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Animation Fundamentals

Week 9 – Understanding Body Mechanics

Body Mechanics: Essential Tips for Capturing Perfect Reference Shots

  1. Consistent Angles: Maintain a consistent angle in your reference shots to effectively capture the body mechanics.
  2. Vary Perspectives: Capture multiple views and perspectives of the same action to gain a comprehensive understanding.
  3. Ditch Orthographic Views: Focus on front and side views instead of orthographic views for a more dynamic reference.
  4. Stabilise the Camera: Lock your camera or make minimal shifts to maintain a clear and consistent reference frame.
  5. Harness Mirrors: Utilise mirrors to get unique angles and perspectives that enhance your reference shots.
  6. Ensure Continuity: Maintain a seamless flow in your reference shots to understand the progression of movements.
  7. Infuse Intent and Action: Bring characters to life by emphasising their intentions and actions, allowing them to focus on their tasks.
  8. Purposeful Behaviour: Remember that every movement has a purpose, and capture it authentically in your reference shots.
  9. Body Markers: Use post-it notes or markers on your body to highlight key points for reference.
  10. High Frame Rate Recording: Record at a high frame rate (240fps) for precision and clarity in your reference shots.
  11. 11. Always Question Movements: Continuously ask why certain body parts move in specific ways and observe the relationship between movements, such as understanding the role of the knees when the hips are in motion.
Standing up blocking
Standing up (spline)