There is a thread on stopmotionanimation.com about walk cycles. Here is a test that I did many months ago. I used the trial version of Stop Motion Pro and my web cam.
Category: Animation
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Hi-Def Production Workflow…Without a Supercomputer
I had an interesting email exchange with J. Roche regarding non-linear editing using Sony Vegas and wrote down what I do when editing a film. My goal is to output DVD or HD-DVD resolution projects while also being able to edit that project using very small file sizes.
The result is:
- improved performance of the computer and editing software
- clear views and smoother playback of the film
- ability to see each frame clearly in sync with the audio track(s)
In Sony Vegas I am using the following settings to make NTSC, HD, and HD Image Sequence backups:
- .avi – NTSC DV Widescreen 24p (2-3-3-2 pulldown) and Audio is PCM Uncompressed
- .avi – CineForm HD Codec V2.1, HDV 720 (1280×720) with a frame rate of 24fps and Audio is PCM Uncompressed
- .avi – UPDATE NOTE: I have since switched to making a 720P uncompressed 24P file and using that to make a compressed 720P and associated proxy file. Once I get ready to render I swap proxy file back to the uncompressed to keep the number of times the footage is compressed before it goes to DVD to a minimum.
- .jpg – I also export an image sequence of the entire film at 1280×720 so I can import those image frames into any editor down the road at HD resolutions
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Vitruvius Update and New Armature Development
I am in the process of relocating my studio over the next month or two. I plan to hold off on further filming of the Vitruvius project until I have the studio and lighting re-assembled. I have some compositing elements that I can work on in the mean time and I’m also exploring a new armature setup for future projects.
My new armature development utilizes aluminum wire, plastic tubing, super glue, and 6-32 socket screws. I wanted an armature that is inexpensive, easy to build without a lot of equipment, and modular so I could easily replace arms or legs of the puppets without have to re-costume. I also wanted to move away from the epoxy stuff with all the potential toxicity issues it brings…not to mention its permanence which doesn’t allow for removable puppet limbs.
The photo above is of the first armature. I just got some plastic tubes (square and round) and my cordless drill and a tap to make threads in the holes.
- Figure (a) shows the blocks of plastic tubing super glued together and the threaded holes for the screws which are clamping the wire in place.
- Figure (b) shows the front with a horizontal strip of plastic glued across the blogs for reinforcement.
- Figure (c) shows the plastic block with a slot drilled through for the T shaped tie down. The 2 lengths of leg wire go through the heel hole and are held in place via a screw in the back of the foot block.
- Figure (d) is the whole armature view from the back.
The socket screws clamp down on the wire running through the tubes and holds it in place. The “bones” of the arms and legs are just plastic tubing that is like a drinking straw but much thicker. The joints between the bones are strips of craft foam tied in a knot to keep bones in place but allow flexibility. So far, the armature it is light weight and stronger than I anticipated which is good.
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Animation Show in Atlanta
Last night (and still playing today) is “The Animation Show” curated by Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt. I met up with Karl and also saw Brett at the event. Ward was there as well and I wouldn’t be surprised if he posts some info about the event in the near future on his blog or Flickr pages. Mike Judge himself was also present for a short Q&A after the show which was quite a bonus.
This is the third installment in the Animation Show series and I think it is the best to date. The previous two are now available on DVD for purchase or via Netflix. Memorable animations for me were Rabbit, Everything Will Be OK, Versus, and Collision. Rabbit, my personal favorite from the show, is available for viewing from Atom Films. Rabbit was created by Run Wrake. There is something about the sound and music design (not to mention the whole visual design) of Rabbit that I find alluring.
The projection and sound system at the Carter Center, where the event took place, was incredible.
I don’t know if they used some kind of hi-def digital projection or something else but they should try to use that for the Atlanta Film Festival’s animation program.Karl confirmed that the projection was hi-def and they take it with them to the cities where it the show is screened which shows how much they care about quality…and it showed. The screen wasn’t huge but it was sharper and had more punch and contrast than what I’ve usually seen at the few film festivals I’ve attended. -
Business Cards: The MOO Solution
I needed to get some business cards to hand out at various times and decided to try the Flickr / Moo option. I have a Flickr site and read the specifications for sizing photos as Moo cards and made 10 card designs in Photoshop. I got the Moo 100 card pack for approximately $20 and it took about 10 days to arrive from the UK. The cards come in a little plastic holder which is nice. Click the photo below to see a larger version for more detail.
The cards turned out well and the paper is heavier than regular photo paper. They feel solid like a typical business card and have a matte/satin photo on one side and my name, email, and web site link on the back. I think the price and the ability to custom design up to 100 different types of cards is worthwhile.
The one thing I would do differently next time is to adjust the photos to make the images and text contrast more. For example, I used grey instead of pure white for the text on the photo and the grey at that size is a little difficult to read. However, they turned out great and should work just fine for my current purposes.
