Animation

Today I have decided to look at some animation. It is something I wanted to have a look at and research because I feel it is an interesting area with in Media I have yet to explore and I may decide to use it in my Short Film.

Definition:
The techniques used in the production of aminated cartoons.

Types:

There are a wide range of different types of amination, but since I do not need to go in to great depth, I am just going to research the main ones. These are; Cel Amination, Stop Amination and Computre Amination.

Cel Amination:

Refers to traditional amination via using a set of hand drawings. Various pictures are drawn which gradually process slightly one after the other. The drawings that have been made are then traced on to a transparent sheet, which is known as 'A Cel' and acts as a medium for drawing frames. An outline of the images is drawn and are coloured on the back of the cel. This technique is effective and by combining characters and backgrounds enables the aminator to save time. Previous drawings can also be placed over the backgrounds or Cel. When doing this, as it can save previous aminations the same picture does not need to be drawn again. Having background means lighting and shading are needed for a longer period of time. After this, the camera is then used to photograph the drawings that have been made. In totday's society, this type of amination is made more appealing by combining the drawings with matching sound effects, music and association of timing for each effect.

Stop Amination:

Technique which is used to enable objects to move on their own. Simarly to Cel Amination, images are drawn in various positions and photographed. Films such as King Kong are aminated using stop motion.

Computer Amination:

The latest technique which includes 2D and 3D amination. This helps to enhance hand-drawn characters and make them appear more realistic compared to Cel Amination and Stop Amination.

Examples:
Monster's Ink and King Kong are examples of films which have been sucessful in using amination. In the image above of King Kong it is evidant the amination team have made the gorilla look incredibly realistic this particular shot of the animal looking down on actress Nicole Kidman really emphersises the size of the gorilla compared to her.

Here is a video of Stop Motion we looked at in class. I love this, I think it's so clever. I like how everything is done in the same place (on a double bed) yet various different things happen to the people and things surrounding them. If I was to do stop motion I would probably do something which kept in the same location. This video proves things being on the same set can work and it is obviously easier to keep everything in the same place.

Here is another really good video of Stop Motion. Once again, everything is filmed in the same location, this time however, it is based around sticky notes. I especially like how someone has used an usual object but made lots of different pictures out of them. It's a relatively simple concept but has been made into something really intriguing to watch. This makes me realise, stop motion doesn't have to involve people or characters made out of plasticine. Objects you might not even consider may actually be very good to use.

After looking at examples I decided to create my own short clip of Stop Motion;

I really enjoyed trying out animation. This is just a simple idea, but it took a lot of time. This is partly due to the fact I am not experienced in this field, but Stop Motion takes a lot of time regardless. I liked giving it ago, but I don't think I want to base my piece around it. I may use some Stop Motion however if it is fitting with my Short Film, but I wouldn't do it entirely on Stop Motion.