During an 11 Second Club audio, your characters may go through several changes in thought. For the audience to empathise with your character, several questions need to be answered. Twelve of these are listed on Frank and Ollie's website, but we have highlighted a few below.

a) Is the character doing only one thing at a time?
b) Is the character putting over the story point in the scene you are doing?
c) Can the audience tell what the character is thinking.
d) Is it the simplest way to do it?

So as a lead up to the main competition or simply as a practice, we invite you to animate a smile.

Now, a smile is the one thing that can transcend language and cultural barriers. It is the single most important gesture and expression known to us. A smile effects the whole face, right from the eyebrows down to the chin. When we smile our whole face shows it.

But, a smile can of course mean so many things. As well as happy and joyful, smiles can be mean and menancing. Just look at the range of smiles shown by the Coachman in this short scene in Disney's Pinocchio. Please click the pic to watch.

Direct Link

(The Coachman, Copyright of Disney)

So dig deep and think of a reason to smile. Be creative! You may wish to animate the whole body, but keep it simple.

As always the animation could be anywhere between 75-125 frames. If you have any questions about submission requirements, please check How-to-participate section for more details. Deadline is Monday 5th March.

Happy Animating!

Last edited by thelittlepenguin84 (02-20-2012 7:32 pm)