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#1 06-15-2007 3:15 am
Hacky Sack Animation
Hi there! my name is Erik Griott. I'm currently attending The Art Institute for animation. This is a project I have been working on for the last 5 weeks for my 3d animation class, instructed by Brad Bradbury. It is also my first character animation attempt (besides a walk). I'd love to hear what you all think! I've got some changes to make to the arms still. Hopefully I'll get that knocked out in the next week or so (busy schedule).
Thank you!
http://www.4shared.com/file/17873793/59 … iew03.html
p.s. i'm going to attempt this month's challenge! wish me luck!
Last edited by Grim Eddy (06-15-2007 3:16 am)
Animator in Progress
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#2 06-15-2007 4:35 am
Re: Hacky Sack Animation
Hey Erik!
Not bad for your first character anim! Not a bad attempt at all. Looks like you have an awareness of balance already, which is good. As you keep going, you'll continue to get a better handle on communicating it clearly. Pretty complicated stuff anyway, I would have maybe started with something a little more simple 
But that's ok, good to challenge yourself.
In general, I think one thing to work on is picking out a few poses that communicate the balance and attitude the best. Simplicity and clarity, and a strong line of action is something to shoot for. Also, check the ups and downs of the hips, and the swing of the arms--try to clean up the arcs so it's not quite so jerky.
I know that's very general, but I suggest go ahead and post your W.I.P. for this months challenge when you have the blocking set, that way the crits can hopefully help out on a fresh new project
Keep up the hard work!
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#4 06-15-2007 2:13 pm
- mayanimator
- Upstanding Citizen
- Registered: 06-15-2007
- Posts: 61
- Karmojo: 32
Re: Hacky Sack Animation
Hey your first step....Nice work.... And wish u good luck for month challenge.......Keep going....
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#7 06-16-2007 7:50 pm
Re: Hacky Sack Animation
Whoa Erik. That was totally not what I was expecting to see for a "first character animation"! Really great work! Like Kyle, I'm impressed that you're getting so much weight and balance into your work so early on, this is a great start.
It sounds from your first post like you already know this, but the arms are too busy, particularly when he starts to lose his balance (frame counters help for online critiquing, btw). Since you've already got a lot going on here, what I'd do is keep that part where he's got the ball on his foot a lot quieter in the upper body, so that there's more of a contrast when he flips it up and starts moving a lot again.
Really good job Erik, let us know when you get another pass done! 
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#8 06-17-2007 6:23 am
Re: Hacky Sack Animation
thats good to point out, thanks. i couldn't quite put my finger on it, but i could feel exactly what you were saying. too busy. i think what i'll do is re-work the arms entirely.
thanks again all!
Animator in Progress
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#12 06-18-2007 2:21 am
Re: Hacky Sack Animation
were you in the same class I was ??? 
I'm going to have to record my crits...
I remember:
"Eric, thers a lot going on in this blocking"
"Eric, those arms are going crazy"
"Eric tone down those arm movements" ...then...
"I'm still upset that his arms look like he's grabbing the ball,
you should tone them down and smooth out those arcs.."
where's Taber?
I need another witness...
happy animating!
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#14 06-18-2007 5:34 pm
- Mythsnlore
- Rockstar
- From: Southern California
- Registered: 06-12-2007
- Posts: 299
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Re: Hacky Sack Animation
Testify! *waves hands*
Yeah I do remember all those crits... Probably just had a lot to think about or something, heh.
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