Introduction to Making of: (Walk Cycles)

Nov 2, 2016 For next week's session I have been asked to analyse the walk cycles that I recorded last week. This could not be properly done without some relevant research Eadweard Muybridge Today, Muybridge is known for his pioneering work on animal locomotion ... which used multiple cameras to capture motion in stop-motion photographs, and his zoopraxiscope, a device for projecting motion pictures that pre-dated the flexible perforated film strip used in cinematography.

[Eadweard Muybridge, 2016] Muybridge's works that revolutionised the way film was used to capture static-spot movements. Both scientifically and artistically, these works were way ahead of their time.

Below is an example of a Muybridge photo reel converted into a GIF image:

Videos of myself

Richard Williams This image taken from Richard Williams' The Animator's Survival Kit is a perfect formula for dissecting all walk cycles. This is by observing, that the start and end of a walk cycle composes of mediants/ two contact points (i.e. when each foot touches the ground). There are also two passing positions (higher than the mediant) and a down point (lower than the mediant).

[Williams, 2001]

Analysis of walk cycle reflecting on William's research

I decided I would put this to the test with the video of my own walk cycle.

(Keyframes from the video) In order to explore this theory I roughly photoshopped the keyframes of the video.

(Keyframes stretched out) Then I spaced these key frames out to compensate for the camera movement on the actual footage.

(Drawn key frames with motion path) When I drew out these key frames like the illustration from my Richard Williams research, I found that the same 'down' position and 'up' position follow suit when in relation to the starting and ending 'contact' positions. Thus proving the William's formula correctly. Analysis of jump cycle with references to 12 principles.

This is my secondary video of myself jumping over a chair. I decided I would also try and find any of the 12 principles that I have explored so far in animation 101 in this motion path.

(Photoshopped key frames)

(Drawn key frames)

(Drawings with movement path) After selecting out my keyframes, and drawing out the keyframes, I found that I could easily draw out the motion path line (highlighted in blue). I could then see that the principle of parabolic arcs were at play with the main jump. Many of the frames occur at this point and there is clear evidence that the force of gravity and the force being exerted by myself jumping are at an equilibrium, thus, the main action takes up more frames and creates the illusion that I am in the air for longer than I am, This could also be argued as Ease in and Ease out at that particular peak of the arc.

(Alterante frames 1) Anticipation looms at the start of the motion path, before the arc, with the first quarter of the path remaining at a consistent, same-height plato.

(Alternate frames 2)

There is also evidence of Follow Through Action/ Secondary Action on the last two frames of the motion path, due to my arms swinging forward, to centre my gravity and regain balance as I land on the ground. I'm intrigued to see the findings of my fellow classmates in the next session.