Eddie Hoyle - Portfolio

New project

2012-01-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been working on another podcast animation with some friends of mine. I don't want to say who or what the subject of the animation is just yet, but I can share some pictures. You can find these at:

www.facebook.com/balltiggy
https://twitter.com/#!/Balltiggy
www.balltiggy.com

They're all pretty much hosting the same stuff for now, but thought I may as well share all of the links. Balltiggy is the name I like to release my cartoons/shortfilms under, I've only made one so far, that was an animation for Hamish and Andy back in 2010. I also had my computer stolen last year and I lost all of my work on future episodes for that series, so decided to just leave it.

The next animation I'm working on features the talents of 3 of my good friends. Mike Glasswell on animation, Anand Hira on sound and Mike Hardcastle on post. This means I can to focus all of my energy on art direction and my other love; rigging! We're about to begin our first phase of animation next week, all storyboards, rigs and backgrounds are ready to go. I'm very excited and I hope it is received well as it's been super fun to make.

New character!

2011-12-13T03:44:00.000-08:00

Been working on a new character model in my spare time, hoping to use this little guy as my first character rig so I can try out some bits and pieces. So far he's coming along great! Still very early, but you can kinda see some of his personality shining through. He's a little adventurer.

Designs were done by my pal, Jesse Oldershaw.

Installing PyQT on OSX

2011-10-29T04:17:00.000-07:00

Here are two websites I found very helpful with installing PyQT on my Mac.

http://www.oak-tree.us/blog/index.php/2009/05/12/pyqt-mac

This tutorial would seem like the installation is pretty straight forward... however I ran into some trouble where I couldn't install PyQT4 in the terminal due to an annoying error. I eventually came across this site:

http://www.pythonsummerschool.net/mac_pyqt.html

...and it worked! Here is a link to a forum post I made which has a lot more information on what was happening and what platform I was using.

EDIT:
Or... you could head over here and read this post:
http://www.justinfx.com/2011/11/09/installing-pyqt4-for-maya-2012-osx/

Inside is a fantastic little package that does everything for you from one install! Awesome.

D'aww, my first script.

2011-10-23T23:12:00.000-07:00

I've been learning Python for a few months now and have been really enjoying it. To start off this new section of my blog, here is my first script I've written here at home! It's written in Python, using the PyMEL module.

This script will take what ever you have selected, group and add a '_Group' suffix. Very simple, but I use it often.

import pymel.core as pm
import maya.OpenMaya as om
 
# List our selection
sel = pm.ls(sl=1)
 
# Check to see if you have objects selected or not.
if len(sel) < 1:
    # No objects selected? Display this message.
    om.MGlobal.displayError("No objects selected.")
else:
    # 1 or more objects selected? Group all of them and 
    # add  '_Group' suffix
    for item in sel:
        pm.group(item, n=str(item) + "_Group")
        om.MGlobal.displayInfo("Objects grouped!")

It took me a while to get that Syntax Highlighter script working, but it was worth it. Click the little question mark in the top right of the code to find out more. Fantastic!

Update!

2011-09-25T04:24:00.000-07:00

Oh man it's been a while since I've written here, oops!

I've been living in Auckland for a few months now and really enjoying rigging. At first, like with most new things, it was very frustrating getting settled in and having to learn a new job. But now, I can happily say that I've found my new passion. Animation was fun, but there's something about the problem solving side of rigging and working alongside animators to make beautiful user friendly rigs that makes this so much more satisfying to me.

I spend each day setting up props, both small and large for Penguins of Madagascar and Robot and Monster, two shows that air on Nickelodeon. This usually involves simple tasks like wire deformers, lattices, FK setups, squash and bend deformers too. Sometimes, I'll get to rig a stretchy IK spline with secondary deformers... oh boy, what a treat! Now and then we have to setup entire sets too, which involves a lot of making new proxy geo, testing UVs and adding in rigs where needed.

During my spare time, I've been focusing on learning Python as much as I can. I do a little bit of MEL now and then, but mostly Python as I find it's a more interesting language to read/write. So far I've written a few of my own scripts which I'll be uploading to my scripts page when I get around to it. They aren't very complicated and often tailored directly to how I work, but using these scripts has sped up my workflow by an enormous amount. I've been trying to get into programming best I can as I can see how beneficial (if not essential) it is going to be further down my career path.

I haven't really given up animation, I still do some 2D stuff now and then with my flatmate on projects we share. I sometimes make little 3D tests with my rigs, but just haven't done too much more with it. Oh yeah, speaking of animation, I got my Wotwot's - Season 2 footage sent to me in the mail! It's so great to see my old work, especially since it was my first 3D job and over a year ago. I loved working on that show! Met so many cool people and learned an enormous amount.

My goals over the next few months is to get some of my scripts online and start planning out some character rigs. Hell, I'd love to release a free rig to the community one day! Hopefully when I'm a better.

Feb update

2011-02-21T18:33:00.000-08:00

I've been freelancing for the past 6 weeks working on a few projects in Aussie. One was a couple of lip sync exercises for a small studio in Sydney and the other is an ad campaign in Bunubry, Western Aussie for a company called Weathersafe. I've been busy with making 4 new TV ads for them and so far I'm really enjoying it. It's basically made just like the Hamish and Andy toon I did a while ago, but with a bit more screen activity and vibrant colours.

Also moving up to Auckland in two weeks! Got a new job as a set/prop rigger at Oktobor working on various shows for Nickelodeon which is pretty rad, perfect for me as I want to take my career slightly away from animation and work more towards learning rigging, ultimately ending in pre-vis or layout. Animation is fun, but I can manage that in my own time while learning new things in a professional environment.

I'll post up the TV ads when I finish them all and the boss is happy with them. Hopefully in the new few months, they take a wee while to make! The best thing about getting a new job is finally having the willpower and time to make more personal stuff in my spare time. I have been waiting to make new Hamish and Andy toons and so many short films are sitting ready in my secret ideas book waiting to be made. 2011 is gonna be a busy year, I can't wait to share things with you again, internet (L).

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T16:27:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!

I have eaten too much ham and it's not even dessert time yet. Update time though...

I was contacted by Hamish and Andy about funding a 12 episode web series over 16 weeks for next year, but emails stopped coming in and I'm guessing they found someone else to make 'em or got bored with the idea. Soooo! I'll go back to making my episodes in my spare time (read: gonna take ages). I'm about half way through episode 2, I'll finish it off next year some time.

I've just finished up a 6 week animation course over at AnimSchool. I was lucky enough to be accepted into the beta testing team, a classroom of students from around the world who helped test the technology and general use of the website. It all went fantastic! This is what I ended up with after finishing my class.

Oh, an idea came to me the other day while working on the family farm. I've taken a few steps towards writing my very own short film! It's still in the very early stages of development, but I'm liking where it's going so far. It's about salt and pepper arguing over who is liked most on what food. Pepper is a bit of a dick.

So... year! Not much to show these days, it's all .mb files and WIP pieces of animation. Sigh. Oh wait, look! I drew this for Cory a while ago for his second comic book.

See ya later, internet friends.

I'm back... kinda!

2010-10-19T02:44:00.000-07:00

Last day of work tomorrow. It's been amazing, I've learned a helluva lot.

Just launched Balltiggy, a new creative outlet to keep me busy. Check out the first episode of Hamish and Andy!

That's all from me for now, I'll be updating again soon. Byeeee

Just quickly

2010-07-16T05:59:00.001-07:00

Going to a weekend Python class taught by Taylor Carrasco, Animation TD from Weta Digital. Lots to learn this weekend!

Update on Hamish and Andy project, just playing with colours and ironing out issues with the rigs.

Next comes the other backgrounds and the bird rig.

Projects

2010-07-14T04:55:00.000-07:00

Ages ago, I started planning out a short 90 second clip from the Hamish and Andy show. I wanted to animate one of the stories they end up telling each other, so I found a clip in one of their podcasts about a bird who walks across a telephone line, instead of flying. Andy witnesses this and isn't impressed.

Here is a test image of where I'm at in terms of progress. All characters rigged and tested, assets drawn and backgrounds roughed. I'm due to start animating next weekend, as I'm busy this weekend being a nerd and learning Python (yay!) - but when I do start animation, I'll be able to crank out 90 seconds or so of animation hopefully within the month.

Toy Story 3 is amazing, also life drawing on Tuesday and Thursdays is great too. Ahh, it's 12:04am. I should be in bed, work tomorrow!

Fat bee

2010-07-02T06:13:00.001-07:00

Today while eating lunch with Ruby, a bee landed on the custard pie she was eating.

She accidentally bumped the pie as she broke some off, this clearly upset our new bee friend.

What a rude bee.

So excited!

2010-05-23T01:05:00.001-07:00

Oops, it's been a while since I've written here.

NEWS:
* Documentary is all done! It's going to be air mid June some time. Struggled through the final stages, but learned lots during the journey.
* Bought a Canon 500D which I am really enjoying. Decided to give photography a try and now I'm spending my weekends taking pictures and learning how things work. Currently shooting through a 18-55mm lens, gonna buy some more lenses as I get better.
* Worked at Tangata Whenua TV for a few months on a show about animals. I was using a program called Anime Studio 6, both rigging and animating characters. I was working there until two weeks ago when suddenly ... I got a job at Weta!
* Started working for Weta on a TV show called The WotWots! I'm working as an animator on season two of the show and absolutely loving it. Hard work, but definitely awesome.

So! In short, now I'm living in Wellington with two bags of clothes, a camera and my bike. Everything is fantastic! I don't have a computer at the moment so I can't upload recent work/drawings/animation/photos. I'll be buying a laptop soon when I move into my new flat, then I'll share some new stuff. Exciting!

New job!

2010-03-02T20:22:00.000-08:00

Doco is almost done! Putting on final touches through out this week.

Starting a new job tomorrow working with my buddies Mikey and Dane at Tangata Whenua Television. Working in Flash and animating short stories for kids.

This will be my first time I've worked in Flash professionally, so I've been cramming my head with revision and learning as much as I can before tomorrow.

Tests are fun!

25 days

2010-01-25T03:46:00.000-08:00

25 more days left and I'll be finished the documentary! I'm pretty happy with the progress and how everything is looking. I'm looking forward to getting this done and getting back into 3D. I miss Maya! :(

My buddy Rick has been helping me out with some backgrounds for this project as well. I provide him with the layout, he sends them back completed. Here's an example of where we're headed with the first sequence of 3.

Then after a few moments in AfterEffects, we end up with something like this:

SH002_BG.mov
(4.3mb)

Not what I'd call final, but gives a good example of where I'd like to head with all of this!

OK, time for bed.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-28T18:21:00.000-08:00

Oh my, been a very long time since I have updated this place!

Lately, I've been working at home on tidying up my portfolio. I've set myself a deadline to try get everything sorted by early next year, including new website, demo reel and business cards, etc! So far things are coming along well, but still a while to go yet.

I've also been working on a project resulting in me working from home for the next 6 or so weeks. I can't say much about it just yet, but I'm tasked with doing 90 seconds of animation with a lot of creative freedom. It's a bit daunting, but it's coming along well. Attached are some story boards I did to help give me a feeling of some of the scenes I need to create.

Will be posting more work in the new year as I get them done for my portfolio. Until then, Happy holidays, everyone!

Butts

2009-09-14T04:59:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update tonight, I should be in bed! Did a drawing of a friend while talking to her over the interbutt. 20 min sketch. Hi Kate!

Also did some doodles for my brother, he wants a design to have printed on a T-shirt for his mates stag-do party. His nick name is apparently 'Jonny No Bum'. So far its been pretty fun thinking of ways to show this, will post finished version soon!

Current work contract finishes soon which is a bit of a shame. I've been enjoying myself while helping the class of ANFEB09. Ahh well, I'm moving onto a small freelance job, working with 2 other guys animating a series of clips for a documentary. Pretty cool opportunity (thanks, Aleks). 2 more months of employment, yay.

Cafe animation scene is almost done, just tidying up the second half of the animation, then onto lighting and rendering! Hooray. New scene involving the Goon rig is also being worked on, but that is ages away from anything.

Holidays are good.

2009-08-23T02:06:00.001-07:00

Graduated last Thursday from Uni. Finally got my piece of paper that said 'Eddie can use computers' and some other little surprises too which will go nice on my CV.

Saw District 9 (awesome) and the Avatar 15 min free preview on Sunday at the cinema (really awesome). Inspired me to get back in Maya, spend some time working on some new animation since I haven't really done much lately. Teaser image below!

Touched up my walk cycle. After spending some time away from it, I can see a couple of things that I need to fix. I'll call it finished for now, will address minor issues later. Also, need to work on colours for rendering out as movie. H264 codec severely lowers saturation when I compile. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? Either way, I need to fix. Although small file sizes are nice, I'd rather have more colour.

Nothing much else to report. Starting work again as a tutor this Friday, should give me enough time to get some new scenes done and help fund my next mass mail-out of DVD's looking for a job, hehe.

Hello

2009-07-24T05:42:00.000-07:00

I found some time this week to attempt a walk cycle animation. I wanted to make a plain and simple walk cycle, before trying bigger and more ambitious things with Moom.

The mail room clip I planned out two posts ago got very boring, very quickly. I need to sort out my concepts and not use scenes that don't interest me past the drawing stage. Walk cycles are quick and fun, usually taking about a day to finish, with rendering and post work done the following day.

Anyway, heres the link. Click me!

Still a couple of tweaks to be made, I think his contact 'jolt' is a bit too violent. Also his arms still don't look natural to me.

3 weeks left at work. Hopefully starting new job right after working with pals Mikey and Dane. Also, tractor is rigged, fat kid is abandoned (poor design on my behalf). Only small projects in the works at the moment, meaning I actually finish them. :>

I hate winter.

2009-07-14T03:56:00.001-07:00

I'm in town at work, right? I get inspired, loads of ideas, characters and colours flying around my head, I get excited about leaving work and racing home to splash these ideas into Photoshop! Arriving home, I remember my bedroom is a FREEZER. It's WARMER OUTSIDE most of the time, completely destroying any and all previous inspiration. I hate winter, I can't wait for Summer to come back so I can draw in my room again, with out having to wear gloves.

Tonight I forced myself to try and sit in front of Photoshop and draw, this is what I ended up with. I'd really like to enter the HCM challenge over at CGTalk, hopefully I can get some more work done and then I can actually give it a decent go.

Apologies for the excessive use of noise. I don't like it either, but it's late. I'll fix it another day.

Also; job is great, learning lots and really enjoying this 'eating when I'm hungry because I CAN AFFORD IT NOW. YES. AWESOME.'

Until next update (unless my hands haven't frozen and snapped off in the mean time).

Some time off.

2009-06-17T03:10:00.000-07:00

This past week I've had some time off from class, so thought I'd try make some stuff.

First up, new character time. Aiming for just a head for now, rigged with curves and points of influence, rather than having blend shapes. Well, I'll try mix the two, but I'd like to learn more about a different type of facial setup as I already know the basics of blend shapes.

He's a bit red, probably because I'm a bit noob with using misss_fast_skin_maya shader and it's many options. Anyway, he's very fresh, with lots of optimising and character waiting to be sculpted into him.

My tractor has also had a revamp, now with (almost) working suspension and stretchy bits and pieces. Check it out here.

Also my animation using Moom (re: previous post) is keyed out, I'll be moving through animation passes with I find the time. I'm trying to stay busy with multiple projects so as not to lose interest in individual pieces.

Progress!

2009-05-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

Awesome week is awesome.

I substituted the Gnomon DVD with a DVD by Jeremy Birn on lighting and shadows, definitely a good watch. Only about 1/4 through the lessons, will be watching the rest of them this weekend.

Also have been planning out a new scene to animate using Moom. I drew up a concept of a scene, then a few doodles of some of the action that will take place.

Blocked out the scene in Maya.

Also, I start work at my new job on Tuesday! Woohoo! I'll be working as a tutor assistant at the university I just finished from. It's only part time, but it's a start. Gonna be great! :D

Woop.

2009-05-25T05:31:00.000-07:00

My previous blog had to be wiped because of me being stupid. I remembered I had this Blogger account from years ago and decided to use it instead! Check out the post below, it's from like, 2007 when I was playing around in Anime Studio Pro. That program is pretty cool, but I lost interest in it too quickly to get anywhere.

I posted some fan art I did of Go Girls on my old blog, so have added them again to this one.

Goals for this week:
* Work on Burger Fuel prospectus drawings.
* Watch the Gnomon outdoor lighting DVD.
* Plan out a new scene to animate in 3D for demo reel.

I've also finished watching a DVD on learning the Fundamentals of Mental Ray. There is so much I want to do with it. For now, a beginners render using Moom will have to do.

2007-10-08T03:46:00.000-07:00

Just testing in Anime Studio 5.

Fun D: