Getting a good blocking pass is essential for getting your ideas across fast.
However, I see lots of students struggle with exactly what a blocking pass is and how to start your animation.

I commonly start in Spline Blocking, which I think is the fastest way to build a scene while keeping control of every pose.

In this time-lapse I show you every key I set and talk through my thought process as I go. I use default maya and no plugins.

If you haven't seen my previous video on how I set up this scene, go watch that first!

Thank you and happy animating!

Buy me a coffee for support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fergus_3d


0:00 Intro
0:50 First Pose
1:55 Blocking on 8s
3:25 Blocking in AutoSpline.
4:39 Show Mentor in Stepped!
5:55 Get the COG Smooth + Motion Trails
7:50 Good first pass to show Mentor/director
8:38 Build in your overlap
11:56 Don't neglect posing
13:00 Reference Tips
13:52 Reblocking Trick
15:32 Remember the bouncing ball
16:10 My reference mistake - Don't waste time!
18:00 Check every angle
18:40 Always check poses!
19:40 Be comfortable deleting poses
22:35 Remember the 12 Rules of Animation
23:38 My struggles with becoming an Animator
24:35 Remember where the weight is
26:55 Keep in mind what body part is leading the action.
27:49 Don't have unanimated/flat curves
29:30 Outro