This is one of the coolest sections of my site where you can catch a glimpse of me learning how to breathe life into my work. I would like to thank my wife for putting up with me constantly asking her if something "looks right". All animations are offered in QuickTime format and are listed from newest to oldest (most recent one on top). Also, be sure to check out my new forum for updates and critiques on animations from myself and others!

Demo Reel

This is a summary of the latest and greatest. Note that not all of the animations on this page are included in this reel so be sure to watch the others. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did creating it.

Weight Study

A weight study using 3 objects that "look" the same but are truly defined by their behavior alone. Basically I didnt want to put a string on the balloon to show that its a balloon, etc.

Run

The objective here was to convey a natural and believable sense of the perpetual rhythm that is evident when observing a person that is not only running right now but has been doing so before wecame along.

Head Turn

A focus on the mind within the head as well as the mechanics behind the turn itself. Instead of just turning the head I wanted to emphasize the relationship between thought and action through the use of the eyes.

Take (work in progress)

Well folks heres my first 3D take. If you run through it frame by frame you will see all the fun I had...it stll crakes me up. I am working on adding a few other things to it as well so as usual keep checking in.

Walk Cycle

This is my very first computer animated walk cycle. I am still learning Maya as well as this particular rig (character). This was not for class, I got my hands on the rig from a friend so I could get a head start.

Bouncing Ball

This is my very first computer animation inside of Maya. I am trying to get a head start so that when I actually take classes I can focus more on the finished product rather than the tools. Special thanks to Roger.

"BALL"

First claymation shot from home. For the opening (where the ball falls) I used armature wire to suspend the ball for the shot and then painted out the wire for each frame in photoshop prior to compositing.

"COLLISION"

Claymation with audio. This was actually the last piece I shot on the lunchbox in the labs. Now I shoot at home using my DV cam and Monkey Jam (see the resources section for my "Stop Motion Guide").

Light/MotionBlur Study

Claymation study where I am playing with the idea of motion blured stop motion (step through the frames and compare objects). I was also exporing different lighting conditions as well.

Sand

Exploring the basic principles of animation in various mediums (in this case sand).The color of the sand was originally muddy brown but I changed it to red as a little mood experiment of my own.

WORM

Ths is a pencil test of my very first animated short film titled WORM. It was used as my final for my intro to animation class. I plan to use this version as a reference for the 3D version later on.

Pose's

This assignment was to animate a transition between three different poses. I must say that this assignment really got the little bugger thinkin'. Also, I was experimenting with giving him some fingers as well.

Camel (four-legged walk)

Ths assignment was to create a four legged walk cycle. I used a camel for all my budies who are over seas right now and who I have been to the desert with...ahhh yes...good times...good times indeed.

Inch (three-quarter view)

A 3 dimensional approach to the the inch cycle. Here I ws tasked with making the little bugger move while viewing him at an angle (the perspective of him getting closer and passing by was extra credit).

Inch (front view)

Another inch cycle. The idea here is to get it to reflect the other view however I slowed it down a bit to convey a waltz to compliment the quicker movement found in the side view inch (found below).

Run

This assignment was to animate a 3 frame run cycle. I threw in a wobble to simulate the flopping of the tail since it is the sole driving device for the worm as opposed to having to legs.

Inch (side view)

This assignment was to animate a profile walk cycle. I used the Worm which made it an "inch" cycle. I also made some reference legs to give me an idea of how his body would react to the movement while walking.

Take

Here I had to animate a "take". This is when a character changes his pose completely just before exploding into a shocking expression (surpised, scared, etc.).

Old Man

For this assignment we were supposed to use what is called a "stagger" by having a character pick up a heavy object that causes the muscles to quiver. Well, I used an old man picking HIMSELF up out of a chair.

Mugshot

Small assignment. Back in the 1930's the animator Chuck Jones developed the "Smear In-between". Animation is made up of cylcing pictures (frames), well, a smear is kinda' like 3 frames in one.

Fish

This assignment was designed to show us an animation trick for head turns from characters that have both eyes on the same side of the head (the little ceasars pizza character for example).

Jowls

This assignment was to animate a character with jowls (llose skin or fat) turning its head to show follow through (the idea of momentum in the jowls in result of the head turning).

Flag

Too funny. Ok, the assignment here was to make a waving flag, however, this is also where I started to feel comfortable so I decided to "hot dog" it a little. This animation is a charicature of my teacher.

Wings

This animation was for a wings assignment which emphasized the whip technique commonly used by animators to achieve the look of a flying creature.

Balloon

This is my balloon animation from the assignment discussed below. Alot of frames compared to the canon ball but I had alot of fun. I tried to nail the anticipation right off the bat by the having it launch itself.

Canon Ball

This is one of my first animations. The teacher wanted us to create a ball, a canon ball, and a balloon without adding any strings to the balloon or a wick to the canon ball so we were forced to rely on behavior alone.