Since my mom's first question when she calls is not 'How are you?' but 'What color is your hair?', I thought I'd use mothers day to give her the option.
visit:
http://margotcannon.com/images/mothersday.swf
and yes, the egg thing is weird.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Progress Report!
I always like to have something up and around my main project to switch to when my brain turns to mush after watching the same 2 seconds of movement for 8 hours.
This is the background project.
Reasons I like it:
While it's mainly action, it lends itself nicely to some sweet subtle characters.
Figuring out the foot placement has been interesting, as was acting this out until dizzy. Searching for reference offered many cute scenes of little kids in kitchenware being spun by their daddys'.
An excuse to animate a little kid! (ie: an excuse to ACT like a little kid)Not to mention spinning around with bags filled with books. I'll upload my reference soon.
**update** I showed this version to Jeff (instructor of character animation studio) instructor, and he had a lot of really great crits. I'm in the processes of reworking the timing and weight issues. Expect more and soon!
Do you have any suggestions? I'd love imput!
This is the background project.
Reasons I like it:
While it's mainly action, it lends itself nicely to some sweet subtle characters.
Figuring out the foot placement has been interesting, as was acting this out until dizzy. Searching for reference offered many cute scenes of little kids in kitchenware being spun by their daddys'.
An excuse to animate a little kid! (ie: an excuse to ACT like a little kid)Not to mention spinning around with bags filled with books. I'll upload my reference soon.
**update** I showed this version to Jeff (instructor of character animation studio) instructor, and he had a lot of really great crits. I'm in the processes of reworking the timing and weight issues. Expect more and soon!
Do you have any suggestions? I'd love imput!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Demo Reel!
Hello to anyone who might be viewing this!
This is the current version of my 3D demo reel, which, of course, will be out of date by the end of the week.
For an example of my Flash work:
Click here to Go Fish!
A few more examples of my Sketches/Scribbles:
...How could I resist posting this?
(also)
Blocking for my current lipsync project: Fuzzy.
For less examples of my work, please visit MargotCannon.com
This is the current version of my 3D demo reel, which, of course, will be out of date by the end of the week.
For an example of my Flash work:
Click here to Go Fish!
A few more examples of my Sketches/Scribbles:
...How could I resist posting this?
(also)
Blocking for my current lipsync project: Fuzzy.
For less examples of my work, please visit MargotCannon.com
Friday, April 11, 2008
New Sketch!
After getting out of Chracter Animation Studio at 10o'clock on a thursday night, I felt like drawing.
Luckily, paper and pencil are always handy!
Luckily, paper and pencil are always handy!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Fuzzying things out
Everyone works differently.
I like to start by taking a concept or piece of dialogue, and acting it out and sketching the basic poses. If it's dialogue, I'll time frame it out, and put some basic timing together.
The thing I'm working on right now says:
"He's really very... soft. ..and Fuzzy.. We're becoming fast friends."
Here's an animatic:
I had sketches, and the basic poses put together, and some of the timing, but I wasn't completely happy. So I made this, to simplify the movements without having to worry about floaty bits. It gives me a better idea of the main movements and what I want to improve in the 3D portion of the project.
From the animatic, is there anything you'd like to see changed? Any suggestions?
***UPDATE***
Well, apparently the acting is so subtle that youtube isn't even seeing it.
Fancy!
Before he turns to the pigbear, he should look down the other way, put an arm on the sofa, and *then* reach other. I have no clue why it's not working. *mutter*
I like to start by taking a concept or piece of dialogue, and acting it out and sketching the basic poses. If it's dialogue, I'll time frame it out, and put some basic timing together.
The thing I'm working on right now says:
"He's really very... soft. ..and Fuzzy.. We're becoming fast friends."
Here's an animatic:
I had sketches, and the basic poses put together, and some of the timing, but I wasn't completely happy. So I made this, to simplify the movements without having to worry about floaty bits. It gives me a better idea of the main movements and what I want to improve in the 3D portion of the project.
From the animatic, is there anything you'd like to see changed? Any suggestions?
***UPDATE***
Well, apparently the acting is so subtle that youtube isn't even seeing it.
Fancy!
Before he turns to the pigbear, he should look down the other way, put an arm on the sofa, and *then* reach other. I have no clue why it's not working. *mutter*
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Have you seen this?
Adobe put a free version of photoshop online. I'm intriqued!
https://www.photoshop.com/express/landing.html
Has anyone played with this yet?
https://www.photoshop.com/express/landing.html
Has anyone played with this yet?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
My Yelp review of the Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University
Categories: Colleges & Universities, Art Schools
Neighborhood: SOMA
A lot of reviewers seem to be unable to get past the business aspect of AAU. And yes, the politics are annoying and distracting.
For the purpose of this review, I'm focusing on the Animation Department (Undergrad) and the education I've gotten. (I'm graduating in May 2008 and began here in 2002) I won't be comparing this to other schools, because I've never attended another in a college situation. If you want to know what you're in for as an incoming student, read on:
The 'Foundations' department is good. I'd change a few things, but over all it caters to helping all levels of student succeed and excel in the basics. Figure drawing, Perspective, Analysis of Form, basic Figure Sculpting, Still life Painting, and the dreaded Color and Design will take you from "I like drawing sailor moon!" to a level of competency in basic drawing that will help you convey your thoughts and ideas to others in a clear manner. Yes, these classes can be tough. It's part of the weeding out process. Open admissions means they get a lot of students who aren't quite sure or ready to really dive in. If you can pass color & design, you'll probably survive the school. Most of the folks you meet in these classes will drop out by the 4th semester (in my experience)
Splattered into the rest of your time at AAU (again, as an undergrad) are the classic classes of any university. Art history, writing classes, random mythology and religion, as well as a few language classes, psychology, acting, and business law. If you're smart, you'll spread them out and use them as filler classes so you don't get stuck with three semesters in a row of tough, time intensive core classes.
As for the actual department, I am a fan. The instructors tend to be good, although we all differ in learning styles, so an instructor I like may be someone you can't learn from. I wish there was more diversity of instructors available within the character animation major, since it seems that the mid-level classes are all taught by the same person, and to get someone else you really have to go out of your way. This is assuming you aren't getting into the Pixar classes (I never took them, and now it seems silly to have wasted such a resource). I'm currently in Jeff Cooperman's class, and enjoying it immensely.
The major crunch in the labs happens around finals, when all the students come out of the woodwork with a dozen excuses why they're no longer working at home or are suddenly trying to do a full semesters worth of work in the final few days. Along with the advanced texture/lighting/rendermans students using a goodly portion of the labs to render out projects for days at a time, computers can be sparse. Best to keep up and work and get into the labs early early early in the day and stay late. Since the labs close around 1:30, 2 am, and opens at 7:30.. students are forced to go home and get some sleep. My mom laughed at this, but when she saw my best friend over at Ex'pressions staying at school and sleeping under the table for days at a home without showering or changing clothes.. the laughter turned into a nervous chuckle. Good or bad, it's policy.
To address the issue of AAU being a 'factory' trying to get your money.. well, sure, aren't most private schools the same way? Art is big money, and a very popular major. You pay because it costs to get instructors who CAN make more money doing something else. They're training their future competition. But, again, I'm ignoring the politics of the business. It really is just a distraction, as far as I'm concerned. So what if the owner is rich? I'm here to get an education, and as long as I insist on learning everything my teachers can toss at me, I'm doing just that.
Over all, my 6 year experience and education gets summed up with "4 stars".
Yelp.com
Categories: Colleges & Universities, Art Schools
Neighborhood: SOMA
A lot of reviewers seem to be unable to get past the business aspect of AAU. And yes, the politics are annoying and distracting.
For the purpose of this review, I'm focusing on the Animation Department (Undergrad) and the education I've gotten. (I'm graduating in May 2008 and began here in 2002) I won't be comparing this to other schools, because I've never attended another in a college situation. If you want to know what you're in for as an incoming student, read on:
The 'Foundations' department is good. I'd change a few things, but over all it caters to helping all levels of student succeed and excel in the basics. Figure drawing, Perspective, Analysis of Form, basic Figure Sculpting, Still life Painting, and the dreaded Color and Design will take you from "I like drawing sailor moon!" to a level of competency in basic drawing that will help you convey your thoughts and ideas to others in a clear manner. Yes, these classes can be tough. It's part of the weeding out process. Open admissions means they get a lot of students who aren't quite sure or ready to really dive in. If you can pass color & design, you'll probably survive the school. Most of the folks you meet in these classes will drop out by the 4th semester (in my experience)
Splattered into the rest of your time at AAU (again, as an undergrad) are the classic classes of any university. Art history, writing classes, random mythology and religion, as well as a few language classes, psychology, acting, and business law. If you're smart, you'll spread them out and use them as filler classes so you don't get stuck with three semesters in a row of tough, time intensive core classes.
As for the actual department, I am a fan. The instructors tend to be good, although we all differ in learning styles, so an instructor I like may be someone you can't learn from. I wish there was more diversity of instructors available within the character animation major, since it seems that the mid-level classes are all taught by the same person, and to get someone else you really have to go out of your way. This is assuming you aren't getting into the Pixar classes (I never took them, and now it seems silly to have wasted such a resource). I'm currently in Jeff Cooperman's class, and enjoying it immensely.
The major crunch in the labs happens around finals, when all the students come out of the woodwork with a dozen excuses why they're no longer working at home or are suddenly trying to do a full semesters worth of work in the final few days. Along with the advanced texture/lighting/rendermans students using a goodly portion of the labs to render out projects for days at a time, computers can be sparse. Best to keep up and work and get into the labs early early early in the day and stay late. Since the labs close around 1:30, 2 am, and opens at 7:30.. students are forced to go home and get some sleep. My mom laughed at this, but when she saw my best friend over at Ex'pressions staying at school and sleeping under the table for days at a home without showering or changing clothes.. the laughter turned into a nervous chuckle. Good or bad, it's policy.
To address the issue of AAU being a 'factory' trying to get your money.. well, sure, aren't most private schools the same way? Art is big money, and a very popular major. You pay because it costs to get instructors who CAN make more money doing something else. They're training their future competition. But, again, I'm ignoring the politics of the business. It really is just a distraction, as far as I'm concerned. So what if the owner is rich? I'm here to get an education, and as long as I insist on learning everything my teachers can toss at me, I'm doing just that.
Over all, my 6 year experience and education gets summed up with "4 stars".
Yelp.com
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