The Learning Process

Learning animation is a process. A very long, time-consuming process that makes you hate yourself and your life until you produce a final product that you like. For my blog this week, I've been asked to describe the things that help me learn animation in my animation class and the things that might be hindering me. First, lets talk about the positive.

One of the main things we do in class that helps my animation learning is watching several different types of animations. Not only does this help me analyze what works and what doesn't work when working with animation, but it also shows me several techniques. It's through these animations that I have come to realize that it's not how complicated the animation is that makes a good animation, but it's the story and the intention. Now sometimes a movie can receive a lot of attention because of the technology or complex process used to make the animation, but in the end, it doesn't define whether the actual movie will be good. For example, Avatar received huge amounts of attention because if it's "breakthrough cinematic technology" but all in all, it's a pretty lame movie about Pocahontas. There was no real depth or emotional breakthrough in the film and it just seemed typical. In conclusion, the main thing to learn is that a good animation starts with a good story.

I've also learned more about using animation programs. While we don't actually go step by step into the programs in class, the videos uploaded online and the exercises required for class force me to learn these programs. While I have opted out of learning toon boom and I seriously dislike any 3D program, I have become very familiar with After Effects and how the program works learning about keyframing and timing, etc. The great thing is these ideas don't only work for animation and thus, I've also become a lot faster and more efficient in my video editing in non-animation projects.

There are two things that I find hinder learning in class. The first one is time. It's not anybody's fault, but I just feel there isn't enough time to fully grasp animation at the level I would like to achieve in just one semester. So it's a little disappointing that there is only one class offered at USC. Instead, I think there should be atleast three different animation classes, one covering theory, one covering 2D animation, and the last covering 3D animation. While 3 semesters is still not a lot to cover everything about animation, I think there would be a stronger development of skills if this would be possible. If only people would pay more attention to the art department. We have needs too. In addition, it's also a matter of personal time. Because of other classes and just not needing to spend my life in the labs ALL THE TIME, I don't have as much time as I would like to spend on animation. Yes, I know, that's a personal problem.

Secondly, I think it's just a matter of technical aspects. I have a basic understanding of the programs we use, but I know there are limitless possibilities of things that can be accomplished with these programs. I just don't know how to do it or where to start. I see a lot of great animations in class, but sometimes I don't understand how they were made exactly. A lot of this will have to come with time and doing research outside of class, but once again time is against me, and also procrastination with a hint of laziness.

All in all, I do really enjoy my animation class and its probably one of the only classes I'm taking this semester that I actually take seriously.