COM7022 Anim Mechanics Starts 8 Jan 2024

Bucks Animation Blog · 3 years ago · 65 views

Ball Throw by Joris Van LaarFor our Animation Masters Students at BNU, the next module - COM7022 - Animation Mechanics - starts on 8 January 2024. In this module, Students create one or more physical actions and combine them into...

Ball Throw by Joris Van Laar

For our Animation Masters Students at BNU, the next module - COM7022 - Animation Mechanics - starts on 8 January 2024.

In this module, Students create one or more physical actions and combine them into a single shot to create a performance.

As always, we have many video tutorials to support the study of the art and craft of animation. COM7022 PR1 is due on Friday 15 March 2024.

COM7022 PR1

Old man and scooter by Lee Caller

Module COM7022 is titled "Animation Mechanics". In this module, students get to grips with the mechanics of motion, learning how to create physical actions which are believable and observe the laws of physics (or, at least, cartoon physics).

The Brief

Students should create one or more physical actions and combine them into a single shot to create a performance, around 7-12 seconds long. Students are encouraged to use their imagination in the interpretation of this brief. Suggestions for the final outcome might include a dance, sports event, fight (try to avoid multiple characters) or even a domestic task.

Tell a Story

Ideally there should be a story-telling element, a short scene involving a beginning, middle and end. The shot should include sound effects and/or music.

How Long?

The length of the shot should be approximately 7-12 seconds long, focusing on quality rather than quality, balancing the student’s creative aspirations with what can practically be achieved in the time available. Students are encouraged to use live action reference, and to learn and understand the process behind the creation of believable animation.

To get an idea of what should go into this module, see some examples of student work below:

Ball Throw by Sebastien Kuder

Weight Lift by Joris Van Laar

Ball Throw by Joris Van Laar

Old Man and Scooter by Lee Caller

Morpheus Push by Greg Gordon

Video Tutorials To Watch

Fighting stance by Mark Masters

There are a number of video tutorials at Animation Apprentice that map onto this Module. Start with the following:

Jumps (Week8) Flour Sack Leap (week 9)Weight Shift (week 10)Flexible Tail and Airship (week 11)Ball Throw (week 12)Heavy Object Lift (week 15)

Additional Tutorials

Other useful tutorials include how to animate a character dancing, which you can find here.

Suggested Actions

Morpheus Push by Greg Gordon

Below are some suggestions for character actions

A character throws a ballA character lifts (or attempts to lift) a heavy objectA character falls overA character opens a door (or tries to)A character doing a danceA fight (but try to avoid animating two characters - it's twice as much work)

Schedule

To see the schedule for COM7022, see the calendar below:

Live Action Reference

Fight by Sean Rubin

Live action reference will be very helpful for this module. To find out more about how to use live action to create great animation see the resources below:

Using Live Action Reference to Plan Animation How to Use Live Action Reference to Plan Animation Live Action Reference with Pernille How FrameStore Animators Use Live Action for Animation A Great Inexpensive Tripod for Filming Animation Endless Reference - Live Action Reference Resource for Animators Edward Muybridge - The Animator's Photographer How Disney Animators Used Live Action to Animate "Frozen"Live Action Reference for Character Walks

For more on the experience of studying at Bucks New University, come and visit us at one of our Open Days, take a virtual tour of one of our animation studios, check out what our students think of our course, and see why we're ranked in the top 12 creative universities in the UK.

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