Dragon Fight!
A fight sequence between a ravenous dragon and an undercover dragon slayer.
Programs Used: Maya
The Process
This was my first attempt at creating an original action previs sequence, so finding the right timing and coordinating the interaction between both characters were challenging. I wanted Azri, the dragon fighter, to have dynamic moments where she scales around the dragon. Much of this inspiration came from the Kratos vs. Dragon cutscene in God of War.
The first step in my workflow is developing 2D storyboards, where I sketch the main key frames for each shot to define the core action. I then collect the necessary tools, such as rigs and environment, and begin laying out the scene. After dressing the environment, I move into blocking, establishing the initial rough poses.
Animation
Constraints
In order to have Azri hold onto the dragon, I utilized constraints. I placed locators on areas where there will be interaction and off-set parented them to the dragon’s joints. I did the same thing with Azri but parenting locators to her hand’s joints. Once this was set up, I keyframed the constraints between each other while Azri moved around the dragon.
For this fight sequence, I animated the dragon first because its movement determined where and how Azri would land. I then blocked Azri's animation. The constraints were particularly effective, keeping her anchored during the flailing motions and enhancing the sense of weight and gravity.
Camera Animation
I wanted to show anticipation for the dragon’s reveal. I took inspiration from Daenerys Targaryen’s dragon wing reveal scene from Game of Thrones as an introduction to Azri’s encounter with her obstacle. I experimented with long lens cameras to make the dragon appear larger in shots where it was in Azri’s perspective, and vice versa with wide lens cameras when she’s on the dragon. Camera shake was utilized to give handheld camera effects and when the defeated dragon lands on the ground.