3D Character Animation

Process

This particular animation took about four weeks to complete and many iterations throughout the process. To start off with I filmed myself acting out the action, then from there it was the very repetitive process of animating a pass to show and discuss with Tim and Spencer, taking on their advice and criticism, and using it to improve my work for a second pass to show them - and so on and so fourth.

To give a bit of context as to the amount of passes I made, the following are all the passes made in the fourth week.

Other work

This animation wasn't the only piece I did this trimester. I create a few other animations earlier in the trimester to really hone in my skills and techniques.

COLLABORATIVE work

This trimester we started work on our major production which'll carry over to next trimester as well. I'm working with a pretty large group - five other animation students, a film student and some external collaborators. We're all working towards creating a two minute cinematic of a medieval knight retracing his steps of the battle field after being knocked unconscious. The idea is to explore the consequences of war and conflict, ultimately coming to the conclusion that it's not in the best interests of anyone.

Team Members

Callum Sinnott: Callum is the project lead. He's in charge of all the documentation, team communication and risk management, as well as the overall project direction. Callum is also the lead texture artist, lead environment artist, and secondary layout artist.

Ryan Hudson: Ryan is the artistic director, which means he's in charge reviewing all the art assets as well as the overall artistic vision.

Sam Harper: Sam is the lead VFX artist. He's in charge of things such as fire, smoke and dust. Sam's also been tasked with creating crowd and destruction simulations.

Trenn Tims: Trenn is the lead prop and layout artist. He's tasked with creating the 3D assets form the project as well as setting up the layout of the scenes.

Zackary McDonald (Myself): I am the lead animator. I'm in charge of all the animations in the cinematic, the majority of which are character animations.

Nicola Farquhar-Smith: Nicola is the secondary animator. Her role is basically to work on some of the smaller animations while I tackle the more lengthy ones.

Erik Bibaeff: Eric is the Director, Producer and DOP for our cinematic. He'll be in charge of the script, the shot list, camera work, and the over all story telling.

External Clients: At the moment we are paying three external clients. For concept ark we've enlisted the help of Alex Chen and Nicolas Chacin. And for a functional rig we have enlisted the help of a free lancer by the name of Dzgner (real name Sandy).

Below is some concept art from some of our external collaborators as well as some reference footage that I shot with our directer - Eric Bibaeff.

Contacts

Email: zackarymcdonald@yahoo.com.au

Art Station: https://www.artstation.com/zackarymcdonald

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100016686427669

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackary-mcdonald-2a18b41a3/

Current Skill Set: 3D animation, 3D modelling

Software: Maya, Mudbox, Photoshop, After Effects, Premier, Unreal Engine 4