ANIM 345 Blog #8 "I Feel You, Man."

I loved to look for tricks in animation and TV shows were the director or creators took a shortcut. It was like hunting for easter eggs and uncovering dirty little production secrets. I didn't hold it against the people for taking shortcuts though, after all they were just trying to save time and money for more important work and scenes. If they didn't want to animate the characters walking because they needed more time and manpower for the laser fight sequence then that was cool with me. Disney came up tricks that are economic in terms of animation but still affect emotion in the audience. (pg 484)

1. Rear View

Showing the characters from behind saves the animator from having to animate the face. It can evoke a romantic scene where the audience is viewing from afar where the characters can't see or it can indicate that the character is frustrated and no longer wants to be seen. After Johnny Crash tears off his symbol in Crash Test he storms out and the audience watches his back as he leaves.

2. Shadows

Shadows can obscure details on a character and scene and make it easier to draw (or harder if you want to get complicated with the lighting). When Johnny goes for audition, the room is clouded in shadow except for the center where Johnny and the manager are.

3. Shadows Over the Character

Usually reserved for action too violent or intense to be animated directly, shadows are usually cast on the character and the wall behind them to show what is happening while simultaneously keeping them away. There wasn't a scene in Crash Test where this technique was used.

4. Overlays

Moving layers placed in front of character can add new emotional dimensions to a scene. Hiding a character behind several layers of bars can create distress as the character is separated from the audience. The only scene I can think of in Crash Test is after the crash test when the character is surrounded by wreckage and beaten with the air bag.

5. Dramatic Layout

Emotions can be evoked using dramatic backgrounds and poses. The colors of the backdrop and position of a character can change the feel of a moment. Johnny's moment of glory is enhanced by the huge stadium full of people and stadium floodlights.

6. Pictorial Shot

A still image can provoke emotion as well as a moving one, so it's acceptable to pause the action every now and allow the audience to absorb an image. As Johnny stares at the poster in his locker his faced is locked in desire before sighing and closing the door.

7. Effects Animation

Special effects can carry emotion, after all they are animations as well. In Crash Test, exhaling cigar smoke is done in a way that denotes smugness, first from the difficult manager and then from a pleased Johnny.

8. Held Drawing with Camera Moves

Also referred to as "panning shots", this technique moves the camera but not the image. The most popular example is drawing a large landscape and then moving the view across it slowly. Crash Test utilizes this technique when Johnny stares at his poster. The camera slowly zooms in on the poster, but the poster itself doesn't actually move.

9. Offstage sounds

You don't need to show action to get an emotional response, sounds can explain what's happening without showing the audience visually. The sound of a gun can frighten people without them needing to see the gun fire a shot. Crash Test didn't use this technique in any way that was obvious. Most of what happened was on screen.

For directly animating emotions, rather than sidestepping them, we have these five points to consider: (pg 507)

1. Make sure the emotional state of the character is clearly defined.

Johnny's head consists of wide eyes and a mouth on a long face. His features twist and widen to shape whatever emotion he is feeling at the time.

2. The thought process reveals the feeling.

When Johnny is feeling nervous before his audition, it shows. He fumbles and looks around the room as if asking himself whether or not he should continue.

3. Be alert to use of cutting and camera in helping to accentuate the emotion.

The camera cuts extremely close to the managers face during Johnny's audition. This creates a feeling of intense scrutiny and power in his presence.

4. Ask yourself constantly

What am I trying to say here?

What do I really want to show?

How do I want the audience to react?

One of the things that continues to impress me about this animation is how apparent Johnny's emotions are at all times. There is never any second guessing as to what he is feeling and the communication is entirely non-verbal. That means everything has to be accurately portrayed through pure body language and careful expression.

5. Use the element of time wisely:

to establish the emotion of the character,

to convey it to the viewers,

to let them savor the situation.

Don't be ponderous, but don't take it away from them just as they start to enjoy it.

Crash Test's pace is very quick. There is no time for action montages or travel scenes, Johnny leaves the test facility and immediately appears at the studio. We know he's determined and skilled enough for his dream, there is no need to waste time getting him from Point A to Point B when he's already ready. ready ready

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Emotional portrayals are key in engulfing the audience. Emotions are universal in understanding and are instantly relatable. Nothing can link the audience on quite the same level as an emotional one, which is why it's so important that these techniques are respected and practiced in animation.

Works Cited

Thomas, Frank, and Ollie Johnston. Disney Animation: the Illusion of Life. New York: Abbeville, 1981. Print.

Gobelins. "Crash Test." YouTube. Talantis, 18 Apr. 2008. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. .

I apologize but it appears Blogger deleted the URL.