I've decided it's finally time to be a little more transparent on this blog. It's been an unusually challenging school year, and I wish I could say that's just because I'm making my first short film. Unfortunately I've been having some unanticipated health issues that take a lot of time and effort to deal with, and that's time lost that could have theoretically been spent on this project instead. Time that I hate to lose. But I haven't completely given up hope of finishing my capstone by April yet. I'm still trying to give this film everything I am capable of right now, because whatever happens, and however long it takes, I want to see it finished.
On the upside, I can say I return from winter break with good news! I got much of the roughs for scene 6 done, including some of the actual facial expressions. I'm still smoothing some of the more complex shots out, but I'm glad to be as far along with it as I am. Ironically, this seems to be the scene that has been unfolding the fastest in my pencil run. Firstly because I had the opportunity to work on capstone for two weeks, without having to think about other classes, hospital visits, or holiday plans. Secondly because I think I've finally hit the point where I'm 5-10x faster at animating a cat than where I started in August. While I'm displeased that it took me 6 months to get there, the fact that I was able to make that improvement is at least pretty gratifying. I'm definitely accomplishing my mission of understanding the movement of a 4 legged creature better.
On the upside, I can say I return from winter break with good news! I got much of the roughs for scene 6 done, including some of the actual facial expressions. I'm still smoothing some of the more complex shots out, but I'm glad to be as far along with it as I am. Ironically, this seems to be the scene that has been unfolding the fastest in my pencil run. Firstly because I had the opportunity to work on capstone for two weeks, without having to think about other classes, hospital visits, or holiday plans. Secondly because I think I've finally hit the point where I'm 5-10x faster at animating a cat than where I started in August. While I'm displeased that it took me 6 months to get there, the fact that I was able to make that improvement is at least pretty gratifying. I'm definitely accomplishing my mission of understanding the movement of a 4 legged creature better.
I surprised myself when the shot pictured below ended up being my favorite in the film to animate so far. It's by no means the most "flashy" shot conceptually, but I really like how even in such an unfinished form, it's shaping up to clearly display the cats' moods. I especially enjoyed working on the back and forth "swish" on the ghost's tail.
