3D Character Animation

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About this service

Summary

Specializing in bringing 3D characters to life through state-of-the-art 3D animation. Leverage extensive experience from working on blockbuster VFX with top studios like DNEG, CineSite, and ILM to enhance your next film or advertisement project.

Process

We will start with a brief and debrief to have a clear understanding what is needed. Additional reference is welcome, but optional.
This will lead to a rigged model being provided to me which I will be animating. I will test the rig for any limitations and rely if any adjustments need to be made in order for me to animate in line with your brief.
If all is good, it is time to really start. First I will collect or film reference that fits your brief.
While animating, I will provide different stages of animation in the form of a playblast video for milestone reviews. This will contain
blocking,
offset,
polish,
facials and small details
and potential tech fixes. During these stages, you are able to provide feedback and through the stages, we see the animation organically progress from 3D geo to a living thing that you are absolutely happy with.
When the final animation is approved, I will deliver you the work file(s) to use in your pipeline and to own. Additionally, I will provide an alembic cache as this is often used down the pipe and saves you a bit of time.

FAQs

  • Can you do realistic style animations?

    Yes. I can do your character animation in any style you want from stylist to realistic. I have been working in VFX since 2015. The aim here is to make 3D look like it is real.

  • What have you animated before?

    Short answer, almost any kind. I have animated creatures and characters from biped, quadruped, insect-like, flying, swing, tentacles, heavy and light, realistic and fantasy and in different styles. I have also animated many vehicles, cars, trucks, spaceships, planes, helicopters and props. Over the years I have animated for VFX films and shows, advertisements, independent shorts and I am also experienced in pre-postvis animation.

  • Can you make a cartoon?

    Yes, a cartoon style is possible in 3D. Normally cartoons are 2D animation and that is how they are widely known. But in recent years we have seen more 3D animations being stylised to look like 2D and/or cartoons. I am a 3D animator which is simply the technical tool of animation, the animation principles are the same. Cartoons are very extreme in their deformations, so the rig provided needs to be specialised to be able to handle these extremes. This is important to keep in mind when rigging or to communicate with your rigger.

  • Do you have your own software and work station?

    Yes. I have Maya 2019 to work from my own desktop. I can work on my own machine locally but am also open and happy to remote VPN to your designated workstation with a different version of Maya.

  • Do you need anything from me to start?

    I need a clear brief so I know what you are expecting. I also need a properly rigged model to animate with. If the rig has problems I will communicate this with you.

  • Can I update the model while or after you are animating?

    Technically yes, though there is a risk to this which is better to avoid. I will always use the rigged model in my files as a reference. This is a technical term which in practice means that any update to the rig file, which is linked to my animation file, updates in my scene/file. Saying that, if the rig is altered where it affects my animated controls and joints in any way, it will break the animation and undo potentially a 100% of the work. If the model is updated, it could mean things will mismatch and need to be tweaked. In these scenarios, we will have to communicate the implications of these changes. Changes are inefficient and risky, so I will advise against it, but it does happen all the time and is possible with a skilled team that works clean.

  • Can you mode and rig?

    The short answer is no. I am a specialised animator. While I do have a good understanding of modelling and rigging and am able to communicate with these departments if needed, I am not skilled enough in these disciplines to uphold a high standard.

  • Will you light, render, comp , exc. these animations?

    The short answer is no. I will provide a playblast video's for reviews and files for delivery once approved. I am a specialised animator. While I do have a good understanding of all the disciplines down the pipe that come after animation and am able to communicate with these departments if needed, I am not skilled enough in these disciplines to uphold a high standard.

  • Can you make me a edit?

    Yes. I would recommend this when I am working on a sequence to get an idea of how things come together and whether shots need adjustment, omitted or additional shots are needed to be animated to drive your project. I would do this with the Playblast clips, but if you are looking for an editor to finish your project, we can discuss this as I do have professional editing experience.

What's included

  • Working file

    After approval of the review videos and a satisfactory project conclusion, I will provide the working file(s) and any linked files for you to implement in your pipeline

  • Alembic cache

    After approval of the review videos and a satisfactory project conclusion, I would also provide an alembic cache which can be used down the pipeline.


Skills and tools

3D Animator
Animator
Filmmaker
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premiere Pro
Autodesk Maya
Foundry Nuke

Industries

Animation
Digital Entertainment
Advertising

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