April 2008 3D Animation Reel

[Kajenx]

The jumping guy at the very beginning didn't seem to have much weight. I think cutting in without the anticipation might be causing that. If you pushed the poses for when he's about to fall it might add some there too. It seems more like he's leaning back at that point.

The crazy guy with the gun starts out nicely, especially in the arms, but then I think it gets a little too spastic. If you kept the same movements but made then smaller, I think it'll make it look more like he's shaking from fear. Right now it looks a bit like the gun is trying to escape.

The guy with the gun at the end looked really relaxed. It was pretty good acting, just really out of place for what was actually happening.

IMHO, the monster with the cycles was the best. I could feel it thinking.

Overall it looks okay, but I think tightening up some of the animation would really help.

[jsolson]

130+ people have looked at my reel and only one person had something to say. This is one of the best cg forums out there. I want to hear your opinions, I want to improve, and I need your help. So tell me what you think. :)


and thank you CG Society for this website

[DWheezy]

Hi John,

You've definitely made some nice improvements since last time we saw your reel. The monster's walk looks more solid now, with the weight shifting in the right places, and the shotgun guy seems less spastic than he used to be for sure. Good job incorporating the feedback the forum gave earlier.

The things that are sticking out to me at the moment are the initial jump, the transition, and the grenade toss.

The initial jump before he falls off the platform seems too light. It's kinda floaty and needs more weight. I think the reason is because I never really see his legs full extended. His weight goes into the air, and his feet immediately follow it. Perhaps if you delayed the feet from leaving the ground a little longer, get the legs out straight before the feet come up, it would give a better idea of the force being used to jump. Maybe a bit more squash and slightly snappier timing through the pinnacle. Also, it looks like his left knee is spazzing out a bit mid air - check the pole vector keys to make sure they are snapping around.

The sleep cycle is really nice, I like all the little acting bits in there with the feet (although I'm not sure if it can technically be called a "cycle" since it doesn't return to where it began), but the transition could use some work. First of all when the monster rolls up I don't feel like he has enough momentum to get that big upper torso all the way off the ground. I think that if you got the feet further back over his head, got some more of his back off the ground, and then HELD it there a little bit, storing the forces necessary to roll all the way to a standing position, that it would sell more. Also it'd be nice if there was a bit of acting after he jumps up. Right now he goes straight into that walk cycle, but he just woke up right? So he could rub the sleep out of his eyes or something - slide his hand down his face, anything that you might do when you wake up - THEN go into the walk cycle. Not something completely necessary, but it'd be nice.

Lastly, when the solider throws the grenade, it seems to slow. Get some more force behind that toss, some more speed going into the throw. Then make the grenade go in a bit faster to match.

Hope that helps John. Keep up the good work! And keep on animating!

[jsolson]

Dan Weiland and Luke,

Thanks for the lengthy, but good critique. I always enjoy reading what other people think. I look forward to your future critiques.

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