1st Edition

Action Analysis for Animators

By Chris Webster Copyright 2012
    424 Pages
    by Routledge

    422 Pages
    by Routledge

    Action Analysis is one of the fundamental princples of animation that underpins all types of animation: 2d, 3d, computer animation, stop motion, etc. This is a fundamental skill that all animators need to create polished, believable animation. An example of Action Analysis would be Shrek's swagger in the film, Shrek. The animators clearly understood (through action analysis) the type of walk achieved by a large and heavy individual (the real) and then applied their observations to the animated character of an ogre (the fantastic). It is action analysis that enabled the animation team to visually translate a real life situation into an ogre's walk, achieving such fantastic results.

    Key animation skills are demonstrated with in-depth illustrations, photographs and live action footage filmed with high speed cameras. Detailed Case Studies and practical assignments ground action analysis methodology with real life examples. Action Analysis for Animators is a essential guide for students, amateurs and professionals.

    Introduction
    Why analyse action? The value of action analysis to animators. Sports science, anatomical study.

    The Study of Motion
    Naturalistic action, abstract action,
    Pioneers of Motion Analysis - Muybridge, Marrey,
    Animation Based Analysis ? George Lutz, Fleisher Brothers, Disney Studios, Walt Stanchfield

    Dynamics and Laws of Motion
    Newtonian laws of motion, Laban system of movement.

    Animation Principles
    Webster's Four ?A's of Animation. Animation Timing, Overlapping Action, Follow Through, Drag, Balance and Weight, Arcs, Anticipation

    Figures in Motion
    Anatomy, Walks, Runs, Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Throwing, Jumping, Character Interaction, Dance and choreography, Movement under Loads, Movement and the environment, Children in Motion, Adults in Motion, Movement in the Elderly,
    Assignments

    Animals in Motion
    Quadrupeds ? Cats, Dogs, Horses, Cows, Others
    Anatomy, Walk, Run, Trot, Canter, Gallop, Jumping, Hauling loads, Group Action
    Birds ? Song birds, Pigeon type birds, Swans, Waders, Hummingbirds, Raptors, Others
    Anatomy, Principles of flight, Types of Flight, Take Off, Landing, Hovering, Flocking.
    Fish ? Bony Fish, Rays, Eels, Others
    Anatomy, Modes of swimming, Types of Swimming, Shoaling
    Assignments

    None Organic Action
    Clothing and costumes, Water, Wind, Fire, Others

    Capturing Action
    Drawing from Life - Anatomy, Construction, Materials, Mark Making, Sketchbooks
    Photographing Action - Cameras, Exposure, Technical Issues
    Filming Action ? Cameras, Film speeds, Technical Issues, Creating movies
    Motion Capture ? Automated systems for the capture and analysis of movement.

    Methodologies for Analysis
    Staging actions, Analysis of Timing, Choreography, Analysis of Performance, Motion capture, Reading a sequence, Rotoscoping,

    Reference and Research
    Sources, Creating a Reference Library

    Biography

    Chris Webster is an animator who has worked for twenty years in the industry and has extensive experience as an educator teaching across a broad range of levels from schools, higher education and professional training programmes and within the studio environment. He is currently Head of Animation at the Bristol School of Animation and the University of the West of England.