Michael Jackson Thriller Dance Sequence (pimped Digital Tutors) WIP

#1

Hi,

As part of trying to switch from 3ds max to Maya, I recently finished a couple of recommendable videos including Intro to Animation in Maya and Intro to Rigging in Maya 2011 by Digital Tutors.

I usually enjoy finishing up before going onto a new course by doing a personal project.

In this case I will be attempting to replicate the Thriller Dance sequence using the character from Digital Tutors which I learned how to rigg.

Project Duration: 8 to 12 weeks

Sequence start:
a. Character is sleeping on a chair.
b. Cut into dream sequence where he is dancing.
c. Cut back into him sleeping after song is finished.

I’d like to encourage anyone else that wants to do their own version if they want to, and we could bring our videos together and do a montage…am open to ideas and collaborations.

Here is image one to show the character rigged and skinned.

#2

In case you want to take part on this, this is a website I found where they teach all the moves once by one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RuHFna5mcpo

Cheers
Lazius

#3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lermP2ZpWjA

#4

If you follow this TUT, at video 3 or 5 about creating Leg Joints, a. they don’t explain that all the joints in the character must be zeroed out with freeze transform + delete History (only later do they this for other joints).

b. They also forgot to explain that all the joints must be aligned to the correct x,y,z paths…instead they mention the orientation must be consistent to each other only…if you don’t go through this process your joints will move when applying a Pole Vector Contraint…without even knowing it!

If you don’t have real rigging experience like my self, later on you may find your self in a big pickle when binding the mesh to the character…resorting to hours of searching over the net for countless explanations trying to fix this…

Thought I’d share this info with anyone intending to do that course, other than that…excellent course!

Cheers
Lazius

#5

Had some issues as I have some major Maya skills lacking in Maya, so have to follow an other bunch of Tuts before I can start this project.

Will try to start the project in a week or hopefully two tops.

Cheers
Lazius

#6

Here is the Concept for the animation, I am trying to start a commercial portfolio, so decided to incorporate it as an ad using the RedBull Brand…and use the karaoke idea for later.

Software used will include:
Maya,
MatchMover,
After Effects.

The entire video will be shot with an Iphone including the HDR lighting/reflection maps which will be done by using the multiple apps available.

Sequence of the dancing (10 to 20 seconds tops) will be uploaded in a week or so.
Total ad time between 30 and 60 seconds tops.

Here is the initial story board.

#7

This is just a simple test of the current blocking phase, half done, will upload rest of the blocking poses tomorrow…still very early stages.

http://youtu.be/_H9BExw8Zow

Cheers
Lazius

#8

Here is the second segment out of three to the blocking positions of the Thriller Sequence.

Challenging part is timing the movements from the thriller moves tutorial website to the bass drum/snare drum beats of the music.

Extended the sequence to 1300 frames of animation so that I can have more flexibility to pick and choose the segment to be used later on…

Here is the link
http://youtu.be/NBUMt-lSaGE

Cheers
Lazius

#9

Final Blocking phases, now moving onto the second stage filling up the in betweens…will add the character drinking at the end…really want to get the tedious tasks out of the way first.

added a turn table camera just to start seeing the animation from various angles.

watch here http://youtu.be/fMqF0NtXWco

If anyone has any advice that would help me move on faster or tips they use in Animation you’re welcome to share.

Cheers
Lazius

#10

Here is the first pass of the initial walk. Just want to get a rough picture at this stage, will fine tune the arms to make it more zombie like later on.

Added some camera movement and personality to the character to start development these elements now as well.

Still a long way to go!

http://youtu.be/RxAi2f4hWPY

#11

Here is the first glance to the final pass of the zombie walk.

Please let me know your comments as I move onto the next sequence which is the booty bounce, I will be making modifications to all the sequences nearer the end.

http://youtu.be/H8ss4yuYric

Thanks
Lazius

#12

Here is the second sequence called Booty Bounce attached with the Zombie Walk. I made a couple of tweaks to the Zombie Walk removing a couple moves.

(its only a play blast, rendering lighting…etc…later…)

All comments appreciated cheers, its my first character animation.

Video Here http://youtu.be/v3-vHRtpAa4

Regards
Lazius

#13

I know its got a long way to go, so theres a chance you was planning to fix the issues I point out.

He feels VERY stiff. When he shifts/leans from left to right, you could try and loosen him up a bit by delaying the head, chest and shoulders?

The actions he makes with his hands feel repetitive, as if you just copied and pasted the keys. This might just be because of the stiffness.

(I’m no expert and I’m only just learning animation myself but I would personaly advice you to do some basic exercises to learn the principles, BUT that does not mean you should not try and finish this project) :slight_smile:

#14

hey dude, thanks for the heads up I’ll look at it again keeping in mind your comments, I think you’re right some more variation would give the character more fluidity…tangents here I come…lol

Here is an other source of reference I been using (original thriller video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG6oy46qKE4

cheers
laz

#15

HI,

Here is an extra 200 frames of animation, I haven’t made any tweaks to previous footage in case more people post more comments.

Video here

http://youtu.be/7jM2lrzV3PQ

cheers
Lazius

#16

Total 1145 frames of animation.

This is the final dance sequence, will be adding some more tweaks tomorrow and try to make it smoother.

Will be adding an extre 80 frames or so with the character drinking as well later on.

Video can be viewed here http://youtu.be/4400CZ3z_UU

Cheers
Lazius

#17

Now moving onto the lighting, will finalise texturing last for the dance sequence, want to find out how long its going to take to render my scenes before getting too involved as I will mostly be using procedural maps for the environment.

Am aimaing for three different environment as the character dances.
Candle lit - Tungsten lit with some strobe + explosion sequence with smoke on floor.

Source of reference:

Strobe Lighting effect (please do not whach this video if you are prone to getting seizures thank you).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5xVmNoB80g

Nine inch nails concert with strobe lighting effect (please dont watch this video either if you get seizures)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tQHVVfW3dM&feature=related

Candle lit shadows
http://vimeo.com/12521224

Fire explosion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3w4I2uF2Kw

Tungsten lighting (light show video - there is some strobing effects in this too)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESgNG2zTHdc&feature=related

Lighting Show 2 (there is some strobing effects in this too)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpxesXK5sso&feature=related

Lighting board

#18

Some tests, think I am going to render most of the fog scenes using the Maya software renderer…then switch to mental ray for the none moke/volumetric effects after.

#19

Spent two days experimenting with Rendering now moving on to the RedBull can sequence.

here is the wire frame, will add texture later.

#20

I might not be able to to do the fire due to computer power lacking so I thought it might be a good idea to have the Can Fall and create a huge splash (character is suppose to throw the can up in the air after drinking at beginning of sequence).

Wireframe video simulation only, now meshing the particles rendered at resolution 2 took ten hours to render out the simulation for 197 frames.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc9VysNmMYs