Frame Store visit

Yesterday we had a couple of representatives from frame store come in to the uni and talk with us individually to see how we were doing, what are skills are thus far and what we wanna do or be for when we graduate. We had 10 minutes each which we cherished whilst talking to the members.

The two members were very friendly and modest people that a great sense of humor and an open mind. I enjoyed discussing my near or far plans with them to see what they thought, they told me that having a main skill is essential and rewarding. They supported my ideas for the future and gave their respects for the risks I'm willing to take to chase my dream.

After are individual sessions we went to the larger presentation room where they both showed the companies work, personal work and the needed requirements to join frame store. I really enjoyed the show reels including the personal ones presented by  Michael Elder. They were well presented where the videos didn't but entertained me to the highest peak. I really enjoyed Michael Elders the most because not only were their older pieces of work but he also included life drawings and photos of his clay models which has inspired me to add some of my own for my future show-reel.

The tips they gave when creating a show reel were ones that were not new to me but I enjoyed hearing their point of view on what makes one to remember. Also other tips were on how to improve and also what books to look at to improves ones own skills.

Lastly another word of wisdom that wasn't new to me was the quickest way to get into a studio/ company is to become a runner, serving tea and coffee but also gaining skills when being taught and getting to know the company's main workers. This to me sounds like a nice idea since I'm pretty good at making a brew but also a social butterfly so meeting new people is my 'cup of tea'.

All in all, I really enjoyed the people and their talks and I learned that even people that haven't quite reached their dreams can have so much wisdom but also be really modest at the same time and that's a rarity in my opinion


So thank you frame store for visiting our university and I hope to see you in the near future.

Dance Project: Rounding up all the Blocks and splines

Been a very busy Easter break but lets see what I have been able to do for the Dance Project

I have had some personal matters attend to so it has been very difficult to keep up with my coursework.

So lets start scene from scene with all their either final blocks or being in the middle of some splining. 

Scene 19 more or less complete anymore polish will be done when the rest are near the polish level but that wont be till a week or two.

Dont threat by the thumbnail, there is a video here of scene 20 the hip and bash scene where Donna hips away Regina. a very toony scene full of stretching and quick lunges. In block form but in a couple of days will be into spline and getting messy.

 Again thumbnail wont show. scene 21 is thr largest and most difficult scene out of all of them. The twirl and dance are the most challenging tasks I have done thus far. but hopefully will be the most rewarding.

Here is scene 22, the aftermath of reginas impact with Donna's hips. simple 'get up and go' near to polish but still have a few kinks to work out.

Deadline for this is around 4 weeks time so fingers crossed that I achieve this with some pride !!!

Inspiration Post 2: Ice Age by Blue Sky Studio

Ice age (2002)

by 

Blue Sky studio

Here are two clips showing some of the 'Behind the scenes' of the production.

As a child my mind was all over 2D animated films because they were different and eye catching, something you can only see on the screen. I know 'Toystory' was the main production that began the 3D animation. But something Ice age was unique.

It was a creature populated film that was humorous to all ages, had a good story and the characters were all very lovable where you knew everyone had... mostly good intentions. 

Part1

Part2

After watching the film I would wait till the very end to watch the extras as they sometimes added to VHS's back in the 90's. I never knew how they made toy story or bugs life since it was a new typed of media, but when blue sky show the whole process to create the characters and animated them I was overwhelmed with awe. 

The character designs were my favorite part of this to see the before ideas for each character towards their final outcome then the clay models and finally the movement for each character and what the artists and animators went through. 

After that first watch I re-watched it over and over from the start of the film to the end of the extras that I soon began drawing even more and taking in inspiration thanks to the extras. 

I wanted to do some myself with all of the activities they went through because I saw how much fun the people who created the film had doing this.

I guess you can say that yes 2D animated films started my love for animation but 3 the process to create this 3D animated film or more speaking Ice Age helped begin my path to being a CG Generalist.

So thank you Blue Sky Studios for creating this film and more like it and inspiring me to become who I am today. 

Dance Scene 20: Blocking

From the dance project scene 20

This is final scene that I need to finish blocking out properly and then it's back to my personal work for pepmin. Unfortunately I have been unable to be as quick with my work due to personal matters but life is getting back on track so hopefully I will catch up and do well. 

so weak....

This is the first block for the scene where Donna the larger woman hip bashes the woman in possession of the main man. This is a scene that needs to be full of stretch and pulls to get the motion and energy given off by the characters. I do think this will be an enjoyable one because its quick with simple moves and there is fun conflict.

improved block

Since I'm away from my student house the internet in my original home is terrible and so it takes  good while to upload a video to YouTube to put on here, so hopefully I can fix that and make more posts sooner to show my progression. 

Inspiration: Prince of egypt

For years in my life I have always been drawn to moving imagery and would never leave a film por cartoon till the very end. I was attached to a lot of characters in my time because they were unlike us, as people we are the norm visually whilst animated character are new unique and inspiring to the eye. 

Drawing characters through my time nothing has inspired me more than the characters/landscape and stories by the companies I wish to work for. 

Dreamworks was and still inspiring to the eye. the various style in their work since the 90's to even their new releases are just fantastic.

My first creation by them that got me hooked their works as a child was the prince of Egypt. As a religious based film it was surprising that I would find it interesting, The route this film took although taken from the bible was one for adults and children.

I remember this film almost frightened st some points because the lengths they went to show the realness of the events such as how the soldiers come to rid of the first born in the slave huts. Besides the lion king with falling of mufasa this brought emotions and chills to me especially the departing of the mother moses from him to be sent away by gods hands.

The animation was unique for its time. instead of being looney tooney like I was use to as a child it showed a more realistic aproach bringing the story more then humor however there always has to be humour in an old tale such as this.

The music and animation put together some of the best pieces I have seen to this day,

deliver us

Looking through heavens eyes

PLaying with the big boys

All I ever wanted reprise- The plagues

Putting these links up is enough to explain then using words for each image

If whoever is reading this has not watched this film then please do so as soon as possible for this is a treasure among animated productions that doesn't get enough credit.

and If you are a person from Dreamworks reading this then you should be proud of this production as to the start to many of your amazing animated productions I hope you make many more.

There will be posts of many more inspirations from this and many more animation companies