Sony Pictures have just released a free zombie rig from Hotel Transylvania - created in Maya. This is a great opportunity for animation students to use a production-quality rig, one which has been used on a beautifully animated Hollywood blockbuster. Production rigs are more complex than the training rigs that we use at Bucks - so it is strictly for experienced animators. We have not tested it out yet ourselves, so we welcome input from our students on its strengths and weaknesses. Below are the terms of the license offered by Sony Pictures.
What are the terms of use? Hotel Transylvania Software License: This Zombie Rig is being made available to you for your personal, non-commercial use pursuant to the non-exclusive, revocable license grant in Paragraph 7 of the “Licenses Granted to You” Section of the Terms of Use and all other provisions thereof. By ticking the boxes below and clicking AGREE, you certify that you have read and agree to all of the provisions of the Terms of Use, including, without limitation, the restrictions on the “User Submissions” that you might create with the Zombie Rig, as well as the warranties, representations and indemnities made by you therein.
The key words above (of course) are "non-commercial use".
How does it work? Watch this free tutorial below:
Watch out though - it looks like Sony have removed the facial expressions from the rig. So, while this is good for walk cycles and physical actions, you won't be able to get much in the way of facial expressions.
Cartoon Brew put out a video with some really good insight to the early process of defining a characters in Sony'sCloudy 2. It's good to see part of the actual thought process that helps define character's personalities and movements.
What goes into a good portfolio? Like a great animation demo reel, an artist's portfolio is never done. It should contain only your very best work. Your best piece goes first, your second best goes last. Nowadays, a paper portfolio is pretty much a thing of the past - your work should be on your blog or website, and regularly updated. A permanent online showcase of your talent.
It's much easier than it used to be to get hard information on what the studios are looking for. Fed up with seeing reels and portfolios they can't use, big studio HR departments have started setting out indetail what precisely it is they need and want from fresh talent.
You might also check this video below about what goes into a great animation demo reel.
