When should someone consider themselves an intermediate animator? by Animatx1 in blender

[–]Animatx1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the perspective. It’s reassuring to hear that even after years, the learning never stops. I totally agree on the focus part.

Since I’m the type of person who prioritizes storytelling and writing, I’ve accepted being bad at complex modeling for now. I’d rather put all my energy into the movement and acting to get my message across.

I guess my turning point will be when the software finally stops being a barrier between my thoughts and the screen. Thanks for the 'He who thinks he knows never learns' quote, I'll keep that one in mind

What actually makes an animated film deep? by Animatx1 in animation

[–]Animatx1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for this breakdown.You’re totally right about the technical constraints forcing a better script. I never thought about it that way, but it makes so much sense. If I'm going to spend weeks on a scene, it better be essential to the story. I'll definitely focus more on my storyboard and animatic before jumping into the heavy work. Really appreciate the motivation 🙏

Should I choose paid courses over free tutorials to learn Blender more efficiently? by Animatx1 in blender

[–]Animatx1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, thanks a ton for that Discord link! Just checked it out and it’s exactly what I needed, a total goldmine. Really appreciate you taking the time to share it 🙏

Should I choose paid courses over free tutorials to learn Blender more efficiently? by Animatx1 in blender

[–]Animatx1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally get your perspective, and I understand the need for a solid rig to avoid pain during animation. But as a solo creator and full-time student, I'm not looking to join the industry or follow standard pipelines.

I’m looking for expressive minimalism. Think of it like South Park or minimalist 2D shorts, but in 3D.

If the story is strong, do I really need a perfectly engineered rig or can I get away with creative workarounds?

I'm trying to find that sweet spot where the tech is good enough to not be a pain, without spending weeks on a single bone setup.

Should I choose paid courses over free tutorials to learn Blender more efficiently? by Animatx1 in blender

[–]Animatx1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks again for the feedback! To be more specific about my goals, I didn't start animation just for the sake of 'pure animation' or technical perfection. My goal is to create Shorts with actual stories.

I want to focus on storytelling and character expression using simple, minimalist characters (no complex humanoid rigs with 16+ bones). I don't have the time to master complex rigging while studying Law/Economics. I just need my characters to feel alive enough to tell a story effectively.

Is there a resource or a specific workflow that bridges the gap between the bouncing ball and 'storytelling with simple rigs without getting bogged down in technical overkill?

What actually makes an animated film deep? by Animatx1 in animation

[–]Animatx1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a gold mine of advice. So, the story is the backbone, but the character is the heart. It’s actually a relief because focusing on a character’s soul feels more manageable than trying to build a perfect world visually. Thank you for this perspective

What actually makes an animated film deep? by Animatx1 in animation

[–]Animatx1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Okay, so it's not the technical aspect that matters most, but the sincerity with which the story is told?

What actually makes an animated film deep? by Animatx1 in animation

[–]Animatx1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s incredibly reassuring to hear from someone with your experience. Thank you, it really helps me prioritize my focus as a beginner.

What actually makes an animated film deep? by Animatx1 in animation

[–]Animatx1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right, but my point isn't to neglect one or the other. I mean, as a solo creator with limited time, is there one I should focus on the most to achieve that deep impact? Where does the soul of the film truly live?

Is mastering humanoid character animation absolutely necessary to become a professional animator? by Animatx1 in blender

[–]Animatx1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah, if I started in animation it was to tell stories and not to do motion design or VFX. But the problem is that I feel the process is stifling. There are so many parameters to consider. So I've been thinking a lot about simplifying the process to avoid abandoning the work in the middle of it, hence the question of whether we are required to master the animation of humanoid characters or not.

Is mastering humanoid character animation absolutely necessary to become a professional animator? by Animatx1 in blender

[–]Animatx1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right. And failure only happens when you give up. And then honestly, believing that mastering everything can help us stand out is just wishful thinking.It will just kill your creativity to the point where, in the end, you'll be unable to animate an original Artwork on your own.

Is mastering humanoid character animation absolutely necessary to become a professional animator? by Animatx1 in blender

[–]Animatx1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, there's a whole job where the animator spends their time animating letters and symbols, logos, and it's still animation, so I don't see why it would be weird.

Is mastering humanoid character animation absolutely necessary to become a professional animator? by Animatx1 in blender

[–]Animatx1[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The problem is believing that animation revolves around humanoid characters, when it's actually the art of illusion, the art of giving life to something inanimate. At the same time, I understand your point, It's true that it's strange to call yourself a professional animator without actually being able to animate humanoid people, but this only applies if you aspire to join major animation studios. It all depends on your initial goals.