Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
stated elsewhere, we should be looking beyond animation for our sources of
inspiration and guidance; nowhere is this more evident than in acting.
From the earliest examples of animated film created by Emile Cohl, J. S.
Blackton, and Winsor McCay, animation meant one thing, and that was
entertainment. Entertainment meant the telling of stories. McCay's work
clearly attempted to instill personality into his characters, but the even earlier
examples created by Cohl and Blackton were a little light on sophisticated
narrative, being little more than figures moving around in a fairly simplistic
manner and undertaking very obvious actions—and
action
is very different
from
acting
.
Action does play a vital role in all animated performances and is a
fundamental part of acting, but that's not to say that all animated
performances depend on movement and action in the same way. If our
animation is not to be reduced to simply moving objects around on the
screen, we need an understanding of how dynamics and animation timing
create a performance and underpin acting.
The reason that millions of people go to the movies to watch animated
feature films is not because of the quality of the animation or the particular
technology being used; it's because of the story and the performance.
Without a doubt there are occasions when technology has created an added
attraction, as with the advent—or more correctly the reemergence—of
stereoscopic 3D films such as James Cameron's
Avatar
(2009). It is quite
interesting to consider how the novelty factor has played an important part
in the development of film. From the outset audiences were drawn to the
very novelty of the art form. They were amazed at the Lumière Brothers'
Baby's
Breakfast
and were happy to pay simply to see the movement on screen.
Later audiences were amazed at being able to hear
The Jazz Singer
. With the
advent of color and every technical refinement that followed, including 3D
film, audiences continued to come in droves. Regardless of the advances in
technology and production processes and despite the modes of distribution,
audiences continue to be drawn to film for the same reason they have always
been drawn to it: stories—interesting stories full of interesting people doing
interesting things. Underpinning all of this was the script.
I have written this before and elsewhere but it holds true for the purpose of this
text and illustrates how storytelling underpins all successful animated films:
Good Idea
+
Poor Animation
=
Good Film
Poor Idea
+
Good Animation
=
Poor Film
Poor Idea
+
Poor Animation
=
Stinker
Good Idea
+
Good Animation
=
Award Winner
There is yet another issue that goes some considerable way to ensuring a
film's success, and that is performance. Even with a good script and good
