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| Try to avoid "zombie eyes" |
So how do you avoid "Zombie Eyes"? The answer is, use the Eye Direction Controller, and always add a blink on a head turn.
Always Add a Blink
In the video below, I explain why it is that characters need to blink much more often than you might think. Our eyelids act much like the shutter of a camera, cutting on motion and editing out everything but the important information that we actually need to see. And also, when you animate a blink, don't forget to add a little motion to the eyebrows as well, so the blink doesn't feel stiff and robotic.
Why Animated Characters Need to Blink
Why we blink
Blinks are important because we blink so often, so routinely, and because if we leave them out, our characters tend to feel robotic or zombie-eyed.
Try moving your head from one side of the room to another. Did you blink? Of course you did. But you probably didn't notice doing it. Blinking is like breathing - it's something we do automatically, without conscious effort.
Always Add a Blink on a Head Turn
When we move our heads to take in a different view, our brains have to process a lot of new data. To minimise the amount of data we have to process, we blink, effectively editing out all of the transitional or in-between material. This is why cutting in film works - the cut mirrors the effect of a blink when we change eye direction.
Timing a Blink - Tutorial Video
A standard blink is usually about 8 frames, with the lids closed for about 2 frames, and an ease-in and ease-out at either end. Often you want to offset the eye lids by one frame. To see how to do it in detail, watch the short tutorial video below.
Always Add a Blink on a Head Turn
The general rule is that your characters should blink every time they change eye direction. So, if your character is looking from one character to another, or one point in space to another - always add a blink.
Like all rules, this one can be broken. But, for the most part, adding blinks makes your characters feel more alive, and helps make the motion feel more believable. It will also help to avoid the "zombie eyes" problem described above.
In the video below, I explain why it is that characters need to blink much more often than you might think. Our eyelids act much like the shutter of a camera, cutting on motion and editing out everything but the important information that we actually need to see. And also, when you animate a blink, don't forget to add a little motion to the eyebrows as well, so the blink doesn't feel stiff and robotic.
Why Animated Characters Need to Blink
Why we blink
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| Blink action: The Animator's Survival Kit |
Try moving your head from one side of the room to another. Did you blink? Of course you did. But you probably didn't notice doing it. Blinking is like breathing - it's something we do automatically, without conscious effort.
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| Add blink on a head turn - Animator's Survival Kit |
When we move our heads to take in a different view, our brains have to process a lot of new data. To minimise the amount of data we have to process, we blink, effectively editing out all of the transitional or in-between material. This is why cutting in film works - the cut mirrors the effect of a blink when we change eye direction.
Timing a Blink - Tutorial Video
A standard blink is usually about 8 frames, with the lids closed for about 2 frames, and an ease-in and ease-out at either end. Often you want to offset the eye lids by one frame. To see how to do it in detail, watch the short tutorial video below.
Always Add a Blink on a Head Turn
The general rule is that your characters should blink every time they change eye direction. So, if your character is looking from one character to another, or one point in space to another - always add a blink.
Like all rules, this one can be broken. But, for the most part, adding blinks makes your characters feel more alive, and helps make the motion feel more believable. It will also help to avoid the "zombie eyes" problem described above.
Animate the eye brows too
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| Eyebrows matter too - keep them alive |
Learn the Rules, Then Break Them
The trick with mastering the craft of animation is to learn the rules, apply them and then - when you fully understand them - know when to break them. Remember, if in doubt, always add a blink.
Animating Eyes and Expressions
For more on animating eyes and expressions, see these blog posts:
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| Animation by Jinng Hwee Tan |
- Why Animated Characters Need to Blink on a Head Turn
- How to Use the Eye Direction Controller
- "Hold on to your Character's Eyes" - with Michael Caine
- How to Animate Eye Darts
- Why Eye Direction Matters
- How to Animate a "Two Shot"
- Why Animators Should Avoid a Profile View
- Why Thumbnails Sketches Need Facial Expressions
- Why Animators Should Do Facial Expressions First
- How to Create a Face Camera in Maya
To find out more about Animation Apprentice, click here for a link to Frequently Asked Questions. To sign up for our next classroom at Animation Apprentice, follow this link.
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