Legal Squirrels, sneak preview!
As some of you may know, I am working on an animation that reflects legal jurisdiction issues. The animation uses a metaphor of squirrels living in a big tree…
The audio levels need to be messed with, it’s a bit quiet. And the voice will be slightly higher in pitch.
In any case, I have to animate like a madman if I want to pump out 2 and a half minutes this week. So here is my first whack at the animation- The first segment of the film:
I’m fairly happy with it. I’d love to make the branch shake and such, but I may have to go back and do it later. For now I need to get a bare-bones version done for next week.-Tom
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I love it. Especially the simplicity of “on this stem.” It’s like Vincent Price, eh? Make a really broad gesture, hold it, and make a small and subtle - but incredibly effective - gesture. Works beautifully.
That said, I must mention that I feel its a bit jarring that the size of the teeth (or is it one big tooth on top) keep changing. When I first saw it I was like “whoa! where did that giant white block come from that’s blocking his mouth.. oh wait its his tooth”. I wondered why i thought that, so i watched it a few more times, and I think it’s because “Hi, my name’s” is all without teeth. Then the teeth come in, and then on “Squir” his teeth are the same they’ve been for a while, and on “-rel” his top teeth grow to more than twice the size, without a mouth change to mask it. The head doesn’t seem to change positions, nor the lips, but the teeth just pop to be huge.
But I know that it’s a work in progress, and you are probably working on that as I’m typing this (or you’ve already changed it). But I just thought I’d share.
Overall, I’m lovin’ it. (bada da da daaaa) ((mcdonald’s jingle))
October 23rd, 2007 at 6:08 am
Thanks Jacob! I agree about the teeth. I’ll keep it in mind as I plow mindlessly forward… :)
October 24th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
hey tom, nice work. i like your metaphor for how to tackle jurisdiction legal issues. a tree makes for a nice self-contained environment for which you can present and visually reinforce the story. for a first blocking pass i think it clearly communicates your style and direction for the rest of the piece. kudos! as for the actual character animation, it is hard to comment on the mechanics since it is so early, so i won’t.
a couple of thoughts…in terms of color and background design.
i like the fall color scheme…and i personally love the fall…it is my favorite time of year. however, the colors you are using in the animation aren’t quite inviting yet. it feels more hot and dry and a little flat. since you have a very simple set, i would consider strengthening the color palette. if you didn’t know about it…here is a great site to assist in finding a good, if a little cliche’, color scheme…a good starting point anyway.
http://www.colourlovers.com/palettes/top
another suggestion, add some subtle wind effects in the background. it will help the environment to have as much life as your character and also reinforce the season. check out the wind effects in the game wind waker…they may serve as an inspiration for this piece.
well, my two cents anyhow…good luck with your ever looming deadline.
i left my blog link for you with this post if you want to check out what i am up to with animation mentor. i will also add your blog to my links list…maybe you will get some traffic from my fellow am classmates and mentors.
ciao, j