Tech Directions - May 2008 - (Page 27)

The Job Animators receive a list of all the activities the creature or character will perform within a game or movie sequence, and then create a series of appropriate movements for them. A good knowledge of anatomy is required—especially knowing how muscles and bones interact. In addition to natural movement, a lot of character development can take place in animation. How a character or creature moves within a scene—whether strutting, strolling, or staggering, for example—reveals character. Rather than duplicating movements with hand drawings (often a complex task) motion capture is frequently used to achieve very believable movement. In a motion capture studio, sensors are placed on key spots of an actor’s body. The actor performs the desired movement and his skeletal information is captured, imported into a graphics package, then manipulated by the animator. This process is expensive, but it results in the most accurate depiction of the human body in motion, and is now widely used for sports games, as well as fighting and action games. There are two basic types of animation: 3D and 2D. The 3D animator creates an armature, which is the skeleton of the creature or character. The armature includes data that defines the angles at which each joint may move and for what distance. The animator then creates a 3D model of the character’s surface and attaches it to the armature, showing how all the parts move in relation to each other. Defining these details and creating and testing animation cycles for walking, running, climbing, and other actions the character performs are the job of the 3D animator. The two leading 3D animation tools used in the game industry are 3D Studio Max and Maya. Two-dimensional animation is much simpler. These images are used for creating textures and user interface elements, such as menus, buttons, icons, and other items that appear in the game but do not require a 3D model. They are also used as backgrounds in static screens, transitions between game-play modes, maps, inventories, and dashboard instruments. Tools used by 2D animators include PhotoShop, Illustrator, and Corel’s Graphics Suite. Working Conditions Animators work primarily indoors at one location. They work with pens, pencils, and paper as well as computers, scanners, and other high-tech equipment. The environment is usually casual, but busy, and often fast paced. A 40-hour workweek is typical, although overtime work is often required to complete a project on schedule or to fix problems. Because this is a creative environment, artistic disagreements arise from time to time and egos can be involved. Animators generally sit at computers for extended periods and may experience back pain, eyestrain, or fatigue. Some animators work independently as contractors, but most are employed as part of a game developer group. Most jobs are located on the East and West Coast; those just starting out may need to relocate to get employment. In addition, animators frequently change jobs within the industry, which helps them gain experience, as well as work on a variety of projects to advance their careers. Internships ARG! Cartoon Animation www.citystar.net/careers/animation_intern.html ARG! Cartoon Animation has an International Cartoon Animation Internship Program. The program is highly selective. You need to be able to draw from life and be willing to commit a minimum of six weeks to working and learning in the Colorado Springs studio. If you make the maximum commitment of 26 weeks in the program, you will emerge as a studio-trained assistant animator. Virtual, telecommuting internships are also offered. Nickelodeon Animation Studio Internship Program www.mtvncareers.com An internship at Nicktoons can launch you on an exciting career in children’s entertainment. Nicktoons produces such programs as Sponge Bob Square Pants, Avatar, Cat Scratch, Danny Phantom, and Oh Yeah Cartoons. An internship in the Burbank, CA, studio is a hands-on experience. Professional Associations Employment Prospects The U.S. Department of Labor estimates employment for artists and animators will grow about as fast as the average through 2014. Those within the industry see a bright future as the demand for games continues to grow steadily and technologies make new kinds of games possible. Competition is strong since many creative and technically savvy people want to be part of this business. Animation World Network http://awn.com International Game Developers Association www.igda.org For information on the industry, software developments, and job postings Game Developer Magazine www.gdmag.com www.techdirections.com CAREER DIRECTIONS 27 http://www.citystar.net/careers/animation_intern.html http://www.mtvncareers.com http://awn.com http://www.igda.org http://www.gdmag.com http://www.techdirections.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - May 2008

Tech Directions - May 2008 Contents Technically Speaking Direct from Washington The News Report Mastering Computers Technology's Past Technology Today Road to Success - Service Learning Enhances Tech Ed Experience Balsa Tower Walls Brave 'Big Buster' These Kids Are Really on the Ball - Inventors Competition Winners School Web Site of the Month Animator Career Exploration Tools Guide Index to Volume 67 More than Fun

Tech Directions - May 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.