MMP260 1300 Intro 2D Animation fall 2020
Intro to 2D Animation
MMP260 1300 Intro 2D Animation fall 2020

Week 5

Showing emotion through movement: the flour sack

Animators have used the “flour sack” exercise for decades to practice weight, timing, expression and exaggeration. The fact that a flour sack’s design is very simple is key: we cannot rely on facial features or elaborate limbs. We have to get to the essence of animation – the 12 principles – to imbue the character with personality.

flour sacks express emotion
A page from “The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation” by Ollie Johnston & Frank Thomas

For inspiration on conveying emotion through motion, look at Michael Dudok de Wit’s Father and Daughter (2000), Pixar’s Luxo Jr (1986).

And here is a tutorial that. reviews some of the basics of animating a flour sack.

Assignment: Flour Sack

Due October 1. Here are the details

Checklist

Before we meet next week on October 1, make sure you:

  • Completed the flour sack assignment
  • Rendered your assignment as a video and posted it to YouTube or Vimeo
  • Added a post to your portfolio with the link to YouTube or Vimeo
  • Added a link from your portfolio to the the Discussion Board Flour Sack Assignment
  • Uploaded the fla and to Blackboard.