Building Character and Location - Ideas for the Animated Short - page 114

A Great Big Robot from Outer Space Ate My Homework is also low key with deep
shadows to create the tension between the demanding teacher and the young boy in
a time before high technology.
A Great Big Robot from Outer Space Ate My Homework , Mark Shirra, Vancouver Film School
￿ Design Elements. The line, shape, scale, and directional orientation of the elements in
the scene communicate meaning and create style. An environment composed of organic
shapes has a very different feeling than one created with geometric shapes. Curves, right
angles, and horizontal orientations are calming and stable. Diagonals, pointed edges,
repeated verticals, and whacked perspective create energy and tension.
In The Animator and the Seat the perspective and shape of everything in the envi-
ronment, from the doorway to the bookcase to the desk, is off kilter, creating an envi-
ronment that is tense like a bad dream. Catch uses primary shapes to evoke a sense
of childhood. The beginning of the piece is open and round. The forest is large, verti-
cal, and sharp. The scale of the forest creates danger. The billboard scene uses hard
verticals to create a feeling that is industrial and cold.
Supporting the Story
Everything about the location—the props, space, texture, color, lighting, and design combine
to support the story and communicate the time period, genre, and style of the piece. Styles
range from general categories such as realistic, abstract, caricatured, cartooned, exagger-
ated, organic, and geometric; to specifi c recognized styles in art such as Art Deco or Film
Noir ; to very specifi c times or locations like Muncie, Indiana, in the 1950s. Don't copy styles
from other people. Don't make the style of the piece the way it is because “that is the way
you draw.” Choose a style that will best enhance your character and tell your story.
Locations are developed in concept art called master sketches or master backgrounds. This
is art that is produced to accompany story pitches. It should communicate the atmosphere,
lighting, and design of the piece. These pieces should create intrigue, curiosity, and interest