Module 11 - Exaggeration


Exaggeration is an effect especially useful for animation, as perfect imitation of reality can look static and dull in cartoons. The level of exaggeration depends on whether one seeks realism or a particular style, like a caricature or the style of an artist. The classical definition of exaggeration, employed by Disney, was to remain true to reality, just presenting it in a wilder, more extreme form. Other forms of exaggeration can involve the supernatural or surreal, alterations in the physical features of a character, or elements in the storyline itself. It is important to employ a certain level of restraint when using exaggeration; if a scene contains several elements, there should be a balance in how those elements are exaggerated in relation to each other, to avoid confusing or overawing the viewer.

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Exaggeration

As explained in the description above Exaggeration is something that can be considered unique to animation as a technique to do a couple distinct things.

  1. If the motion of an animated cartoon is too realistic or close to exactly real motion it can feel dry or boring. Exaggerating generic motions can help make the imagery more interesting and engaging.
  2. Exaggeration can be used over the top to really emphasize a style or scene. The important thing with this is that it must match the style throughout.

Like secondary actions exaggeration should only emphasize and be secondary to the main action. If it takes away from the main point of a shot then it is not good.

We can talk about exaggeration for a bunch of time and not really grasp its use or point. The best way is to view some animated exaggeration. Please view the linked videos in the sidebar and analyze the shots for points of exaggeration.

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Assignment

Exaggeration

This week we are going to focus on animating with exaggeration. This week you get to choose the rig you use to perform the exaggeration. You also get to choose action that is being exaggerated!

Holy Creative Freedom Batman!

I am not going to even give you examples to think about as I want you to really THINK about what you are going to do. The only thing I will give you is to remember that exaggeration isn't simply something that is overdone for overdoing sake. It must emphasize the main action. Do not simply do a ball bounce where the bounces are bigger or faster.

We are still (as always) focusing on the quaility of the shot as a whole.

  1. Think about the shot you are going to be animating. Close your eyes and think about what actions you are going to be performing.
  2. Get up out of your chair and act it out. Do a few jumps to feel the motion in your body. Then stop yourself at different points in the jump and analyze your pose. Where are your arms? How is your body positioned? Where is your head? I don't recommend landing on your face, but video reference of you jumping onto a couch or bed could be fantastic!
  3. Do some sketches of your bodies position at those different maximium poses throughout the jump
  4. Get a camera and shoot some video reference of your shot.
  5. Now you can get working in Maya. Choose one of the rigs we have used so far in this class
  6. Move your shot_cam to an angle that allows for us to see the action throughout yet emphasizes the emotion of the shot. A nice side angled wide shot would be a good choice
  7. Begin your official animation by working through the blocking of the animation using your thumbnails and video reference as guides
  8. Spline your keys and begin refining the curve tangents and adjusting timing and spacing as needed until your shot has all of the anticipation and motion solidly displayed.
  9. Get some feedback about your animation and continut polishing until you can't do anything more
  10. Get some more feedback and keep polishing
  • Your final submission should be a playblast export from Maya in a 640 x 360 compressed .mp4 file. A playblast is a screen recording of your animation sequence that can be exported out of maya as a movie file. If you are on a mac you can export a qt formatted playblast that you can upload as is. If you are on a Windows computer you will likely need to export a .avi format and will need to convert it. If you have .avi file then Please follow these instructions on converting AVI to MP4 before submission.

    • Once complete submit your final playblast MP4 video to Assignment 10 on UNM Canvas

    Todo List

    • Class Lecture

      Attend Class Lecture

    • Class Instruction

      Participate in class discussions and lab exercises

    • Lab & Exercises

    • Lab & Exercises

    • Assignment 10

      Complete Assignment 10 and submit on
      UNM Canvas

    References


    Cloudy - Blueprints

    Wreck-it Ralph Interrogation