F.O.T Waking Up Sequence

[kenTHEman]

Hi folks, I'm trying to achieve the snappy kind of movement in my animation, somewhere along the line of the movie "Madagascar". I'd appreciate if anyone can watch the animation and let me know how I should improve on this existing sequence; like whether some parts are too snappy such that it looks unatural? Thanks!!

[Gabriel Askew]

Hey Ken, This is a cool little character (I like yellow). Anyway, The first thing that grabbed my attention was when he rubs his eyes. I think it happens a little quick and you should have him doing it a little longer. Not slower, just add a few more rubs. I know you want snappy animation but I think since he is a waking up and is probably a little groggy, his actions might be a bit slower at first. Contrasting slower actions with quicker actions enforces the appeal of snappy animation. Also, as he rubs his eyes, you might want to raise his elbows and lower his head a bit, put his whole body into it. And make it look like his head is moving a little from him rubbing.
After the rub and he starts to look around, his head turns to the camera a bit abruptly. Even a movement like this can have build up and follow through. The build up could be his eyes turning toward the camera before his head turns. And then his head could tilt more to the left and sway a little after it turns (just a little, like a couple frames).
The hand wave needs more overlapping motion, have the hand drag behind the forearm so it doesn't look as stiff.
I like the way he puts on the night shade, it really looks like it snaps back onto his face.
This is a good little piece, keep at it!:thumbsup:

[kenTHEman]

Thanks, Gabriel, I'm glad you like it! You've brought up very good points that I've overlooked. I'll keep your suggestion in mind while I work on it further. Thanks, dude!

[kenTHEman]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the valuable feedback earlier. I have since done some updates to the animation sequence. Please download from the same link: http://www.kentheman.com/fot_wakingup.zip and see if it's better now? Please continue to keep the comments and crits coming in! :)

[Gabriel Askew]

Hey ken. Its looking better, but I think there is still a problem with the weight and overlap, especially in the arm motions. I was thinking about how to explain it and I came across a web page:
http://www.keithlango.com/tutorials/old/toonSnap/toonSnap.htm

I know you're a little beyond this article but the idea of overlap and snappy animation is well illustrated I think. You also might want to try so basic viewing tricks that I've heard from other animators, like looking at the animation in a mirror or load it into Max's ramplayer and play it backwards (it helps to separate you from the animation and look at it more objectively) Hope that helps:D

[kenTHEman]

Thanks Gabriel! I totally agree with you; somehow when I see it, it still doesn't really resemble well the kinda snappy and cartoony movement I was trying to achieve. I was hoping there's some tutorial specifically on achieving cartoony and snappy animation movement and the website you gave me really came at the right time! :) Thank you so much, the site is really very insightful. I shall go digest the information on the site and continue to work further to refine this little piece.

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