So, recently I haven't been able to animate due to being in hospital but I now have a month to learn as much Maya as possible and to help do this is a wonderful book called 'How to cheat in Maya 2012' by Eric Luhta and Kenny Roy. The word 'cheat' is not as fooling and miss leading as you might think. The book basically teaches you all the ins and outs for animating fast and effectively.

On the website: www.howtocheatinmaya.com there are project files from each of the sections throughout the book to download and work with along side the book.

Today I will work through the book from the beginning where I will hopefully master one section every two days. Therefore I will blog what I have learnt every two days.

When I reach the end I will then produce my own animation using all the techniques I have learnt. I will blog about this nearer the time - maybe a 11second club entry.

Due to the accident that I was involved in I can't draw very well at all, so until my hand is better I won't be posting any drawings/storyboards online. I will keep my drawings to myself for the time being, apologises.

Anyway, time to get started!
 

Voice One: "You're gonna lose. You stink. You're gonna lose. You're...."

Voice Two: "Ba ha ha! Got 'im!" 

My idea involves a young girl and a teenager sat on a sofa. The girl is poking and annoying the teenager while he plays a games console. As he says 'Ba ha ha! Got 'im' he tosses the controller in the air and it knocks out the young girl sat next to him on the sofa. He then looks at the girl with a 'OH S**T' facial expression.

I'd like the scene to look as though the teenager is baby sitting the young girl but I'm not sure yet how I will get this across to the audience because it's a short animation. Maybe a poster with baby sitting rules in the background? Hmmmm, I'm not sure yet. 

When animating on this months competition I am mainly focusing on my timing. To help I am studying the Timing Animation book by Harold Whitaker and John Halas, The Animators Survival Kit by Richard Williams and researching online.

Also I feel really inspired by the 2012 Animation Mentor Showcase. I would do anything to enrol one day! Check out the Student Showcase.....

http://www.animationmentor.com/campaign/showcase-2012/?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRokuqTAZKXonjHpfsX96uwqXaCg38431UFwdcjKPmjr1YsJRNQhcOuuEwcWGog8wQJRF%2BGBdY9O9/BTH06g