Here's rough blocking for Krewl and Bill. This is still very much a work in progress, so it's a great time for comments!
It always amazes me that I can spend ... I don't know how many hours ... on a bit of animation, and when I look at the render, it looks like a short afternoon's worth of work ...

http://www.holmesbryant.com/files/video/work_in_progress/

The thing I notice is the first time you see Bill it looks like hes sliding backwards ,probably just the camera though.Nice hand and head movement though Holmes

Next pass. Got all the major characters animated. There are some pass-throughs. I'll fix those before moving to the facial animation.
Would you guys prefer me to upload quicktime movies to the forum, or would you prefer to watch flv movies via a link? I can do it either way.

I personally would prefer the flvs.
I can see the long walk at the beginning of this being a prime target for the cutting room floor.

There are a few intersection issues with Krewl, but I'm sure they'll be got to.
Just before Bill starts his speech, he steps forward. It looks odd....like one foot should be on the ground.
When Bill says "you don't know who we are", it'd be cool if SC gave a nod in faux indignant agreement.
Does Bill throw his match on the ground!? Are we OK with kids looking at that?
Krewl needs to be convinced Bill is a wizard. Maybe having him leaning forward before the camera cut would convey that more.

Good work!

Thanks Ken. I'll try to incorporate those.
I wouldn't have Bill throw a match away like that in a forest, but I figured it worked here because it accents Bill's disdain for Krewl ... at least that's the theory.


Do you mean right after krewl says "Are you a wizard sir?" ?

Before that. So when Bill is doing his thing, he leans forward off camera (at the time he naturally would). And of course he'd be wide eyed.

Next pass. Did lip sync and facial animation for Krewl and Bill.
http://www.holmesbryant.com/files/video/work_in_progress/

Great! There are a few nitpicks but I'll just do the important ones (which I missed before):

When Bill looks down to get his pipe, it looks like it's just his head bending. Maybe a little chest movement?

When Bill whispers to the others, instead of "waving", perhaps he could hide his lips from the King like this:

Here's the next pass. Getting close...
http://www.holmesbryant.com/files/video/work_in_progress/

Looking good. Is the kings right hand intersecting the throne when we see him first? And I notice many of your characters can't seem to focus on a single spot.

I'll take a closer look at Krewl's hand.


Yes, they have the dreaded "Eye Aimer Bone" syndrome. If I would just use that Eye Master Null, all my problems would disappear ... but alas, habits die hard.

OK, I'm calling this one Done.
http://www.holmesbryant.com/files/video/work_in_progress/

Ooooo......pretty smoke effect! I was going to suggest putting the crowd up on the top floor as it looked strange they didn't look at them when they walked out. But you've got that done well enough.

That's pretty good Holmes!

Thanks guys!