
Week #5 - Overlapping Action
Tutor: Lou Kneath
ACTION, CHARACTER & PERFORMANCE
Drew Campbell
10/24/20243 min read


Overlapping Action
Overlapping action is an animation technique that shows different parts of an object or character moving at different speeds or times. It's a fundamental principle of animation that makes movements look more natural and realistic
For example, when a character with long hair turns their head, the hair doesn't move simultaneously with the head. Instead, it follows a few frames later, creating a more fluid and believable motion. This technique helps to convey the weight, flexibility, and interconnectedness of different parts of the character or object, enhancing the overall realism of the animation.
Animating a Bouncing Ball with Tail
I first referenced an Ultimate Tailed Rig in Maya. Following this, I set up keyframes to define the ball's trajectory and height during the bounce. I incorporated overlapping action by ensuring the ball's tail followed its motion dynamically. To achieve this, I meticulously adjusted the tail’s keyframes to follow a few frames later than the main movement of the ball. This method not only established a visual fluidity to the bounce but also illustrated that secondary movements, or the tail, add depth and complexity to simple actions. I also had to go into the graph editor to smooth the movements.
I then imported the sequence into After Effects and gave it a base and a background to help the animation pop a bit more.
The result was a bouncing ball that exhibited a playful tail, enhancing its overall vitality. The process taught me the importance of timing—precise timings between each movement can significantly impact the perceived realism of the animation.
Creating a Strength Pose with the Bony Rig
Building on the principles learned from the bouncing ball, I shifted my focus to my favorite strength pose using the bony rig in Maya. I began by sketching out the pose I envisioned, which was a straightforward representation of strength and resilience.
Using the bony rig, I carefully positioned the joints to mimic the skeletal structure of my character. I was originally going with the top right sketch but it didn't look quite right, so I adjusted the arms for a much stronger pose. I ensured that the rig reflected a strong stance—shoulders back, arms flexed, and a solid grounding beneath the feet.
Developing Character Poses Through Sketching
To further enhance my understanding of movement and fatigue, I engaged in sketching different human character poses that communicated exhaustion. This exercise made me appreciate the subtleties of body language and expressions. Sketching allowed me to visualize the dynamics of how a character’s posture changes under fatigue, an essential element to portray believable animation.
In summary, my exploration of overlapping action within Maya through animated sequences and character poses has been both enlightening and creatively fulfilling. The integration of breaking joints and motion fluidity has equipped me with valuable skills for future projects. By continually practicing these principles in various contexts, I look forward to further refining my animation craft.






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