Using Live Action to Create Great Animation at Vimeo

Edward Muybridge led the way in the 1850s

The Escape Studios Vimeo Tutorial Channel is our main hub for our animation and VFX video tutorials, making it easy for our students to find tutorials to support their classroom studies.  

One challenge for all of our animation students is how to use live action reference to create great animation - as well as MoCap animation. 

Below is a list of our animation tutorials showing how live action reference and MoCap can be the animator's best friend.

Using Live Action Reference for Animation

How to Import Live Action into Maya 
Importing live action onto an image plane into Maya for use as reference, by Alex Williams
https://youtu.be/xaO6PQ6C940
Also see this blog post on the use of live action reference in animation

Animate a Character Throwing a Ball

Learn how to animate a character throwing a ball with Alex Williams
This tutorial uses the free Morpheus rig, and also explores how to use live action reference to create believable animation.
https://vimeo.com/showcase/7385962

Use Live Action to Animate a Character Dancing

Use Live Action to Animate "Monty" Dancing "Riverdance" - just like Michael Flatley.  With Alex Williams

https://vimeo.com/showcase/9364237

For more on how to animate a character dancing, read this blog post.

Animate a Horse Rearing Using Live Action Reference

This video tutorial shows how to animate a horse rearing using live action reference, to create believable animation.

https://vimeo.com/showcase/8900385

With Alex Williams.

To see more, read this blog post here.

Live Action Reference Resources at Escape Studios
For more resources on how to use live action reference, follow the links below:

• Animate a character dancing using live action
• Using Live Action Reference to Create Animation
• How to Film Animals for Live Action
• Animate a character throwing a ball using live action reference
• Great camera tripod for shooting live action reference
• Endless Reference for Animators
• How do animators use live action to create believable animation?

Motion Capture Animation

Using and Adapting Motion Capture
Animating with Motion Capture data by Steven Lall
https://vimeo.com/album/5605446
For more on the Motion Capture tutorial by Steven Lall, read this blog post.

Motion Capture Retargeting
MoCap retargeting with Amedeo Beretta
https://vimeo.com/356232162
For more on MoCap retargeting, read this blog post.

Tips and Tricks for MoCap

Tips and Tricks for MoCap with Amedeo Beretta.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR-ZVbu0YBk&list=PLxk6jMxEsFn7yh9lXWO4woP19Mc1T3Axx&index=21

MoCap Resources at Escape Studios
For more on Animating with MoCap, read this blog post. 

Vimeo Channel

You can find the rest of our Vimeo Tutorials at the main Vimeo Channel page here.

Resources on Planning Character Animation

Still image from "A Long Way Home"

For more resources on how to plan character animation (including how to use thumbnail sketches and use live action reference), follow these links:

• How to Plan a Pantomime Shot
• How to Animate a Dialogue Shot
• Body Language for Animators
• Nine Ways to Create a Great Animation Pose
• Why thumbnail sketches need facial expressions
• Medusa Thumbnails by Milt Kahl
• Thumbnail sketches by Pixar's Victor Navone
• Thumbnailing Mrs Copperbottom from "Robots" with Alexander Williams
• Thumbnailing "Boog" from "Open Season" with Alex Williams
• How to Use Live Action Reference to Plan Animation

The Escape Studios Vimeo Tutorial Channel

The Escape Studios Vimeo Tutorial Channel is our main hub for our animation and VFX video tutorials, making it easy for our students to find tutorials to support their classroom studies.  Our tutorials cover Animation, 3D VFX,  Compositing, Rigging, Motion Graphics, Storyboarding & Character Design, Unreal Engine and Cinematography. 

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To find out more about our new BA/MArt, now recruiting for September 2023, follow this link.   To apply, visit the official page here.