Jason schleifer Advice!!!!

I was on CGsociety and I ask Jason Schleifer some advice and this is what he had to say but first my question.

hey, I don't think I'll catch you online for awhile again, so I was wondering what advice would you give to a person that is teaching himself animation? I'm going to school for computer science and on the side teaching myself animation. I know this is off topic and I'm sorry. I myself plan on getting those DVDs after learning more about animation. Are there books or training dvds you would recommend? I already have the animator's survival kit book.

His answer:

I would definitely recommend http://animationmentor.com if you want to become a great character animator.. they're an amazing school!

other than that, the best thing you can do is practice practice practice practice.

first work on all the "simple" things.. like understanding spacing.. timing.. arcs..

for example, a great way to learn more about spacing and timing is to simply animate a sphere in 2d moving from 1 side of the screen to the other.

Left to right.. 24 frames.

Do it first so it seems smooth and linear.

then do it so it eases into the movement at the start, and out at the end.

then see if you can make the sphere feel timid. How would you alter the spacing and timing to make something feel timid? How much hessitation should you put in? Where does your spacing stack up? etc.

then make it feel powerful.

Then make it feel drunk.

See what I mean? small, bite sized chunks until you feel comfortable with those, then work up to more and more.. don't bite off more than you can chew.

-jason