You are to animate the given character in a slight 3/4 front view, standing beside an spherical object (a Ball). Within the field of view and close to the character (within one step) there should be a box like object at a height between the character’s waist and shoulders (but not above or below these perameters). The character is to look at the object, estimate it’s weight, then anticipate back and grab the sphere close to the bottom. The character, with effort, should then anticipate again and lift the sphere off the ground to their waist, then slightly collapse under the weight but recover. The character then anticipates and steps forward as necessary to place the sphere onto the top of the box. After the sphere has been placed, the character should then step back and recover.
As an alternative to this, you can have the character lifting a heavy sack of flour, up onto their shoulder and then onto the box. Be sure to act this assignment out as the different objects will require different actions and reactions. Here's a design sheet for the sack.
Shoot the animation as a line test showing 3 cycles, save as an .avi and transfer to class file folder “Heavy Ball Lift” on computer. Be sure to lable your file last name first, first name last, i.e.: lemaybrian
• Thumbnailing
• Scene Planning
• Working from a given key pose
• Working from a given character design
• Keys
• Inbetweens
• Timing
• Slo in & Slo out
• Stretch & Squash
• Overlapping Action
• Effects of Gravity
• Weight
• Realistic Timing
• Use of Arcs
• Observation
• Flipping
Deadline
2 weeks ( 8 - 12 hours)
Grading
Assignment is worth 15% of the second semester grade
Animation will be graded in the following areas:
• Strong Key Posing
• Appropriate, Realistic Timing
• Proper Anticipation, Action, Reactions
• Overlapping Action
• Weight
• Balance
The animation must show appropriate squash and stretch, realistic timing, proper slo-in and slo-out on the arms, leg movements, torque, tilt, and twist in the pelvis and shoulders (if any) as per in-class lecture demonstration. Character must appear to have realistic weight on a proper one point perspective plane with horizon line at chest level when the character is standing.
Required Actions:
| • Anticipate | ___/3 | |
| • Grab the sphere close to the bottom | ___/3 | |
| • anticipate | ___/3 | |
| • lift to waist | ___/3 | |
| • recovery | ___/3 | |
| • Anticipate | ___/3 | |
| • place sphere on box | ___/3 | |
| • Recovery | ___/3 | |
| Total | ____/24 |
Graded Areas:
| • Strong Key Posing | ___/9.5 | |
| • Appropriate, Realistic Timing | ___/9.5 | |
| • Proper Anticipation | ___/9.5 | |
| • Action | ___/9.5 | |
| • Reactions | ___/9.5 | |
| • Overlapping Action | ___/9.5 | |
| • Weight | ___/9.5 | |
| • Balance | ___/9.5 | |
| Total | ____/76 |
Work Schedule
Week 1
Begin working out thumbnails
Rough out primary keys to describe the basic action.
Rough out secondary keys indicating anticipation and reactions throughout scene.
Time out keys and pencil test to confirm timing.
Make any adjustments necessary.
Draw breakdowns to broad actions.
Week 2
Show Brian pencil test of Keys and Breakdowns properly timed.
Revise actions and/or timing as required.
Revisions and inbetweening.
Week 3
Have animation on computer as .avi by the beginning of class.
Reading Assignment
Read pages 127 - 145 of the Character Animation and Lip Sync book
Here's Pose 1 that you can use as your start off key.
Things to Watch Out For Handout