PIXAR classes - Fall '13

Just in case you hadn't noticed the plethora of advertising already present around campus...

Villain's Masquerade

Hey everyone! The AAU comic club is having a sweet Super Hero themed costume carnival next weekend called the 'Villian's Masquerade'. Get all the info and RSVP here!

Borderlands Animation Collaborative!

The Borderlands Animation project class is now listed for the summer semester under the following name: 

1360_ANM_498_01: COLLABORATIVE PROJECT: ANIMATION IN PRODUCTION

David Latour be teaching the class with Chris Armstrong. You don't have to take the class to pick up shots for borderlands animation, but only folks enrolled in the class will be guaranteed to get work. This class does not have a portfolio requirement but it will require that the instructors see your ten second reel in our first module to help determine how to divide up the initial shots.

This will be a great opportunity to work on a popular franchise in a collaborative learning environment. Space is limited, so sign up right away!

A Brief Psychology of Head Turns

This Friday, Tea Time had the pleasure of sitting down and letting our very own Rene Salazar step up and deliver a brief, informative lecture on the psychology of head turns. Here's what he had to say:

If we consider the way a head rotates as with the rotation tool in Maya, there are three major axis to pivot upon: x, y, and z. While working, these may just seem like a means to an end -- i.e. I wanted his head turned to the left, so I rotated on the y -- but if we take a moment to consider the meaning conveyed behind each rotation, we can really start using this tool to our advantage to strengthen the posing of our characters.

"Meaning," you say? Why Body Language, of course!

While we, as a species have the luxury of language, only about 40% of communication is what we say mand how we say it. 60% of what we are trying to convey to each other is communicated through body language. While words are important,  communication is also, largely, the transfer of emotion, and one of the easiest way to convey emotion, is through our bodies! Body language in general is a much larger topic, though, so today we'll just focus on head turning.

First things first, Rotate X (like saying "yes" -- up and down).

At either end of this rotation spectrum lies emotions representing Great Glory or Great Tragedy or something vs. nothing.

i.e. Rotating the spine to face upwards through the x-axis opens up the body creating a feeling of hope or triumph -- or "something!" Rotating the spine to curl in on itself, facing the body down through x-axis, closes the character off, creating a feeling of loss or seclusion -- or "nothing."

Next, we have Rotate Y (like saying "no" -- left to right).

This rotation plane conveys awareness. Is asks questions like "Who's there?", "What's there?"

i.e. Picture someone in the military entering the room gun first -- the first thing they do is search along that plane for "who" and/or "what. OR it could be something as simple as rotating the eyes back and forth, it's much more sly, but still conveying the same idea.

Finally, Rotate Z (like a pendulum -- tilting back and forth)

This rotation plane is representative of "Aww" and "huh?"

i.e. If you find yourself looking at cute baby puppy you might find yourself tilting your head to the side and saying "Awwwww!" Meanwhile, if that puppy happens to look back at you, it might tilt its head to the side and think "huh?"

In addition to all the rotation planes, translating the head can help to emphasize the emotions you're trying to convey.

Translating Forward represents attraction or intrigue, while Translating Backwards represents repulsion or disgust.

Rene Salazar
Tea Time Animation
Spring '13


Have your own idea for a lecture? Don't hesitate to e-mail us at teatimeanimationclub@gmail.com to book a talk.

Spungella 2013!

Did you recently graduate, but are still looking for more? Are you a student looking to supplement their education with more? Are you simply looking for the opportunity to dive deeper into animation? Do you just like animating and want to do it in the same room as other fun, interesting people with similar interests?

Then I think it's time you considered Spungella! Operated by our good friend JD Haas, he has been kind enough to let us know that sign-ups for workshops are now open! Don't delay, the first session starts on February 4th.

Don't miss this excellent opportunity -- click for more information!

Also, don't forget to keep your eyes here and on the Facebook for important information regarding the upcoming semester  -- first club meeting, events, contests and more!

Looking forward to seeing everyone's smiling faces again. Enjoy the rest of your break!

NEW Animation Classes!

There are 2 new Anim499 Special Topics classes for FALL 2009:


LIP SYNC, Instructor Linda Bel
A master class on creating a 2 person dialogue.
Prerequisites: Advanced Animation 3, Acting for Animators,

AND

REALISM, Instructor Linda Bel
Includes quadruped walk cycles and animating various creatures.

Prerequisites: Advanced Animation 3

These classes require portfolio review for admission.
Interested students must make an appointment with Linda Bel to review their work to be considered for the class.

To make an appointment with Linda Bel, go to the 180 building, 3rd floor main office, and ask to schedule an appointment for portfolio review, for the class you are interested in taking.