fa_fallen_ye said:
First animation ever and first time I've ever used Flash ¬.¬ so no I haven't studied human movements or anything like that, nice criticism very constructive.
That's a poor excuse. Let me put it another way; Do you even know what animation is? Animation is trying to create movement in a convincing manner. There's a big difference between creating something that moves, and creating movement. There's rules and there's tricks. Anticipation. Stretch-'n-squash. And many many more. Now you're probably going to make another poor excuse by saying it's meant to be cartoony or that you have "your own style", but that's an even worse thing to say. You cannot develop your own style if you have not tried to understand why established styles work. And judging from the fact that this is your first animation, I can tell that you have not.
To cartoonify is to stylize and simplify. How can you simplify something as complex as an emotion or a movement if you have not studied the actual thing? How can you capture the essence of a footstep in just 3 frames if you have not studied an actual foot? Sure you can try, but you will very VERY rarely succeed. And if you do succeed, it is by luck only.
The reason your excuse is a very poor one is this; Imagine someone you knew was to say "Hey Faye, I'm going to make you an apple pie!", and then presented you a hot dish with a tablespoon of sugar and a banana peel on it. You'd tell him it does not look anything like an apple pie, and you'd ask him if he's even looked up how to make one. Don't argue, you would. Unless he's only 2 years old and your child. Then you'd just say he's cute, put him to bed and clean up the mess. But I digress.
You've obviously done some research if only by just watching other stuff on the sewer that is Newgrounds, but your project is never going to convince anyone who's looked into animation if you can't show you understand at least the basics.
This has nothing to do with story, humor, target audience or whatever. You've attempted to create something without first understanding what it is you're trying to create. And I called you out on it. Saying it's your first attempt won't do. Practice by animating a bouncing ball. Or a stick figure jumping. Stick figures are an excellent way to practice animation, because they let you focus on the movement only. There's no point in dressing your figures up with beards, or even eyes and mouths if you haven't gotten the action right. They'll only serve to amplify the poor quality beneath.
Now I do owe you an apology because I have no idea what kind of school you're going to and if it's a place where they actually expect you to understand animation, but if you enjoy doing it and actually want to get somewhere with it, I suggest you learn this lesson. Believe me when I say I've also had my share of harsh criticisms to deal with. Any developing artist has. But they are essential to your progress, and if you can keep it up you'll understand this.
After all, you did 'desperately' want comments. Don't scream you're hungry if you're gonna choke on a mouthful, you'll be alright.
