Finish Your Film! Tips and Tricks for Making an Animated Short in Maya

363 Pages·2014·12.26 MB·English

by  Kenny Roy

Finish Your Film!
Finish Your Film!
Tips and Tricks for Making an Animated Short in Maya

Kenny Roy
First published 2014
by Focal Press
70 Blanchard Road, Suite 402, Burlington, MA 01803
and by Focal Press
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
Focal Press is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2014 Taylor & Francis
The right of Kenny Roy to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and
78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding,
changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.
Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information,
methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own
safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.
Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Roy, Kenny.
Finish your film!: tips and tricks for making an animated short in Maya/Kenny Roy.
pages cm
1. Maya (Computer file) 2. Computer animation. I. Title.
TR897.72.M39R685 2014
006.6′96—dc23
2013047111

ISBN: 978-0-415-66181-2 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-38535-7 (ebk)
Typeset in Myriad Pro
By MPS Limited, Chennai, India
Bound to Create

You are a creator.
Whatever your form of expression — photography, filmmaking, animation, games, audio,
media communication, web design, or theatre — you simply want to create without
limitation. Bound by nothing except your own creativity and determination.
Focal Press can help.
For over 75 years Focal has published books that support your creative goals. Our
founder, Andor Kraszna-Krausz, established Focal in 1938 so you could have access to
leading-edge expert knowledge, techniques, and tools that allow you to create without
constraint. We strive to create exceptional, engaging, and practical content that helps you
master your passion.
Focal Press and you.
Bound to create.

We’d love to hear how we’ve helped you create. Share your experience:
www​.fo​cal​pre​ss.​com​/bo​und​toc​rea​te
Pain is temporary, film is forever.
Three O’Clock High (1987)
Contents

Acknowledgements
Foreword by Bill Kroyer
Chapter 1: Introduction to Short Film
Key Characteristics of Short Filmmaking
Finish by Making a Plan
Workspace is Essential
Further Removing Distractions
Beginning to Understand Short Film as a Medium
How to Use This Book
Introducing Booty Call and Our Supporting Films
Booty Call
Supporting Films
Adrift
Beat
Crayon Dragon
Devils, Angels, and Dating
Drink Drunk
Dubstep Dispute
For the Remainder
Meet Buck
Our Wonderful Nature
Paths of Hate
Reverso
Finish Your Film!
Chapter 2: Introduction to 3D Production
Using This Chapter
The Standard Studio Pipeline
Processes Explained In Depth
Script
Design
Visual Development
Storyboards
Recording
Animatic
Modeling
Texturing
Rigging
Layout
Animation
Lighting
Rendering
Compositing
Editing
Sound Effects/Music
Color/Master
Getting Started
Chapter 3: Story
Structure
Beginning
Instantly Recognizable Characters
Middle
The Modular Middle
End
Simple Structure
Examples
Keeping It Under Control
Number of Characters
Number of Environments
Theme Versus Moral
The Theme/Moral Feedback Loop
Booty Call
Our Supporting Films
Adrift
Beat
Crayon Dragon
Devils, Angels, & Dating
Drink Drunk
Dubstep Dispute
For the Remainder
Meet Buck
Our Wonderful Nature
Paths of Hate
Reverso
Pitching the Story
Wrapping Up Story
Chapter 4: Pre-production
Setup
Software and Hardware
Hardware
Ergonomics
File Management
Folder Structure
File-Naming Convention
Working and Publishing
Push or Pull Workflow
Design
Drawing Skill
Shake it Out
Have Fun
Babinsky’s Design
Further Exploration
Environment/Prop Design
Environment Economy
Storyboards
The Cutting Room Floor
Booty Boards
More Boards
The Animatic
Work in Layers
Adding Frame Counters
Editing the Animatic
Making Timing Decisions
Animatic v1.0
Cutting Audio for Layout
Final Prep
Setting Up Your Backup
Communication and Planning
Communication Methods
Project Management Software
Charting Progress
All-Over Solutions
Ready? Get Set
Go!
Chapter 5: 3D Pre-production
Deciding What to Create and What to Download
Booty Call’s Downloaded Assets