Steven Lall Blogs

I like to draw and animate things

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Games Night

A big highlight of 2018 back in October, Unreal Tournament Night at Escape Studios. Imagine working someplace where everyone loves games! Hope 2019 will be another great year of gaming!

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Animation Escapees 2018

Best 9 from last year (well...8), the last Animation class of 2018, at Escape Studios.It's been great having you guys, and massive thanks to Michelle Klitgård for teaching us so much in a short space of time! Hope you all have a Happy New Year and best of luck for the future!!

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The Thief and the Cobbler

Over the weekend the BFI showcased a special double bill: the work of Richard Williams. Firstly screening who framed Roger Rabbit. And secondly a work print screening of 'The Thief and the Cobbler', which the host introduced to us as the holy grail of animation and unfinished master piece. Once I had seen it I now realise why, it was an unforgettable experience to watch, and as an Animator it really felt like I was watching something truly special. In the Q&A afterwards Richard Williams revealed some fascinating insights into the making of the film.

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Primate Performance Workshop

I recently attended a Performance Workshop with Shapes in Motion centering around the movement of Primates, including Gorillas and Gibbons. We studied their anatomy in relation to humans, their movement, behaviour, and even the sounds they make. It was crazy fun exploring how to move like them and I was super impressed with all the performers involved.

The Workshop was also in honour of International Gibbon Day, helping to raise awareness of the species. Gibbons are one of the most threatened Primate families globally. For more info on how to help Gibbons see: https://gibbons.asia/what-you-can-do/ 

(Photographs taken by Thomas Scurr during the Primate Performance Workshop taught by Sarah Perry, Shapes in  Motion) 

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Steven Lall on Instagram: “Have a safe trip Summer, I'll see you next year. It's October already, and I'm starting to feel the morning chill while on my commutes.…”

39 Likes, 0 Comments - Steven Lall (@steven.lall) on Instagram: “Have a safe trip Summer, I'll see you next year. It's October already, and I'm starting to feel the…”

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Steven Lall on Instagram: “I received an omazing Wonder Woman 1984 t-shirt from Omaze after entering one of their prize draws. Each entry will go towards The Anti-…”

18 Likes, 0 Comments - Steven Lall (@steven.lall) on Instagram: “I received an omazing Wonder Woman 1984 t-shirt from Omaze after entering one of their prize draws.…”

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Mocap Summit 2018

Some pics from last week's Motion Capture Summit UK run by the Mocap Vaults, taking place at Centroid, with Faceware providing the facial capture.

Gained some valuable insights into the process of Mocap as used in Films and Games. Was great to see the mixture of teams and artists playing together to capture their performances and seeing it transfer over to the digital world.

Amongst the industry pros sharing their knowledge was Ralph Palmer (ex Disney Animator) and Simon Kay (Mocap Supervisor at Dneg).

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Steven Lall on Instagram: “How time flies. A throwback to our Animation class at Escape Studios Shepherd's Bush campus which closes it's doors for good really soon. 😓…”

7 Likes, 1 Comments - Steven Lall (@steven.lall) on Instagram: “How time flies. A throwback to our Animation class at Escape Studios Shepherd's Bush campus which…”

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Acting for Animators Promo

I made this promo video for Escape Studios, showing an insight into the Acting workshops we do. The newly launched Acting for Animators Evening Course is tutored by Sarah Perry, founder of Shapes in Motion.

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Secret Cinema...

Earlier this year I travelled off-world to Blade Runner Secret Cinema. Secret Cinema are experts in creating immersive cinematic experiences, where you can for a few hours inhabit the world of a film. A screening then takes place which is part film part theatre. Actors will appear and perform chosen scenes side by side with the film. This pic is me getting into character (A Photoshopped image as the event is strictly no photography to help keep the experience selfie free as and as real as possible). It was interesting the difference wearing an outfit made to my character and I could really feel integrated into the surroundings. The set they built included a slum market like area, a night club, laboratory, and police station. They even had rain, cyclists, character interactions and side quests. It was very cool!

In 2016 Secret Cinema’s film of choice was Star Wars Episode IV: The Empire Strikes Back. See some pics below of us dressed as X-Wing pilots.

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City Acting at Rada

Weekend Workshop with city acting, which took place at Rada. The workshop introduced us to the Meisner Technique, or Method acting. It was the most challenging workshop I've tried so far, and will hopefully explore more about this soon.

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Rigging...

Back in the student chair at Escape Studios, learning about the process of Rigging, taught by Mike Davies. We covered the fundamentals of both biped and quadrapeds, IK/FK switching, Joints, controllers and also touched of Motion Capture.

This was incredibly useful knowledge for an Animator and a great way to expand my toolset. It also d-myth a lot about what makes a Character Rig work and got me thinking about any alterations I may want out of a Rig myself, and how to go about making those changes.

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An Evening with...

They tell us at Escape go where the Artists are. Escape Studios hosts industry talks from speakers from all parts of the industry. Last night we had Royce Wesley, an Animator from Pixar. A note I took from his lecture was about the importance of collaboration, seeking feedback and improving work.

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Steven Lall on Instagram: “Jurassic Park was one of the first movies that I saw in the Cinema, in 1993. No matter how many they make I think I'll always enjoy…”

25 Likes, 1 Comments - Steven Lall (@steven.lall) on Instagram: “Jurassic Park was one of the first movies that I saw in the Cinema, in 1993. No matter how many…”

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On the Road...

Taking a break at Lulworth Cove. A recent road trip took us south to the coast, a gorgeous spot indeed.

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Early Work...