2d (traditional/classical) Animation Pencil Test:

Below's the link to a short crude sample 2d traditional animation pencil test reel of a conceptual commercial/advertisement pitch I animated for a prospective client some months back -- no dialogue. It shows movements from pose 2 pose:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2VvNED954k

I'll be posting some finished colored/cleaned-up 2d animation projects with seemless lip-sync/dialogue shortly.

@xPixel: Thanx for your commendation. As per your question regarding Black/AFrican American animators, I'm not aware of any of renown, they probably exist, but perhaps haven't yet attained any significant level of recognition. I'm ever honning my 2d skillz, because to become a proficient animator [whether 2d or 3d; in 3d for example, an animator with a 2d background would be better able to rig 3d characters in a manner that projects a more believeable illusion of motion/movement way better than one with mere 3d computer skillz], you've got to have a strong background in the fundamental principles of traditional/classical 2d [a la spacing, timing, weight, anticipation, takes and accents, acting, overlapping, breakdowns, e.t.c, all of which adds vitality to animation and separates the pros from the amateurs, and are readily obvious to the trained eye when watching great animation features]. I'm relocating to naija towards the end of the year and intend to get to work a.s.a.p to recruit draftsmen and prolly train assistant animators to help with inbetweening, digital coloring, storyboarding and background artists. I can't wait!

@zPixel: What I really meant about having a 2d background is that, to be a GOOD 3d animator, you HAVE TO HAVE GOOD DRAWING SKILLS [a fundamental 2d/traditional genre requirement]. I know that folks will tell you that you don't need that for 3D but really, you do, especially if you want to measure up to professional standards. Even the straightest 3D animator I know, who never had a single drawing lesson, could draw. In fact, most non-2D full-3D animators draw all over their books just trying to work out expressions and poses. It's just part of the process unless you are someone who does nothing but mocap. If you need both [drawing and 3d skills] you might want to find a school that does 3D but has included drawing courses. If you already draw just look for a good 3D training course. Personally, I watch and rewatch animation from the 'golden age/era' of animation, from studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and Paramount, and even play them in 'slow-mo' if you have to [if you're using a dvd player], to observe how the gurus applied  those principles to their animation. If you can't get your hands on those rare gems, more recent animation features and shorts from the reputable studios, a la Disney/Pixar, Dreamworks, Warner Bros., e.t.c should suffice.

For 3d, I'll also recommend that along with animating (if thats all you want to do and not lighting or other stuff) you learn rigging. Why? Because your greatest frustration will be working with characters that other people rigged; often by people who don't understand animation. You don't want to have to keep running to a TD to get them to rerig for you. That way you won't be frustrated by other people's limitations.

A person I know (an experienced 2D animator who switched to 3D and learned not only modeling but rigging) was contracted by a giant studio who's doing a 3D feature. They subcontracted this person to animate some sequences. He got their models and discovered the rigging was awful and so without telling them her rerigged the entire model. The difference between his and the giant studio's was like night and day. So much better they wanted to use his version of the rig but refused to pay him for rigging so they couldn't.




Actually, draftsmen/artists do exist in naija [I've seen some great drawings and illustrations by naija cartoonists in some naija news dailies that incorporate some fundamental 2d/traditional drawing  principles like perspective, weight and a pretty decent knowledge/grasp of layout and storyboarding.] Such artists, if willing, can be taught to hone and apply those skills to animation. They'll also need to be taught animation techniques and, voila!!

Addendum: You can also find some great knowledge of the animation process at the 'featurettes' section of most 3d and 2d animation feature dvds, wherein you'll find clips of the process involved in the production of the features. There you'll confirm what I said about having good drawing skills if you want to do good 3d animation, as you'll see that all the character models and poses are first planned/drawn on paper, and even clayed out, before the computer even gets involved.