Layout and Live Action Reference - Creature Animation module

Live Action Reference in Maya

After collecting all the reference I needed for this animation I thought it would be useful to import it into Maya using free image planes. This also helped me figure out composition and camera movements, even though the reference matches most of the acting I wanted for my story the fact that there is no transition between videos was a very hard thing to tackle. In creature animation it is vital to have a live action reference, even though you shouldn't copy pixel by pixel the live action reference (as this might result in a 'boring' piece) it is important to get the timing and overall feel of the animal to make it believable.

Layout

Above you will see the basic layout of the cat rig moving in space in relation to the live action reference.

Poses