The bases of animation
Animation methods, principles and formulas.
Given by Pixel in Fact, producer and Av Performer.
_Espacio Reflex, San Sebastián.
_17-21 March, 2014
Hours: Monday to Friday 18:30-22:30.
Price: €100 (€5 an hour x 20)*
Total hours: 20 hours = 5 days x 4 hours
Minimum no. of students: 10; maximum: 15
Target audience: Adults aged 18 to 75
Method of payment: Bank transfer to: Asociación Artística Linea Curva
La Caixa a/c no.: 2100 6491 18 2100061892
Registration form: : Download : :
Registration closes: Thursday, March 13.
*The workshop price includes:
_20 hours of practical classes at the workshop.
_Additional teaching material
Animator’s handbook consisting of 300+ pages.
Recommended bibliography.
Videography (500+ animation videos from 1870 until today).
_Software required for the course
Open Source and demo versions of payment software (Linux, Win, OSx).
Animation methods, principles and formulas.
Empirical workshop, based on learning by doing.
Animation
Is magic, illusion; visual trickery for lending continuity to a series of fixed images, bringing them to life.
Independently of the tool we choose to create our animation, the principles and basics are common to all disciplines, whether traditional or digital.
Recipient
Workshop adapted to VJs, motion graphers, graphic designers, developers, infographists, classic animators, stop motion buffs and audiovisual creators in general.
Ideal for those taking their first steps and for those who wish to perfect their techniques in the complex art of animation.
Objectives
To learn the basic principles of animation; to understand the true nature of movement, in other words, how animation is articulated, or, said in another way, how to bring life and credibility to the inert.
To make as much use as possible of the workshop time. To open your mind and understand the world from the animator’s point of view.
“Only a perfect understanding of basic concepts produces true satisfaction.”
Methodology
- Group activity based on simple, progressive exercises.
- Making animations with real objects and illustrations in different environments and media.
- Analysis and self-correction of the animations made.
We will use different methods to make them:
Digital photography with no support.
Photography with the support of specific software (OS/Win/Linux).
Recommended minimum
1 work station for every 3 students: laptop, tripod & digital camera, webcam or video camera with USB connection or Firewire.
Ideally, bring spare batteries and/or an AC input connector.
Workshop content
1. Zero point: Initiation to the world of animation.
2. Technology: Approach to specific animation software.
Learning about current tools that help to achieve fluid animation: rotoscopy, onion skin, grids and previews. Configuration and startup.
3. Time-space. The basic unit of time in animation. Reproduction speeds. Slow motion. Interpolation.
4. Articulating the animation: Capture in “Ones”, “Twos”, etc. / frame reversal / frame re-editing and recycling / etc.
5. Movement: “The arc” / “Acceleration-deceleration” / “Pauses” / “Cycles and Repetitions” / “Oscillations and waves” /
The physics of movement: physical characteristics of objects and their environment / “Gravity” / “Density” / “Friction” / “Inertia” / etc…
6. Action: Hold the spectator’s attention / “Anticipation” / “Cause- effect_Surprise” / “Primary and secondary”_ “Overlapped actions.”
7. Interpretation: “Personality and Character” / “Mood” / “Dramatization_ accentuation_exaggeration_deformation”.
Proposed exercises
- We will use the Stop Motion technique to assimilate the principles of animation.
- Continuous analysis and general discussion on doubts and mistakes.
- Approach to and practice with the digital tools available on the market:
(open source, freeware and trial versions)
Software
- “Dragonframe” (Professional Stop Motion software, Mac/Win).
- “StopmotionPro” (Professional Stop Motion software, Mac/Win).
- “Frame Thief” (Basic Stop Motion software, Mac/Win).
- “Stopit” (Stop Motion & Time Lapse, Win).
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