Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation

30/09/24 - 03/01/25

Introduction

This blog page encases all development and final outcomes for the Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation module. This module focussed on understanding how character's move through core locomotion and then built up to produce a narrative-focussed animation sequence that incorporated storytelling elements. On this page you will find links to the academic writing assignments, practical assignments and the developmental blog posts.

Assignments

This module featured 2 assignments.

The academic writing assignment was titled : 'Analysing Artefacts - Depiction, Identity and Different Gazes'. This studied the way that animation represents it's characters and content as well as how it is viewed by it's audience. Three blog posts were created focussing on character representation in various animation, these can be viewed here :

1. Happy Never After: The Lasting Impact of Established Heteronormative Constructs in Media
2. From Tarzan to Tears: Refdeining Masculinity in Animation
3. We Can Do Better: The Significance of Accurate Disabled Character Representation in Animation

The practical assignment was to develop a character locomotion sequence that incorporated elements of storytelling and featured a walk cycle. The development and breakdown of this assignment can be viewed here : Character Performance Practical Assignment - Weight Lift Animation

The final reference for this animation can be viewed here :

The final animation outcome for this practical assignment can be viewed here :

Learning and Development Blog Posts

• Lamp Hop [Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation - Unit 01]
• Walk Cycles [Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation - Unit 02 to 05]
• Run Cycles [Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation - Unit 06]
• Animating a Jump [Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation - Unit 07]
• Animate a Weight Shift [Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation - Unit 08]
• Flour Sack Leap [Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation - Unit 09]
• Animate a Weight Lift [Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation - Unit 12]

Conclusion

This was a challenging module that enhanced my core animation skills. I adopted a back to basics' approach throughout all animation exercises with the view to perfect the core concepts in each animation exercise and then explore characterisation and stylisation in the practical assignment itself. 

This module was challenging from a time perspective. The academic blog posts took around a month to complete, however, I feel these feature some of my best academic writing to date. I tackle some sensitive topics, however, use academic sources to back up core concepts and theories. These theories are applied to my own analysis of animation outcomes to gain a deeper understanding of how characters are represented in animations.

The practical outcome I am extremely happy with! In this assignment I extended the weight lift animation exercise and turned it into a narrative sequence. The initial weight lift animation was sent to the module tutor for feedback and all feedback was implemented to hopefully take this from strength to strength. The box feels really heavy showing good mastery of the animation principles. Render quality is also extremely good featuring good use of depth of field to draw focus onto the main character.

The contextualisation of this animation is well executed featuring a good set that helps add purpose to this animation. The additional background characters walking around make the environment feel really alive. I love the happy confident nature of the character in this scene from the strut in, to the inspection of the box, to the lift and finally the heroic end pose. This heroic end pose adds a really comical nature to the animation, particularly because the scene is littered with boxes, however, this character is just happy that they have placed one onto the work bench! 

Overall, this was a successful module that advanced my skills and enabled me to produce portfolio worthy outcomes. I'm pleased with the progress that I've made and am excited to enter the second half of the masters qualification!