New Animated Comedy Series - Thoughts/Opinions Wanted

[HangmanSi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnyGkQE2Clw

Ok, so I've just finished uploading the new video, and it was indeed a Monty Python sketch. I've incorporated some stuff from the feedback that I've received from the first couple of videos I've posted. Firstly, the character's head bobs while he is talking, and again I have to agree that this gives him a bit more life and stops him from looking so static when talking to the camera.

One minor tip regarding the animation is the noses. You may want to flip the heads, or at least draw a nose pointed the other way. When they were on the couch, even though their eyes pointed toward whom they were speaking to, their noses did not. That little detail would make the scenes look more natural.

Secondly is the character's nose. Honestly, I'm in two minds as to how much this adds to the animation, so I'd be really interested to think what you guys think about it. It was simple enough to do, I've put the normal and reversed versions in a switch file, just at some points it felt like the nose was flipping all over the place. I don't know, maybe i'm just obsessing over it a bit too much.

Either way, I think the animation as a whole is definitely moving in the right direction when compared to some of my earlier stuff.

For anyone that hasn't seen it, the original Python sketch is here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2eUopy9sd8

[heyvern]

I would simply stick with the nose pointed in the same direction if you don't plan on a head turn view. If there is no head turn at all, the nose swapping is distracting. I think a slight head turn every once in a while would help but isn't absolutely needed.

I don't mean a side view or even a "full 3/4" turn, just something subtle that makes the head look different, look like it's turned. The nose by itself isn't working. When he looks at stuff, the eye movement ALONE is actually funny and works. To break up the monotony of only the eyes moving, he could turn his head occasionally.

Just a thought.

[94253]

Yeah; when the nose is the only thing moving it looks awkward.

When I made the suggestion I was referring to scenes where Character 1 would be speaking to Character 2, but Character 1's nose was pointed away from Character 2 the entire time. For that entire scene, have the nose pointed at Character 2 the entire time, instead of away. If the eyes occasionally look the other way that's fine, but keep the nose on Character 2.
So it will remain static for the duration of the scene, but the direction it points will be different from scene to scene.

I didn't mean you should actively animate the nose with the eyes. Sorry if I was not so clear with my suggestion before. I still believe having a switch would be good for your series, but I don't think the nose should be a feature that is actively moving.

[Danimal]

I'm in two minds as to how much this adds to the animation

Not much. It kind of looked odd, to be honest. Otherwise the animation worked well.

[HangmanSi]

This is a quick 6 second test video showing the head flipping from side to side. Thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dcQMlLMsOs

[heyvern]

That works for me!

It's the subtle whole head movement that gives a bit more variety to the movement. You may eventually want full side or 3/4 head views down the road (when the show makes a bazillion dollars you can hire minions to draw those side views while you sail on your yacht )This works much better than just the nose changing by itself.

[Danimal]

It definitely gets the point across that his head is turning, yes. Use it sparingly though. Most people don't go cranking their head around a million times a minute, usually we sit pretty still, in fact.

[94253]

This is a quick 6 second test video showing the head flipping from side to side. Thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dcQMlLMsOs

Bingo; that's what I'm talking about. :) Just keep the head facing toward whomever the character is talking to.

[HangmanSi]

Wow, I didn't realise how long it had been since I last posted something on this forum. I took some time out to work on the show that I had created, City Boy Blues, and make some changes to it based on feedback that I was hearing. The new incarnation of the show has removed around 95% of the swearing, as looking back in hindsight the constant f-bombs gave the whole thing an aggressive tone that was somewhat overbearing. The darker, and more offensive, jokes have also been watered down to hopefully make the show acceptable to a wider audience in the long term, and the overall humour focusses more on silliness than anything else. While I'm sure there will still be plenty of people that don't get it, the overall product is something I feel way happier with than what it was before.

From an animation point of view, I have incorporated several things that were learned over the course of this topic. The two key additions being the bobbing of the heads when talking, and the heads flipping from side to side in relation to the direction they are looking at. The characters still face the front and bob around like puppets on a stick, but I like it the way it is. I tried doing the characters at a 3/4 angle, but I don't think it looked right.

But for what its worth I'd like the thank the people that gave me those tips and ideas. The show and the animation is a lot better for it. More videos will come over the next few weeks/months, so anyone who watches and likes the stuff, it would be great if you could share and pass it on. And those that don't like it, well, don't worry I won't ask you to watch any more.

Check out the new video here (3 minutes in length)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3Ci3uwj3mQ

[HangmanSi]

Forgot to say, Forever Delayed Productions has been re-branded to Tabony Animation, with a new logo and colour scheme. The old videos at the top of this topic have been taken down.

[Danimal]

Wow! What an improvement in both animation and content! I'm also glad to see the "I don't want to get my hair wet" gag still made it in. I'd still love to see something explaining who these guys are and why they hang out together, but I'll keep watching for sure.

[slowtiger]

I wonder if that "bobbing around" could be emphasized to a better effect. As with most stylistic choices, it's about all or nothing. Right now it seems a bit undecided between a real stick puppet feeling, and a lazy just-drag-that-body-around.

[HangmanSi]

Part II now available:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKlwyDQenlk

[Danimal]

Looking good. On a technical note: did you draw in each of those whiskers on whatever-his-name is? The dark haired one? Or was it some sort of brush effect or something?

[jahnocli]

They look like Odd Job Jack characters...