3D / 2D CHARACTER ANIMATOR
My Journey At The Academy
Being at the Academy truly changed the course of my life. From being stuck in a rut to moving across the country to pursue my dream job as a character animator. The journey has been fun yet sometimes stressful and intimidating. But then again, trying new things is often a little intimidating at first, right?
Let me take you along on the personal journey of my growth and give you insights on how I develop myself, my personality, my quirks, and my fascinations. Here you will also be able to see the works I might not showcase in my portfolio but were essential for me in order to grow.
0. Admissions
0.01
Observe and Shout
What is going on in the world? What do you observe? What do you want to shout? I made this project during the pandemic, after 1,5 years in lockdown i very much felt the time pressure and like i was wasting away my twenties. This was the result.
0.02
Visual Answers
For this project i interviewed my mother. Since she is a very religeous woman i decided to visualize her answers inside a bible, since this is very much part of her identity.
(video in dutch)
1. First Year
1.00 Starting up
Paper Animations
How i loved them & how i hated them! These assignments were nice challenges to start the journey and to get to the root of the princeples of animation.
Even though animating on paper is time consuming, At times i still tell myself how i should start doing them again. Because it really forces you to think about what you are doing, ...And it also prefents you from hitting cntrl + Z too early!
After deforming and mixing our own audiotrack we had to create an abstract animation.
1.01 Abstract Animation
Panick
Software: After Effects
Release Date: 11-10-2021
Software: ToonBoom Harmony, After Effects, Audition & Premiere Pro
Production time: 2 weeks
Release Date: 20-12-2021
Note to Self: never animate on 8 fps again!!!!
1.02 Educational Animation
Mothers of Rotterdam
This animation was interesting for me to make, my purpose was to deliver the info about baby mortality and vulnerabal motherhood in a more poetic way.
Looking back i know i wish the voice over would sound a bit more light compared to what it does now, and if i had the time i wish i added a layer of shadow to the character or change the contrasts in some aspects.
But considering the few weeks of production we had for this i am pleased with the results.
During my electives i chose to do a stopmotion workshops. For two weeks in a row i got to experiment with sand, rice, paper, etc to create fun stopmotions
1.03 PLUSWEEKS 1.A
Stopmotion
Software: DragonFrame
Release Date: January 2022
Software: ToonBoom Harmony,
Production time: 4 days
Release Date: 03-02-2022
1.03 PLUSWEEKS 1.B
Murdering Margaret
I wanted to make a loopable animation for social media made from an audio of a clip i found online. This is darkly enough real audio of an actual arrest.
Foolishly enough i animated on 1's and still tried to be way to preciese with every thing i structured. as you can see the animation isn't finished.
Nowadays i realize its okay to have a rough pass, clean up and just work out the motion way more quickly. You cant make an omelet without breaking a few eggs right?
1.04 3D ANIMATION
Rich Again
After picking an audio, we received a random genre.
And then we had to make a 3d scene work for that genre. Can you guess which genre was mine?
If you can then i did a good job!
There is a lot that can be said about my first ever 3D Animation. But considering this was my first attempt, I am not complaining at all, I was so proud back then! I tried to guide the eyes, and keep composition in mind, hoped to give her some sass.
Though i could already see that the motion still left so much to be desired, i still wasn't sure on how to get there.
Looking back i see so much area's where i have improved. and this makes me excited for all the projects that are still to come.
Software: Blender
Production time: 2 weeks
Release Date: 13-05-2022
Models provided by: see end of video
1.05 4th Year Project
Distracted
our task was to assist a graduating student with their film. To work in a team and towards the realisation of somebody elses project.
In this project i got to rough animate, clean up, after the plusweeks i stayed to color, and help with compositing in the end. though those results shared here are from the weeks that i officially had to help the 4th year.
Software: Photoshop
Production time: 10 days
1.06 Plusweeks 2
Learn from the Industry
"Since I wanted to figure out where I went wrong during the 3D assignment, I decided to analyze a scene from one of my favorite animations and try to recreate it.
This was honestly such a helpful exercise, and it truly helped me improve how I animate in 3D
Software: Blender
Production time: 8 hours
Release Date: 23-05-2022
Note to Self: defenitely do this again!
Model provided by: Blender
2. Second Year
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2.01 Avatar Project
Lucid Luckiie
For the avatar project we got to create our own avatar and create a game like setting for them. After suggestion of my teachers i picked Luckiie. I brought Luckiie into life when i was 14, as an extension of myself. Kind of a wish, for who i wanted to be, and what i wanted my life to be like when i went through some harder times.
I had the chance to truly define what always had been a doodle version of my 14 year old self, what used to be pointy hair i changed to round after becoming aware i often draw in shoowshes and circles., keeping the teardrop shape and have it return everywhere in its design. and chose oversized clothing as i often wore back then. (even though this might make hime look younger)
When looking at the silhouette, i still remain pleased, but when looking at the turn-around i see loads of room for improvements, Creating this assignment helped me look at how i draw, and bit by bit it has helped my figure out more of my own drawing style.​
And boy oh boy, i dabbled for the first time
in rigging. I gave myself a challenge.
When going back to this rig, i am often lost in all the controles i created for it back then. Also i find myself wondering why my retopology is still so high, it could easily have been lower.
​
Considering i wanted the hoodie to change size
on the jump, and have the hair move during the
acting, i would say i did pre-ttey good for a first time
​
Looking at my acting choices, i feel like the acting is believable and unique to the character, like hiding in his hoodie.
It's still remains far for perfect, but having to have seen this through from doodle to sketch, has been an incredible journey to walk through. Making this a clear pillar in my development as an 3d character animator.
Software: Blender
Full project timespan: 6 weeks (including classes)
Role: Designer, Modeller, Rigger Animator
Release Date: 13-10-2022
2.02 Pitch Project
Mysterious case of Ju & Hide
During the Pitch Project we had the chance to form our own studios and prepare a pitch for an animated series. Each had to choose their role, and i chose to be an animator.
I had the liberty to direct the falling sequence, and made the rough animation first in 3d to experiment more freely, with the camera motion and acting of the character. Later on this was translated to 2d.
​
On the right you can find some of my process, and shots i animated.
Software: Blender & Tv Paint
Role: Animator & Compositor
Release Date: 16-12-2022
2.03 Plusweeks June
11 Second Club
To put my skills to the test i decided i wanted to enter the June competition of the 11 second club. Which was a super useful exercise i will definitely do again in the future. I feel like the more i actually get to work with a character i improve.
​
I took longer to animate the scene than a schoolproject normally allows me to. I tried to focus on connecting the bodyparts more. if the arm moves, the shoulders and the torso should be affected to. Also i wanted to do more acting within one movement and staying more within the same pose.
For my next character animation i really want to focus more on making it even more expressive and making the motion more rapid and toonish, and try to push how fun i can make this. Also... SNAPPING BODYPARTS, i know i can get past these.
Placement: 27 out of 57
Feedback:
Software: Blender
Production time: 20 hours
Release Date: 22-06-2023
Models provided by: Blender, cg-trager (except the grass, i made the grass)
3. Third Year
01. Personal Project
Straight Forward
What do you do when nothing in this world seems straight forward anymore and your (outdated) fears get the better of you? In this comedic shortfilm, heavily inspired by the big and fast expressions of the cartoon's from the 90's and the 00's, I am going to reverse the roles on traditional queer storytelling. This short is currently still in its developing stages.
Role: Director, Animator
Animation: 2d & 3D
Release Date: 2025
02. Quota
Job Joris & Marieke
During my time at Studio Job, Joris & Marieke, I learned a lot about character animation by working on their short film 'Quota', a humorous film about our consumption and the well-being of our planet .​
Throughout this period as their animation trainee i got to listen in on their directors discussion and take mental notes.
Learn more about what it means to be within this industry, Navigating commercial assignments and the authenticity of your own. Also i was able to add new tools to my skillset such as: Kitsu and Cinema 4D.
I am grateful for the trust I received from them, not only by participating in the animation process, but also by modelling and providing a voice for the film, alongside of Carice van Houten.​
It's been a great experience to follow the films succes. From festival selections, reading reviews, to possibly being on our way of being in the running for an Oscar nomination with 'Quota'. All of it, for my first ever "real project" has been mind blowing. I don't even mind we didn't get it in the end. This has been a great experience and i am grateful for the warmth and support they have given me.
Software: Cinema 4D
Role: Animation Trainee
Animation, Modelling, Voiceacting
SORRY
STILL WORKING ON MY
FORTUNE TELLING SKILLS...
SO JUST USE YOUR IMAGINATION FOR WHAT MY FUTURE PROJECTS COULD LOOK LIKE