Test run render of my progress so far (with audio)

I have been working on the shark scene but I've realized that the moment he turns to face the 'shark shape' its slightly off with the music. I'm going to adjust the frames slightly and check the timing again.

Rendered Image from scene

Shark Scene Test Run Final from Jennifer Ball on Vimeo.

Glitches within the programme

I noticed that whilst animating the eyes would disappear in the view port. This worried me because I didn't want this happening to all my scenes! However, when I rendered the scene the eyes thankfully appeared. Also his beard goes over the wave in the view port but not in the render. 

Rendered Image

Snapshot from View Port

Wave test run for 'shark shape scene'

Here is a short playblast of how I want the 'wave shapes' to move. I think these shapes work better if they move in a 'cartoon way', rather than move like a real wave.

Snapshot from the animatic

Wave_Test_Run_01 from Jennifer Ball on Vimeo.

The cloning scene - my progress so far (with sound)

I am pleased to have calculated the movement to the exact time of the music. However, I think the camera movement could be improved and I may need to make this clip a little longer to convey more emotion.

Ending Credits - Yes, that does seem very early to think about!

I am experimenting with the ending credits very early on. I didn't want to give it the least amount of attention as the rest of my short film! I think its important to keep it as visually interesting from start to finish. Doing this animation work has given me a bit of practice before I really start animating.

I did think about having the Mountain King in the ending credits like the intro, however, I don't want it look too busy. The font for my name and 'Edvard Grieg' is just a place holder for now.

To keep work at good pace, not everything I do will necessarily be in chronological order. I want to work on different tasks at once. This is outside my comfort zone but feel it is the right thing to do with the time I have left!


My progress so far with the ending credits:

Rigg fully completed and getting ready for animating! (Last checks)

I have completed the Rigg for the Mountain King. I can even switch between the four different views, using just one file! Skinning and rigging all the sides was a long and hard process but totally worth it in the end. I feel more confident working in Maya and am starting to trust my own abilities more.

Before I start animating there are a couple of things that need a fix. For example when I move the arms in the front and back view, the shoulders planes detach a bit from the top half of the body. I don't want this to spoil the illusion, so I will get help with this. I also need to clean up my 'source images' folder to get rid of everything I'm not using. Once these final fixes are done I should be able to start animating!

Front View Rigg

Back View Rigg

Left View Rigg

Right View Rigg

Four different views - controls in channel box

Left Side View - Facial Rigging Complete!

I have completed all the facial rigging for each model now. The files need a clean up and check, I want to make sure all my riggs are ready to use properly. 

With Alan's help I am hoping to put all the sides to the Mountain King in one file, this is so I can switch between the sides easily whilst animating.

The Facial Rigging Process:

Step 1 - Create and connect new mouth attributes 

Step 2 - Make drop down menu for eyes

Step 3 - Check channel box 

Step 4 - Connecting the eye expressions in the connection editor

Eyes Open

Eyes Half Open

Eyes Closed