanics and mentor Travis suggested (but didn't say we had to) that we try out something more focused on that (instead of the dance that would be ...*le sigh* ....). This was also the first adventure with a FULL RIG. Arms, legs, torso and head ....the whole enchilada.  Its been a very trying three weeks (so far) trying to get the animation/body mechanics working properly.  It definitely isn't there yet but its slowly making its way to the party :) Hopefully I'll have a kick ass final by next week!! Excelsior!

 

This is attempt uno... the fall wasn't working ...and neither were the "paddle hands"

 

This is attempt two! The fall still isn't working. The hands are better but are sloshing around too much!

 

Try number three! Didn't really touch the hands or hips, I mostly focused on the fall (which I hope is working better now! ...I know I like it better :D)

Who Knew It'd Be This Hard

So last weeks assignment turned out to be somewhat of a dud :/ I ended up blocking the moonwalk but there was a lot not working with it.  It came down to bad time management I think... so if there are any early AMers reading this, TIME MANAGEMENT! I had a lot to make up for this past week. I had to re-block my whole animation plus do the "blocking plus" to be ready for turn in this past Sunday. It took a few loooong nights but the animation came out a lot better and mentor Travis was pleased :) It still needs work for sure, but I'm just glad that I learned I could manage my time in a way that it made up for the horrendous work done last week! Below is the re-blocking/blocking plus (in spline). On to this weeks assignment: polishing and thumbnails for the NEXT assignment!

Log Rolling To The Max

I can't believe it is the end of the first assignment for Class 2 already :( *tear* Ballie, I hardly knew thee ...which isn't true at all because oh how I know Ballie after these past few assignments lol We're great buddies now I think :) After three weeks working on the first assignment (I chose the Log Roll), it's all done ....well maybe not 100% done but done enough that I'm pretty pleased with myself.  The arcs proved to be most difficult with the hips and feet but I found a dry erase marker, saran wrap on the computer screen and some patience went a long way. Below is videos of my blocking, first pass and final. Enjoy!!

This next assignment will introduce us to Stewie (the Stu rig minus arms) and we get to choose from a list of actions ...I quickly decided I need to do the MOONWALK finally! It was almost like a sign from the great beyond ...there was "moonwalk" there yet again, taunting me! Well I accept your challenge universe! Me and Stewie are gonna go dance now :) Happy animating!