Wednesday November 25th 2009

[Dave]

It was really great to meet some of the forum users at the CTN Expo last weekend. Don and I had a great time; the animation event had a positive influence on the upcoming things we have planned for the site. Thanks for the great input.

You may begin submitting your questions into this thread and Don will answer them in the order they come into the forum.

Don't forget to keep refreshing your Browser to see the current questions and answers.

Please keep all questions in reference to animation technique only.

Thanks

[joedorsey]

Hey Don!

I was watching the animated segment from Xanadu and wanted to know the process you went through. Were you given a script to go by or were you able to create something yourself. How much did the E.L.O. song inspire you as you were putting it all together? By the way, I love the leg warmers on the girl bird!

[Don Bluth]

Hey Don!

I was watching the animated segment from Xanadu and wanted to know the process you went through. Were you given a script to go by or were you able to create something yourself. How much did the E.L.O. song inspire you as you were putting it all together? By the way, I love the leg warmers on the girl bird!

Joel SAilver is the producer from Xanadu that contacted Gary and I and said quite simply, "We want you to illustrate the song in a very fantastic way which will follow the theme of the movie, i.e. a goddess coming to earth and falling in love with a mortal." Joel did not elaborate much more than above. "Here's the money; make it look good." That's my kind of boss.

END

[Gabriel-Carson]

Happy thanks giving Mr.Bluth,


Mr.Bluth I took your adivce and I have been drawing every day. I have one problem I cant seem to get out of doodle mode into
complete mode (finished drawing). I know part of my problem is visualization, how can I overcome doodle mode?

[arif]

Hello Sir,

welcome back from the expo.

you have said in your video tips that start collecting march, walk and run cycles.....my question is how? is it the way that i will pause the frame by frame from the animation film and then print on papers??

Regards,
Arif

[Don Bluth]

Happy thanks giving Mr.Bluth,


Mr.Bluth I took your adivce and I have been drawing every day. I have one problem I cant seem to get out of doodle mode into
complete mode (finished drawing). I know part of my problem is visualization, how can I overcome doodle mode?

Assign part of your practice time to make a completed drawing on some subject that you really like. Remember, doodling is really not drawing. Even when you are drawing rough and sketchy, you should be guided by two things: A prelude of what you visualize in your head and also a decided emotion on the character you are drawing.

END

[Don Bluth]

Hello Sir,

welcome back from the expo.

you have said in your video tips that start collecting march, walk and run cycles.....my question is how? is it the way that i will pause the frame by frame from the animation film and then print on papers??

Regards,
Arif

Printing walks, runs is one way. Your thumbnais of action scenes is another. Animation will always be an analization of how things move in the real world, and chopping that action into 24 still drawings per second. If your action is slow enough, you can animate on 2's which means chopping your action into 12 stills per second. Collect actions which you think are beautiful to look at.

END

[OwenWelsh]

Hi Don,

It was great meeting you and Dave last weekend. I'm still on a creative high.

I've been watching you draw on your animation tutorial DVDs and it seems like there are a hundred decisions that are made when making a single drawing. The straights against curves, the rhythm of the shapes, the angle of the appendages, etc. Do these decisions take constant concentration or does it get to the point where you just riding a bike and its just second nature? I feel like there must be complete concentration on my part, if I'm just drawing lazily it doesn't turn out as well.

[OwenWelsh]

Don,

I'm attempting to reanimate scene 38 because I seem to have confused action with acting. My last attempt had too many broad movements and fast poses. What do you think of these thumbnails? Do you think there should be less movement? Or will this work?

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/scene38_thumbns_v2-1.jpg

[Don Bluth]

Hi Don,

It was great meeting you and Dave last weekend. I'm still on a creative high.

I've been watching you draw on your animation tutorial DVDs and it seems like there are a hundred decisions that are made when making a single drawing. The straights against curves, the rhythm of the shapes, the angle of the appendages, etc. Do these decisions take constant concentration or does it get to the point where you just riding a bike and its just second nature? I feel like there must be complete concentration on my part, if I'm just drawing lazily it doesn't turn out as well.

You ask a good question! At first, the concentration should be part of your conscious thinking but, as you continue to practice, the language and principles of how to draw become second nature. The right side of your brain naturally knows what to do. The real challenge is to concentrate on the emotional feeling of your drawing and let the subconscious guide you there. Personally, I don't think you're that far behind.

END

[OwenWelsh]

Don I've noticed that acting is much hard to do than action scenes. If the strength of the animator is action are there ways to show acting through action?

[Don Bluth]

Don,

I'm attempting to reanimate scene 38 because I seem to have confused action with acting. My last attempt had too many broad movements and fast poses. What do you think of these thumbnails? Do you think there should be less movement? Or will this work?

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/robertow/scene38_thumbns_v2-1.jpg

These thumbnails seem much improved. Try acting your scene out in a mirror as if you were the one to perforn it before an audience; that will tell you volumes.

END

[Seth]

Hello Mr. Bluth,

I was wondering about just how many different kind of Model Sheets are created for an animation? I've tried researching them, but I never come up with much.

I know of Model Sheets like, Turn Around Sheets, Expressions, Mouth Charts, Size Charts, Props, but is their anything more than this?

Thank you for your time.

[lavallelee]

now that the cgp is over, could you send me the list of names for the credits

i can put together that intro

[joedorsey]

Are there any common mistakes that young animators fall into? When you were at Disney, did the senior animators work over your drawings to make them better?

[Don Bluth]

Don I've noticed that acting is much hard to do than action scenes. If the strength of the animator is action are there ways to show acting through action?

I've known many Directors that divide the scenes into those two categories, acting or action. The latter is an analization of athletics or physical movements. Acting, however, is a skill that requires thinking, analization and creativity. Acting scenes are the most difficult to pull off.Recommended reading: An Actor Prepares by Stanislavsky.

END

[arif]

Before i post thumbnails of sparrow flying,

i did a small pencil test of basic flying bird according to your Video tips....here is the link....would you please look at this.

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=260

Regards,
Arif

[zanekohler]

Great to get a chance to meet you in person this past weekend!

When at the expo Owen and myself were looking through all the various books that were for sale. We started talking about what books we thought could be good to study from for drawing. With all the books out there it can be tough to find which ones have value to study from. Do you have any books you recommend in terms of being able to draw examples from?

Thanks

[Don Bluth]

Hello Mr. Bluth,

I was wondering about just how many different kind of Model Sheets are created for an animation? I've tried researching them, but I never come up with much.

I know of Model Sheets like, Turn Around Sheets, Expressions, Mouth Charts, Size Charts, Props, but is their anything more than this?

Thank you for your time.

According to my knowledge, those model sheets you mention should be sufficient for any animator. The real gold is locked in your imagination. You should mine that!

END

[Don Bluth]

now that the cgp is over, could you send me the list of names for the credits

i can put together that intro

Sure... I'll have Dave send the list. You didn't make it to CTN? We missed you.

END

[OwenWelsh]

Don,

I have a question and holds and tracebacks:

In my scene 38 most of the characters are simply standing around so I'm thinking that most of their body can be traced a few times on a separate level and looped to keep it alive. The parts that move -- like the head on the fox or sasha would be on another level. Is this being lazy or simply economical? My goal is to get a lot done in little time without sacrificing quality.

On the mama fox I was thinking that for many frames I could do this same trick of just drawing her entire body a few times, like when her arms are moving, but since everything else doesn't move for a lot of frames after that I could just do a few trace backs and loop it. Do you recommend this or should I just simply redraw the whole character every time. Sorry, I know this sounds lazy! :)

[Don Bluth]

Great to get a chance to meet you in person this past weekend!

When at the expo Owen and myself were looking through all the various books that were for sale. We started talking about what books we thought could be good to study from for drawing. With all the books out there it can be tough to find which ones have value to study from. Do you have any books you recommend in terms of being able to draw examples from?

Thanks

Sure!
The Art of Animal Drawing by Ken Hulgren.
He Drew as he Pleased by Albert Hurter
Any collection of drawings you can find by Freddy Moore, Milt Kahl or Marc Davis. I think you can find life drawing books anywhere so you should ferret out your own.

END

[Gabriel-Carson]

at your studio when you hired an animator did you first have them complete a walk or run like the cgp or did they go
straight to work (I am sure they all had-have a great reel)?

[Don Bluth]

Are there any common mistakes that young animators fall into? When you were at Disney, did the senior animators work over your drawings to make them better?

The beginer animator will always tend to over animate. Yes, it is always beneficial to have a mentor that will draw over your drawings pointing out the weakness. My mentors always gave me this. It was painful but very beneficial.

END

[OwenWelsh]

Don,

For the next cyber garage project, which involves storyboarding, what more can we do to better prepare for this project in particular? Many of us already have your book on storyboarding but I'm wondering what else we can do? Is there any additional reading or films that we should take note of?

[Don Bluth]

Before i post thumbnails of sparrow flying,

i did a small pencil test of basic flying bird according to your Video tips....here is the link....would you please look at this.

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=260

Regards,
Arif

The wing action looks good; I recommend that you shoot your drawings on 2's and number them in the following way: 1,3,5,7

END

[OwenWelsh]

Don,

Zane just brought up the topic of recommended reading lists... What did you think of the Walt Stanchfield books -- Drawn to Life Vol. 1 and 2? Personally these books helped me a great deal with my figure drawing. You were at Disney when he was training the young animators, right?

[Don Bluth]

Don,

I have a question and holds and tracebacks:

In my scene 38 most of the characters are simply standing around so I'm thinking that most of their body can be traced a few times on a separate level and looped to keep it alive. The parts that move -- like the head on the fox or sasha would be on another level. Is this being lazy or simply economical? My goal is to get a lot done in little time without sacrificing quality.

On the mama fox I was thinking that for many frames I could do this same trick of just drawing her entire body a few times, like when her arms are moving, but since everything else doesn't move for a lot of frames after that I could just do a few trace backs and loop it. Do you recommend this or should I just simply redraw the whole character every time. Sorry, I know this sounds lazy! :)
The best animation effect is always animating the entire character. Once you begin to use held bodies or even tracebacks, it starts looking like shorts animation or TV stuff. If you think of Momma fox as having dialog in two places, her mouth action and her body action, that would preclude you having held cels. It's ok to put moma rabbit and sasha on held cels but try to keep mama fox and fox alive.
END

[lavallelee]

Sure... I'll have Dave send the list. You didn't make it to CTN? We missed you.

END

Believe me I'm beating myself up about it.... I got incredibly sick, I really hope I do get a chance to meet you sometime. :(

[Don Bluth]

Don,

For the next cyber garage project, which involves storyboarding, what more can we do to better prepare for this project in particular? Many of us already have your book on storyboarding but I'm wondering what else we can do? Is there any additional reading or films that we should take note of?

I know what helps me prepare for storyboarding is analzing what other Directors have done cutting their films together. For example, you could analyze The Wizard of Oz and try to suggest how the cutting could have been improved. In so doing, you will be asking yourself the right questions for a storyboard artist. Let this suffice for now until I get prepared.

END

[Seth]

I once read a good cartoonist/animator is someone who learned how to draw from life first. What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you.

[arif]

The wing action looks good; I recommend that you shoot your drawings on 2's and number them in the following way: 1,3,5,7

END

ok..i will....
last seminar you said to me that apply LINE OF ACTION principal to my drawings from Preston blair`s book...could you please explain it more?..should i draw the line of action before i going to draw or is it not a part of visualization?..i mean,think the whole action on your head then draw.?

Regards,
Arif

[Don Bluth]

Don,

Zane just brought up the topic of recommended reading lists... What did you think of the Walt Stanchfield books -- Drawn to Life Vol. 1 and 2? Personally these books helped me a great deal with my figure drawing. You were at Disney when he was training the young animators, right?

Walt is a good friend. He has drawn over the top of many of my drawings and I can tell you personally that he is an excellent teacher. By all means, study from his books.

END

[OwenWelsh]

Don,

When talking about the rhythm of shapes in a drawing. Would a good example be the way you designed Mrs. Brisby's head? The circular sweeping motion of the hair and ears? Or is that another principle? Do you have a video talking about the rhythm of shapes in a drawing?

[Don Bluth]

I once read a good cartoonist/animator is someone who learned how to draw from life first. What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you.

My feeling is that the greatest inspiration you can find comes from the living world around you. Everything on paper is a copy of that or an interpretation of it. Why not go to the source. Instead of copying another artists drawing, create your own based on your feelings about the world you live in.

END

[Don Bluth]

ok..i will....
last seminar you said to me that apply LINE OF ACTION principal to my drawings from Preston blair`s book...could you please explain it more?..should i draw the line of action before i going to draw or is it not a part of visualization?..i mean,think the whole action on your head then draw.?

Regards,
Arif

The line of action is a vital part of all three stages, the visualization, the rough sketch and the detail drawing.

END

[Don Bluth]

Don,

When talking about the rhythm of shapes in a drawing. Would a good example be the way you designed Mrs. Brisby's head? The circular sweeping motion of the hair and ears? Or is that another principle? Do you have a video talking about the rhythm of shapes in a drawing?

You are correct about the rhythm of line in the drawing of Brisby's head. I've spoken very little about rhythm of line in the animation tips. I'll try to cover that more thoroughly in future tips. If you are a musician, you may already know the value of rhythm. Rhythm creates texture that create feelings that lead to a positive conclusion.

END

[Don Bluth]

That's all folks. Hope everybody has a Happy Thanksgiving.

Don

[OwenWelsh]

You are correct about the rhythm of line in the drawing of Brisby's head. I've spoken very little about rhythm of line in the animation tips. I'll try to cover that more thoroughly in future tips. If you are a musician, you may already know the value of rhythm. Rhythm creates texture that create feelings that lead to a positive conclusion.

END

That would be excellent. I play the piano every now and then so I'm very curious how I can put more rhythm into my drawings and how that can relate to my animation.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[lavallelee]

Happy thanks giving, see you next week!

[jtq3]

I missed the seminar again! Sorry. My schedule does not often permit my participation. If you're still keeping an eye on the thread, I'm going to ask for some feedback on scene 32.

Thank you,



http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=258
tightened up the rabbit's entrance and reworked the rabbit's "take" at end of scene.

[johncbeggs]

:( I missed this again!

I wonder if it would be possible to add a simple timer to the next session on site somewhere :laughing:

anyway hope everyone has had an awesome day today!

[jeremyhopkins]

Try using this world timer (http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_US-AZ.aspx) John. Just check back every once in a while to make sure you're not missing the start time.

[johncbeggs]

:laughing: Jeremy , I know it starts at 3 now, I just thought a simple site reminder could be put up :D

[Moneyguns]

:laughing: Jeremy , I know it starts at 3 now, I just thought a simple site reminder could be put up :D

It starts at 3 now?:confused:

[Dave]

:laughing: Jeremy , I know it starts at 3 now, I just thought a simple site reminder could be put up :D

John, we've never changed the time of the seminar. It's 4:00PM Arizona time. It's up to you to figure out the time difference at your location and log in at the correct time. It's just not feasible to put up the start time of the seminar for every timezone in the world. Sorry you missed the seminar again.

[johncbeggs]

John, we've never changed the time of the seminar. It's 4:00PM Arizona time. It's up to you to figure out the time difference at your location and log in at the correct time. It's just not feasible to put up the start time of the seminar for every timezone in the world. Sorry you missed the seminar again.

I know! , sorry for asking.

but I was thinking about more of a automatic timer (countdown) sort of thing.

It would say ( 2Days 1hr 33min left till next club seminar )

anyways it was just a thought, thankyou for reading my nonsense :D