| 3D Character Animation |
Fundamental and Advanced ConceptsInstructor Ms. Melanie Beisswenger Course OutlineParticipants will learn fundamental and advanced concepts on how to bring a character to life in 3D animation and how to create a believable character performance. The course will cover the art and craft of animation from the ground up with a look at the classic principles of animation and their application and adaptation to computer generated characters. Body mechanics and physically based movements are a cornerstone of animation that will be analyzed in depth. How do external and internal forces affect our body and how to create the illusion of weight? Important concepts of weight, timing and spacing, among others, will be practiced hands-on. Acting and character personality will be discussed and how the animator can create the illusion of a feeling and thinking character. What can animators learn from an actor’s approach to acting? How does the animation and acting connect with the storytelling? Interpretation of dialogue, lip sync and facial animation will be looked at. The eyes are the central organ to convey thinking, feelings and emotion. How can real life facial expressions and behavior be employed by the animator? Participants will learn from examples in short and feature films. A case study lecture on the production pipeline of the Academy Award winning feature film “Happy Feet” and the BioShock Game launch trailer will explain how character animation integrates within the workflow of a CG production. Maya will be used as animation software during the workshop. Basic familiarity with the Maya interface and tools is recommended. Advanced users of 3ds max may bring their own laptops and software to animate in their software of choice. Limited support for 3ds max animation tools can be provided.
The 12 classic principles of animation and adapting them to computer animation. Hands-on exercises for an in-depth look at the animators’ tools: keys and the graph / curve editor. Day 2 - Sunday, October 4 - 10am - 5pm (duration 6 hrs, 15 min. break at 12pm, and a 1 hr. lunch break at 1pm) Production Pipeline Case Studies: A look at the Academy Award winning feature film “Happy Feet” and the BioShock Game launch trailer. Breaking down elements of a walk cycle and guiding through a hand-on step by step approach on animating a walk. Day 3 - Monday, October 5 - 10am - 5pm (duration 6 hrs, 15 min. break at 12pm, and a 1 hr. lunch break at 1pm) Body mechanics and physical motions Acting and character personality. Analysis of a weight lift and how to approach it in animation. Choice of exercise (will be advised in discussion with your instructor and in regards to your previous animation experience)
Day 4 - Tuesday, October 6 - 10am - 5pm (duration 6 hrs, 15 min. break at 12pm, and a 1 hr. lunch break at 1pm) Staging, the relationship between character and camera, and acting for storytelling. Facial animation and lip sync Exercise from previous day continues. Melanie Beisswenger
Her credits include character animation on the Academy Award winning feature film ‘Happy Feet’, the stereoscopic 3D animated feature ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ and the TV launch commercial for the blockbuster game ‘BioShock’. Currently Melanie is sharing her knowledge with her students at the School of Art, Design and Media, NTU in Singapore and is working on her own animated projects.
FilmographyThere’s Bliss in the Kiss (2009) Fly Me to the Moon (2008) Happy Feet (2006) Elsewhere - The Krawallah (2004) Puca (2004)
TV Commercials (in excerpts)“BioShock” TV launch trailer (2007) “Kalle Katjes” (2006) “Scout 24” (2006) “Plus - The Little Prices”, several spots (2005 & 2006) “Jaegermeister Wild Shopping”, several spots (2006) “Arcelik Campaigns” several spots (2005)
For more information please contact the ReAnimania office, or send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
Melanie Beisswenger is a German born animator, animation teacher and director, leading the life of a digital nomad, living and animating in various countries and continents. Since 1999 she has worked as a 3D animator and artist professionally, and after further studies at the Institute of Animation at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg in Germany, Melanie went on to work on high profile international feature films and TV commercials.
