Blog 10 Animation as Communication

Animation as Communication:

Write a blog about animation: Anything you learned, liked or disliked about animation AS COMMUNICATION. That emphasis is very important. We're not writing about software, we may be writing about mechanics, but ultimately, we are writing about how we can use this technique and approach to expression to communicate with others.

Animation can be used in a wide variety of ways in the Communication field. In class we discussed the various ways that animation has been able to reach the public or masses. Although Animation has been a world-wide development, the U.S. has been a key element to the growing field of animation with their use of quality technology and resources. Today, many animation jobs are outsourced and Canada is a great place to go for Animators with a lot of jobs for animators.

I learned many things in this class about animation. I've enjoyed learning the different styles and techniques of original animations; I liked learning about the way that cartoons have evolved over time. I like to think about animation as an art that is collective, and it is good to know that cell animation is still being used. I think that the type of work involved in cell animation makes the process look tedious but enjoyable. It would give more realm of expression for fine artists as well.

Animation can be used to communicate and express ideas to cultures and consumers that broaden their horizons. I think besides helping people use their imaginations, animation can be used to educate people about things such as politics and environment. The philosophical side of communications is important when in the real world, we as a whole need to work together to make progress. Animation is a progressive form of communication. I've learned that there is more to Animation than technique, although technique is fundamental such as in the Illusion of Life and Disney. Although, I found personally that Disney is not as interesting as Japanese animation.

Blog # 6 with Pluto's Playmate

If the body follows the mind, as in chapter 5, then the audience follows the heart, at least according to chapter 6. Here’s a question that concerns all mass media in general and animation in particular. The LCD, lowest common denominator, of mass appeal is often considered a “dumbing down” of content so that so-called ordinary people can “get it.” But what if the LCD was not a dumbing down (of the mind), but a warming up (of the heart)? What do you think (is this “true” of mass media or something Disney brings to the table)? Does your selection support your thesis (understanding that it’s only one selection and not a representative sample of anything)? 

Mass Media often dumbs things down for appealing to wider audiences. This is the case with many blockbuster movies that are geared for mass appeal. We went over in class how Animation in Japan is considered more as a medium to express to all ages. I think that a good approach would be to gear animation and movies towards everyone, and not to water them down for the general public. If a person doesn't get it, that's their own problem.

And if your kids are too young to see it, then don't let them go to the movie. Parents should be in charge of making sure the movie is right for them, but animation is an art that should be expressive of the message. I feel that Disney, while a lot of their videos are cute, is completely geared toward mass appeal.

This means that Disney has a certain style that everyone can get, but all their movies are pretty much the same. It's not necessarily that the animation is not heart-warming, and I think that Pluto's Playmate is a good example of a funny heart warming cartoon.

The thing is, now a days I think people want to see animation that appeals to more than light hearted humor or childhood. Even if it is about childhood, should they be so dumbed down? I think Disney could make animations that are less mass marketed, because overall animation is the art of expressing things that are hard to express in film.

Blog # 5

“In most instances, the driving force behind the action is the mood, the personality, the attitude of the character--or else all three. Therefore the mind is the pilot. We think of things before the body does them.”

Image is important in getting across a mood for viewers. In Speech 101, we learned how the major percentage of people look mostly at the dress and appearances of the character. Not only does the appearance make a lasting impression, but the way the characters move through out the scene.

The persuasive attitudes of characters greatly define how we relate them. Sometimes over-exaggerated behavior creates a unique impression or mood. Movement is what the eye looks for in a movie, so when a character moves in such a way they can create an interesting perception.

In The Cobbler and the Thief, cut two, the cobbler is introduced to the Palace and the Princess decides she needs a cobbler to rescue him from having his head cut off. The King's adviser is greatly exaggerated by long arching movements and creepy appearances. We get the impression that he is evil and has dangerous ulterior motives. This is all done through the image of the character, for instance his face goes angry red while he pretends to agree with the princess.

He is the most exaggerated, which suggests a very influential role in the Palace. His gestures seem to show carelessness and his dress is dark and he seems morbid. The princess is more like his opposite. She's not so exaggerated and large or lanky as the King's adviser. Her eyes show the most expression, as well as she seems normal compared to the King's adviser. The King looks bored and disinterested; he has a more bland voice and his appearance, while royal, makes him seem like a bad King.

The Cobbler has pins in his mouth, which shows that he's a cobbler. In this scene, there is a great use of imagery both metaphorical and literal. The colors are vivid and the style is unique compared to other cartoons I have seen. I enjoyed the exaggeration of the characters, and I think the artists pulled this off pretty well.

Blog 4: 12 Principles of Animation

The twelve principles of animation are:
1. Squash and Stretch- when animations are squashed or stretched to give a more life-like appeal to the cartoon.
There seems to be a good use of squash and stretch in this cartoon.
2. Anticipation- when you move an animation ahead of time or backwards to anticipate a new movement
I think that anticipation was definitely used in this animation.
3. Staging- the clear presentation of an idea for the cartoon sequence, a part of the sequence
I can tell this was carefully planned out.
4. Straight Ahead and Pose to Pose- Straight ahead is when you go through an entire sequence with new poses and allows for more creative expression, pose to pose is where there is clarity because the scene is planned out
Oktapodi looked more like Pose to Pose

5. Follow through and Overlapping action- This is when weight and parts of the character still move even after the character has stopped.
There is use of this in the animation.
6. Slow in Slow out- this is about timing the animation so that there are different points where extremes are present and other points where time is slower
Towards the middle to the end there is a faster pace.
7. Arcs- guides for characters along paths
I'm not sure if this was used or not.
8. Secondary Action- the next pose or action in a sequence
9. Timing- the pace and movements that portray different spacial and time elements
10. Exaggeration-  when a character is portrayed with traits that go beyond the ordinary
11. solid drawing- the Disney animation process where each picture was individually drawn and colored
12. Appeal- what level of interest your audience will have, and what will capture people's attention
This would probably appeal to a younger audience.

Animation Blog # 3 Realism

Ch. 4. Walt Disney said, “I definitely feel that we cannot do the fantastic things based on the real, unless we first know the real.” What does he mean? Is there a contradiction here with arguments made in chapter 2? Think deeply. How can you reconcile chapters 2 and 4; look to your selection for answers and examples.

Walt Disney wanted cartoon characters that were larger than life. The characters he envisioned had personalities based on reality, yet were made comical and exaggerated to create a mood. What Walt Disney means is: we cannot make a cartoon based on reality if we don't study and analyze reality enough to get the whole picture.

The animators were also story-tellers, and they would devote themselves to creating characters that Walt Disney thought worked. I think that the quote makes a lot of sense. This can apply to anything you do: the more you practice the technique the more it will improve, but you can't make anything work without a solid foundation.

The animators created a foundation for their characters to come to life. Walt's characters had so much depth on the screen. This proves how much work he put into making cartoons to appeal to viewers' ideas, emotions, and imagination. Over-all, Walt Disney's ideals are consistent throughout the book.

Animation Blog #2

Ch. 2. What is caricature? What is more true, caricature or realism? Why? Does your selection rely on realism or caricature or both? How so, or not?

Caricature is when you exaggerate a characteristic or feature of someone to give them larger than life attributes. Caricature in animation can also refer to applying exaggerated personalities to the characters or living things. When we think of caricature, usually we envision the artist drawing an over-expressive sketch of someone, especially celebrities. That is a form of caricature, but it doesn't merely apply to drawings. It can also be shown in animation and often cartoons.

The animation I chose, Octopodi, appeals to caricature more-so than realism. It is an account of an octopus who is given life-like personality. The octopus is personified and exaggerated to appeal to the emotions of his character. The other character, a person, is also exaggerated. A lot of the animation is based on the expressions of the characters, because there is no dialogue. It is mostly based on what you see, not what you hear. Realism is more true to real-life and the world we live in, where-as in this animation caricature conveys a more inter-active reality. Usually we don't attribute life-like emotions to an octopus. This animation relies heavily on caricature and pulls it off well.

Animation Blog #1

Between Bears from Eran Hilleli on Vimeo.

This animation, while intruiging, did not communicate a complete message to me. It was done using adobe after effects and maya 3d to acheive a 3d cartoon effect. It is hard to understand the story because of the flat characters and very subtle yet abstract imagery. The animator describes it as referring to his childhood hopes and dreams.

To me, it seemed to accomplish a mood of searching through life's mystery for answers. In the beginning there is a bear that is shaving off all his fur, and perhaps that signifies growing up. Although it was very beautiful and inspiring, I got lost as to the meaning of the story. Unlike in Disney Animation, the characters were dull, triangular animations. They hardly gave the illusion of life. This seems very intentional. I think this was to acheive a more dream-like quality. Their life was more-so in the surreal territory the characters inhabited, along with the actions they took.

Over-all, the clip communicated a sort of cut off feeling, and the sense of being isolated from a hidden secret. I came to the conclusion that it was about parallels and hidden meanings. The people were constantly chasing black butterflies, which had floated off the bear when he shaved his fur.  The butterflies then appeared to be related to the people themselves, and it seemed as though they were chasing figments of themselves in a different space.

In the end the bear was attracting the butterflies, when the camera went underwater to a white and black bear. Then when it came back up, the bear was black. This animation was very different from the ones in the book, but in some ways it did have some Disney style elements. The trees, for instance, appeared to be on many planes like the Multiplane Camera. I also thought the technique was innovative, but I found myself wanted more character and plot development.