A Showreel and Some Pretty Lights.

So, this week I managed to build my show-reel of animations so far to hand in to Georg, though that was earlier this week, just took a while to post it, due to that horrible pain: The Essay. Still, I think its going alright, though the library books I'm using for research are annoyingly hard to decipher, why do they have to write in such a complex cryptic way? Still, it looks like I shall manage it. I'm looking at Stereotyping and Representation (Making reference to critical texts, their authors and theories, and using examples - discuss the issues relating to representation and stereotypes. Consider the aspects of representation and
stereotypes that are specific to animation and explore this concept in relation to a recent
animated film or body of films.) in Disney films. I'd be lying if i said it was fun, but it is a little interesting and rather necessary.

So, show-reel:

The other thing I thought I would throw out there is this lovely piece on lighting, courtesy of course-mate Yasmin (Her blog: http://gashumonsata.tumblr.com And her old blog [thought I'd put it up just in case] http://ydanimation.blogspot.com) Its some basic but useful lighting tips from a guy who heard a talk by a guy from Dreamworks, and I thought it was good.
Have a look if you wish. http://blackpassion777.deviantart.com/journal/Interested-in-Dreamworks-Lighting-Resource-283032819

Finally, after the realisation that I'm really bad at the whole draw an hour a day thing, I made a new album on facebook on Wednesday, determined to upload a drawing a day, and although its a little late, it appears that the accountability is working, and I have all 4 days so far uploaded. Its easy enough to find, but in case you cant, here is a link http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.340748079280048.80661.100000345772328&type=3 . If you don't know me I'm afraid you may not be able to see it, and I apologise, but maybe at the end of the year I'll post it all on here.

Eleven Rig

Just downloaded the Eleven Rig, and thought I would try it out. Some parts of it move differently to the Mophy rig, as it uses IFK a lot more, but I like it a bit better I think. Just threw in a couple of lights and some polygons to see what it looked like.

Point Light

Quickly before i drop off to bed, i threw a point light around in my scene to experiment :]

3 Point lighting

Okay now i keep messing up the setting with 3 lights and either severely pixelating the shadows, or just over shooting the light. But its looking kinda better now. This is once again using directional lights, one for the Key light (the brightest one), one for the bounce back, and a third behind the character to create a rim light, which brings out the edge of the character.

2 Point Lighting :]

2 point lighting now, looks much more natural. 2 point lighting is what it sounds like, using two lights, coming from different points. In computer programs, light doesn't bounce like in real life, as the way light works in life is incredibly complex. so to make a light "bounce off something" you need two lights, one for the original one, and a weaker on to create the light that has bounced off. So this is what I have done, once again using directional lights only. Enjoy!

Let there be light...

So, first post of the new year :] Happy 2012 peoples. Had my first lecture of the term today, digital animation, mostly about lighting. So I'm going to get a book from the library and look into I, as I have kinda liked messing with lights since my chiaroscuro project at A2. So I downloaded the Morpheus rig, and threw together a quick pose to attempt one point lighting on. I used a directional light, and made it the only light, and gave it a pretty high intensity, and I'm quite happy with it. More to come :]