Gnomon School of Visual Effects

Apply and adapt traditional animation techniques to monsters and creatures

This class builds on the Character Animation 1 and 2 courses. Students build on what they have learned in previous animation courses and continue to develop high quality animated tests that show photo-realistic weight shifts in the body and creature-driven acting. They expand on creature driven performances that are convincing in motion and draw empathy without speaking.

Exercises covered include a film quality animated creature cycle (bi-ped or quad) that moves through space from stop to full speed and then stop again (sliding, climbing, hit, attack, etc.) The second test is a pure performance-driven film quality animation using a creature or human that illustrates photo-real timing, weight and acting. This class will push students to deliver two final, finished creature pieces for their reel.