Fight scene – rig tests and animatics

(week 5 of uni – this is also my easter work)

first rough animatic – need to work on timing curves of movement and use more life draws esque character style

I think these animatics created a solid foundation of movement that ill use in my blocking stage and develop to the rigs capibilities. From these tests ive decied to do a more exagerated movement than the reference video as i think it would be more exciting for an audience to watch.

Punch test for my fight scene rig

Hook Punch

Uppercut Punch

In this test, I focused on an exaggerated ‘open body’ punch so I could practice more arcs and try to emulate the wide drunken swings from my reference video.

From this test, I found the main limitation of my rig is the rigid soles on the feet but I think for this project it will work as it would add to the heavy footing of the characters.

Exaggerated punch. I stretched joints to test the breaking point of the rig. This version gave a more cartoony movement and ‘stretchy man’ quality to the character (this is emphasised by the plastic toy look to the model)

MORE exaggerated punch. In this test, i pushed the limits of the rig and I think the movements in this would be way too unnatural squash and stretch for my film.

Uphill walk cycle to practice weight and center of mass.

The next test I did was with two characters to practice their interaction.

I think I need to do more work/tests on developing distinct characterization for each character, their movements, and how they interact with each other. I think the best way to do that is with walk cycles for each and a punch test with the 3 characters that punch in the film. I also need to do a short test of all 4 together before blocking to practice this further.

GREEN

Characteristics: wrestler stance, low center of mass, more grabs over punches, slow, heavy steps, hunched back.

BLUE

Characteristics: stiff, open stance, unsteady, quick not thought-through movement, most likely to push, slightly hunched over.

PURPLE

Characteristics: timid, lightweight, doesn’t want to be in the fight, feminine walk with small steps.

RED

Characteristics: ready to punch, guarded stance, crouched walk, shoulders up straight back.

Animation test with all characters

I did this test with no planning of movement, just to practice their interaction. I think in my blocking I need to focus on exaggerated key poses and exaggerate all the character’s different personalities.