Breakdown of a Shot

Legend of the Boneknapper -First pass version from Sandro Cleuzo on Vimeo.

This is one of the shots I used in my workshop in Florence, Italy, a few weeks ago to show my work flow and breakdown. It's a shot for a short film I worked on at Ken Duncan's studio for Dreamworks "The Legend of the Boneknapper" that was included as a bonus on the Blu-Ray DVD of How to Train Your Dragon. This is my first pass that I do after I plan the shot in thumbnail format. I first watch the story reel and talk with the director about the shot, what's is happening in it. After all is clear to me and I have all the information I need, I get back to my desk and think about it and start planing. First in my head. I try to visualize the entire shot. Then I put down my thoughts on paper as thumbnails, small drawings that show all the key poses I might need to have. To me, working out in thumbnail format a complex shot like this is essential, otherwise I would get lost if I just start animating right away with no plan. Unfortunately I misplaced the thumbnail sheets and it would be nice to have it here too.

Legend of the Boneknapper -tiedown version from Sandro Cleuzo on Vimeo.

After my first pass, I make a pencil test to see if the action is working and I might do some adjustments. As you can see, in my first pass I am not concerned about the drawings, only the action and acting. I use simple shapes only and not much detail. For the next pass (above) is what we call the tie down version where, after the animation is working out fine, I would go over the drawings on a separate piece of paper (or sometimes on the same one) and draw the character properly on model and I also add all the details, overlap, etc. I also make some spacing adjustments as well at this stage. Spacing is how one drawing relates to the next and the space inbetween them which relates to the timing and how fast or slow your animation looks. After I tie down I do another final pencil test for the director to approve and this version goes to the cleanup artist. Of course, I would indicate here the key drawings and breakdowns and inbetweens by charting it.

Legend of the Boneknapper -final version from Sandro Cleuzo on Vimeo.

Finally, the final version that is inked and painted and composed with the backgrounds and effects. Animation like this takes a while to make it and is sure a lot of work and we draw many, many drawings but with time it becomes second nature to the animator and we start not thinking too much about how many drawings will take it, we just do them to give life to a scene. The result is always rewarding in the end. A big thanks to Ken Duncan for sending me these pencil tests.

Workshop in Firenze

I am back from one of the most wonderful experiences in my professional life and from a visit to one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, Firenze in Italy.

The city is amazing and there's art everywhere you look.  I was so impressed by it's narrow streets, bridges and old buildings full of character.  It's museums were a must and I was overwhelmed by standing next to Michelangelo's David (the original, not the one above which is one of the copies but amazing nevertheless) and the visit to the Uffizi Gallery with originals by Bottticelli, Michelangelo and Caravaggio.

I was invited, along with Victor Navone from Pixar by the wonderful people of the Nemo NT Accademia Delle Arti Digitali, (featured above) for a 2 day workshop and to receive the Nemoland award for my carrer in the animation industry.
From left to right are, Andrea, Isabella, Stefano Casini (An amazing artist and co-owner who gave me an an incredible drawing done specially for me ) Victor Navone, me, Federica (Teacher and co-owner), "Big' Luca (co-owner and technical guru), Morena, Francesco (Teacher and co-owner), Luca Chiarotti (co-owner and founder), Gregorio, Bianca (Our interpreter).

I loved them all and they treated us so well and took good care of us.  I miss them a lot already.

Above are me and Luca with one of my animation drawings from Home on the Range.  I was so happy that he had that drawing there on the wall of his school.

Here is me receiving the Nemoland Award from the hands of the Italian master animator Giuliano Cenci.  What an honor!  I will treasure this award forever.

I loved the book with my design artwork that Nemo published.  It was the first time that I had my work published and they also got my former boss Gary Goldman to write the forword for it.

I signed many of my books and post cards and posters to the amazing and talented students.  It was awesome.

Me and Victor were dined and wined every night.  I never ate so well in my life.  What great and delicious food.

Here are myself, my wife, Federica, Francesco and Luca at one of their favorite restaurants.

The first day of workshop.  The room was incredible and a little intimidating because it was very "grandiose".  I hope it went well.

The room was full with very talented art students.  They were a great bunch, very respectful with great desire to learn. I loved them.

I showed them some of my influences and of course, Milt Kahl had to be included.

I did show some of my approach to drawing and design.

Here is me showing one of my shots from The Legend of the Boneknapper.  I showed them my first pass,  second pass as tie down and final color.  In this one I pointed that all the animation principles were in this particular shot.

Showing a pencil test of a shot from a KFP short.

A color version of another shot.

One of my ideas was to animate an entire shot from beginning to end, from my planing stages all the way to final tie down but the time did not allowed me to finish it.  I suggested to bring the drawings back and finish the shot for the students here at home.  I am planing to complete it in a few weeks, shoot a pencil test and send it along with the drawings to them.
Next time I am there, I will do it again but with more time to finish the entire thing so they can follow me along.  It should be fun.

Another great surprise to me was the exibition of my work for the public.  I was so overwhelmed that I could not believe it.  It was beautifully put together by the so competent Nemo family.  It will open on April 30th and will stay for a few weeks.  If you are in Firenze, check it out.

Again, I want to thank Luca Chiarotti, Francesco Mariotti, Federica Fabbri and everyone else at Nemo Academy for the invitation and for everything they did for me and my wife and above all, for their new friendship.
I had the most amazing time and I will never forget it.

Off to Italy

My new friends from Nemo Academy of Digital Arts in Florence, Italy,  Francesco Mariotti (pictured above) and Luca Chiarotti have invited me to give a workshop next week plus receive the Nemoland award which I am very honored.   Victor Navone, from Pixar will also be there to receive the award and to give a workshop.
They also published a book  (See cover above) with my artwork that would be available for purchase and which I will be signing for the students.  I am thrilled to have my work in print for the first time.
I have planned to show my animation process, how I approach animation and design.  I will be animating a whole shot, step by step from the planing stages to final tiedown. 
I hope they like it.
Wish me luck!
Ciao.
http://www.nemoacademy.com/Nemoland/

The Little Prince and the Eight Headed Dragon (Updated)

This is one of my childhood favorite animated films and I still love it.  It was shown on TV in Brazil back in the 70's and early 80's and I would not miss it for anything.  Looking back at it now I am still very inspired by it. It's design is quite unique and even though it's very graphic, the animators were able to turn them in space beautifully. I also like the quality of the animation and I think the Japanese animators were very much influenced by Disney at the time.  There are some stunning scenes in it. the art direction is also very interesting with some great color and compositions. It's hard to find a good quality copy of this film, maybe in Japan one can get one but if you can, check it out, you won't be disappointed. Below are some model sheets, posters and stills that I found on the internet.


I have a friend who is also a big fan of this movie as well and he sent me these  photos bellow of some sculptures of three characters and they are amazing,  really beautiful and on model.  Thanks Alexandre Augusto Ferreira for these great photos to complement this post.

Another Treat From Headless

These Guys are great! Another treat from Headless Studios.

"STRANGE OAKS" from Headless Productions on Vimeo.

It's time for them to make their first feature film.

New Project

These are 2 images of visual development for a project that is dear to my heart.  It's being developing quite well and soon I will be able to show more good finished stuff. 
 Wish me luck to get it done in the near future.

Of course, these are copyrighted.

New Random Designs

These were done just for fun.