Facial Pose
This week, I learned about the key points of facial posing, especially how the face changes depending on the direction a character is looking. For example, if a character looks to the left, the left side of the face tends to open more than the right side, as shown in the reference image.
Based on this, I need to pay attention to which side of the face is opening and apply this knowledge to my character animation in Maya. In particular, I learned that the chin usually moves from the open side toward the closed side, while the top of the head moves in the same direction. At the same time, it is also helpful to be aware of the C-shaped line created by these movements, as it makes the pose look more natural and appealing.
Heavy Object & Change of Mind (Blocking)
This week, I started working on my Heavy Object & Change of Mind shot animation. The animation starts with the main character trying to push a heavy door. The character tries different ways to open it, but the door does not move. After giving up, the character looks down and finds a button on the ground. When the button is pressed, a small door opens. The main idea of this shot is to show the character’s change of mind, from trying to push the door to finding an easier solution.
First, I made a blocking animation. However, my tutor told me that it is better to use stepped keys instead of spline when making the blocking. Stepped keys make it easier to focus on the key poses and clearly show the character’s actions before adding smooth movement. I want to use this advice in my next version.
I also received feedback about the character. I used Spider Man, but my tutor said that the character looks too realistic. My animation has a funny and cartoon-like story, so it would be better to use a more stylized character. Next time, I will choose a character that matches the style and feeling of the animation better.