All Greyscalegorilla

Cinema 4D Dynamics Test 01

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:48:32 -0400

I was really excited about a new piece by Universal Everything that I decided to try out some of cinema 4Ds dynamic systems with multiple objects. I will definitely be playing with this more. Maybe a tutorial when I figure all this out.

UPDATE
Some of you have been asking about the render times and machine specifics. The final output was 720×405 with Low Global Illumination settings. 150 frames took just over 1 hour. Best Antialiasing settings. 8 core 2.8gb Mac with 8gigs of ram… whew!

Original Video By Universal Everything…

Texturing Objects and Lights in Cinema 4D

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:54:42 -0400

In this tutorial, I will go though the steps in texturing objects in Cinema 4D. I also play with using textures to actually light the scene. I get this specific tutorial request a lot and I decided to just jump in and go though the process without too much set up or goal in mind. With that in mind, let me know what you think.

New Site For Motion Designers And Photographers to Show Off Their Work

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:41:26 -0400

Check out my friend’s new site Creative League. It’s a place to post your best photography, motion design and reels to get noticed and to get work. The site was started to help connect students and freelancers to potential clients and jobs. Upload your best photos or videos and get noticed.

He is also looking for some feedback on the site. Do you have any ideas that would make it easier for potential clients to find you? Drop some feedback in the comments.

State of the Union - GSG Schedule And My Commitment to You

What Sucks And What’s Cool In Photoshop CS4

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:39:45 -0400

In this quick tut, I go though some of the new features in Photoshop CS4 including the new Adjustments tab and the basics of the new 3D tools. I also go over some of the annoying stuff about the new release and how to change it back to the older settings. Tabs? Come on Adobe?

After all that, stay tuned as do a quick color correct in CS4 using the new adjustment layer tools.

Why So Quiet?
Apologies for the quiet cast this time. I recorded it a bit late and didn’t want to bother the neighbors. Passion - Loudness = Slightly less exciting GSG Casts.

Five Second Project - “Old Video Games”

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:04:23 -0400

Welcome to an all new five second projects. This week’s theme is “Old Video Games.” Atari, NES, SEGA, Arcade. It doesn’t matter really. Just help us remember the good old days when Mario ruled the world and first person shooters weren’t around. Create a short project based on the theme and post it in the comments to be entered into the contest.

Why Should You Enter? Check out the video…

How Do I Enter?

1. Create a five second animation based on the theme.
2. Upload your video to Vimeo. Don’t forget to add a link back to this blog post.
3. Post a link to this posts comment thread and I will add it to the Channel.
4. Deadline is July 13th

What Are Five Second Projects?
We all want to make cool shit for our reel right? Sometimes you just need a theme to get you started… Some rules to fight against. Use the theme “Old Video Games” to make a five second motion piece and link it in the comments of this blog post. “Shout Box” submissions will not be found and will not be added to the channel. Please be sure to post a link in this post’s comments to ensure me seeing it.

It’s really great to see so much participation. Tell a friend about the five second projects and get them involved too. Don’t forget to push yourself to try something new every week. What about a new piece of software or technique you have wanted to try? Take control of your creative output and Make Cool Shit!

Check out the entries here or visit the Vimeo Channel…

Learning Design: The Art Of Making Things Look Less Crappy Over Time

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:08:11 -0400

UPDATE: Looks like there may be some Video Issues for some of you. I will update the video with a new version as soon as It’s re-uploaded to Vimeo. Sorry for any problems.

In this video, I answer two questions that I get all the time. The first is “What is that font that you use all the time?” The answer to that one is simple… GOTHAM. I love it! Go buy it already!

The second question is “How Do I Learn How To Design?” The answer to that one isn’t so easy. Design is a hard thing to teach. It’s tedious, subjective, and is only done when you say it’s done. There is no “finished” with design. There is just “That looks good, I’ll stop now.” If I had to sum up the process of design in one sentance, It would be…

Move stuff around until it doesn’t look like shit anymore.

At least, that was the conclusion after making this video. :)

I figured, the best way to learn about how to design was to watch me struggle though the process and try out different things until it looked right. It’s a half an hour of me moving type, trying out colors, playing with composition, with the only goal being to just make something that looks cool. Did I succeed? Eh…. It’s not my favorite thing I ever made, but its good for thirty minutes of work. I guess thats the point anyway. Great Design isn’t made by following directions, it’s made by trying a million solutions until you run out of time and picking the best looking one.

I will definitely get more into specific design concepts and techniques later. But, for now, just get in there and start making mistakes.

What is your design process?

AE + Simple Shapes + 1000 Keyframes = CRAZY ENOUGH

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:49:24 -0400

Proof that all you need are simple shapes (and some great animation chops) to make an incredible animation. Check out this Student-made Title Sequence. It was animated in After Effects using thousands of keyframes. Notice how the shapes look alive. It’s like a Bugs Bunny cartoon with squares and circles! Great work.

UPDATE:
Jr Canest was nice enough to share some screenshots of his AE comp with us. Check out all those keyframes! That’s what it takes to get that level of animation. It’s not scripts, nor expressions, nor plugins. It’s raw keyframe talent.

Nolan On Doing It… NOW

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:08:21 -0400

The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today.

- Nolan Bushnell

Six Reasons Why YOU should join the Five Second Projects

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:08:52 -0400

Can’t see the video? Go to GreyscaleGorilla.com

The Five Second Projects were created to give you an opportunity to make cool shit for your animation portfolio every week. I wanted to post six more reasons why YOU should make a Five Second Project at any skill level… Watch the video to see all six reasons.

Yellow And Red

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:33:00 -0400

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