3D Animation Of Realistic Creatures

I am a working supervising creature animator with over 10 years experience in feature film 3D creature animation. Film credits include Harry Potter (1,2,3 and 4),10,000bc, The Dark Knight (Batman), Hellboy, I'm currently supervising creature animation on Pixars John Carter of Mars.

This is a low-tech program, there are no dvd’s or visual aids, though we will be studying online movie footage and I will clarify some points with the use of diagrams or images. We will communicate through emails and my response will take the form of a series of notes detailing specific issues for you to address.You will be in contact with me from start to finish and you will be able to email questions at any time. I will create a dedicated email account for you to send emails to and a domain address to send larger movie files, I will supply ftp login details and ftp freeware link if you require it. The movie you send to me should be a Maya playblast .mov preferably or avi movie (please let me know if you are able to do this).
The course outline is as follows:

1.Choose creature rig.
A Choice of four rigs are currently available: Allosaur, Baboon, Gecko, Dog, Cat or Penguin.

2.Storyboard ideas.
Come up with a simple sequence to animate, nothing too ambitious, the idea is to produce short sequences that demonstrate typical creature behaviour,
one creature per sequence. (see fox animation example on website)

3.Study online live action movies of relevant creature.
Observe creature behaviour and typical personality traits with close attention to timing and poses.

4.Creation of walk/trot/run cycles.
Tips on how to create convincing cycles quickly.

5.Posing keyframes.
Use of stepped keys to create important key poses.

6.Blocking animation
Roughing in between key poses

7.Polishing animation
Tips and advice on how to add the wow factor!

The goal of the course is not to obtain some kind of certificate of excellence but more importantly to learn how to animate creatures quickly and convincingly using techniques and simple shortcuts that I will introduce where appropriate. Some you might already employ but many you will not. These will help you to speed up the production of good quality animation, a vital skill in visual effects animation. You will also come away with two examples of creature work that you will have storyboarded and completed yourself with my guidence.
These realistic creature sequences are designed to demonstrate your animation skills to potential clients and improve your chances of finding work as an animator in the visual effects industry.

I am also involved in animation recruitment and although I can make no guarantees, it is a possibility that I maybe able to help you find work at some future date. I can certainly offer advice about reels, universities, interviews, companies etc.

Finally payment can be made to my Paypal account two days before start date, you will not require a Paypal account to do this. (I will send an invoice)

If you decide the course is not for you, a full refund is available before midnight of the eighth working day following the first lesson.

Please feel free to ask any further questions.

Thanks

Rob