Leaf-everything studies

Before I begin animating the leaf-drop, I need to fully understand how a leaf looks in different angles, how it reacts to different motion, etc.

After studying leaves after a little bit of time, I've realized it's much like gesture/figure drawing the human torso in a very simplified version. So after some thinking, it's fairly easy to draw at any angle.

The leaf is very loose, so the leaf very well follows its action line. It's so fluid in its motion it's like water!

Evaluated my Ball Bounce and discussed Leaf Drop animation

I met with Ben today afterschool to discuss my ball bounce and to discuss my leaf-drop animation for this week.

Ben told me that my ball-bounce animation was done pretty well, that my timing and exaggeration were well done. However, I need to keep my drawings consistent in each frame, otherwise that will create a "jittery" sort of effect, which I had never thought of. Ben wants me to create a heavy ball bounce during this week, which I should be able to get done rather quickly.

We also discussed the introduction to the Leaf-Drop animation. This is one other fundamental test that an animator should be able to create.
As we discussed the leaf-drop, I took note of the following:
-The leaf will ease in and out very suddenly and exaggerated, meaning the spacing when the leaf speeds up is very large, while the spacing when the leaf slows down is very sudden and tiny.
-The leaf performing twirls and moving side to side of the frame in a very exaggerated sense will give a lot of character.
-The leaf will overlap, fold, and spin many times throughout the animation.
-Try to make the leaf very "loose" and free.
-Try to generate a background, such as a tree for the leaf to be blown off of.
-Timing and planning is crucial

A very well-done leaf-drop animation:

Time logged for thie session: 1 Hour

Total time logged: 6.75 Hours

My revised ball bounce at 12 frames per second. The movement is much smoother than my first ball bounce, and the timing and speed is much more exaggerated to give it a more realistic sense.

Time logged for this session: 2 Hours
Total time logged: 5.75 Hours

My template for my revised BallBounce.

As you can see, I rounded the arcs much more to achieve a smoother motion. I also placed an emphasis on the timing and the speed as the ball accelerates downward and upwards.

Time logged for this session: 15 minutes
Total time logged: 3.75 Hours

My first attempt at the BallBounce which I made earlier today. It could use much revising.

I notice that my motion arc is not smooth enough, as the arcs are in a triangular shape as the ball bounces up and down.

I also notice that the speed looks very constant and unexaggerated. Although I've tried the squash and stretch, it does not benefit very well if my timing is not proficient.

I will revise this animation, and in this revision I need to remember:
-Make the motion arcs much rounder, to have a smoother approach to the ball's motion.
-Place more emphasis on the speed of the ball as it falls and bounces back up. I need to exaggerate the way the ball speeds downward and slows upward. The squash and stretch will compliment this exaggeration.

Time logged in for this session: 2 Hours
Total time logged: 3.5 Hours

My animation setup for my project:
-Light-box
-Peg for registering the paper in place
-Animation paper
-Pencil
-Light source under the light-box

In this picture, you can also see my template with the motion line and key frames for my first BallBounce placed on my light-box.

Time logged in for this session: 30 minutes
Total time logged: 1.5 Hours

General Ball Bounce

Here is a short video explaining the motion of the Bouncing Ball.

Today when I met with Ben, he taught me the timing of the ball, the squash and stretch, and how to plan your animation before producing it.

With the timing and the motion of the ball, you can see in real life that objects accelerate downwards when they are in free-fall. In this animation, Ben told me it's very crucial that I create a larger distance in each frame as the ball begins to fall, showing that the ball will fall faster as it reaches closer to the ground. This means that it will fall slowly at its highest point and accelerate as it falls farther to its lowest point.

In the video of this Ball Bounce, you may also notice that the ball begins to stretch as it accelerates downward, and squash when it comes in contact with the floor. In real life, you would not see this happen as easily. However, exaggerating movements in animation is significant as it helps tell the story and give character. If this ball bounce was not very exaggerated, it would seem to be very dull and boring. This key animation technique is known as the "Squash and Stretch".

You may also observe in the video that the person showed a kind of "template" to the animation. In these templates, they include a motion line to aid the animator in knowing where the object will be in motion. This person also shows key frames which help establish the most significant movements in the animation.

These are all topics that my mentor went over with me today in order to help me get started with my project.

First meeting/discussion with my mentor

Today, I met with my mentor Ben Ridgway for the first time today in his office. I introduced the Capstone Project thoroughly to him for understanding, and he signed my Mentor Agreement Form. I will meet with Ben in his office at San Francisco State University every Tuesday at 4pm while I work 5-10 hours on my physical project at home.

We went over all of the materials I'll need for my animation. I need pencils, erasers, a scanner, a light-box, typing paper, and a peg for registering the paper onto the light-box. I have everything except for the paper and the peg, which Ben let me borrow for the week to use until I can find one.

Ben took me to the animation lab to hole-punch the typing paper, and the room was so interesting to see since I love and want to pursue animation. There were desks with built in light-boxes, animation and drawing tools, computers, and everything. It was really aspiring to see in person.

We went over what kinds of clips I'll be producing. We will go in order from ball bounces, to leaf drops, and then to anticipation and reactions. Through time, we will see how far we can go through that order. Ben went over with me the basic animation principles, such as the squash and stretch, the timing/speed of each frame, and etc. These principles will all help me with my first assignment: the general Ball Bounce. I will work on this Ball Bounce this week at home for about 5-10 hours and hopefully finish by next Tuesday for him to evaluate it.

Time logged for this session: 1 hour
Total time logged: 1 hour

Found an animation mentor from SFSU!

During the course of last week, I've attempted to contact several professors from SFSU. During the weekend, Professor Ben Ridgway emailed me back, approving to become my mentor for the Capstone Project.

Professor Ridgway is available on Mondays and Tuesdays between 4-5 at San Francisco State University in the Fine Arts Building in Room 343 on the third floor.

I am hoping to work about five to eight hours per week at home on my physical project, and have my mentor evaluate my week's work and discuss it as I meet him on a weekly basis.

Definitely looking forward to working on my physical project and meeting with him!

My mentor also has a professional blog/portfolio on his previous work:
benridgway.com