Leading with the eyes

Carlos Baena:

Leading with the eyes of head (Reference: CGChar)
"I usually think of this this way. Of course, like everyone pointed out, there are no rules...so don't animate a certain way just because someone said so.

I think about eyes in different ways, but the main drive to animating the eyes is where the interest/force comes from. Not so sure if that makes much sense. If you are talking to someone, and a third person calls you, the eyes can behave different ways:

1) If you are really really interested in this third person that's calling you (maybe the girl of your dreams, who knows...), then for sure I'll have that character lead with the eyes.
2) If you are really really interested in the conversation/subject you are having (more than who is the third person calling)...then I'll start twisting the body, then the chest, then the head, and I'll have the eyes be the last thing that turns. Mostly because his head is still in that conversation with the guy.
3)If the third person pushes you from behind, same case as number 2. I may have the eyes move the last (after the head).

It's all a matter of exploring. But I agree with Shawn, for the most part, I'll lead with the eyes...but always thinking about the force driving the action."