How to improve

[Fabrice]

If you are tired about walking cycles, and are more interested into water effects, fire, smoke, etc ... (FX in general)
This book is interesting :
http://www.amazon.com/Elemental-Magic-S ... 0240811631" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (you should be able to see a few pages on this link)

[Peter Wassink]

And here a very nice example of lessons from that book put to practice beautifully in Hisko Hulsing's upcoming film "Junkyard":
(Made In TVP offcourse ! )

[Elodie]

I can't wait to see the final result of Hisko's movie !!!!

[Fabrice]

I selected two samples, each aproximately 10 minutes long, from Slocum at Sea with Himself, so I uploaded these two on my FTP :

http://www.oldanimator.com/video/tvp/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They are each about 10 minutes long so it might take in some cases about 20 minutes to download -- sorry; I've been told in the past; No WMP in consideration of MAC users.

Recently there have been several references to painting water scenes. I selected both samples with that in mind. Our challenge was to avoid the common cliche of drawing over decorative splashes of water through which one can showoff one's keen observation of nature (and familiarity with slick TV ads in slow motion). Sandra's and mine philosophy is to stick to the hand painting tools we have at hand and adhere faithfully to the characteristics of this media. We are not after accurately capturing the difficult shapes and forms of water in nature but more after creating the impression water gives us at certain times.

This entire 2 hour program of installation chapters ranging from 3 to 4 minutes when completed, will have plenty of water scenes and we had to be realistic in our assesment of what we can accomplish within approximately three years.

Please keep in mind that these typical WIP samples are incomplete, inconsistent and out of context. There are stretches with missing sound, some black flashes between edits etc. but the final version will pretty much stay in this form of having no voices and requesting of viewers to be readers as well as viewers. The target audience are sailing people everywhere and those who enjoy a good history based story, and lastly for those who are in search of eclectic animation arts.

[Paul Fierlinger]

Thanks, Fabrice for moving this post from its original place, where I had mistakenly and inappropriately placed it.

[jump]

This is an interesting topic- some sound advise to be sure.

Although I'm just learning animation, perhaps a good analogy would be (since I'm a painter); telling someone they have to draw and animate like Disney and it is the only way, would be like telling someone, the only way to paint is like Rubens.

As for the comment on line "quality", compare Disney to Chomet to Woodward.

And as for rules; no- learn the general guidelines, like red and yellow make orange- the real art is all heart. From what I've seen, it applies to animation as well. Learn the difference of a slow-in from a slow-out, the real art is all heart.