Tips on Rigging/TD reels please.

[wuensch]

I guess that depends on the work you want to put in.
One of the best VTMs i have is that Animation one by Jeff Lew.
http://www.jefflew.com/
it runs on a TV (which I like, because I can watch it in bed, but others prefer a larger resolution,which is understandable) and is a combination of viewport capture and explanative animation (i.e.explaining Gimbal lock witch scientific charts, pointing out certain basics in a more teaching materila like style like known from scientific TV shows).
Its more work, of course, and if its worth it depends on the subject and the target-audience, i guess.
If its for beginners, then i would recommend a more illustrative approach to betterexplain stuff.

Olli

[danb]

I guess that depends on the work you want to put in.
One of the best VTMs i have is that Animation one by Jeff Lew.
http://www.jefflew.com/
it runs on a TV (which I like, because I can watch it in bed, but others prefer a larger resolution,which is understandable) and is a combination of viewport capture and explanative animation (i.e.explaining Gimbal lock witch scientific charts, pointing out certain basics in a more teaching materila like style like known from scientific TV shows).
Its more work, of course, and if its worth it depends on the subject and the target-audience, i guess.
If its for beginners, then i would recommend a more illustrative approach to betterexplain stuff.

Olli

Thanks Ollie. I was thinking more along the lines of a job reel, not a tutorial dvd. You know, like a 30 second showcase of what i'm capable of doing with rigging/TD in c4d for job applications.

Although now that you mention it, maybe a tutorial dvd is an option. :) Then again, Kai's got that covered i think. :)

[LucentDreams]

TD Reels are typically alittle longer than most other reels, mostly because you have to show off how your setup/tools actually work.

You can have rendered aniamted pieces, but as mcuh in editor vide as possible is best, use an app like camtasia (there are some free apps out there). what you want to focus on is showing an animator friendly rig, so clear controls easily accessible, but in terms of being a TD you'll also have to show your problem solving skills, like a sort of autorigging solution, or having a tail that has both dynamics and fully controllable FK, or a wheel that spreads as it presses on the ground. Don't be afraid to actually explain your set up instead of having music, thats probably the first thing I'll change in mine when I do a new reel.

Just to give you an idea, when I sat down for an interview with blue sky, it was a lead animator who interviewed me, and we watched my reel together, and he said he liked m rigs, very clean standard rigs, but then pointed out how there wasn't much there besides a standard rig. We looked at Scrat's rig, particularly his tail and Eye setups and went through the complexity and the depth of control that they had, but most importantly, why a lot of those controls were in there, what challenges had arised for the animators and how the TD's had gone through and added controls or means of controlling that solved these problems.

For an idea of TD reels check out:

http://maks.free.fr/reel/

and more importantly:

http://www.characteranimator.com/temp/movies/character_td.html

[danb]

Thank you very much Kai. That is some very helpful advice.

You must have been very excited to be interviewed at blue sky. Blue sky is one of the studios i would very much like to work for. They are located only a few hours away from me, unless they have moved. I think they used to be in New York.

So how about the fact that you are a c4d artist? Did that have any influence on your interview? What app did blue sky use for animating? Do you use other programs to animate? I'm pretty sure rigging methods are universal, but how does an employer feel about hiring an artist that might use a different program? FYI, i also use 3d studio max for rigging jobs.

Is it better to keep methods contained in programming languages, i.e. xpresso, MEL, etc.? Dynamic tails and such can be done with c4d's soft ik, but other apps the only solution is constraint programming.

I have developed, with the help of cactus dan, a very nice facial animation system. It's very impressive, imo, and extremely easy for an animator to use. I would like to showcase the interface. Would there be any problems with showing this work because i have developed it with Dan?

[danb]

Wow that is simply THE best rigging reels i have ever seen.

I've been wondering how to get the appearance of highly stylized 2d cartoons in 3d, for a while. That grid deformer is absolutely amazing. The wave technique of the birds are awesome.

[wuensch]

Thanks Ollie. I was thinking more along the lines of a job reel, not a tutorial dvd. You know, like a 30 second showcase of what i'm capable of doing with rigging/TD in c4d for job applications. :)

Duh-- should remind myself to read before answering ;-)
Olli

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