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Getting a good blocking pass is essential for getting your ideas across fast. However, I see lots of students struggle with exactly what a blocking pass is and how to start your animation. I commonly start in Spline Blocking, which I think is the fastest way to build a scene while keeping control of every pose. In this time-lapse I show you every key I set and talk through my thought process as I go. I use default maya and no plugins. If you haven't seen my previous video on how I set up this scene, go watch that first! Thank you and happy animating! 0:00 Intro 0:50 First Pose 1:55 Blocking on 8s 3:25 Blocking in AutoSpline. 4:39 Show Mentor in Stepped! 5:55 Get the COG Smooth Motion Trails 7:50 Good first pass to show Mentor/director 8:38 Build in your overlap 11:56 Don't neglect posing 13:00 Reference Tips 13:52 Reblocking Trick 15:32 Remember the bouncing ball 16:10 My reference mistake - Don't waste time! 18:00 Check every angle 18:40 Always check poses! 19:40 Be comfortable deleting poses 22:35 Remember the 12 Rules of Animation 23:38 My struggles with becoming an Animator 24:35 Remember where the weight is 26:55 Keep in mind what body part is leading the action. 27:49 Don't have unanimated/flat curves 29:30 Outro
