a rather out of topic favor (out from unix/linux thingies)

[stubbe]

Hi guys, I need a favor this once. Just this once. Don't move it to imaging section, I need some non animator eyes to comment on this one.

This is an entry test to a local animation company here doing a feature film. I'm just one step to get accepted there. I just need to revise this. If it's good then I'll be joining the team.

Don't restrain yourself, give me the harshest critics, the very honest comments. But also plz be very specific and detail, which part is bothering you most. Point me what's wrong, what's need to be fixed.

Altho the model is cartoon, think of the guy as a regular person walking, fetching a heavy object then carry it and put it down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q69hGlFnrT0

the video is very short, only couple of seconds so shouldn't took long to load.

thanks very much in advance... I would really appreciate the helps!

[Roxoff]

He's got no clothes on!

Other than that, I thought it was pretty good - it looks very natural and believeable. It also looks very professional, well put together. Criticisms? I cant think of much tbh, maybe it's a little short? Maybe it needs some sound? I'm struggling to be critical to be frank.

[stubbe]

lol, @ roxoff

Just let what inside your head out. I'm applying for the animator position. Animator don't have to worry about props and stuffs, just the movement. This is the assignment they gave to me. The script is just 4 step walk forward, lift the heavy ball, 4 step forward with the object then put down the ball.

I'm suppose to make the ball looks quite heavy (say 20-30 kg)

Just look carefully, is there anything on the movement bothers you?

[anomie]

Pretty cool clip. My critique:

1. He looks too stiff when he's walking towards the ball. It seems to me the head and/or shoulders should be swaying slightly to make the movement more natural.

2. He struggles to pick the ball up (which looks good), then he hobbles with it a bit (which looks good), but then he puts it down easily. When putting down something so heavy, the momentum would increase quickly as the ball made its way to the ground. So quickly, in fact, that the ball might bounce a couple times. If your intention is to avoid any bounce on the ball, then he needs to put it down much more slowly and carefully.

My 5 cents. Good luck with your application.

[stubbe]

Pretty cool clip. My critique:

1. He looks too stiff when he's walking towards the ball. It seems to me the head and/or shoulders should be swaying slightly to make the movement more natural.

2. He struggles to pick the ball up (which looks good), then he hobbles with it a bit (which looks good), but then he puts it down easily. When putting down something so heavy, the momentum would increase quickly as the ball made its way to the ground. So quickly, in fact, that the ball might bounce a couple times. If your intention is to avoid any bounce on the ball, then he needs to put it down much more slowly and carefully.

My 5 cents. Good luck with your application.

now this is what I'm talking about!

throw me some more guys!

[techieMoe]

I have to agree that his initial walking animation is a little stiff. I think his arms should swing a bit more. Perhaps have his shoulders and upper body move a bit more side to side as they swing. Not *too* much, just enough to look more natural.

[Oxygen]

Tad more swing, other than that, perfect. Although if you did this with a person model remember strain animation, especially on the face.

[kakariko81280]

I second that it looks too light when he puts it down. When I'm carrying heavy things I tend to bend a lot at the knees then lean forward to put them down, in a fairly distinct, two-step process.

Also, he leans back to counterbalance the weight which looks good, but it looks like his hands are directly underneath the ball's centre of gravity. Again, when I carry heavy things I put my hands out well past the centre of gravity so it falls back against my body rather than risk it falling away.

It looks good though, I particularly like him looking up when he actually picks up the item. A convincing detail that an observer may not consciously notice.

Good luck (will we get to see any further drafts?)

Chris...

[stubbe]

will we get to see any further drafts?

Sure. I'm still fixing this. When I finish the new version I'll post it here. Meanwhile keep the comments coming. I need as many as I can get.

[bigtomrodney]

I think it was excellent. I would just echo what the others have already said, maybe a little swagger at the shoulders and a bit more difficulty or urgency when putting the ball down.

Maybe a little stumble back when he picks it up? 30Kg is not light - it's about half a person! With all of that said I really did think it was great. If you hadn't specifically asked for harsh criticism I wouldn't have looked hard enough to have noticed anything bad at all. Well done.