Whatcha gonna learn?
This is Chris's first lecture in a series on character animation using Maya. In this lecture Chris introduces the basics of feature film style character animation. Starting with the bouncing ball and then moving on to using a character rig, Chris gives you a guided tour of the inner workings of Maya, covering the interface and how to develop good workflow habits. He discusses the basics of acting and emotion and demonstrates how to setup the always challenging walk cycle, from blocking in and smoothing out the animation to refining it by adding attitude and feeling.
- Product Code: CKI01
- ISBN: 1-59762-854-9
- UPC: 805366017101
- Duration: 170 minutes
- Formats: DVD-ROM, Mac or PC only
- Maya Interface / Tangents and Curve Types
- Bouncing the Ball / Squash and Stretch
- Refining the Bouncing Ball
- Blocking the Walk Cycle
- Breakdowns / Smoothing the Curves
- Finaling the Walk Cycle
- Adding Feel / Adding Drag / Opposing Action
- Adding Attitude / Unpinning
- Final Touches
About Chris Kirshbaum
Chris Kirshbaum is an alumnus of CalArts Character Animation, and has a BA in fine arts (drawing) from Arizona State University. He is currently a Character Animator at Dreamworks. Chris’s film credits as a character animator include Shark Tale, Flushed Away, Over the Hedge, Kung Fu Panda and Monsters vs. Aliens. In addition to teaching in the Dreamworks internal artistic development and training programs, he currently teaches character animation at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects. When not ensconced in the world of animation, Chris can usually be found either on a football field or behind a drum kit.
