BlueSky – Ice Age 2

3DVF : Do you used some reference in nature ?

 

Aaron Hartline: Sure, with Scrat the animation director filmed a lot of squrrirels in the park. The department sat down and watched it as he explained the motion he wanted to achieve. Also, Diego the sabertooth tiger, we went to the zoo and watched a lot of tigers interact with one another.

I think the only reference we didn’t use from nature was for Sid the sloth.
Sloths are soo slow, that there really isn’t anything we could grab from , so rather, we came up with our own movement for Sid just by listening to the actor’s voice performance.

 

 

 

 

3DVF : What softwares package do you use for animate Scrat ?

 

Aaron Hartline: We used MAYA on linux machines

 

3DVF : Would you have some councils to give to Cg users who wanted increase their animation knowledge?

 

Aaron Hartline: I’d say learn the fundamentals 1st, that is the most important. Then get as much feedback of your work as possible. It’s always good to show your work, even if it’s not finished yet. In animation, it’s a very collaborative effort to make one of these films, you have to be open to ideas and changes.
Everyone is trying to make each others work for the better.

 

 

 

 

3DVF : How did you create humour in the movment ?

 

Aaron Hartline: That’s a good question and a bit of a hard one to answer. Watch the masters such as Chaplin, or some really great Looney Tunes cartoons. Also, again – show your work. If people die laughing when they see it, great it working.
But if not, then get as many ideas as you can, if their idea is funny, then use it.

 

 

 

 

3DVF : What is the most complex thing in this case ? Why ?

 

Aaron Hartline: That kind of animation is so subtle. Its all in the little things, like the eyes. Or a slight shoulder shrug. Comedy is tough but it’s usually broad enough that everyone can read it, but with drama, you really have to concentrate on the acting. The emotion. I love that stuff !

 

 

 

 

3DVF : What is your mind about evolution of Cg software?

 

Aaron Hartline: When I first started back in ’94, I was on a PC that when I spinned around the model, I had to wait for the wireframe to load up. I was so happy when I could make something move while it was shaded!!
Nowadays, that’s not even a concern. I think that the computers will always get faster and faster, and the artists will always be complaining it not fast enough as we continue to push it to its limits.

In videogames, they boast these big better systems each year. But I feel that its gotten to a point where it comes down to artistry. Sure its great now you can see shadows that animate real time, but some early games are more beautiful simply because of the artists involved, not the system. Look at Earthworm Jim, sure it is old and flat animation, but those characters are so appealing and fun to play, the animation is beautiful to watch.

 

 

 

 

3DVF : Do you dream to a particular tool witch will be able to increase your workflow or your creation process?

 

Aaron Hartline: We always joke about a button that says ‘ANIMATE THIS SHOT!’
No, not really. I am happy just animating my slow way. Just give me a character and the piece of dialogue from the actor and I am happy.

 

 

 

 

3DVF : Some personal project ?

 

Aaron Hartline: I have a idea for a personal project. Im hoping to pitch it to BlueSky / FOX this summer for a possible short film. We shall see!

 

 

 

 

3DVF : Would you have councils for young Cg user to make their first short ? Aaron Hartline: Don’t go to complex. I have seen guys get hired from just a stick figure animating. If that stick figure can come to life, and moves beautifully, then that is enough. Don’t get bogged down in everything else such as modelling, textures, etc. If you want to be a animator, then focus just on animation!

3DVF : For ending, have you some little words for Cg French Artist and 3DVF readers ? Aaron Hartline: Thanks for having me! Its great to speak to people around the world about animation. This job is a dream come true, and being able to share my love of this art form, it’s a privilege!

 

 

3DVF: Thanks so much for your time 🙂