marvinmelendezanimationblogs

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

40 Best Stop-Motion Animation Movies of All Time 05/15/25

The film I watched on the list is The Boxtrolls (2014). Boxtrolls was created by LAIKA. I think the animation is expressive, making the characters feel alive with the stop-motion puppets. One of the things that stands out about this film is its use of effects combined with technology. LAIKA has mastered stop-motion with 3D-printed facial expressions. The film also shows how animation is unique by bringing stories to life in a way. The characters seem to look realistic to me, and overall, the film was very well executed. I think it relates to the class, and it will help us with timing for other projects.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Parallax Background 05/09/25

I started making my parallax background for my final. I honestly liked the background I created. I think the trees and grass will help make an illusion when I start animating. I think I need to work on the sky somehow so I will try to see if I can make the sky more gradient.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Animation Magazine Article Review 05/02/25

The article I ended up choosing is "Let's Get Looney! 'The Day the Earth Blew Up' Official Trailer Drops with News Still'" The reason I picked this article is because I have always been inspired by Warner Bros, especially The Looney Tunes. I think it would relate to the class as it would show examples of how a studio is trying to revive classics for modern audiences. I think it inspires me that you can bring back any old work and always try to revive it in any way possible.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Character Design Tips 04/25/25

I read the article 33 expert design tips by Rosie Hilder. One tip shared in the article is that you shouldn't be afraid to make changes. The example that was used was Hilda by Luke Pearson. You can see the design for Hilda has changed from 2012 and 2016. Changing the design isn't a bad thing. I think it gives the character more personality as the characters we make evolve. The character is evolving in different directions as time goes on. Another tip shared is to research characters. While researching characters, it helps you gain inspiration for future projects, and can be beneficial to see what you can create.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Attitude Silhouette Poses 04/18/25

I made the attitude silhouette poses for my character, which I had made earlier this semester. The poses I made were Stealth, Trepidation, Mischief, Sycophantic, and Angry Determination. I honestly liked how they came out, and it is a good way to identify your character.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Inspiration Character Color Version Turnaround 4/11/25

I have made the color version of my character. I chose the colors here because I think they would fit my character for the concept of him. I ended up removing the T behind it, hands, because it did seem confusing. I like how the character is coming along.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

AfroAnimation Summit 2025 04/04/2025

I had the honor to attend the AfroAnimation Summit 2025 this year. I enjoyed my time at the summit as it was a chance to connect with new people within the industry. I had the chance to meet many talented people even Chris Sanders.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Inspiration Character Turnaround 3/28/25

I have made my character around for my character, who is inspired by The Cuphead Show! by animator Andrea Fernandez. I had to redesign the character because I feel like it looked to similar to Cuphead himself so I changed him up added a neck and a suit and smaller shoes. I honestly liked how this character turned out.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

WORDS IN (E)MOTION Project Finalized 03/14/25

I have finished the Words In (E)motion project. I incorporated squash and stretch, anticipation, timing, staging, and follow-through and overlapping action. The elements I used were color, line, shape, balance, and emphasis. Overall, I enjoyed doing this project while addressing the social issue as well, and I feel like if I had the chance, I would try to do the whole song to see how it turns out.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Styleframes and Storyboard for Words in (E)motion Project 03/07/25

I ended up making my styleframe and storyboards for the Words In (E)motion project. For my styleframes, I want to go for a tone like it's in the sky, so I made light blueish from my backgrounds. The storyboard I have planned is what I will try to execute for the styleframe and the final animation.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Vector Illustrations For Sketchbook Assignment 03/01/2025

For the sketchbook assignment, I had to do 20 sketches, which included 5 gesture drawings, 5 still life, 5 custom characters, and 5 environments. Then, I would pick one custom and environment sketch and make a vector, which I did in Photoshop. The left was a bridge, and the right custom character is a bird who is inspired in a way by an adult swim cartoon.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Project 1 Represent! New Voices in Character Design Sketches 2/21/25

For my character design study sketch, my character is Cuphead, inspired by the Cuphead Show. His name is Coopercino he is a cappuccino cup. I really like this style of art, which I am more comfortable with. I did the turnaround early for a sketch to see what he would look like.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Words In [E]motion 2/11/25

The song I chose for this assignment is Paper Planes by M.I.A. The song discusses many social issues, but the focus here is immigration.

Lyrics:

I fly like paper, get high like planes If you catch me at the border, I got visas in my name If you come around here, I make 'em all day I get one done in a second if you wait I fly like paper, get high like planes If you catch me at the border, I got visas in my name If you come around here, I make 'em all day I get one done in a second if you wait Sometimes I think sittin' on trains Every stop I get to I'm clocking that game Everyone's a winner, we're making our fame Bona fide hustler making my name Sometimes I think sittin' on trains Every stop I get to I'm clocking that game Everyone's a winner, we're making our fame Bona fide hustler making my name

This first verse focuses on the theme of immigration, hustling and survival.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

Picking An Animator For Project 1: Represent! New Voices In Character Design and Expression 2/7/25

I had the choice of picking an animator that is a woman and/or African American. I ended up choosing Andrea Fernandez. Andrea Fernandez has animated shows such as The Cuphead Show, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Unikitty! I was really inspired by the animation of The Cuphead Show, and I really enjoy its style. The reason I picked her is that I am really fascinated by the projects she has made, and it would be an honor to make a character inspired by her.

[marvinmelendezanimationblogs]

My Experience In Animation So Far 01/31/25

My name is Marvin Melendez, and this is my experience in animation so far. This right here is the first-ever animation I made. The character, who is named Bam-Bam, walks through an alley and finds a stone with electric powers. He jumps on the stone, which gives him the powers, and then he showcases the powers.

After making my first animation, I really enjoyed what I came up with. I am still learning more and trying to figure out what I can do to improve.