Fishing

[Dold]

Here's a little animation that will be on my demo reel when completed. I'm still adding inbetweens to get those nice curves.
Critiques always welcome.

FISHING

Cheerio

[alley cat]

lookin good! post progress!

[Dold]

Thanks alley cat

Well this is smoothed and cleaned...yeah right =D
I still have to dive into the spaghetti editor.



Cheerio

[kamsvag]

If you don't mind I'd like to comment on the hold in the animation right before the jump.

Try to edit that out from your motion. I'd say the animation would get a better flow if you didn't slow him down before jumping. Also, just add a prop (a boulder or something) that motivates that jump.

If you wanna dig deeper into Animation I warmly recomend Richard William's book "The Animator's Survival Kit".

[Dold]

kamsvag - Comments always welcome. And I don't you to think that I'm coming off wrong or anything but I diagree about taking out that slow down. It gives it the same timing which I don't want. That slow down gives it that energy I think, you know what I mean?
Again, I do thank you for your thought

Here's an update.
Tangents are in smoothed out and now its time to clean it up!
Changed a few things like the antic before the run and attached his left hand on his rod, if you know what i mean =D.



Cheerios!?!?

[Dold]

So what do you think of the final.



Cheerio

[kamsvag]

It looks better, but I still think it slows down the flow of the animation when you go into the pose before the jump. You might like it that way, then you should keep it like that...

[Drue]

I think part of the problem with the anticipation before the jump is that it doesnt match the jump. with that big of a pause i keep expecting a full jump every time i watch it....then he kinda just skips.

But other than that it looks good

[kamsvag]

Ever watched Olympics? I've never seen anyone run, stop and then leap... Oh yeah, that's right, perhaps during special olympics...

If you want to make this believable you need to edit the stop out of the animation entirely. You can still have an antic, but it will have to be while he is still in motion.

I know I may come of as stubborn on this matter, but to me it just looks wrong. If you want some other animators opinion I'd suggest you post it on www.cgtalk.com . There's lots of other skilled animators there as well who may have other opinions.

/ http://www.kamsvag.com

[Dold]

I appreciate the comments and critiques very much, every one has the right to speak their mind. But that's the great thing about animation, you can exaggerate the human mechanics of things to make it different.

Thanks!
Cheerio

[kamsvag]

Sorry, I was a bit hard in my last comment.

There's a book I would recommend. It helped me to get a better grasp on animation.
"The Animator's Survival Kit" by Richard Williams.
http://www.amazon.com/Animators-Surviva ... 0571202284

Also, the bible of animators, "The Illusion of Life" by Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas.
http://www.amazon.com/Illusion-Life-Dis ... gy_b_img_b

Preston Blair has published some realy nice material as well.
http://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Animation ... im_b_img_1

You'll find some online material by Blair @
http://www.animationarchive.org/2006/05 ... n-1st.html

[pabloD]

Nice work Dold.

You are right, it is all subjective. Please take what I say with a grain of salt and not a speck of intended cruelty.

If we were debating naturalistic motion over stylized I would expect there to also be an argument against the first anticipation before the move. Even for the world of stylized animation I have issues with that choice. But more on that later...

I don't want to get into a debate about whether it is natural or appropriate to pause before taking a leap. The pause you put in does not bother me. I do think that you need more follow through on the passing foot though. I think the hold on that foot is the biggest problem with the pause. If the passing foot continued and actually lead the jump I think it would look more natural.

Similarly I feel like you need a bit more follow through on the raised leg as he's casting as well as some overlap on the arms and head. You do a nice job of keeping your holds moving but it still feels like everything is moving at once on that move.

...back to the first antic before the move. I will be as bold and rude as to say it is cliche. You are obviously a skilled animator. I am betting you can come up with another stylized anticipation better suited for this piece.

I hope we will see much more from you.

[Dold]

kamsvag - You don't have to apologize, and no you weren't hard on me...I like when people speak the truth, I learn more, so thank you!

pabloD - WHAT DID YOU SAY!!!...nah i'm just joking...hahah...Don't worry I didn't want to sound I was offended on my last post, I never do. I love it when people criticize and comment and the beauty part it either you take and try to apply it or leave...no offence kamsvag. Anyways, I see what you're saying about the leg part before he casts the rod. As for the antic in the beginning, I agree its a little cliche but I got to take baby steps; i'll keep that in mind though. Thank you!

Cheerio