2nd Splining pass for take number 03
We are down to the last week before the actual masterclass is going to be held. Although I am very excited about it, I had to sit down and polish the scenarios I was given as much as I could. Unfortunately due to other school commitments I didn’t end up having as much time to spend animating 
It always seems to be the case isn’t?
In this pass I was looking into what poses can be pushed a bit more, where can I hold them a little longer (it seemed a bit too floaty in the first pass) and basically areas where the timing was a little off.
The smoke effect has been added, and it really brings the piece together. Even though the character’s actions make more sense now I find it a little bit distracting in a way.
Since tomorrow is the submission date for the masterclass this version is probably what I am going to end up handing in, however I am planning to get back to it and push it further after at my own time.
Just wanted to say thanks for Paul Naas and Ross for sticking up with me on this one. Your feedback is extremely useful and I just wanted you to know I appreciate it a lot.
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Hi, my name is Avner, and I am addicted to animation!
Welcome to my work in progress animation workbook. Feel free to share ideas, thoughts, feedback or anything else that can help me evolve and further my learning. 
Heya Av – This is looking pretty good. Great improvement from when I last saw it. A general note on the timing throughout – up until the point when he freaks out over the fire, the timing is a bit sluggish. The poses are floating just a tiny bit. Slower movements are alright, but for the most part, you want the principles of the basic bouncing ball to still apply to the movements of a character. When he puts one hand down on the table, puts the sandwich down, puts that hand down, etc. – the spacing of those movements feels even which causes that slight floaty feel. If you play with the curves a bit more and let it ease in and out, thereby mixing up the spacing, it’ll add even more appeal to this shot.
The jump at 18:19-20 feels a bit too stiff to me. Again, this is just my opinion. He hits at 18:19 and then the movement to :20 is pretty much just the angle of his feet. When I’ve worked on surprised jumps like this at AM, my mentors have always taught me to make the arc of the jump visible to the camera. So although he may be moving in an arc from a different side, this view makes it look like he’s moving up in a linear fashion to a point, and then back down in a diagonal line. If you track the bottom of his hips (whether a maya arc tracker or a dry erase marker on your screen), make sure you have a nice clean arc there visible to the camera. It’s just hitting hard right now with that point. You can still be cartoony in the timing, just clear up the arc. Again, remember the ease in and out of the bouncing ball.
Anyway, that’s just two of the things I noticed. Go with what you feel is right. The shot has come a long way so great work with that man.
Hey Avner,
I agree, a big improvement on the first clip. It has a lot more structure there now. I love his chewing action and they way he sniffs… good job! See you at ‘Ed Hooks’ master class tomorrow!
Aaron