I'm a freelance animator, particularly interested in 2D digital cut-out animation using After Effects - think Monty Python, South Park or Charlie and Lola.
Animation is a long, slow process, which makes it quite expensive. As an animator I have tried out most animation techniques to find the most cost-effective method that doesn't compromise too much on quality.
I believe that digital cut-out animation is the best option. Unlike traditional 2D animation, where every frame is hand drawn, characters are only drawn once. They are then manipulated like a puppet. This sounds similar to stop motion, except every frame isn't animated by hand (and gravity isn't a problem!).
Digital cut-out animation surprisingly has most in common with 3D animation; a character is created once, rigged and animated into key positions using inverse kinematics and the computer does all of the inbetweens. Despite being flat themselves, characters can even exist in 3D space! Unlike 3D there are no long modeling, lighting or texturing processes and rendering takes a fraction of the time.
The main drawback to this technique is that characters are limited to 2D movements, but this is outweighed by the time and cost benefits. Characters are still very emotive and entertaining.
My animated characters are usually constructed in Photoshop or Illustrator, and can be hand drawn or painted, or use photos or vector graphics.
As well as animation, I use AE to create simple motion graphics, or to do basic compositing and rotoscoping.
I also have very basic 3D modeling and animation skills - I can't model, rig and animate Pixar-like characters, but I have made the Earth rotate, tortilla chips dance, lava flow and paper aeroplanes fold themselves.
Similarly, when it comes to stop motion I'm not at Wallace and Gromit level, but can do "cookie cutter animation" (imagine a gingerbread man, coming to life and walking around, whilst still lying flat on a surface. If that makes sense...).
I don't do Disney style, hand drawn animation. Yet...
Areas covered: Worldwide (working remotely)
PPH Certified
Self Certified
by Jude S on 04 Aug 2011
Richard did an absolutely fantastic job for us and was great to work with. Will most definitely be using him again.
by Farren P on 21 May 2010
Excellent in all areas. Will be using again.
by Mairi Jo Cassidy C on 23 Apr 2010
Excellent animation and turned around in super quick time. Will definately use again.
I have undertaken many roles, from illustrator and animator, to compositor and rotoscoper, and I\'m interested in all aspects of animation and film production.
Most recently I completed a series of Glee themed parody animations for a charity concert, featuring Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) as Lady GaGa, Amy Winehouse and Beyonce, as well as dancing with Madonna and Justin Timberlake.
Recent work on two short films included rotoscoping to remove an actor from their background and 2D motion tracking to cover unwanted elements (creases, hair etc).
Prior to this I created an animated sequence for a children\'s theatre company, which involved basic 3D character modeling, rigging, animation and lip sync. It also involved photography to create 2D digital cutout human characters, which I animated and composited within the 3D scene.
I\'ve worked on several other projects, from title sequences to music videos, to animated e-cards, and usually take on several different roles to complete a job.
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