Animal and Creature Animation module

This page is dedicated to my first module in animal and creature animation at the University of Hertfordshire. Here you'll find my progress in various areas. I will be exploring the key animation principles that will showcase my developed knowledge and understanding for dynamics, performance and personality. I will also be focusing on sharing the types of methods I'll be learning as well as any technical challenges I come across and trouble shooting. In this course I will aim to create the best animation to my ability by producing work with the theory I have learnt, and applying it in a creative and technical manner. I hope there will be visible progress in my work throughout the course.

To navigate this page and to view my reference list, blog posts and showreel use the bullet menu on the right or scroll down.

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All of the Showreels during this module

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Feel free to check out my work on Vimeo and my final showreel can be downloaded ( educational purposes only)

Final Reflections: Key Insights from This Module

07/05/25

Upon reflection, since the beginning of this module, I have learned and developed significantly. I have produced a showreel containing various core elements of the principles, showcasing how transferable my skills are with each new animation. I have adopted new methods, techniques, and tools in Maya that have allowed me to push not only my creative skills but also my theoretical and technical skills. My confidence has grown, and I feel capable of animating other animal and creature characters besides those showcased in this module. An area that particularly stood out to me was the quadruped cycles, specifically the horse animations. It was exciting and intriguing to dive into the principles of a horse's walk, trot, and run, as well as horse rearing, from which I felt I learned the most. I have taken the time to analyse the anatomical structures of these animals and have drawn inspiration from research, other animators work, and industry principles and practices.

I can confidently say that I have a full understanding of applying the principles of following through, secondary action, weight and fluidity, squash and stretch, timings and pose to pose, which I hope is evident through my progress. I am pleased with the amount of work I have produced during this time and have taken feedback from to refine my work. As I conclude my work on and creature animations, I am satisfied with the level of work created and the enriching, thorough tutorials provided. I've been able to explore each character and create a story, built my skills and passion for animation and dive into more depth and understanding for this industry and craft. I’m excited to have shared these creations along the way.

Reference List

Abishek Rajan 2 (2022). A Crow Taking Flight Slow Motion @abishekrajan763. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1M8hhHtOqI [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].

Arnott, B. (2018). Leopard Physiology: Why Do They Climb so Well? Londolozi Blog. Available at: https://blog.londolozi.com/2018/09/27/how-do-leopards-climb/ [Accessed 2 Feb. 2025].

Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur. (2016). [Streamed] BBC IPlayer.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary (2016). How Do Butterflies Fly. Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Available at: https://australianbutterflies.com/how-do-butterflies-fly/#:~:text=Rather%20than%20flapping%20their%20wings,Pretty%20clever%2C%20right?! [Accessed 18 Mar. 2025].

Barth, F.G. (2020). A spider in motion: facets of sensory guidance. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, [online] 207(2), pp.239–255. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-020-01449-z.

blackylella (2011). The Black Stallion 01. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2hlWgQxi0Q [Accessed 24 Mar. 2025].

Bowerman, R.F. (1975). The Control of Walking in the Scorpion. Journal of Comparative Physiology, [online] 100(3), pp.183–196. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00614529.

Dinosaurs, M. (2020). Why Can Dinosaurs Walk on Two Legs? | MyDinosaurs. [online] MyDinosaurs. Available at: https://www.mydinosaurs.com/blog/can-dinosaurs-walk-two-legs/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2025].

Equishop (2023). WALK, TROT, CANTER, AND GALLOP – HORSE GAITS. GET TO KNOW ALL OF THEM. Equishop. Available at: https://www.equishop.com/en/blog/walk-trot-canter-and-gallop-horse-gaits-get-to-know-all-of-them-n378 [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].

FilmIsNow Epic Movie Zone (2021). THE LION KING (2019) | Production Material Featurette. [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94e9Y45EIsw [Accessed 3 Feb. 2025].

Finding Nemo. (2003). [Film] Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Hank, P. (2016). Butterflies Flying in Slow Motion HD - Houston Butterfly Museum. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBfJtTm_XD4 [Accessed 18 Mar. 2025].

Horses And More! (2012). Horse Trotting. [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjV59CPv6cM [Accessed 5 Feb. 2025].

Jurassic Park. (1993). [Streamed] Universal Pictures.

Karl Greenwood (2020). How to cope and deal with Rearing Horses. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkERJQGKY2c [Accessed 24 Mar. 2025].

Keane, G. (2021). Interview with Glen Keane on ‘over the moon’. [online] Syncsketch. 21 Jun. Available at: https://blog.syncsketch.com/creator-stories/glen-keane-interview-over-the-moon/ [Accessed 3 Feb. 2025].

Kennedy, M. (2006). ‘Dynamics of Animated Drawing’ by Glen Keane. Temple of the Seven Golden Camels. Available at: https://sevencamels.blogspot.com/2006/05/dynamics-of-animated-drawing-by-glen.html [Accessed 3 Feb. 2025].

Leonti, J. (2014). Behind the scenes: Killer Dinosaurs. [online] Article. 17 Sep. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/tv_radio/killer_dinosaurs/making_of1.shtml [Accessed 20 Apr. 2025].

Lund University (2021). Butterfly Wing Clap Explains Mystery of Flight. [online] www.lunduniversity.lu.se. Available at: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/butterfly-wing-clap-explains-mystery-flight [Accessed 18 Mar. 2025].

Magazine, D. (2009). Galloping Horse in Super Slow Motion. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcD1_jvhc_g.

Muybridge, E. (1881). Attitudes of Animals in Motion. [Photograph] Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/700109 [Accessed 12 Feb. 2025].

Muybridge, E. (1887). Bird in Flight. [Photograph] Available at: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O169780/bird-in-flight-photograph-muybridge-eadweard/#:~:text=This%20sequence%20of%20photographs%20is,Pennsylvania%2C%20USA%2C%20in%201887.&text=The%20South%20Kensington%20Museum%20(later,the%20time%20it%20was%20produced. [Accessed 24 Feb. 2025].

Muybridge, E. (1899). The Trot, Horse ‘Edgington’ and Sulky. [Photography] Available at: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/work-of-art/the-trot-horse-edgington-and-sulky [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].

My Science Blast (2023). Swimming with Jellyfish - Up Close, Personal and Tasty. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySmvbnPXC84 [Accessed 10 Apr. 2025].

Nat Geo WILD (2018). Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z8ujpPgUjI [Accessed 10 Apr. 2025].

Nature Magnified (2021). A Scorpion Walks. [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsq6mxsJslo [Accessed 29 Mar. 2024].

Royal Academy of Arts (1872). Ostrich; Walking. [Collotype on White Wove Paper] Royal Academy. Available at: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/work-of-art/ostrich-walking [Accessed 10 Mar. 2025].

Singer, G. (2002). A Brief History of the Animated Horse. [online] Animation World Network. Available at: https://www.awn.com/animationworld/brief-history-animated-horse.

Space Center Houston (2022). Science in Action: Newton’s Third Law of Motion. [online] Space Center Houston. Available at: https://spacecenter.org/science-in-action-newtons-third-law-of-motion/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2025].

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. (2002). [Streamed] DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Pictures.

The Black Stallion. (1979). [Film] USA: Sony Pictures.

The Lion King. (2019). [Streamed] Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

The Mane Quest (2024a). Adding Horses to Your Game: Tips, Resources, Do’s and Don’ts. The Mane Quest. Available at: https://www.themanequest.com/blog/2024/7/16/adding-horses-to-your-game-tips-resources-dos-and-donts [Accessed 7 Feb. 2025].

The Mane Quest (2024b). Horse Animation: Guides, References and Resources. The Mane Quest. Available at: https://www.themanequest.com/blog/2024/9/6/horse-animation-guides-references-and-resources [Accessed 6 Feb. 2025].

Toy Story. (1995). [Film] Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Wallace & Gromit: a Grand Day out. (1989). [Streamed] BBC.

Whitaker, H., Halas, J. and Sito, T. (2009). Timing for Animation. 2nd ed. New York: Focal Press, pp.106, 107.

WildFilmsIndia (2019). Leopard Walks in the Forest to Survey His Territory. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_3Wpt72Bcs [Accessed 3 Feb. 2025].

Williams, R. (2021). The animator’s survival kit : dialogue, directing, acting and animal action. London: Faber & Faber.

Yellowbrick (2024). The Art of Animating Diverse Species and Creatures. Yellowbrick. Available at: https://www.yellowbrick.co/blog/animation/the-art-of-animating-diverse-species-and-creatures#:~:text=Creature%20animators%20specialize%20in%20bringing,the%20creature%20they%20are%20animating. [Accessed 29 Apr. 2025].

Models and Rigs list

Boxy Butterfly - TruongCG
Crow - animationapprentice.blogpost.com
Dinosaur - Harry Geoghegan
Fox "Ultimate fox tail" - highend3d.com
Horse - Mothman TD
Jellysquid - animationbuffet.blogpost.com
Leopard - TruongCG - Truongcgartist.gumroad.com
Scorpion - Kyle Wood - animationbuffet.com
Spider - Radheshatlar - creativecrash.com

wooden house scene - onkardesai - cgtrader.com
ruin aztec pilar - Marc Mons - Turbosquid.com
bedroom set - laithmaisara - Turbosquid.com
lava lamp - My3D guy - Turbosquid.com
Italian flag pole - Marc Mons - Turbosquid.com
Big Stairs - Marc Mons - Turbosquid.com
Do not enter sign - Marc Mons - Turbosquid.com
Scanned Mountain Rock - PolyCG - Turbosquid.com
Construction concrete fences - Aleksei Subbotin - Turbosquid.com
Fir Tree - Syol - Turbosquid.com
wooden fence and flowers - Erton Zorlu - Turbosquid.com
Plants - xfrog - Trubosquid.com
Snowy terrain - 3dDigital - Turbosquid.com
Skeletal tree - SR Kerala - Turbosquid.com
Free old building - Marc Mons - Turbosquid.com
low poly trees, grass and rocks lite - Just create - Turbosquid.com