Eel test animation in Maya

Eel test animation. My animating has a lot of mistakes, but wanted to test the old eel rig to see how easy it is to use. Its pretty good, but needs more controls.

*M* Animation Test

Well, it's a start I suppose.

Had a look at some tests on youtube to help, and did a lot of this straight ahead. Definitely needs neatening up, especially the wings. the belly flattens too much when the weight of the body lowers. Basically EVERYTHING needs work.

I can see this improving a lot though. Just feel as if I need to master the basic fly cycle before going into scene again.

*M* Updates for each project

THE DEEP

I managed to finish all the frames and hand them over to Mel for compositing. Andy examined the render and gave me some more frames to draw, so that we could tie up some loose ends. I reckon there might be more things to change, but that's only natural for a project like this.

Here's a taster of some of the frames I did:

Fixed frames:

SMITTEN

Am starting to animate the birds in shot 1, the very beginning of the animation. I've found it difficult, but with more reference I'll get there! I'll upload tests when they are done




RAVEN PROJECT

Managed to get some wall textures done for the Raven box aka "Raven Haven"

Tried out some different oppacities, contrasts and tectures here. Sophie seems pretty happy with them. I think she said that it would be cool if there were some ravens there as well, so might try and do that soon.

*M* New frames!

I really like how I did the second frame, but after a second glance, i think the shading is too dark :/

*M* Storyboard Animatic for Gorrilaz Track

Good old Gorillaz. They have inspired me since the beginning of Secondary School. The style and powerful animation techniques they use make me feel very envious of the talent Passion Pictures demonstrates. Would love to work with them some day.

Anyway, here's something I found lately that really impressed me as a wannabe Story artist.




This animatic is really cool. Love the colour use, very simple, but the contrast of green and red works well. The flow is great, you get a really good idea of what is going on

Also, you gotta love the fact that Russel tosses a whale at a helicopter! XD

*M* More shots

*M* Reference for bird animation

My primary concern is the animatic, but here's some videos I shall be using as reference for Smitten next week, once the animatic is finished.

All these were suggested to me by Matt Vadis. I really like the robin videos, because they show the flight of the bird in slow motion.





And who better to hear the basics of flight from our good friend Merlin, from "Sword In The Stone"