Marshmallow Penguin's Animation

Week 13 : Showreel Diary

2012-01-21T17:33:00.000-08:00

Week 13

New Showreel Time.
Yes its that time of year.

I've decided that instead of settling and editing together clips from the shows I've been working on , I'd make a whole new reel.
Animating is a 24 hour job and it does come with the unfortunate bonus of not being able to just fill out a CV but that's surely why we do it.

So I've set myself a 13 week challenge. 5 new animations , each with 2.5 of a week to finish.

It sounds like a crazy plan but when we think about how much animation we are producing at work its quite a relaxed schedule.

The plan is:
3 mechanical animations i.e run, walk, jump
1 pantomime i.e a change in emotion without words
2 acting pieces (both dialogue pieces, one single character and one with two characters)

I'm aiming to spend most of the two weeks of each animation just planning.
Planning has definitely become my secret weapon as I have become an animator.
Ref, thumbs and more ref. I say secret but I think that we all know that planning is king.

This all sounds simple and easy in writing but I have already encountered my first stumbling block.
The plan was to animate a baby's first steps. I've wanted to animate this since uni as it has always fascinated me. Unfortunately I assumed that a few rigs would be easy to alter and I was proved miserably wrong so its been put on the back burner and instead I have started my run.

So cross your fingers for me and I'll keep you updated.
Go Go Gadget Showreel!

Spungella 100 Frame contest

2011-08-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

Last week was the www.spungella.com 100frame competition.
Normally i always want to do these things but something always gets in the way.
This time i was putting my footdown and no matter what getting an animation out.

The theme was Magic so my partner and I came up with two ideas we liked. i animated them both but he was in charge of one and so was I.
He built, designed, rigged and skinned the rabbit which is a fantastic model in just 3 days.

'Levitate' was quite hard as there was a lot to get across in 100 frames but really enjoyed it.

The animation isn't what i wanted it to be for both as things did get in the way but i'm so glad that i got something out. its a step in the right direction :D
we're on our way to the next project now.
Too many ideas and not enough time!

First film shot

2011-02-07T16:04:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
This is the first glimpse from my short. he's called Dot and lives in a empty world until he finds his red rope and decides to follow it.
There are lots of working titles at the moment. it changes every day!!
He doesn't look much. hes not textured, lit or has a set yet but first glimpse for you so in a few months it will look like i've been working hard :)

High Res Reel link

2011-01-09T16:19:00.001-08:00

Hi guys,
I know the showreel below is quite low res so here is a link to my Vimeo high res version :) enjoy x

http://vimeo.com/marshmallowpenguin

New Showreel

2010-12-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

Here is my new showreel for 2010.
Enjoy :)

First Peek

2010-11-14T14:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a great glimpse into the lego clone wars game i'm working on.
I get a mention with my clones and c3po's in there too and some lovely b1's in the background to

The guy i work with did the yoda combos and they are fantastic. really great fun to play.
Enjoy

http://kids.yahoo.com/movies/videos/video/22964356

Great sights

2010-09-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

I know almost everyone would have seen this already since it was put onto the splinedoctors website but this site is amazing for when you have a few free mins.

Its all about body language and the thought process behind peoples movements.
Its a webpage version of a great book i've read a few times called 'People Watching' by Desomnd Morris! really great stuff...

im in the middle of animating a Larry David sound clip so i'll get some different stages on here soon :)

Enjoy

http://www.spyingforlying.com/

The Bug!

2009-11-12T05:09:00.001-08:00

So its official.
WHAT YOUR NEWS? is global :)
we are on in Australia and Canada as well as Britain..HAZZAR!!!!

Now I've been moved onto our new pilot show. i LOVE it.
got the animation bug bad!
been listening to podcasts lots on this amazing website :
www.animationpodcasts.com

defiantly recommend it!

also started design work and storyboarding for a short I'm working on. GOOD TIMES!!!

Season greetings to you all
x

2008-12-28T07:15:00.000-08:00

Well its the end of 2008 and i've had a great year. Feels like the longest year ever..in a good way!

TT animations show "What's your News?" starts on the 12th of January, at 7:30 and 4 am everyday and again on nick jr 2 :D

I can't wait. I only worked on it for 6 months and yet im so proud of it. The adverts start on the 29th but not sure what time so my poor family are going to be watching it 24/7.

I am also currently working on a short with a friend of mine. Something to keep my brain working outside of work. so when i get some things i'll put them on here.

On christmas eve there was a great animation called 'lost and found'on channel 4. It is an oliver jeffers book, who is an amazing illustrator and author and was made by studio a.k.a.
If you get a chance i definatly recommend you see it
http://www.studioaka.com/

Occupation: ANIMATOR!!!!!!

2008-07-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

A month ago I was all excited because i was being allowed to go and visit TT animation studio in Knutsford for two weeks. I was over the moon just to be there for a little while as it really is a dream career. Some where i hoped to be in say ...oh 10 years!!!

So I went down to lovely (6 hour train ride away) Manchester and had a FANTASTIC time. The people were Lovely and made me feel really welcome but with each passing day I wanted to be part of the team more and more.
The show (which I can't really talk about) is fantastic...something i'd happily watch with my little sister on a saturday morning and the fact I was allowed to help our let alone work on the show was awesome!!!

It was the last day of the two weeks today and i was sitting on my desk feeling sick as a dog, waiting to hear 'thank u but no thanks' BUT

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

heehee

I start on the 30th and moving up there as soon as possible. I can't believe it. its insane!

i couldn't have had a better job if i'd created the position myself. Luckily everyones really lovely and puts up with my persistent questions and mistakes but i love it.

Animator for a TT animatio/Warner Brothers/ Nickelodeon childrens show!!!

get to animate for a living....what more can you ask for :D...well maybe some free Dr Pepper ...but they have that too!!!!!

lines of action!

2008-06-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

Well its been an interesting few weeks since the Glammies.

We have officially left university now, which im sad to say, just makes me an unemployed animator...(but still an animator at least!!)

Ive been attempting to practise and work at the same time as moving house and catching up with friends.

Ive had the AMAZING luck of being asked to visit TT Animation. Its the most nervouse i've EVER been. Thought i'd completly blown it, BUT was over the moon to be asked back for a 2 week trial.

I have no idea what to expect but REALLY excited and even if I walk away without the job at least I've had the experience of working at a company.

Im not allowed to talk about the project but....its stupidly perfect!
I couldn't have made up this job if i'd tried...so fingers (and toes) crossed!

On another note,
WALL.E is out soon and i can't wait...i have the "art of" book and its fasinating.

plus.....

my amzing housie and friend Lee Bowditch has modelled my nickelodeon character so have a looksie at his blog:
dragonballee.blogspot.com

AWESOME....

x

GLAMMIE!!!

2008-06-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

WOW what a way to end my degree!!
I was completly and utterly suprised when at out end of year party 'The Glammies' I won a 'special achievement' award.
It was amazing. Like I said in my very very flustered and mummbled speech. Every single person on that course has gone through so much and deserves it.

Tutors were lovley and said lots of nice things to me in the after party. Just have to go and make them proud now!!!

A 'Reel' Show.

2008-06-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

Here is the first look at my 3rd year showreel. Im still doing lots to it. Have some walks and throws to add. As well as general animation.
Enjoy!

Not a Modeller...Just a Poser!

2008-05-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

This week is my final deadline week and although theres looooads of stuff to do...i mean like a phenominal amount, but, and my housemates (who are all animators too) will kill me for saying this...but I LOVE it!!!

Animating this week has been the most focused ive ever been, and although most of it is quote pants im enjoying it none the less.

Collaborating on the 2nd year films has prob been the biggest suprise. Ive loved getting lots of shots done in a stupid amount of time. devils playing air guitar, little boy falling for his first girlfriend and insane creatures leaping over tables.
once they are rendered i will stick them up here. but for now its back to MAX...

to keep me motivated i have been sticking podcasts in the back...Richard Williams wouldnt approve but makes me work harder...that and Red Bull!!!
heres the podcast link:
http://splinedoctors.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html

p.s / WHY IS THERE NO AUTOBACK ON MAX9....just thought of the day :D

xxx

PITCH'in!

2008-05-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

Well today was insane!
I entered a competition that all the skill set acredited universitys were allowed to compete in.

I didn't really expect anything from it but last week the 2d lecturer asked me if i wanted to join another 3 people, journy to London and pitch to the creative directors of NICKELODEON!!
After i picked myself off the floor and stopped myself from hugging her I prepared.

I wasnt expecting anything. I LOVE designing ideas. Its my dream career...animating and creating the stories so this was the chance of a life time!

The studio itself was awesome! Bright orange with toys everywhere. felt like home :D
I was shaking for about 5 hours before i pitched and i went first.

I was in the meeting with the art director, creative directors and producer..it was insane ...so i danced around a bit and pitched my idea...and somehow they seemed to like it!
they gave me some constructive critasisum which im taking onboard.....the story needs to work the kinks out so I will be bugging my friend 'Ed Hooks' to help me with my script

(Ed Hooks is one of my favourite actors and lecturers...he is a lovely lovely man who has all the time in the world for you!!...can't wait to go see him again soon!)

Other than that they decided to take all four of us to the next round...so back to london i go in a month!AHHH
it feels like home there!

Sooooo much to do now. End of year showreel AND a treatment for my cartoon!

CRAZY DAYS

i will get some design work up here soon for u to have a gander at.

BEST. DAY. EVER!!!!

In the Beginning

2007-08-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hello there!!!!

My name is Tania Vincent and i'm a computer animator and all round self confessed geek.

I'm 21, which is the first age i've loved every minute of (i can easily see why people mysteriously stay 21 for many years!!!)

I am about to start my last year at university before I run out in the the big wide world and it's scaring the bejeebus out of me (thats put lightly) but on the flip side i CAN'T WAIT......i'll actually (if every thing goes to plan) be able to tell people i'm an animator without whispering 'student' under my breath.

So I thought i'd start a blog (knowing full well im the only one who will read it) so this is my online diary of my progress for the year as well as a helpful tool for me to keep on the straight and narrow path of finishing uni.

If anyone is looking for some animation inspiration and have accidently stumbled onto here then here are some animation sites that are fantastic:

http://www.11secondclub.com/ (each month a different sound clip is given out for you to animate)
http://www.splinedoctors.com/ (the fantastic guys at pixar giving you lots of tips)
http://www.awn.com/ (for ANYTHING you wanted to know about the animation world)

well i hope thats helpful for now,
see you all soon,
Tania Vincent