Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
A number of aspects related to an individual's body language may be
indicative of a wide range of external influencing factors. These may become
evident in varying degrees through the very particular types of body
language that are expressed—a very useful starting point to animators and
designers when considering the development of personality for a character.
Some examples of body language and posture can be identified as typical
to particular groups, cultures, genders, ages, health, physiognomy, moods,
temperaments, personalities. The way an individual moves may also go some
way to identifying that individual as belonging to a particular group, whether
social, sexual, cultural, and so on. We are on difficult ground here in which it
would be easy to stereotype; without wishing to generalize to the point of
causing offense, I believe it is very apparent that certain individuals move in
certain ways because of their background, traditions, and gender. I would
suggest that these movements are to a large degree inherited, whereas other
forms of movement and posture may be a matter of choice. Some individuals
make a conscious
choice
to move in a specific manner that indicates
belonging to a particular social group.
Men and women often (but not always) demonstrate very different body
language; they may walk, sit, and stand in slightly or very different ways. There
is a certain form of masculine movement that typifies a male walk, which may
be exaggerated by men who want to assert their masculinity—often depicted
in animation as walking with their chests puffed out and exaggerated
swinging of rather stiffly held arms. In some circles this takes the form of a
swagger that would seem to typify the movement of male gang members.
Female models have a rather distinctive walk that does not typify a
generalized female walk pattern but is reserved for the catwalk. It may
be stereotypical, but some male gays have been depicted as having very
distinctive mannerisms, including a distinctive walk.
That's all very simplistic, I know, and there are many exceptions to these
generalizations, but to deny that in some instances such differences in body
language and movement exist in an effort to conform to some form of
political correctness would, I believe, be foolish.
It is very important to acknowledge that the recognition of body language
associated with any particular group can only ever provide a starting point for
our study and understanding of body language. This approach to studying
body language may indicate a characteristic or personality
type,
but it will
not
necessarily provide an indication of body language for an individual. If we
rely too much on this rather broad interpretation of body language, we will
simply create stereotypes and reinforce a stereotypical viewpoint of collective
groupings of various kinds. But even this stereotypical approach may have its
uses. Such a generalist approach may prove all that is required to deal with
a subject we need not explore fully; a man running down a street may look
very different from a woman running down a street, and this may be the only
differentiation we need.
