That is impressive work! Doing all the effects looks like it was a challenge!

As for crowds, I think your right, i have a few sequences later where there are a lot of characters on screen, most of the time it will be 1-5 on screen.

I think what it may boil down to for me is to just learn and practice character animation with the tools I have. Practice a lot and see what I can do.

My project has been broken down to 24 3-5 minute sequences, and each is a huge challenge.