2nd Year - Animation Specialism Project

This page documents the process of making my untitled, Quarantine-inspired animation for my Creature Animation specialism module at Escape Studios. It features the Sphynx Cat and Goldfish rigs from rig maker Truong.

Story:

The animation is inspired by how most of us think how happy our animal companions are that we're constantly at home due to yet another lockdown, the idea being that not all of our pets are pleased with our constant presence.

Image References:

Cat walk cycle reference. (Slowed down to 16 frames for my animation)

Thumbnail Sketches

A rough sketch detailing the story of the animation. It features mostly a cat walk cycle, a fish 'float cycle' and a brief interaction between the two. The set will be populated with objects reflecting the lockdown situation; succulent plant addiction, unread mail piling up, vaccine magazines etc...

3D Setup in Maya:

I set up the scene, camera angle and composition and began populating the set. I brought in a Physical Sky Light using an HDRI from HDRIhaven.com.

I used stock images and created textures for items such as the envelopes and magazines. Additional models were from CGTrader.com

Texture created for the magazine on which the cat sits, as is typical of cat behavior.

Progress Playblast:

Fish 'floating' animation set on infinity Cycle. Cat walk animated 'straight ahead'.

Progress with the cat animation, fixing the paws positions and sliding, making the cats forward motion more consistent and less 'jerky'. Added additional motion in the hind, shoulder blades and neck.

Updated Playblast including more movement detail with the cat rig as well as voice over lipsync animation.

Lipsync close up.

Updated animation with sound...

Completed Animation: