ADVANCED ANIMATION / FINAL PROJECT - PHYSICAL ACTION SEQUENCE ANIMATION

22/04/2024 - 22/07/2024 / Week 1- Week 14
Chew Zhi Ern / 0358995
Advanced Animation / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Final Project / Physical Action Sequence Animation

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INSTRUCTIONS

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LECTURES

Lectures: Refer to Exercises

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PROJECT

FINAL PROJECT: PHYSICAL ACTION SEQUENCE ANIMATION

Brief

For the final project in Advanced Animation, we are tasked with animating a 5 to 10 second physical action sequence using Blender. We will begin by selecting an action sequence that involves dynamic physical movement, such as a fight, chase, or sports-related activity.

Snow Character Rig

Rain Character Rig

For my this final project, I began by choosing the Snow rig, which I downloaded and explored to understand its controls and limitations in Blender. Familiarising myself with the rig was essential for ensuring that it would respond well to the poses and movements I planned to animate.

Next, I moved on to planning and gathering references. I selected a physical action sequence from a fight scene, which I found in this reference video. I carefully analysed the video to understand the key actions, timing, and emotions involved in the sequence. This analysis helped me gain a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve in my animation.

Figure 1. Reference Video

https://youtu.be/bhfXnFKMFW8

With a clear plan in mind, I created a storyboard to visualize the key moments and actions of the scene. I included various camera angles and shots to enhance the visual storytelling. I also produced thumbnail sketches that captured the extreme and breakdown poses of the motion, which served as a guide during the animation process. I then set up my project in Blender, configuring it to a frame rate of 24fps, a resolution of 1280 x 720 (HD720p), and a 16:9 aspect ratio. I created a camera and staged the action with a perspective that complemented the movement. I began animating by blocking out the extreme poses first, followed by the breakdown poses, ensuring I captured the essence of the physical action and the emotions I wanted to convey.

Here is the process of animating it.

Figure 2.1 Positioning the Camera

Figure 2.2 Frame Rate Setting

Figure 2.3

Figure 2.4

Figure 2.5

Figure 2.6

After blocking out the animation, I moved on to refining and polishing it using the Graph Editor. I adjusted the animation curves, focusing on timing, easing, and flow to achieve a smooth and natural motion. I added flexibility and secondary actions to make the animation more believable. I continuously tested the animation to ensure the timing and motion were fluid, making necessary adjustments to enhance the overall appeal.

Once I was satisfied with the animation, I lit the scene to enhance the mood and visual clarity, paying attention to the direction and intensity of the light sources. I then rendered the animation as an image sequence in *.png format to ensure high quality and ease of editing.

Figure 2.7 Setting Up the Background

Figure 2.8 Setting Up the Background

Figure 2.9 Camera Movement Setting

Figure 2.10 Final Checking

In the final stage, I imported the rendered image sequence into Adobe Premiere for editing, where also I added the necessary audio to complement the animation. I compiled the sequence and exported the final animation using HD 1280 x 720 (720p) resolution, 24fps frame rate, and *.mov format, naming the file appropriately.

Figure 3. Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro

Below are the outcomes.

Figure 4. Outcome Without Camera Movement

Figure 5. Final Submission with Camera Movement

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REFLECTIONS

Experience:

For the final project in this Advanced Animation module, I created a 5 to 10-second physical action sequence using the Rain rig in Blender. The sequence was inspired by judo, focusing on grappling and throwing techniques. After exploring the rig, I used video references to study key actions and emotions typical of judo. Storyboarding helped me plan the sequence, while careful observation of reference material guided the animation process.

Animating the sequence required careful observation of the reference material, particularly identifying extreme poses and breakdown poses. I also experimented with different camera perspectives to create a dynamic and engaging scene.

Observations:
The project highlighted the importance of thorough planning and reference study in animation. Understanding the rig, analyzing the reference material were all critical steps in achieving a successful outcome. I also found that the process of animating physical action sequences requires a deep understanding of movement dynamics and timing. The ability to convey weight, impact, and emotion through animation is a skill that I developed further during this project.

One of the key takeaways from this project was the importance of camera work in animation. Proper use of camera angles and perspectives can significantly enhance the storytelling and visual impact of the sequence.

Findings:

This project was a valuable learning experience that deepened my understanding of animation principles and techniques. It also emphasized the importance of planning, reference study, and camera work in animation. The skills and insights gained from this project will be essential as I continue to develop as an animator.