{"id":676,"date":"2026-04-04T02:15:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T02:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/?page_id=676"},"modified":"2026-05-27T23:18:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T23:18:37","slug":"narrative-visual-perspective-in-animation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/narrative-visual-perspective-in-animation\/","title":{"rendered":"Narrative Visual Perspective in Animation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also carried the <strong>Narrative 2 <\/strong>unit over to <strong>Animation<\/strong>, where we learned how to animate our 3D modeled characters properly. Throughout the unit, we also learned how to do keyframe animation on Maya, Mocap technology to move our models, and use blended shapes so we could animate expressions on our characters. After that, we were taught to lip-sync our characters and do different lip movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-right\">3D Character &amp; Animation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to animating our characters, we were required to make a character bio on Photoshop by using a rendered photo of our model on Maya, just like what we did with our 2D characters during the previous unit. Down below is my 3D model &#8211; An anthropomorphic husky named Donnie that wears a suit of scaled armor and two golden emblems on his armor and belt, each with a flame on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6af6d8c653155&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6af6d8c653155\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"620\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/JackC-Character_Bio_Donnie-1024x620.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/JackC-Character_Bio_Donnie-1024x620.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/JackC-Character_Bio_Donnie-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/JackC-Character_Bio_Donnie-768x465.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/JackC-Character_Bio_Donnie.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bio of my character, Donnie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-right\">Artist Statement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For my 3D character poses, I selected my character Donnie to explore different animations using Autodesk Maya. Our process involved three specific animation tests for our models &#8211; walking, running, and jumping. A few weeks prior, we\u2019ve done a series of animated tests using various objects.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Doing the running and walking animations were the difficult part for me to do, especially with being careful of stretching my model. It was pretty difficult getting to know the software of Maya. Once I\u2019ve gotten pretty careful with them and took my time, I got used to working with the timeline so that the frames are consistent and the movements are smooth.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Walking Cycles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first practice we had to do was make our characters move using Maya and render the frames &#8211; walking, running, and jumping in one video. The process took me about 2 weeks to get done, since I was still new at keyframing at that time. Overall, doing this was quite easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"25 26 p6 3D Walk Run Jump JackC\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MixGMsEI7CY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-right\">Mocap Video<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"714\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1317 \/ 714;\" width=\"1317\" controls src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JackC-MocapPlayblast.mov\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Lip-Sync<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next practice assignment was to learn how to blend shapes so we can create lip-sync animations. We were required to cut a hole in the character&#8217;s mouth via the cutting tool and then we had to make various different lip movements and then merge the blended shapes together with the lip sync. Lip-syncing also helped make the characters express more clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s my lip-sync video right here. The recording heard is from an iconic moment of <em>Toy Story<\/em>.<em> <\/em>I wanted to use it so I can make the animation as expressive as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"25 26 p6 3D Lip Sync JackC\" width=\"790\" height=\"593\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5ntQnSWSmxc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Narrative Animation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the biggest project we did for the unit &#8211; the Narrative Animation. We were divided into groups of 3-4 people and we had to work together with a narrative storyline to make it into a 3D-animated short on Maya. I was grouped with Kailie, Cade, and Kane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We came up with a story called &#8220;Surprise!&#8221;, starring our characters: Donnie (by me), Cranberry (by Kane), and Aster (by Kailie), planning a birthday party for Dragon (by Cade), but things go awry when the cake gets pushed off the table accidentally by Aster when she was stopping Cranberry from sneaking up on it. The three characters get worried when someone enters the door, but they become relieved when it was Dragon with an extra cake. The story ends with everyone partying, except that Aster pushes down the cake accidentally again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Watch the full animation here:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"25 26 p6 3D Narrative Animation CadeL JackC KailieC\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yaajoWdx934?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Final version.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over here is the animatic. Some of the frames are a little different from the final version, which we had to discard in order to process with the project altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"25 26 p6 Narrative 2 Animatic KailieC JackC KaneH CadeL\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bUHeRgte7XA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Animatic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-right\">Reflection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Based on doing everything throughout the unit, I valued that I was able to open a whole new world that caught my eye. At first, it was quite difficult for me to work with 3D animation, especially working with Autodesk Maya. As time flew by, I got better with using the software, though certain tools rather (object mode, cutting tool, resize, etc.). Even though it was complicated at getting the tools on Maya, I was still able to adapt working with 3D, and it made me appreciate that 3D animation isn&#8217;t &#8220;lazy&#8221; and I understood more about the industry that I want to work for. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction We also carried the Narrative 2 unit over to Animation, where we learned how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-676","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=676"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":925,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/676\/revisions\/925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~JackC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}