Www.animationmentor.com

[RobertLavigne]

If you watch Bobby’s video on what the Springboard course will be, http://www.animationmentor.com/mayaworkshopfall09/moreInfo.htm
It doesn’t sound like it’s to much for someone like yourself. It sounds like its going to be a pretty entry level course that will introduce you to most areas of the software and show how to use all of the tools you’ll need as an animator. However, It’s not that expensive, and might teach you some stuff you didn’t know. It’ll probably be a good chance to meet some people and make some contacts. I could probably do without it but I’m just really excited to start at AM so I jumped all over it.

[N1Prime]

Hi Robert.

Thanks for posting. it’d be great to share info with fellow students (although at the moment I have nothing information wise).

I’m hoping that it is entry level (as in literally from scratch). In all honesty, I’m not too worried about learning the technical aspects of the course (as in learning and manipulating Maya).

I am more concerned about the amount of pen and paper sketching we’ll have to do. I haven’t drawn anything since I was a child, and having started sketching again in preparation for AM I have found that I still draw at the same level . I have ordered the book “simplified drawing for planning animation” I’m hoping that this will point me in the right direction.

[VrodRick]

Awesome, I’ll check it out. thanks!

If you watch Bobby’s video on what the Springboard course will be, http://www.animationmentor.com/mayaworkshopfall09/moreInfo.htm
It doesn’t sound like it’s to much for someone like yourself. It sounds like its going to be a pretty entry level course that will introduce you to most areas of the software and show how to use all of the tools you’ll need as an animator. However, It’s not that expensive, and might teach you some stuff you didn’t know. It’ll probably be a good chance to meet some people and make some contacts. I could probably do without it but I’m just really excited to start at AM so I jumped all over it.

[VrodRick]

Yeah, i’m actually think of rolling out a discounted blog hosting service based upon the demand. So maybe something like $10/month or something and it will get you your own blog system and personalized sub domain at mycgblog.com (so yourname.mycgblog.com).

If there’s enough interest I’ll do it!

Cool thanks for the offer! I’ll look into the freebie stuff first though… Will be less work for you I know if I have time to write here, I should have time to write on my blog so I think I’ll fiddle around on that site you mentioned later this weekend.

Cheers!!!

[VrodRick]

hehe, yeah, i know the feeling
I started doing the daily sketches again at night just to get my hand going through the motions! It’s funny, i run a creative design agency doing websites/print design, etc but I’m so into the running the business side that I don’t get to do so much of the creative any more…i have employees doing that. AM will get me back into the mix of using my creative brain to come up with some awesome concepts. Mind you, my drawing skills need to increase, but this program is all about learning…so i guess as long as you’re in that mindset you should be good

Only thing freaking me out a bit is working and doing AM…we’ll see how it all goes

Hi Robert.

I am more concerned about the amount of pen and paper sketching we’ll have to do. I haven’t drawn anything since I was a child, and having started sketching again in preparation for AM I have found that I still draw at the same level . I have ordered the book “simplified drawing for planning animation” I’m hoping that this will point me in the right direction.

[N1Prime]

Only thing freaking me out a bit is working and doing AM…we’ll see how it all goes

Haha I know! I’m working full time as well, but I generally get home around 4pm so i’m hoping I have enough time to get stuck in.

With regard to sketching. I just bought a wacom bamboo tablet and downloaded the Gimp drawing application. For some reason I feel more confident with this. Do you reckon this can be used in AM?

[stuartb]

I use my trusty wacom for all my planning/thumbnail assignments for AM

Honestly though, don’t stress too much over not being an excellant illustrator. It doesn’t matter how good you are at proportions, mass, line variation etc, all that matters is that your thumbnail reads well. No one else is going to see your planning when its time to animate a shot in the industry, so it doesn’t matter how terrible they are.

What is important is that you can quickly sketch pose ideas with a stick figure and use it as a guide for posing out a 3d character. It can take 10-15 minutes to pose a character in maya and 10-15 seconds to do a quick thumbnail.

Here’s a few quick thumbnails I did for my last few shots. http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9812/v2storyboard01.jpg
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1199/thumbs02.jpg
Notice that they are extremely rough. Anything more detailed than this is just a waste of time.

[stuartb]

Yeah, i’ve been debating about doing the springboard coarse…just wondering if it’s worth the extra $$$. i’ve done the gnoman intro vids, read the sybex books, etc…just wondering if there’s something in there that I haven’t already learned.

Hey VrodRick, the Maya Springboard class is EXTREMELY basic. Emphasis on the EXTREME part. If you have never touched maya, it might be worth a look. Otherwise, you’re probably wasting your time and money.

Introduction to Maya 2009 by digital tutors is money better spent in my opinion.

[N1Prime]

Hey Brett,

I have never used a tablet before so i’m still getting used to the navigation. I have read that it’s easier on the wrists if you are working for prolonged hours (it’s awesome though :buttrock: ).

Thanks for sharing those thumbnails. It eases my mind a bit that they can be fairly basic. Also i’ll focus more on getting the poses right rather than detail and proportion (I was more worried about proportions).

Are there any sites that show more about the planning stages of animation? I had a look at some of the WIP stuff here but wonder if there is a site that people go to generally for this stuff.

Thanks again help from the home of thrash metal is appreciated ;).

[stuartb]

Gestural Drawings are a good place to start and a great way to practice thumbnails.

[N1Prime]

Thanks i’ll be sure to check those out when I get out of work.

So what software do you use when thumbnailing?

[stuartb]

Typically Photoshop. But i use ToonBoom for pencil tests, which is a great lightbox program.

[N1Prime]

So how far into the course are you now? going well I hope.

I can’t wait to get started. I haven’t had anything to really focus on for some time.

[jayweb1]

Here is a little gem I found awhile back. It was written by Walt Stanchfield and gives a great overview of gesture drawings. It really shows that the heart of movement is in quick gesture drawings/thumbs.

Enjoy!

http://www.floobynooby.com/pdfs/gesturedrawingforanimation.pdf

[VrodRick]

Thanks for the info! Yeah, it sounds really basic, glad to know that it’s on the extreme side! Rather save $500 and put it towards some nice Gnoman vids

Hey VrodRick, the Maya Springboard class is EXTREMELY basic. Emphasis on the EXTREME part. If you have never touched maya, it might be worth a look. Otherwise, you’re probably wasting your time and money.

Introduction to Maya 2009 by digital tutors is money better spent in my opinion.

[Sapphire]

Hi all,

Any idea what will be the price of maya 2010 for students who join Animation Mentor Course?

Thanks.

[RobertLavigne]

Maya 2010 for students will preobably be about the same or less then mayay 09 unlimited, which was $400. I don’t know this for sure but maya 09 unlimited was about $4000 and maya 2010 which is basically the equivalent of the unlimited retails for $3700. So if it’s more then $400 i’d be surprised.

[VrodRick]

Maya 2010 for students will preobably be about the same or less then mayay 09 unlimited, which was $400. I don’t know this for sure but maya 09 unlimited was about $4000 and maya 2010 which is basically the equivalent of the unlimited retails for $3700. So if it’s more then $400 i’d be surprised.

Hey Robert,
Just noticed you’re north of me (well 500 miles…but still)…i’m down here in Bellingham, WA!

[Redspective]

Hey Robert,
Just noticed you’re north of me (well 500 miles…but still)…i’m down here in Bellingham, WA!

Yeah!!! Bellis Fair FTW!!! I’m just a hop skip away from you Vrod… Langley, BC

[N1Prime]

Here is a little gem I found awhile back. It was written by Walt Stanchfield and gives a great overview of gesture drawings. It really shows that the heart of movement is in quick gesture drawings/thumbs.

Enjoy!

http://www.floobynooby.com/pdfs/gesturedrawingforanimation.pdf

Hey Jamie, Thanks for this. I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet but as soon as I get home from work I will. Cheers.

Also during the coffee talk with Victoria she mentioned that fall students will still be using Maya 2009. I don’t know if 2010 is radically different.