A R C

EVOLUTION BABY!

2008-08-05T19:50:00.004+10:00

Click to go to the new ARC

Well folks, after years of faithful service its time for this tittle larvae to break free from its little cocoon and emerge for the next phase of it life. The new Animation Resource Center is up and ready for action.

Hopefully subscribers will want to do the same for the new ARC and can do so by click on this pic.

Click to Subscribe to the new ARC.

I'll see you there.

New Millenium Muybridge - Movement Reference

2008-08-05T10:16:00.007+10:00

The BBC Motion Gallery is an excellent resource for video referencing all types of movement. Things like: butterflies landing on a crocodile's head, scurrying rats, Muhammad Ali boxing (speaking of butterflies) ...

NEW ARC COMING

2008-08-02T22:50:00.005+10:00

So whats up!?!?!?

Well you may have noticed I haven't been posing much of late. That's because I have been cooking up the next step in the ARCs evolution. I've decided that instead of just adding to the now massive amount of animation information on the net, I think what is really needed is some way of helping people who want to learn about animation navigate their way to the information that best helps them.

The new ARC will be a constantly updated set of links to the best free online resources, those resources will be categorised to help you find the information you want. There will also be a reference page where you can see and study some of the great online animation available.

Once I get it filled up to a minimum level I will start a separate page called New Additions, then whenever I add something new to a category I will link to it in a new post there. That means you will be able to subscribe to the New Additions page and keep up to date on any new goodies I find. I also hope that this will be where we can get lots of comments and have good discussions without necessarily cluttering up the reference section.

The categories down the left side are just a work in progress at this stage, I keep thinking of new things to add so I imagine it still has some evolving to do.

When I get at least one thing in each category I will swap its URL over with this one and we will get back into action. In the mean time you can drop by and have a look by clicking on the pick (not that there is much to see apart from the basic layout). Also feel free to leave a comment about your favourite educational online resources so I can make sure they are linked to where appropriate :)

11 Second Club - View & Vote

2008-08-01T14:57:00.002+10:00

The 11SecondClub is a good online resource for animators gone rusty or those wanting to enhance their show reel with a dialogue/ character acting animation sequence.

Don your berets and scarves, an SBIT student has entered 11SecondClub (again). Voting on the animation entries will occur over this weekend.

Some of the comments listed are from the January 2008 competition (the post has been recycled - Save the trees!).

Persepolis - A chance to see it in Brisbane @ BIFF

2008-07-29T08:00:00.000+10:00

The acclaimed, Oscar nominated, 2007 French feature animation "Persepolis" is one of the showcase films at the Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF).

Matt, one of our international contributers, rates the film highly in his comments on the Kung Fu Panda topic.

It's playing on Friday 1 August, 12pm (lunch), and Friday 8 August, 7pm at The Regent, Cinema 3. Entry is $13.50 for full time students.

Jason Ryan ~ Webinars with a major studio Supervising Animator

2008-07-28T10:57:00.007+10:00

Jason Ryan is a supervising animator at major feature film studios. His resume includes working at Disney and Dreamworks.

Australian animators have the opportunity to discuss animation topics and solve animation problems in a series of live webinars.

Second year students at SBIT, just think about it... What a great way to continue building your show reel / demo reel after graduation. Each month potentially having an improved animation piece to replace student stumblings.

Other Jason Ryan posts on the ARC (find out why this bunch of Brisbane animation students are so excited*). Find out more about Jason Ryan.

*Ian said (previously), "I’m chuffed that there is a way we can teach 3D and keep drawing central to the process. Thankyou Jason Ryan. :)"

Cost of War

2008-07-27T15:16:00.003+10:00

As I continue to consider the role of the ARC in the universe (i.e. can it offer anything that isn't repeated in other places), I'm finding it hard to locate things that inspire me to post. At least this super simple piece of Motion Graphics says something I agree with.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

2008-07-23T22:00:00.004+10:00

An article brought to my attention by friend of the ARC Kristi who is back working Animal Logic in Sydney.

Lovesong ~ James Fearn-Wannan

2008-07-22T00:22:00.010+10:00

Creative Industries Award for Best Film: 2007
Graduating Class of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

The animator's show reel is linked to his web site.

Flash Animated Websites

2008-07-21T22:52:00.004+10:00

The SBIT 2nd Year Animators are about to start to build their own personal websites. Could you, dear reader, share some inspiring examples of Flash animated websites that could kickstart their creativity?

Note that we want to see sites that incorporate some swish animation INTO the design of the site - not, say, static websites wherein the user clicks a button that opens a movie in a new window.

I'll start by offering the website of Disney's Little Einsteins (one of my current favourite shows - love those simple vectors).

And here are some fantastic examples of sites made by recent SBIT graduates...

Know any more? Sure you do! Please share...

Yellow Sticky Notes

2008-07-21T18:25:00.002+10:00

A little self indulgent but way cool nun the less.

Found at: Ticklebooth

Home Sick

2008-07-20T22:17:00.003+10:00

I see the work of the new After Effects pin tool in this haunting and unnerving short film.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Varmints

2008-07-19T22:09:00.004+10:00

I got to tell you, I am in love with these small(ish) commercial studios who make short films on the side. They go places that their big feature making cousins fear to tread, exploring looks, concepts and themes that are fresh and original. Studio AKA are probably my favourite of all, and a preview for their new short film Varmints is up online. If your new to the work of Studio AKA you should stop by their updated web site, so much cool stuff, they are truly top shelf.

The Power of Totoro

2008-07-17T20:56:00.003+10:00

Over 1000 top international artists have donated their work to the Totoro Forest Project, a charity organised to save the very forest that inspired Miyazaki to make one of (Aww what the hell) the best animated movies ever.

Acting choices for key poses

2008-07-17T00:01:00.000+10:00

What do you think of the acting choices in this animation?

Do the key poses/ frames communicate clearly?

CHEVisodes "Stressing Out"

The file is a Quicktime movie so you can study it frame-by-frame, which is really fun!

Brothers Mcleod - Sticks - 'High Noon'

2008-07-16T00:01:00.000+10:00

The Brothers Mcleod are innovative animators from the UK.

This is a YouTube clip, so if you can't view it @ school there's more about The Brothers Mcleod here and here.

What did you think of the film?

Blur

2008-07-14T19:59:00.007+10:00

For years now I've been thoroughly entertained by the short films, game promos and ads from the Blur animation studio. So it warms my heart to hear that they have won a crack at a feature film. This article in Hollywood Reporter says they will be working on a film adaptation of the comic book The Goon.

I'm sure you have seen much of it before but check out some of Blur's fine work.
Gopher Broke - A Gentleman’s Duel - In the rough
And some of their game promo's
Warhammer - Empire earth III - Transformers

Cacul Mental

2008-07-14T18:17:00.007+10:00

What do you think is the story in this French student animation? Do you need to understand French to understand the story?

If you understood the story, but not the spoken language, how was it told?

Benjamin Benouy, one of the animators, was a student who recently graduated from the college Emile Cohl. Check out some more of the work from Ecole Emile Cohl.

White Water Hymnal

2008-07-13T22:06:00.003+10:00

Mmmm nice nice nice.

AM Webinar - demo reel dos and don'ts

2008-07-12T13:00:00.006+10:00

Carlos Baena has a webinar up for Animation Mentor that is all about the best way to make a demo reel. A must see for students so drop by and watch it here!

Recent ARC post about show reel design with links to all the ARC resources on creating show reels.

Kung Fu Ponder

2008-07-10T13:42:00.011+10:00

What made this film appeal to animators? There are some that are putting KFP in the same league as "The Incredibles" (That's just a bear scratch below "The Iron Giant"!).

Here's a few knowledgeable comments: Read more

So what did you knowledgeable animators reading this blog think of Kung Fu Panda? What impressed, what grated? If you found the animation, story or design appealing, why?

Generic Design

2008-07-09T22:47:00.004+10:00

The way female characters are designed and featured in animation has been a hot topic on this blog in the past, this is an interesting article about giving female characters a design with individual personality. The topic was then picked up in this article on the Cartoon Cave Blog, Part 1 and Part 2. Two of the shows mentioned in Part 2 were or are being worked on right here in Brisbane.

ARC? - Part 2

2008-07-07T23:00:00.011+10:00

Here is a stab at a layout. I suppose even if this goes nowhere then this map in its self may be useful to some. But just imagine if you could click on any of these and they linked you to all the best free online resources on that topic, that would be cool.
Man it looks like a big job though.

ARC?

2008-07-06T21:19:00.003+10:00

In the past few days I've been following and contributing to the comments for a post Kevin Koch made on his awesome blog, SynchroLux. During that conversation I had an idea..... read more.

Peppy

2008-07-05T11:16:00.003+10:00

Ever wonder why teachers are always getting students to animated walks. Just look at how much of this film is told through characters walking, and how every walk has an attitude and purpose.

Endangered Species

2008-07-04T09:02:00.006+10:00

I'm not sure how I feel about this film. On the one hand it is well made and got a chuckle or two from me, but on the other I can't help but wonder if the original pioneers who are glorified so much in this film would have achieved what they did if they had spent their time sitting around longing for yester year. I think Walt Disney could be a bit of a corporate monster himself at times, and much of the technology the animators used back in the early years must have seemed strange and unruly to them. This film must have taken some time to make, a long time to be dwelling on how good things used to be. Not that I'm a stranger to making films as therapy, about 6 years ago I made a piece that was all about my frustration at being on the other side of the world to where all the animation action was. At the time I told myself it was for my showreel, but I look back now and realise I was just working things out. The piece didn't do me any good on the reel. There is so much to be said for a positive frame of mind and a constructive attitude. If animation is going to leap further forward it will be the proactive people who achieve it, not those looking wistfully out the rear vision mirror.

Found at: Cartoon Brew

Spungella

2008-07-03T20:56:00.006+10:00

The Spungella blog is probably the closest thing out there in wibbly wobbly web land to the ARC. Its run by a teacher (Jean-Denis ) and is mainly aimed at his AAU students, but for technical reasons has to remain independent from the educational institution (sounds familiar). Its full of great articles, useful links and teachings. In particular I'd check out the critique section where you can see the work of some other students and what Jean has to say about it. Soak it up :)

Animation Employment and Showreels

2008-07-03T10:58:00.008+10:00

I found an interesting, top secret document online that I thought I would share with just the readers of this blog. Only you. If you want to stay in your current employment hell, then don't read this.
There's stuff in it that starts off by saying, "You've just finished the course, you're all fired up and want to unleash your brilliance on the whole world..."

For the second years in the SBIT animation course the final semester looms. Some thoughts are turned to what we want to do in 2009. The first years have already built up quite a remarkable store of animation related work in just one semester. Well done. Will some of it appear on your showreel?

Design your showreel using the wealth of knowledge hidden in the ARC.

Cable

2008-07-02T19:12:00.005+10:00

In terms of the different looks and feels that can be achieved with 3D animation, this film covers more ground in 12 mins than the main stream 3D feature film industry has covered in the last 10 years.

And for once its nice not to be pointing out great art direction for a film where the animation isn't that great. Not only dose this film look amazing, in every shot the character moves with weight and attitude. Best online work I've seen in a while.

Cool Slow Stuff

2008-07-01T21:51:00.003+10:00

Something to consider next time you are working on that squash frame at the point of impact.

Found at: The Thinking Animation Blog

Video Referencing - add it to your toolkit

2008-06-30T10:03:00.015+10:00

"Each animator finds his/her groove when it comes to tools such as video planning. Some shoot their own video reference, and some gather video reference from all sorts of different sources. Video planning is as unique as the animator using it. However, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to video planning and reference material," says the quote from the AnimationMentor Tips & Tricks blog.

Video referencing links nicely with the Jason Ryan techniques being learnt by the current 2nd years to create and ENJOY better 3D animation.

Ian even went down to the physical movement faculty gym with some second years (Steve and Cassie) to film walks on a treadmill for video reference material. Combining video reference with traditional 2D planning is an empowering (for the student animator) and powerful method (for the animation teacher) to create appealing 3D animation. What do you think of using live action reference?

And just to bounce your brain another way: "...you can learn more about line-of-action and dynamic posing by spending ten minutes in a good comic book than you can by watching hours of movie reference." Who said this? No, it wasn't Terry Oberg.

So what do you use for your animation reference material?
ARC InDepth post: Ian uses video references in a jumping ramble.
p.s. Read the chapter on "Reference Material" in the Tips & Tricks eBook.
p.p.s Remember Eaduard Muybridge? Some great movement reference here. Ref: "The Human Figure in Motion"
p.p.p.s Dr. Harold Edgerton. Ref: "Stopping Time".

Tiji

2008-06-26T20:36:00.004+10:00

This ad for a French childrens TV station is pretty much a short film in its own right. Very nice.

Found at: Motionographer

UEFA Euro 2008

2008-06-26T20:27:00.002+10:00

Check these very slick football ads.

Found at: Motionographer

Polish

2008-06-25T19:50:00.002+10:00

Kevin Koch has just put up a good post about putting that final polish on your animation that I think is well worth a read.

He even uses a variation on the "Polishing a Turd" spiel I give in class. Darn it, and I thought I was being so original :)

Character Animation Resource

2008-06-24T15:42:00.005+10:00

If something doesn't make sense in class students are encouraged to try and look at the problem in different ways, from a few different viewpoints.

Ian and I had an interesting talk about the different way people learn things. And sometimes we just have to find what makes sense to the individual.

So if your animated character isn't doing the things you want it to do, use Internet resources, it's good to see how different animators solve the problems.

AnimationMentor have started a blog that could be added to your problem solving resource list.

Gobelins Annecy Opener 2004

2008-06-22T20:00:00.002+10:00

Yet another very cool Annecy opener from the Gobelins school.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Animation Ramble - Intuitive Timing

2008-06-20T19:18:00.004+10:00

In the last week of classes before the mid year break I gave the first year animation students at Southbank Institute of Technology a spray about taking their knowledge of timing to the next level. An intuative level. . . . . . read on.

E.T.A

2008-06-20T11:32:00.003+10:00

Thought

2008-06-17T22:49:00.007+10:00

You know what I love about animation perhaps even more than any of the art involved ?........

Its a place where the passionate prevail.

Leave a comment and tell me why you love animation
.

Animation Ramble - The Power of Subtle Changes In Timing

2008-06-16T21:34:00.002+10:00

Lets play with some timing....

Richard Williams On DVD

2008-06-14T21:36:00.005+10:00

I was lucky enough to see the Richard Williams Master Class in person back in my Disney days, and many of his lessons feature in my teachings now. He talked for 3 days and it cost about $3000 from memory (I could be wrong, I've been to bed since then).

Now he has released a recording of his master class with animated examples on DVD. Its $999 US, and I'm afraid I can't imagine many of my students having that kind of spare cash. For students at our level I would probably recommend some of Jason Ryan's or Kieth Lango's tutorials first anyway (if for any reason you felt the need to seek an alternative perspective to that offered in our course). But the promo is interesting to watch and for me brought back some nice memories.

Zdenek Miler and the Mole

2008-06-13T23:55:00.003+10:00

Back when I first started blogging I would often stumble across great animation from my childhood. These days, after almost three years of rummaging around the net for blog content, its rare to find such things. But thanks to the awesome Drawn blog I have found one more, I have very vague memories of these cartoons from Czechoslovakian Zdenek Miler.

The backgrounds are simply stunning and hint at Milers background as an illustrator. The second episode featured here seems quite risque and graphic for a kids show, but it probably just goes to show how sanitised things are these days. It is quite bizarre.

Rabit?

2008-06-12T09:51:00.003+10:00

I wish my Internet connection was this fast :)

Found at: FEED

Red Feather

2008-06-11T22:46:00.006+10:00

Maybe I'm just tired, but I almost missed the punch line in this one. A nice little tale though.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Animation Ramble - Appealing ARCs = Happy Animator

2008-06-09T14:15:00.003+10:00

No matter how ambitious or good you get at animation you always have to keep one eye on the fundamentals.....

1st Year Student Work - Jumps

2008-06-08T10:16:00.004+10:00

In my studio animation class with the 1st years studying animation at Southbank, the students have just recently finished their first (and alas what may be their only) piece of animation that employs the old school full traditional animation process from beginning to end. I thought I would share some of my favourites out of those that have posted their work on their blog so far. Considering that in many cases this was the students very first full key frame animation with a character there is some good stuff here. I'm confident that we are raising the bar with each passing year :)

Milt Kahl

2008-06-06T11:26:00.004+10:00

A great series of Youtube clips about my favourite of the Nine Old Men. In clip two Milt gives some fantastic advice on using live action reference that I think is timely for some of the Southbank 2nd year animation students who have been using it recently.

Nick Germany

2008-06-05T18:09:00.002+10:00

Some very cool promos for Nick Toons Germany, from a studio called Dyrdee Media. Animated in After Effects me thinks.

Alienated and A Pugs Life

2008-06-03T21:47:00.004+10:00

Students films from the UK and Canada.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Patates Sautees

2008-06-03T21:33:00.003+10:00

Its such a shame this film is not in English, I guess I'll just never know what message it is trying to communicate :P

Found at: No Fat Clips

HIYA!

2008-06-03T00:50:00.004+10:00

GA! Its almost 1 in the morning. Must.. Stop...Playing... With... Maya!!!!

night night

1 syllable word

2008-06-01T19:45:00.004+10:00

Check out this amazing animation set to a theater sports improv game. The actors are only allowed to use one syllable words or they are out. Apparently the animation is by THE Eric Goldberg.

Sita Sings The Blues

2008-06-01T17:44:00.004+10:00

In 2006/7 I made a series of animated shorts mostly on my own, and I thought that was a seriously ambitious undertaking. But this woman made a whole feature film! Yikes.

Found at: Cartoon Brew

Viva Calaca

2008-05-30T19:20:00.004+10:00

He heeee! Kooky and classy.

Found at: Ticklebooth

TSM Guy and more.

2008-05-29T09:00:00.009+10:00

The other day I found a great blog with heaps of free Maya Rigs on it. Its called Animation Buffet and while many of the rigs are the same as those on Highend 3D its great because you can search for rigs by categories (male, female, cartoon, realistic, creature etc).

While there I found one rig that I like in particular called TSM Guy, he strikes an excellent balance between stability, ease of use and flexibility. He is very easy to use, has fully scalable body parts, IK to FK and even bendable limbs so you can really push that Line of Action through the pose.

There are some great video tutorials on using him provided by his creators too, check em out: Stretchy Bits...Spine Controls ...Smart IK to FK...Arc Control...Proxy Parenting (this is cool)...Anti Twist Control

This is an excellent rig for creating the broad physical animation you would typically produce for a games show reel. The scalable nature of the rig means you can make him fat, thin, muscly, short or tall, you just scale up or down the body controls and there are input values for arm and leg width and length in the channel editor when you have the hand or foot controller selected. Its is a shame he doesn't have a face for dialogue, but we could rig up something simple I think. Enjoy.

Fallen

2008-05-27T20:19:00.003+10:00

A nice original concept for a short film, with an inevitable sad ending.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Animation Ramble - Whats It All Mean?

2008-05-24T23:35:00.003+10:00

A question worth asking about your animation.

Omstart

2008-05-24T10:51:00.003+10:00

This clip from Cornelius is haunting, bizarre and beautiful.

Found at: Ticklebooth

Iron Giant Storyboards

2008-05-23T21:07:00.003+10:00

Check out this awesome page of Iron Giant storyboard panels. Every one is simple, clearly indicates where everything of importance is and provides a sense of the emotions at play in the scene. Everything a good storyboard should do.

Frame Filter

2008-05-21T23:16:00.004+10:00

A great blog for finding some inspiration.

Flipbooks and Stuff

2008-05-20T20:20:00.003+10:00

Rune Brandt Bennicke animates straight ahead into flipbook and gets some amazing results. Just goes to show that there are so many ways to approach this medium. I was particularly impressed with this clips.

Living and Dying Part 1

2008-05-19T22:58:00.005+10:00

An amazing and eerie piece based on the paintings of Stefanie Augustine.

Found at: FEED

Peluche

2008-05-19T21:17:00.003+10:00

An interesting video clip that feature all kinds of animation mashed together for the band Static of the Gods.

Found at: Ticklebooth

Escape

2008-05-17T23:27:00.006+10:00

An animated car ad with a real original look.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Animation Ramble - The Power Of BLOBS

2008-05-15T16:33:00.005+10:00

Improve your drawing for animation by unleashing the power of blobs.

More Wisdom From SynchroLux

2008-05-13T20:37:00.004+10:00

I'm always thrilled to see that there is a new post on the SynchroLux blog, so many educational goodies to be found there. When I first started to read this latest post It wasn't as thrilling as I hoped, it seemed to be mainly a recount of an event Kevin Koch had attended. Nice, but mainly just a "and then this happened and then that happened" kind of thing.

BUT then just three paragraphs from the end Kevin stopped to reflect on some things highlighted for him by the event, his observation hit me like a slap in the face. "One of the things that this program highlighted, and that I’ve been concerned with for awhile, is the huge difference in mentoring between hand-drawn animation and CG animation. It used to be that animators began as assistants and ruff inbetweeners, and worked their way up the ranks. For a long time the accepted wisdom was that it took about six years of concerted effort to become an animator. There were exceptions, but long periods of training and mentoring were generally part of the process to becoming a competent animator.

In CG, there aren’t any assistant positions. . . . . . . . . . . In the CG animation world you basically get the best training you can, and hope to get hired right onto a production. Yes, most studios have “mentors” who are assigned to new hires, and there’s usually a ramp-up or training process, but it’s nothing compared to how it used to be."

It's so obvious, and no wonder we are faced with such a mountain to climb now as students, we are trying to cover in a few years what used to take 6!

I love an impossible challenge though, so strap on you climbing boots, pull on your ear muffs and grab a spare change of underwear! ITS CLIMBING TIME BABY! YODELAHEEEHOOOOOO!

The Street Magician

2008-05-13T19:58:00.002+10:00

Retro!

Found at: No Fat Clips

The Switch

2008-05-11T20:08:00.002+10:00

At Southbank we invented these things called EAPs this year. An EAP is a scene containing an Essential Animation Principle, or at least the main principles that a potential employer is likely to want to see in a reel. We divided these up into three main categories, physical actions (body mechanics stuff), walks and runs, and scenes that use sound (dialogue, moving to music, reacting to sound fx). Every students major project must contain at least 5 EAPS with at least one from each of the three categories.

This film is a testament to how well a narrative can be tailored to demonstrate these kinds of things. The Switch is one of the best animated films I've seen from the Vancouver Film School, if you cut the credits off its about 1 minute and 45 seconds long and it is absolutely overflowing with EAPs.

Animation Ramble - Making The Most Of Your Final Year Of Study

2008-05-09T16:50:00.005+10:00

OK so I sat in on an interesting conversation between two of my favourite second year students the other day and they were talking about the way that they had many tasks to do right now and found it all a bit overwhelming.

So I wanted to talk about this, and try to make it clear how you can get the most out of your study time.

De Blob

2008-05-08T19:11:00.003+10:00

A fun and slick Wii game promo. This was made by THQ who have a studio right here in Brisbane. I know they have done some toony stuff in the past, so I wonder if they worked on this one. Looks like it would have been a lot of fun.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Seven Corners

2008-05-07T21:53:00.001+10:00

Keepin it loose man, yeah!

Get Out And Play

2008-05-06T21:37:00.003+10:00

A very cool stop mo (often called Pixelation when done with people in it) promotion for Nokia.

There is also a youtube link for those on slower connections.

Animation Ramble - Drag

2008-05-03T22:16:00.002+10:00

Gardening and physics come together in this ramble about animating drag.

9 Ghosts I

2008-05-02T23:06:00.005+10:00

Its been a while since I posted some motion graphics. This is a nice minimal piece set to a Nine Inch Nails instrumental.

Found at: Nozap

PES

2008-05-01T20:17:00.007+10:00

This is truly one of the most original animation sites I've ever seen. PES make animations out of weird and wonderful things, its the kind of unique and original take on animation that can only seem to survive on the Internet these days. I could imagine watching a whole film or TV show made this way, but sadly the wheels of commerce just wouldn't let it happen. At least they seem to have gotten some work on commercials.

Make sure you also check out the making of clips while visiting the site. WARNING - A few of the films contain adult themes (things like household furniture engaging in rude activities), but the one I have linked to directly is safe.

Found at: FEED

Moment

2008-05-01T19:55:00.001+10:00

A nice little spin on the whole pushing a heavy weight thing, and well executed too.

The Dope Sheet

2008-04-30T21:38:00.002+10:00

Check out this cool blog from US animator TJ Phan. In particular I like the post about his work flow and using live action reference here. And the posts that have excellent examples of broad physical action here and here (great reference and inspiration for those working on a games reel).

Found at: Road To Animation Mentor

Injustice

2008-04-29T21:13:00.003+10:00

A cool ad for Oxfam. The producers, Passion Pictures have heaps of other interesting work up at their website too.

Found at: Motionographer

Animation Tip: Fast Background Art

2008-04-28T09:06:00.007+10:00

When the animating time is short it means it is time to get creative with the background art. We can't all be painterly Studio Ghibli or Pixar layout artists.

BigFish.tv animators, by all accounts from reliable sources, follow the philosophy espoused by Ian of, "Work hard, play hard." Not many animators have fuel left in the tank to animate outside of work. These local Brisbane animators let their pressure cooker release with eclectic soundtracks and a flood of crazy consciousness ideas. It's brain twisting gobbledeegook of the highest order. Not only do they animate outside of work time but they have created a whole online festival called Fest.

This example shows how using photographic backgrounds have given this animation an urban jungle feel. So, if it is all about character animation in your soul, then get creative and quick on your backgrounds with ideas like this.

More: A flounder sings, "Why must you eat with your mouth so wide?" Ahoowr you gotta see it.

Une histoire vertébrale

2008-04-26T22:04:00.009+10:00

This beautiful film by Jeremy Clapin is filled with layers of meaning. I'd say one of the most unique and well told stories I've seen on the net in some time. Looking at it, its hard to believe theres 3D in this film, but there is, and here is the proof.
Found at: Ticklebooth

Ian's Rambles - Hands Part 2

2008-04-25T12:06:00.003+10:00

Ian's Rambles - Hands Part 1

2008-04-24T23:44:00.006+10:00

Some tips on drawings and posing hands.

The Animals Save The Planet

2008-04-23T22:01:00.005+10:00

New animation from Aardman. Yay!

12 different shorts for Animal Planet.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Time to Think

2008-04-22T22:06:00.006+10:00

This is a great article from Spanish born Pixar animator Carlos Baena about using timing to imply that a character is thinking. Its one of a selection of Tricks and Tips to be found on his web site. Check out his Personal Work section too, where you will find some awesome showreel examples.

Keeping it Fresh

2008-04-22T20:52:00.003+10:00

Here is an interesting article in which Brad Bird is interviewed about keeping his work and workers fresh and innovative.

Brad - "Involved people make for better innovation… Involved people can be quiet, loud, or anything in-between—what they have in common is a restless, probing nature: “I want to get to the problem. There’s something I want to do.” If you had thermal glasses, you could see heat coming off them." GOLD.

Found at: The Thinking Animation Blog

Frosch im Hals

2008-04-21T22:20:00.006+10:00

A classy festival opener.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Federico Vitali ~ Lava Lava & Guano

2008-04-20T15:31:00.008+10:00

Federico Vitali is a French animator with a huge bestiary. And I mean Huge. You should check it out. I mean, "Hoo Wee, IT'S HUGE!"

How to make a huge bestiary

Draw 50 x 30 second* episodes of 2D traditional animation where pleasantly, horrible, appealing characters almost live through the most foolish adventures imaginable. ( based on a report in Animation Now! ) Name it Guano.

Also check out the character designs and animation in Vitali's Lava Lava animation series. (Warning: there is some nude buttocks in the Lava Lava series. Oh, and there's cartoon violins as well, so if you're a little kiddy or Zac, or Mitch, or Dan don't watch it).

Federico Vitali also worked with Bill Plympton on a short animated film called "Trashorama", which I can't find on the Internet.

SBIT students: How far can you take your character poses, designs and story ideas? I bet Ian would love to find out. I hear him often wandering around the studio, yawning, muttering, "These students are, by nature, soo conservative." Check out Pushing the Pose (take that Ian!)

*2nd years note how many Essential Animation Principles (EAPs) this guy can cover in 30 seconds.

Animatic ~ Jigsaw Falling Into Place ~ Radiohead

2008-04-19T17:04:00.009+10:00

This week second year students were given a one week reprieve on the storyboard animatic deadline for their major project (due to the Institute's new Internet safety policy of banning the world wide web, which made it a bit difficult to access online resources).

Make like a slice of cheese... Now we're on a roll because we can improve our ideas after watching this excellent example animatic by local Brisbane animator Mark Osberg. "Ahhh Man, this is so good!"* Note at the start how we get a colour scheme idea but from that point onward we leave the more detailed layouts into the 'rough' art work that tells the story.

I know that Mark works rough using a graphics tablet straight into Flash. I'm pretty sure this is the approach most of the second years are taking as well. But we'll work from initial paper and pencil thumbnail roughs... or did we? Here's some extra storyboarding info for you, yeah you!

I'm not going to be shy about this next bit and neither should you. Sign in and vote for Mark's animation for the Radiohead Competition on the Aniboom site! If you love it give it 5 bombs, if you hate it give it 1 bomb.

*Someone somewhere said this about something.

Brazilian Fighting Robots?

2008-04-18T23:01:00.007+10:00

Ha, ha! Ian is away. So it's time to get the ARC blog tidied up a bit and go with a Brazilian clip.

A few things to consider in this post. First it has giant fighting robots! Or are they? Or do they? Beautiful background art. Organic colour scheme. Mitch, does it remind you of Iron Giant?

It looks like a film with 2D effects and 3D animation. I'm sure an industry animator can set me straight on that interpretation.

The 3D characters have a nice 'toon render' (Robyn make a comment!).

Unfortunately the Serbian musician whose music features in this film died in his London studio trying to rescue his masterpiece from a fire (there's more information in the dedication at the start of the clip).

If you can't view it on YouTube then you can see it @ Jellyfish Pictures UK

Previous Giant Jungle Robot Post: SUBA by Ian

If you want an animation job in Brazil you might want to check out this award winning studio?: Vetor Zero (they do 3D computer, stop mo and traditional animation)

Orgesticulanismus

2008-04-18T09:48:00.005+10:00

Hey everyone

This film is very slow for about the first 4 minutes and in french with no subtitles, but if you stick with it the 2d animation in the second half is simply amazing.

Also it's a youtube clip so you probably can't watch it on a T.A.F.E computer.

Cheerio

click here

(Thanks for a great post Mark! Read more about the film @ Cartoon Brew (including a translation and some backround on the main character) Cheers, Frank).

Thank You Ollie

2008-04-16T22:30:00.007+10:00

As a general rule I try not to post animation news, I just can't keep up with the other sites that specialize in that sort of thing. But I can't let the passing of Ollie Johnston go by without mentioning it. Ollie was the last of the nine old men, I don't care what kind of animation your into today, it was somehow influenced by this man and his peers. Just this morning I was try to find some well articulated advice about planning for animation and I found the perfect thing in an Ollie quote that I printed out for a student.

I'm also struck by how young our profession is, these guys helped to define animation as we know it and do it today and they have only just passed. Think about some other jobs and ask yourself if the people who created them would still be around. In a sense we are still at the beginning of animation, we still have the opportunity to push it, make it better. Ollie's work and advice will always be a source of inspiration, hopefully our generation can make a contribution aspiring to the same values as he did. Thank you Ollie.

more links:
Glen Keane talks about Ollie.
More Ollie youtube bits.
Post about Ollie on Small Room.
Post about Ollie on Cartoon Brew.

Ghost Story

2008-04-15T22:52:00.002+10:00

I'm not sure whats going on here, but it is very pretty.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Webcomics Podcast

2008-04-14T19:56:00.004+10:00

Here is something a little different. A podcast about the art of Webcomics, and how to make money from them. More great inspirational stuff to listen too while you're animating.

Something cool I only just learnt is that if you use Google Reader or similar to follow your favourite blogs and fellow students blogs, you can also subscribe to podcasts. Just open the RSS page on the site, copy the URL and then paste it into the subscribe window in Reader. A cool way to keep up with you favourite podcasts.

Found at: Drawn

Fill You In

2008-04-13T21:33:00.004+10:00

A nice film clip by student Jason Peacock to a Josh Pyke song. Animated in After FX. Jason also has a Behind The Scenes and an Animatic for the clip up on Vimeo, nice.

Found at: No Fat Clips

Pixar - A Human Story of Computer Animation

2008-04-12T13:58:00.009+10:00

Ahhh some days I could just give the Internet a big sloppy wet kiss. This youtube vid (recorded some years ago now) is an interview/discussion with 4 legends of modern western animation.

Its over an hour and a half of inspirational animation goodness, especially in the second half where Brad Bird and Andrew Stanton get quite fired up. So grab some snacks and a drink, settle in and enjoy. Its all soooo goood!

Found at: The Thinking Animation Blog

Animation Tips - Hands & Acting

2008-04-11T19:21:00.010+10:00

'I hear that there’s a common refrain among beginning actors when they first get onto a stage or in front of a camera. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with my hands!”' Find out more @ Animating Naked.

Ergo, if animators are actors, do we have the same problems with what to do with the hands?

'"An animator is an actor with a pencil", goes the oldest and truest animation cliché... Believable acting means that the audience feels that the character's actions are the result of (the character's) own inner motives, and not the animator's inner motives; that the character feels, thinks and reacts consistently according to its personality and mood.' More @ Animation Acting.

Our homegrown thespians, Mitch and Zac, will be wondering what all the fuss is about. And it is widely rumoured that Daniel gets his classmates to act out the sequences he needs to animate. But what do the normal people think? Do you need to be a good actor to be a good animator? And what do you do with the hands!?

Acting in the ARC

At The Helm of The ARC

2008-04-11T15:24:00.002+10:00

Where the heck all this Blog stuff going?!!?!?!

Click HERE to read on.

Tais-toi Mon Coeur and Lost Cargo

2008-04-10T23:37:00.005+10:00

Is it just me? Or is it getting harder and harder to see the difference between stop mo and 3D these days.

Tais-toi Mon Coeur found at: Motionographer
Lost Cargo found by: Mark Osberg

2nd Year student Zac has a rant about Tais-toi Mon Coeur

Show Reel Design - some thoughts

2008-04-09T19:54:00.010+10:00

Check out the cool example show reel from RMIT graduate Avner Engel who I met at the 11 Second Club.

There's been much discussion on this blog and amongst the 2nd years about show reels and narrative films as methods to show off a student's skills as an animator to potential employers.

Read more in depth, including 10 top tips for your successful show reel and the chance to win chocolate (Mmm chocolate).

Films

2008-04-08T23:17:00.003+10:00

Petit a Petit - Did you know 3D could look like this?

Entre Deux Miettes - simple characters with live action backgrounds. Very slick.

Le Moulin - Ever feel out of step with the world around you?