The keys of Emotion in ANIMATION!!
Ok so like everything there are key elements on how to give emotion to a character and therefore create an appeal to the audience.
- Exaggeration - In cartoons we have the licence to exaggerate for dramatic or comedic affect. Opening the mouth that bit further than actually possible in the real world. However there is a point of where realism and exaggeration need to end. Hopefully that will come apparent in this tutorial
- Squash and stretch- This is one of the principlies of animation and is important to conveying emotions. A squashed long head could convey surprise whereas a squashed face could convey bordem or sadness. This directly relates also to my next key point
- Strong Poses - Ok so strong poses there are key points to a strong pose you have to have reference but obviously you can exaggerate. Also the questions you need to ask yourself are
- Is this the simplest way of conveying this emotion? If there is a simpler way to convey that emotion. Conveying emotion in real life is effortless really so when animating a character if there is a simpler way of conveying that emotion then its all the better. Time, effort, and your SANITY!!!!
- What is the character thinking? When animating a character you need to in some ways become the character and put yourself in the position of that character. What would you be thinking and how would you act if a particular thing happened. When animating a pose ask yourself what that pose says the character is thinking.
Dont worry this all sounds far from fun but trust me if you engage with the character thats half the job.
Trust me when you ask yourself that all important question. Does the character have appeal? If the answer is yes then all the hard work is worth it and its one of the greatest feelings on earth bringing a character to life :P
Emotion in Animation :P
My tutorial is going to be on "Emotion in animation". Emotion in animation is very important to create that believability and appeal of a character. I aim to show the constraints and basics of emotion in animation and create an appealing set of emotions with a character.
Here is some research of expressions from the geniuses at disney and from there new film Tangled.
The keys of Emotion in ANIMATION!!
Ok so like everything there are key elements on how to give emotion to a character and therefore create an appeal to the audience.
- Exaggeration - In cartoons we have the licence to exaggerate for dramatic or comedic affect. Opening the mouth that bit further than actually possible in the real world. However there is a point of where realism and exaggeration need to end. Hopefully that will come apparent in this tutorial
- Squash and stretch- This is one of the principlies of animation and is important to conveying emotions. A squashed long head could convey surprise whereas a squashed face could convey bordem or sadness. This directly relates also to my next key point
- Strong Poses - Ok so strong poses there are key points to a strong pose you have to have reference but obviously you can exaggerate. Also the questions you need to ask yourself are
- Is this the simplest way of conveying this emotion? If there is a simpler way to convey that emotion. Conveying emotion in real life is effortless really so when animating a character if there is a simpler way of conveying that emotion then its all the better. Time, effort, and your SANITY!!!!
- What is the character thinking? When animating a character you need to in some ways become the character and put yourself in the position of that character. What would you be thinking and how would you act if a particular thing happened. When animating a pose ask yourself what that pose says the character is thinking.
Trust me when you ask yourself that all important question. Does the character have appeal? If the answer is yes then all the hard work is worth it and its one of the greatest feelings on earth bringing a character to life :P
Here is some research of expressions from the geniuses at disney and from there new film Tangled.
Examples of Strong Poses
Strong poses are essential in creating emotion and appeal in a character a standard pose will not catch the viewers attention and will not tell a story. The secret to a strong pose is find the easiest way of showing an emotion or feeling.
This is a good example because although you dont normally think about it this pose it makes you feel something. The Fact Prince Naveen frog character has his legs crossed and his upper body leaning back says he is happy, comfortable and added to that his eyes are looking at the princess with very drowsy looking eyes. This expression gives the feeling of being in love this just shows the importance of strong poses there is no actual movement to show this just on image.
Ok this sketch of Tarzan from the genius Glen Keane is also a good example of strong poses. This pose is to emphasise that he means business. I can tell this by just a few things
- The fact the whole body is leaning forward and the curvature of the spine going forward emphasizes this.
- Also Tarzan's fingers are very stiff and curled up as an act of aggression
- Tarzans facial expression shows determination and anger therefore this shows he wishes to change the situation
- The fact his right arm is behind him and his hand is very tense says that he is waiting to strike.
Strong Poses
Ok so my Tutorial has ventured off into just being about strong poses and the importance of this in creating an emotion in a character and an appeal between the viewer and the character. What i am going to do is create a scene and use different strong poses to create different emotions and different feeling to the character.
