For this animation I wanted to continue with the same complexity as the jump cycle, directing my focus toward maintaining realism in the characters movements as well as making them fun and over exaggerated. So I decided to go for a comedic, over the top sneak sequence.
Research
I looked toward such cartoons as Loony Tunes for such a cycle as they had no shortage of over-exaggerated animation. Studying the anatomy of this cycle was very important, as a great deal of the sneaking pose happens with the upper body as much as the lower, as the characters leaning forward, conveys they are fiendish, whereas if the leaning back the appear cautious.
Animation
Since the character rig ill be using has no ‘upper’ body, learning how to properly recreate the sneaking poses felt crucial to make it seem authentic. So, I looked once more to 'The Animators Survival Kit', as well as real life examples, to further my understanding.
Upon analysing the cycle, it seamed that the heel rarely if ever touches the ground, the tip of the toe lands first, and when pushing of the ground the leg is almost overextended, before coming up as high as possible when moving in front of the other again.
Keeping this in mind I went forward and created my animation. Below is the finished product, which required little touching up besides rolling the toes to create that more cartoony and sillier cycle I was aiming for.
I am quite proud of the cycle and I definitely think I have shown development over the last few weeks of working in Maya. I think this animation runs much smoother and convincing that my previous ones, as I went into this with a more assured mindset, and tackled this animation with all my knowledge I had gathered over the course of this assignment.
References
Looney Tunes
The Animator’s Survival Kit (2001) Robert Williams
Comments