Claire Hodges

An animation addict for over ten years, and the addiction grows stronger each day!

 

After three years of studying the art of Computer animation at the University of South Wales, formerly the University of Glamorgan; I will be graduating this year (2014). The addiction has truly taken a hold.

 

Specialising in animation, character (body mechanics), creature, and object; I have made sequences for short films, cyclic animation for games, and modified motion capture data for my own use. This also includes game cycles, and acting pieces as part of work experience for Irontown Interactive in Merthyr Tydfil.

 

Always exploring new possibilities and learning opportunities, I am currently learning Python scripting language, and aim to learn more about zBrush. Researching and practising different areas of Computer Animation lead me to increase my skill base, to include Rendering, Compositing and Rigging, a secondary skill of mine.

 

Rigging became essential when working as a team, a linking factor between the course’s strands, Modelling and Animation. Sparked by my interest in anatomy, I further developed this skill as a Rigger, in my spare time.

 

When I am not in front of a computer screen, I am usually wielding a pencil and sketchbook of some kind; drafting new scenes to animate, drawing my surroundings or making concept pieces for some of my many stories. Thanks to this, I also have skills in concept art, Illustration, and storyboarding.

 

I have attended the BFX festival which included Dr Sumida’s talk on ‘The Five Most Important Anatomical Rules for Animators’, SAND (Swansea animation days), media academy Wales events; and I am due to attend the FMX animation festival in Stuttgart, Germany. I also had the valuable opportunity to visit Double Negative in London, where I met team members and discussed production and animation techniques.

 

Enjoying the challenge I am currently looking for opportunities to develop my skills in VFX, Games, short films, mobile apps and anything that feeds my addiction. If you would like to find out more, please check out my blog, or email me.