HOW MY ACTING SHOT TRANSFORMED FROM
WHAT THE ? TO WOW !
I am writing this post because I think this will be really helpful for those who are going through the same situation.
Two months back I was started working on the Acting Shot. I
was really excited as this was my second acting shot, everyone knows that first
acting shot is kind of practices.
I started with recording the Acting Reference but let me
tell you I am camera shy person, still I was able to cover that nervousness and
got my final reference ready after several takes. Then before I move on to
blocking stage I decided to take reviews from my peers and asked them what they feel about the reference is it
matching the same tempo that the dialogue has?
I was really
Surprised to get so many positive reply and they all said one word which I was
really struggling with “Good Acting”. I was really happy that finally I had
overcome my fear of facing camera and acting it out and most important sharing
it with people to know their reviews. Then I moved on to finding the Key poses
from my reference and start blocking in Maya
.
My blocking completed and then I again posted for reviews .
Everyone said it is pretty good in blocking stage and I also got some great
suggestions from my Peers and Bobby Beck . Everything was moving smoothly till
now.
Then I applied all the suggestions which I felt would
enhance the shot and move to next stage BlockingPlus . I added all the
necessary Breakdowns and Inbetweens in my Shot and I had added the drag and
overlap in my Breakdowns and Inbetweens. I showed again posted for reviews and
I got quite good reviews. Then I Moved on to spline satge and did the polish
pass . Now this time when I showed it to my peers and Bobby Beck they said one
big thing is missing and that was “overlap and drag” and the character looked
stiff throughout the scene. I was like what?
Because according to me I had put it in my shot but it never appeared to
others maybe I have been watching this shot again and again since I started it
and that is why I felt it is looking smooth and it has everything .
So I decided to take some Detailed notes from my Class 4
mentor Mike Gasaway . I mailed him the playblast and he said the same thing
“overlap and drag” missing and then I decided to start over again .
I know to some people
it may sound crazy and they may say that
you would have gone back to BlockingPlus stage instead of starting all over
again but I wanted start very fresh.
I was once going through Mike’s website and I found that he
had something called Personal Critique Session which I found was really Helpful
for me. I decided to take those sessions ,so I took 2 sessions for 75 US Dollar
which are worth it.
Then I started the blocking again and after each stage I
would send my file to Mike he would go through the playblast and then we would
set our time for Google Hangout . I was really excited to have my work
critiqued by Mike that to live because I know he gives really great suggestion
and solutions and points out where you need to improve and where it is looking
really good.
So , after getting my shot critiqued on each stage I finally
had a final Piece . Then I went back to my old acting shot polish pass and
compared it with the final piece that I had after attending all the critique sessions
by Mike. It had a vast difference that I could see , character in old shot
looked so stiffed and no overlap and drag I could see. I could now feel what
others were telling me because now I have been watching the new shot from long
time which has soomther feel to it and overlap and drag was also present in the
shot.
Please Find the link to Newer Final Version after I took Mike Gasaway's
Personal Critique Session
https://vimeo.com/101911552
I have been in Mike’s class previously and he is the best Mentor I
could ever recommend anyone . I call him my Energy Booster ,I remember when I used to attend his class at
AM he was always full of energy and keeps us motivated and you could never stop
watching him and never get bored and Yawn. I really miss those classes and it
has always been fun interacting with him.
For me Mike is my Life savier. I am really glad that I had him as my mentor
and I will always be his student.
Thanks Allot Mike for always being on my Side and help me
out in my Animation.
If anyone going through the same situation or struggling in
Animation and want someone to help them out I would really recommend Mike
Gasaway’ Personal Critique Sessions . Please find the link Below;
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