Character Animation

I often find that a lot of my classes are connected in ways that aren't super obvious. Other than Motion Graphics & Animation, Program Development is the only other Park class I'm taking right now. In my class we come up with ideas for television shows, movies, documentaries, web shows, and many other types of visual media that can be sold. One of the fundamental elements to any story is character--people know this from a very young age. What I didn't realize was how much character affects every process in an animation.

This video gives a brief behind the scenes look at the making of the 2012 Pixar movie Brave. The narrator of this short video describes how every movement Merida makes reflects her character. I thought this was really interesting. I mean, it obviously makes sense but I guess when I'm watching the movie I'm so absorbed in the world that I'm not analyzing or thinking about things like that. I believe this is what makes an animated character seem so real and likable. The same goes for Anna in Disney Animation Studio's Frozen: Anna is energetic, quirky, and awkward so she does things like jumping on couches, stumbling around the castle she lives in, and accidentally throwing a bust into a cake. This part of an animated film is so essential and specific. A director can't rely on his actors to move like the characters, rather each movement has to be created. I guess my question is, whose job is that? Is it the responsibility of a person involved in the actual animating process, or someone involved in the writing process that works with an animator? 

Oops

How To Animate a 2D Photo in 3D Space

I wanted to share this video on how to animate a photo in 3D, exactly like what we did in class.   I really like this concept of bringing a 2D photo to life using photoshop and after effects to create a 3D movement. It's very quick and effective and can be used for so many things.

The Application of Motion

This past summer I was introduced to an animator named Masanobu Hiraoka. His work is well known for it's symmetry, neutral color palettes, and of course it's fluidity. What immediately catches my eyes in (the not so cleverly titled) "My New Animation", is the smooth movement between the subject and her abstract surroundings. There are times when solid shapes peel away as if they were thin pieces of cloth, and other times when certain shapes just burst into, what looks like, puffs of air. The detail shown in solely the movement give purpose to the abstract shapes. The video is a visual adventure that plays with the flow of colors and shapes.

That isn't to say that this thorough understanding of motion can't be applied for more practical images. I would even journey to say applying such fluid motion to abstraction is far more difficult than, let's say, a person. However it's no less interesting to see intricate movement from animated characters. For example,  "The Legend of Korra" raised the bar for children's cartoons with beautifully animated fight sequences. But I couldn't find the scene that I wanted to show, so instead, here's a clip from "Avatar the Last Airbender". 

CCTV Documentary

CCTV Documentary (Director's cut) from KORB on Vimeo.

I came across this video a couple of days ago, and it sparked yet another idea in my mind. I'm working on making my portfolio stand out through individual and personal projects. One of which i would love to do something similar as whats being demonstrated here. The animated movements flow effortlessly with the dancers. I find it to be extremely impressive, remarkably done, and just overall amazing. Check it out, this is definitely goals! 

Till next time, 

Krystal