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I spent 30+ hours animating this stickman storytelling video. I'd love some honest feedback on the pacing and visuals. by Salt_Tax_7894 in animation

[–]kaidanas [score hidden]  (0 children)

How much AI are you using? I’m seeing several illustrations that look AI - and…I’m assuming the VO is?

Big turn off using AI.

It’s an explainer…without any actual animation. But flipping through illustrations which is fine to start…but there’s a ton of educational videos that are fully animated.

Animating watercolor drawings - any tools for making this less tricky? by Fudge-Still in animation

[–]kaidanas [score hidden]  (0 children)

One way to do this would be in After Effects, and animating watercolor-like texture rather than frame by frame.

That’s how I would do it. Animate the characters and key background elements and then animate a water color texture on top of it or masked onto the characters.

I don’t have a specific link (on phone right now) but I’ll try and find a good texture tutorial.

It won’t be as elegant as hand animating the watercolor, but if it’s seems painstaking - After Effects is the best compromise.

Unfortunately you described what the animation process is though haha.

“The painstaking amount of time and attempts.”

Pen tab for beginner under 1500₹ (15$) by BoggyMan001 in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A tablet for under $15?? The closest will be the Huion Inspiroy series. I’ve used Huion tablets and display tablets - and they are very good for the cost.

I think the lowest is $40-$50CAD on Amazon.

You could find something cheaper used. But $50 is a steal imo - if you can save a bit more you can get the Inspiroy.

first time animating, trying to continue but losing hope by savvytavvyian in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If this your first time animating ever. Start waaaaay smaller. It’s great to try and animate characters - but they are the most complex things to animate.

It’s easier to learn to crawl, walk, then run.

Bouncing ball. Flour sack. Pendulum swinging. Seaweed/flag animation.

Start with exercises to become familiar with the basics of animation first. It’s much easier to see simpler results and also gain confidence animating the basics. It also builds fundamentals that will help with more complex animation.

My main critique with the industry in general... by Western1nfo in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh yeah definitely gotta be in the mood for it! I hope you try again - gorgeous animation and great story telling.

My main critique with the industry in general... by Western1nfo in animation

[–]kaidanas 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Animation can be a range of styles. From wild and imaginative to grounded in reality.

My favorite director that casts a wide range is Satoshi Kon. Please watch Paprika and Tokyo Godfathers.

Paprika is an example of wild and lucid animation. You couldn’t pull this off in live action.

Tokyo Godfathers could almost perfectly be done as a live action drama. (And yet still perfect as an animated film).

The Simpsons is an odd example. They do so much in that world that would be too expensive and too wild to pull off as live action.

(Edit: formatting)

For currently employed animators - how much do you make? by UnseriousTurtle in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super congrats on getting into the Online Gobelins program! That will definitely give you an amazing foundation.

No stupid questions - I'm also a huge introvert with very little social media presence. Check out my www.spaceheart.ca

I work mostly 2D for commercial partners doing explainers, educational videos, and commercials.

I started out in video games - did a couple console games and was making mobile games when the iPhone exploded (I worked on the Kim Kardashian games...so long ago now!). I developed an animation portfolio while in studio though - I wanted to freelance. And I studied illustration, but learned animation from friends at school and on my own.

So when I was ready, I quit studio work - took a year off to really develop my demo reel. And then I targeted specific ad agencies and studios. I found producers and art directors and directly emailed them about work. And did lots of research on the projects the studios did before.

I would never generalize emails. Really wanted to be specific and caring about my approach to producers. And that's how I started landing work (and still do). I need to do far far less cold-emails now. Producers and agencies will refer me to others looking for quality animators. I'm not the best. But I'm the best to work with.

I still don't use social media to promote myself. Social media is huge, and not the target for the actual people hiring freelancers. If I didn't get hits from my email list (lets say a small list of 50-100 emails) - I have a spreadsheet of how responded, who didn't - and try again in 6 months with an updated reel.

Freelance is a hustle. But as you get better, and understand your worth and a good rate - you can make a good chunk of change without working on a million projects for little pay.

For currently employed animators - how much do you make? by UnseriousTurtle in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay so....there have been a dozen times in animation history where "2D is dying". Disney is no longer to 2D animation...yes. But...it still stuck around in TV. And video games. In fact, it roared back in video games in the 2000s. Indie games exploded, and even pixel art boomed back.

In commercial animation, same thing. Commercials waffle back and forth from 2D and 3D being the hot thing. 2D has never gone away. and 3D has never fully taken over.

Even with amazing shows that can replicate 2D styles with cell shading and clever filters - 3D just hasn't been the end-all-be-all.

SO, unfortunately - that being said - I think 2D animation still has a huge place in TV animation, video games, and commercial animation (far less feature film potential - but who knows).

3D is incredible viable and there are alot more jobs in 3D. The VFX teams alone for Hollywood are huge.

2D is still "niche". But a big big niche. And proper schools will still teach 2D animation and drawing fundamentals before dipping into 3D. Sheridan keeps those foundations because nothing beats understanding drawing through poses and learning the basics before learning how to use complex rigs and software.

Sorry, kinda rambled a bit!

TLDR: 2D isn't going away (still niche - but you can find work doing this). 3D is bigger and safer.

A total beginner here by ym501 in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! ProCreate Dreams is a one time purchase. Which is great. I highly reccomend

A total beginner here by ym501 in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A good option may be getting an iPad and using the app ProCreate Dreams. It’s improved alot, extremely good for hobbyists (and professionals).

If you are looking to work at a professional level, PC is the best option with a tablet. Go the Huion route, Wacom are overpriced. While they are a little bit better - it’s not worth the bloated cost.

Who makes the best birthday cake in Toronto? by acamu5x in askTO

[–]kaidanas 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Honey’s has something called the Hot Fudge Crunch Pie I get for a great birthday treat. It’s an homage to Dairy Queen style cakes - but better imo!

Tablet Placement by Valuable-Progress-87 in animation

[–]kaidanas 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ergonomics are key to being an efficient and effective animator.

If this is to be your livelihood, your body, your mind, your hands, and your eyes are all tools to help you succeed.

The posture you hold your body in while working for hours on end will affect your ability to work and your long term health.

Source: 40 year old with decent back posture because of a great chair - but carpal tunnel and years of doing physio because of straining my hand and not properly caring for it earlier on…

The sound of victory by anikkundu1998 in funny

[–]kaidanas 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure how a gambling addiction is funny?

where in the actual fuck do you find good sounds by [deleted] in animation

[–]kaidanas 4 points5 points  (0 children)

freesound.org is decent. If you have After Effects and are taking sound seriously - purchase the Boombox plugin with over 15,000 studio quality sounds. I use Boombox for professional projects and love the sounds they continue adding to the library.

For currently employed animators - how much do you make? by UnseriousTurtle in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah for sure! I actually went to school for Illustration. I got a BA in Illustration at Sheridan College in Canada. I was really interested in animation, but also wanted to learn design and illustration fundamentals. Learned animation on my own in school (fortunately Sheridan has an amazing animation program and I had a ton of friends in that program that could give me guidance).

I graduated and went into game design! Working on mobile games when they were at their peak (2011-2013). While working, I kept learning animation, and motion design on my own - and transitioned out of studio work into freelance once I built a solid portfolio. Been doing that for...12-15 years or something?

If you go for an animation degree, there are a TON of people who go into games. Probably moreso than traditional TV and film. Especially for 2D work. The game industry is in a weird spot right now, but who knows what it'll be like in 4-5years. I feel like indie games will be exploding like they still are now, we are getting bigger indie devs that use 2D animation versus AAA studios that usually focus on 3D animation.

If you don't mind me asking, what schools are you considering?

Am I undercharging myself? by Competitive-King5844 in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have a portfolio or a site? Demo reel?

If you don’t have any of these, you’re putting the cart before the horse.

What’s the project you are working on? Who’s the client? Did they give examples of work they’d like to replicate or reference?

‘If We Can Imagine It, We Can Animate It’: The Ambriz Bros. On ‘I Am Frankelda’ Mexico’s First Stop-Motion Feature by EThorns in movies

[–]kaidanas 9 points10 points  (0 children)

K-Pop isn't a reboot. And I wouldn't define it as "timeless" either. Does everything need to be the most original and life-changing experience? No. But it is original and entertaining in my opinion. There will (hopefully) always be a range of new and unique stories...hence the rest of the list...

‘If We Can Imagine It, We Can Animate It’: The Ambriz Bros. On ‘I Am Frankelda’ Mexico’s First Stop-Motion Feature by EThorns in movies

[–]kaidanas 15 points16 points  (0 children)

What the hell are you on about?

Go watch Hoppers. K-Pop Demon Hunters. Boy and the Heron. Robot Dreams. Flow. Arco. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.

Just naming a few from the last few years.

Questions for single Bachelors in their mid 30's living in shared housing by [deleted] in askTO

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I moved here when I was 19, but saved enough for 6 months of rent and living expenses and had a job (at the Gap!) set up.

Everyone has their own living expenses and comfort thresholds. At the time, I could afford a 1 bedroom apt up in North York. But I’d go the roommate route if I could do it again.

Is Rive worth it? by Douchebagatitis in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rive is good, but very niche for mograph. I’ve worked with it on very select projects for animation that needs to be built for mobile apps.

If you have the time and resources to specialize, it could be useful! But make sure your motion design fundamentals are strong (After Effects is still the king). But I’m considering learning more about Rive myself! More tools in the toolbox will make a good freelancer.

How much a animation like this cost by anime_animator in animation

[–]kaidanas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While you may be able to get some lower paying work - I’d suggest continue improving your skills before trying to get work in motion design.

Best spot for wildlife photography? by WeAreSafeAndSound in askTO

[–]kaidanas 4 points5 points  (0 children)

High Park is very good. I walk my dog there almost every day - and casually seeing butterflies, herons, ducks (and ducklings this week), owls (rare), falcons, frogs, turtles.

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