Just wanted to share some progress I have been making on a project which involves a lot of character anim.
First, I especially want to extend my thanks to Hos (and others-please straighten me out if necessary) for the improvements to the rigging systems of Blender. Auto assignment of Verts, rvks in Action window, etc. These along with the intr’s efforts to add sound syncing have really brought Blender a long way forward in Character Animation capability. I am anxious to hear how the automatic IK setup concept is going and any other improvements in the works.
Back to the update. Here is the current state of one of my main characters. 
She and the other 4 main characters are in their 3rd generation now. I think I am finally pleased with them. I will show more as I go along. The piece i am working is a 6-7 minute proof of concept piece to pitch to video distributors. It is about the adventures of 5 children and a cat in a world that is a metaphor for the Bible.
We go into the studio next week to lay down a real voice track with real actors. (Yay)
I am astounded at how much work this is. I think you can put character animation up there with learning to play the violin. It takes a lot of work! Hopefully this project will get some funding and I can work it full-time.
I am beginning work on a making-of document to relate my experiences in getting to this point. Anyone interested in seeing such a thing?
