Monday, February 25, 2008

Canary, Take One





Here I'm playing around with what animators call (or used to call) the cartoon "take," where a character reacts wildly. I tried to focus on making the canary seem truly startled.
That being said, I think the most successful element in this thing is when the box creature pops his head up.

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:09 AM

    I love it. That element of surprise is delightful!

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  2. Nice take- sometimes people go too over the top as if anyone can be Tex Avery. If you wanted to expand it into a scene, I'd help you with the ActionScript. Like have bird try to open it, then ask viewer to help open it, then and only then clicking on it works.

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  3. Sweet. Timing's always a bitch, but that's what's nice about Flash. You move some keyframes this way and that until the reaction shot's in juuuusssst the right spot.

    Well. That's what I have to do.

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  4. Thanks, Sally g. Glad you liked it!

    Thanks for the action script offer, Sally. If I wasn't so busy with my real job I'd take you up on the offer.

    I considered doing a Tex Avery take, but I figured I'd better practice with standard ones first. Sort of the same way Picasso began painting "normal" before he developed his more famous style.

    Boodababy, I completely agree with you about the timing. It's amazing how just one keyframe in the wrong place can change (or mangle!) the animation.
    I too often find myself pushing the keyframes around

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  5. Namowal: Oh boy. You're good. I even like the way the box lid closes. Fun & very silly, to boot.

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  6. Great fun animation - and the timing seems perfect. I think that bird has a great expression while it's surprised - awesome! You are doing a great job! More! Bravo!!

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  7. Thanks, Billsey!
    Overtime is slowing me down, but more is on the way.

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I dislike typing the quasi-legible words too, but without them it's Spam City, Sorry!