Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
of acting and performance so that they can create their own performances.
However, before we look at how we go about doing that, we should take
a little step backward and examine once again, albeit briefly, the subject
of timing.
Timing Gives Meaning to Motion
As stated previously, animation timing is at the heart of
all
animation.
You will find it difficult to create any kind of believable performance if
the meaning is missing from the motion. Without a deep understanding
and appreciation of animation timing, it is impossible to create believable
motion, let alone the degree of acting that underpins performance,
which in turn delivers an engaging and interesting narrative. Without
the sophisticated use of animation timing, we are left with simple
movement that has little to do with believable animation. It is through
understanding and applying animation timing that we are able to
give believability to an action. Although timing forms the basis for all
performance-based animation, it does not
provide
that performance; it
simply provides the believable movement that underpins acting. Timing
gives meaning to motion, and without this meaning we are left with
simple activity.
Body Language
Let's briefly extend the topic of body language to look beyond the gait and
movement of individual subjects and begin to look at how this topic links
with performance.
We have seen how an analysis of physiognomy can give insight into
movement and how a range of movements is, to a large extent,
dependent on and limited by physiognomy. We should now take a
look at how other aspects of an individual can be ascertained from his
posture and the manner in which his body is held when both motionless
and moving.
Body language can be an indication of an individual's condition well beyond
the physicality of the subject. In its simplest form, it can describe the age and
health of an individual, but body language can also indicate other personal
aspects such as emotion and mood. It may also be a good indicator of certain
cultural traits, traditions, choices, and origins. As animators, the observation
of body language may provide us with a wealth of information about our
subject and assist us not only in the creation of a believable performance
but also in the creation of believable characters with distinct and
recognizable personalities.
