Kyle Balda 3D Masterclass - Character Dialogue

When I was in Paris for the Gobelins summer school, we were lucky enough to attend Kyle Balda's 3D masterclass. He has posted an "Acting Tutorial highlights" clip so you can get a taste of the process he uses to animate in 3D.

2nd year animators take note on what Kyle says about the root control of a character. It is something we have been covering in the walk cycle exercise. See how animating from the root can be used as the foundation of any body movement, be it in locomotion or acting.

[*Transform hippy metaphor huzzah!*] A tree can't sway without a solid root. Nor can you expect to move an audience without good animation at the core of your character. Always think of the root.

Flipping and Rolling an animation skill

The first year animators are planning some character animation and experimenting using traditional techniques. Once they start flipping out, it's hard to stop them.

Above is a video clip of Argentinian animator Ignacio Ochoa animating (in colour erasable pencil, like Will. I would like everyone animating with 6B lead pencils. [link] If it's good enough for Glen Keane, it's good enough for first year animators).

This is a link to Mike Nguyen's blog, he taught animation at CalArts and animated on Brad Bird's Iron Giant feature film. In his case he is 'rolling'. Thanks Michelle for pointing out this post.

Paris ~ "Reulf" by by Quentin Carnicelli, Charles Klipfel & Jean-François Jégo

In a black & white Paris, little creatures with paintbrush decide to brighten up the city...

Reulf is student project from University of Paris VIII directed by Quentin Carnicelli, Charles Klipfel & Jean-François Jégo as part of our graduate program in Arts and Technologies de l'Image.
Music composed by Robert le magnifique & Olivier Mellano.

Music Videos

The second year animators will be possibly creating some animation associated with music. One animator has organised their major project based on music. Steve Baker, in his guest lecture, spoke about making links with local Brisbane bands and how creatively fruitful those relationships can be for animators and musicians.

I look at this music clip and keep wondering what a traditionally trained animator rather than, or maybe 'as well as', an illustrator could have done with it. note: that is not a comment on the illustration, which I find appealing.



Heath Ledger directed music video animated by animators at The Masses. I can see a bit of difference here, with timing and spacing, especially in the opening sequence. Understanding motion is something animators can market to production houses. warning: this clip depicts people being skinned by whales

Student Animation Blogs from Canada

A post and film featured on Mitch's Animation Anxiety Attacks has inspired this post.

The film was by a 2008 graduate from the animation course @ Sheridan College in Canada (4 year course).

One of the animation teachers from Sheridan has an unofficial blog, much like this one, that links to student blogs for Sheridan College.

I think it is a good idea for students to assess their own animation development by comparing their output and animation results with their peers (other animation students). That way they can see and seek to improve.

How does your animation compare?



Because some of my students don't seem to fully understand my teachings, but have an amazing grasp of anime, I have translated the above post for them using online translation software:

Mitch, so the post and the film which become the feature. The insecure seizure of the life of Mitch urged this post. The film Canada (course of 4 years) kept depending on 2008 graduates from the university of Sheridan of course of life. The one of life teachers from Sheridan is connected to [burogu] of the student for the university of Sheridan, in the same way as this 1, it has that informal [burogu]. I think of that what assesses the development of their itself lives the equal person (the other life student) thing by comparing the result of their outputs and life is profitable step for the student. The method of seeing because they improve, being possible to endeavor. How it compares your life?

While you are checking out student work the 2009 AnimationMentor Student Showcase is worth a look.

Forest Trio - Alexey Alexeev

What is it? What makes this animation so appealing? There is some nice technical aspects such as wonderful timing, good design, interesting characters (how about the base drum by the rabbit!), and check out those head turns. I laugh at this every time.

The Joy of Animation