HALO- Forward Unto Dawn Series

Just came upon this web series promoting the new Halo 4 game by 343.  I was very surprised at the level of production and story.  Really well done, both loyal Halo fans and  new viewers can really get into this series.  The series is produced by Lydia Antonini and Josh Feldman (digital content producers) and backed by 343 studio.  The idea to go with live action is a good one here, building on the old Halo live action spots years ago, as long as the production value stays where it is I totally understand the emotional level trying to be reached. A new episode premieres every Friday, click on the image and catch up on the 4 episodes already up on the MachinimaPrime channel on YouTube.  Good to know there is some quality animation jobs out there in digital content.  

AC2- Matchmove Dragon Flight Into Tunnel

Feedback:  This is very important, get some eyes on your work.  Here are my mentor's notes on how to get this guy in the right direction:

1. Whats my story as to why my dragon is flying down this tunnel  and landing on the ledge?  Dont just have him fly in and land. This is huge, I want to tell a story!!!  So, my idea is that this dragon is landing on the ledge and getting ready to take off and land on a lower ledge out of camera view below.  The tunnel is the dragons home, he knows this tunnel like the back of his wing.  Therefore the we see a really quick entry into the cave, he comes to a landing somewhat cautiously and instantly looks to the next ledge below, ready's himself and gets ready to land on the next lower ledge.

2. Have him come in from the top of the cave, also upon entry have him rotate where we can see a silhouette of the dragons topside and top wings, he'll rotate and turn down.

3. F14, we need to see more tail, also tuck wings more and lose edge so slightly rotate wings so that we can see a better wing silhouette.

4. F25, we need more tail showing path of action and again eliminate the edge of the wings and show more silhouette.

5. f30ish, Get wings tucked more also push the dragon more screen left.

6. F44, get wings out at their fullest extension.  Pull wings back, so their not so forward.  The wings come out this is the BRAKE!  Body is going to swing out and down, while wings lift.  Overlapping action here.Push character closer to camera on this wing extension, so he's moving deeper in Ty here closer to camera he'll overshoot and settle up.  We want to hold the wing extension for 3-4 frames and then go into the flap, but before I flap, anticipate this flap by raising the shoulders and chest a bit.  Always anticipate the change from glide to flap.  

7. On wing flap, F51-54 have flap be more up/down instead of forward/back.  Also really get his wings to curl under him on down flap.

8. F64, fingers too strong, bend them.

9. F74, have one leg outstretchedwhile the other is more tucked.

10. F74, reduce the forward/back and make it more up/down on wings.

11. F107, landing have him land and instantly be looking at next ledge below.  so his head would be low and looking while his body is adjusting to take flight.

12. F18, and all the flight path of action, make it curvy.  Straights are boring.

A ton of great points to hit on my next pass, so I'm off and getting to work.

AC2- Final Vanilla Dragon Flight

My Final Vanilla Dragon Flight Cycle

AC2- Blocking Plus Match Move Dragon Tunnel

So here I should be in blocking plus, running a little behind so it's catch up time now.  There is still a ton of work to do just to get this into Block Plus.  But as is I can see the overall path and move through the flight and land. Keep going...!!!!

AC2- Creating Camera Track For Match Move Dragon Tunnel

Usually if you work for a bigger studio you'll have your plates camera tracked and ready to go.  But a lot of smaller studios will expect you to do this yourself.  So it's a good idea to learn how to get good tracked plates.  A good piece of software is syntheyes - it's easy to use and after little practice you'll be up and running.

AC2- Reference for my upcoming shot

Here are my reference pieces for my upcoming match move assignment where I will be animating a dragon flying through a tunnel and ultimately coming to a landing.

Birds In Flight - Slow Motion brought to U By Smarter Every Day

Here are some really great video clips of birds in slow-mo.  All of these clips are from Destins Youtube page Smarter Every Day.  I am just showing the great bird reference clips here for animation sake.  But I recommend his page, he's got some really great stuff.

Graphite9 Plugin AMAZBALLS Award!

Wow, this plugin is really great.  Just watch the video and drool.  Then download and send a thank you to the creator, Brian Horgan, for creating this amazballs plug!  Thanks much to my mentor, Nicole Herr, for pointing me to graphite9's site.

Animals Creatures 2 - WK 2 planning prt 3

The last planning page for my proposed match moves.

Animals Creatures 2 - WK 2 planning prt 2

Plan Plan Plan!

Animals Creatures 2 - WK 2 planning

Here we go again with planning and some notes.  I really didnt get into posing because I just wanted to nail down the concepts first.  I'll see what my mentor thinks.

Animals Creatures WK 2! Match Move and References

Ok. week 2 in AC2 and we are getting into match moving and backplates.  Here are my choices and also I have attached all my large bird references

Animals Creatures 2 - Final Dragon Vanilla Flight

So here is my final Dragon Vanilla Flight cycle.  There was a lot of fixes done on this bad boy.  There are some tweaks I'd like to clean up but right now I'm sick of looking at it.

Animals Creatures 2 - Dragon Vanilla Flight

OK, here is my first pass on my Vanilla dragon flight cycle.  I will post my mentor's crit notes on this puppy shortly - as soon as I have a second.

Large Bird Reference

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS get your butt some reference!  Good sources are FramePool, BBC, YouTube, and Pond5.  Also, make sure your referencing birds/animals that are the right size for what your animating.

Animals Creatures 2 - Dragon Flight Cycle Thumbs 2

Here is more work on what is happening mechanically in bird flight but from a side view.

Animals Creatures 2 - Dragon Flight Cycle Thumbs

Do your work b4 U touch maya.  Thats what this is.  I have gone in and began to understand the mechanics of flight.  This was a doozy.

Progress Reel

Oh man, time is flying.  Here is my current Progress Reel.  I still haven't had time to go in and polish all my pieces.  Animals and Creatures 2 is kicking my butt!  But here it is anyway.