Jen Stefanski - DemoreeReel 2011

- Jen Stefanski
- DemoreeReel 2011



Hi Jennifer

Thanks for posting your work. Im glad you like the idea for the blog

-I would first say as a general note (one that seems to come up quite a lot on the blog), is that you need to look at the physics of your shots. Look at the weight, balance and fluidity of your animation. This is best helped by filming yourself acting out the shot and then playing it back frame by frame to see what happens. You can use the exact timings and movements for your shot, and it will give it a the sense of realism youre looking for. Especially in your dialogue shot.

-In the dialogue shot i would say the biggest problem is that the guy seems ever so slightly incoherent in his actions. We want to feel that strong and steady build up from reluctant self restraint to extreme anger. Theres a real underlying tension to the shot and we need to feel it. Its really about posing out those expressions in the story, from concentrating on the task at hand, to tense irritablitiy, then anger and then extreme anger. Film yourself acting out the shot and try to make it as natural as you can.

-After he picks up the card i would look at it, then have a little movement of the eyes to the right to show that hes aware of someone, then back on the card before the first word. You could have a small nod on "told" a small shake on "never" Then look 3 quater on "interrupt", then completely around and hit on "working" . These are the accents, so use these moments for the transition to each level of anger. Try just posing out the shot on each of these accents.

-Keep the eyes and brows steady between each pose, they feel like theyre swimming (always moving). And make a strong pose in the eyes and brows for each emotion.

-I think "interrupt" needs to look more angry and then "working" needs to be full of rage. His face isnt really feeling it (perhaps because its so profile instead of three quater?) although his body pose is stronger.

-All in all i like where youre going with this dialogue shot. Its got some nice ideas. I like the fact that he destroys his own card house, but perhaps we could have a more shocked frustrated reaction to that?

-Whats with the duck? I hope you wont mind if i say ts not helping your reel
I think the duck needs to have the same level of attention paid to it as your dialogue shot. again look at the weight and balance of it. he feels too light and sticky. Make it feel like it really exists in space. Give it some duck like movements. Study a film of a real duck and incorporate this into your work.

-The dog is a fun little stylized piece of 2D, but shouldnt be the first thing on your reel. Try animating a 3D one and see how it goes.

Hope you found this helpful.

-Anim Dailies