OK Stop and Go
OK Go’s End Love:
experimental stop motion and slow mo — interesting play with timing. Making a video like this outdoors can add a time stress, but instead they took advantage of the change of lighting/atmosphere of the passing day. That isn’t easy!
Valentino
The planning and choreography of this music video is incredible. Fresh — love seeing innovation come together (especially when it requires the participation of many people). You’ll be seeing more of these types of videos from me 
Early effects in music videos
Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer:
The Brothers Quay who provided claymation, pixilation, and stop motion animation for the music video. Innovative. Especially for it’s time.
Rise of the Guardians trailer
Today DW released the trailer for Rise of the Guardians 
Looking beautiful! The team’s done amazing work on it so far:
How to’s
thought for studying body mechanics:
Google a “how to” on a movement you want to animate. Not only will you find video examples, but also written explanations. I found that seeing the written next to the video can help with understanding what’s happening in the movement. You’ll understand where the force is coming from and, sometimes, the thought process of the person or animal doing the action. The thought process is just as important to understanding how your character should act/feel during the action.
Try it!
Miming for pantomime
This weekend I’ve been talking to friends who are starting up the pantomime shots in AM (beginning class 4).
Patomime:
1. Communication by means of gesture and facial expression: Some tourists make themselves understood abroad by pantomime.
2.
a. The telling of a story without words, by means of bodily movements, gestures, and facial expressions.
b. A play, dance, or other theatrical performance characterized by such wordless storytelling.
So! I decided to look up some miming examples:
I recommend this youtube channel. There’s fifty+ videos on miming techniques. Can help out with acting for both animation and improv
Big thing I’ve learned! : If you can make it read without an object, the animation as a whole will read much stronger.
The Little Painter
Kenny Roy recently proposed an animated short on Kickstarter called the Little Painter. Kenny is a mentor at Animation Mentor and his passionate for animation always shines through. I have a lot of respect for him not only because he’s talented, but also because he continues to give back to the animation community. I wish him the best on his project! If you have a minute, take a look at his project below:
http://kck.st/zonHFB
I created a Kickstarter account to contribute to this project — I would love to see if happen. It’s inspiring to see others create their own vision, and this project will give an awesome opportunity for students (like you!) to experience working on a production.
3D cartoony references
I found this a while ago, but still am in awe of Josh Carey’s rigs. I reversed-engineered a couple of them to better understand how they were built – lots of creative, effective solutions.
Reel Fx’s Looney Tunes (opening scene):
Josh Carey’s VES submission:
http://youtu.be/qU8ZVrZUYPM
Goofy cartoony references :)
Goofy is ridiculous. I love it. Awesome reference for exaggerated timing/poses/everything. Got a few to share:
I want to see more of this in 3D…
Bats Improv info
Wanted to share a source for improv in the San Francisco city:
I highly recommend to look into improv groups you can get involved with in your area. Improv is excellent practice for quick thinking and creativity. I found that I’m also becoming more aware of poses, stances, and space (which, of course, we must always be thinking about in animation!)