Advanced Animation / Final Project & E-portfolio
Derin / 0354969 / Design in Creative Media
INSTRUCTIONS
FINAL PROJECT
For our final project, we are to animate a 5 to 10-second physical action sequence, such as a fight, chase, or sports-related activity. We'll start by finding a video reference to guide our animation and develop a clear understanding of the scene’s key actions and emotions.
Next, we'll create a storyboard to visualize the key moments, incorporating various camera shots and angles for effective visual storytelling. After analyzing the reference to identify extreme and breakdown poses, we'll sketch thumbnails of the motion. We'll then animate the sequence in Blender using "Stepped key" interpolation for the blocking pass and save this as Progression 1. Following that, we'll convert the keys to spline interpolation, refine the timing, and polish the animation, saving it as Progression 2. Finally, we'll light and render the animations into PNG image sequences, import them into editing software, and compile them as a video reel labeled “Progression 1 - Blocking” and “Progression 2 - Polishing.”
Storyboard
I began by searching for video references on YouTube, following Mr. Kamal's recommendation to check out the Motion Actor Inc to reference from. Their videos are especially helpful because they showcase poses from multiple angles. I found one video particularly interesting and thought it would be perfect for animating.
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| Fig 1.0 Physical Action Reference https://youtu.be/Cvk-zqVRC-o?si=bGv9X8cwQmb-xGv4 |
The goal is to showcase the action from multiple angles that best complement it. Visualizing the camera movements was challenging, so I had to observe the reference multiple times to figure it out, which is reflected in the storyboard. I developed a storyboard to capture the emotions I wanted to convey—tension and courage—through a cinematic, fast-paced action sequence. To clarify the actions I'm referencing, I also took screenshots of key poses.
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| Fig 1.1 Storyboard |
Stepped Key
We were tasked with animating a blocking pass by keying the extremes and breakdowns using "Stepped Key" interpolation. To do this, I went to the Graph Editor, selected all frames by pressing "A," right-clicked, and changed the interpolation to constant.
Animating the character can be challenging, but the previous exercises have made me more familiar with the body rigs, which helped ease the process of creating key poses.
Afterward, I exported each keyframe as a PNG and compiled them in Premiere Pro.
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| Fig 1.2 Doing the Stepped Key |
Final Outcome
The following is the stepped key!
Fig 1.3 Stepped Key Final Outcome
Splining
After completing the blocking, I switched the keyframes in the Graph Editor to Bezier, converting the stepped keys into spline interpolation. I then cleaned up any unwanted keyframes and added new ones where necessary to ensure the action flowed smoothly in every frame.
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| Fig 1.4 Switching to Beizer |
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| Fig 1.5 Splining process |
Final Outcome
Fig 1.6 Splining Final Outcome
Render
I positioned the camera according to the storyboard, but I realized that the movements were too fast to effectively capture the action. To address this, I added a second camera to the scene, switching between the two when the character is mid-air, ensuring the action remains clear and engaging.
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| Fig 2.0 Camera placement |
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| Fig 2.0 Background Scene |
Afterwards, it's just a matter of putting the lighting and redering.
Final outcome
Fig 2.1 Render Outcome
Final Submission
Here is the final submission!
Fig 2.2 Final Submission for Final Project
REFLECTION
Reflecting on this final project, I gained a deeper understanding of the animation process from start to finish. Initially, finding a suitable video reference and developing a storyboard were crucial in setting the foundation for the action sequence. Transitioning from "Stepped Key" blocking to spline interpolation challenged me to refine my timing and polish the animation for smooth, realistic motion. The addition of a second camera and the use of a detailed 3D background scene further enhanced the visual storytelling, allowing me to effectively convey the desired emotions and cinematic feel. This project not only improved my technical skills in Blender but also emphasized the importance of careful planning and attention to detail in creating a compelling animation.