2D Animation for Interactive Media

5 October 2009

5A: Rotoscope Animation Critique

Create a minimum of a 20 second rotoscoped animation on twos. (12 or 15 fps).

*FOR THE PARANOID: Minimum means you should target 20. There is no penalty for going over. You will not necessarily get a higher grade for a longer movie. Mo' is not necessarily bettah.

A resolution of 720 x 480 is preferred for display purposes if you have desire for personal glory.

Source material that is less than this size can be transformed (expanded) prior to rotoscoping.

Grading criteria:
There should follow a narrative arc: meaning a perceivable increasing complexity over time and then resolution.

It is not sufficient to throw a bunch of filters at this and call it done. The original footage should be reinterpreted and clearly have your own take on it.

Examples of things which may follow this arc;

  • protagonist - antagonist conflict storyline

  • themed movement

  • rhythm
  • pace
  • flocking
  • color
  • line shape
  • spatial relationship
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5B: Cycles, Character animation and the requisite walk cycle

Cycles and loops are efficient and the staple of all early animation, Scooby Doo, and (oh yes) game animation.

Introduction to tweened animation using Flash.

Character Animation and Movement
Examples;


Character Animation

  • The Importance of Timing

  • The Language of Motion (arcs, curves, etc.)

  • Suggesting Weight

  • Movement Cycles (walk, run, swing, etc.)

  • Facial Animation & Expression

  • Gender & Race

  • Energy Level and Attitudinal Suggestion

  • Limited Environments of Recreation (MMOs, Real-Time, etc.)

REFERENCE: Walking Dots: A study in motion with varying interactive attibutes (gender, weight, mood)


In-Class exercise:
Create a worm movement cycle.
contrast this with a snake movement cycle.

Project: Movement Cycle
Create three different types of movement cycles. Examples: dance, skip, jog, walk, roll, swim, skate, etc.

The cycle need not be humanoid, nor bipedal. (Do keep in mind that the more legs involved, the more difficult the work).

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