Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
The debate over whether we are hardwired to behave in given ways is clearly
still ongoing, and I am in no position to state a case one way or the other.
Clearly, research makes its way into the world through scientific papers and
then into the wider world and becomes “fact.” This may be quite dangerous if
these research findings and conclusions are then set in stone. It would seem
that the manner in which we behave is due to both nature
and
nurture. It is a
complicated mix in which there are evidently some inborn gender influences.
It would be wise to recognize this, though equally we should do well to avoid
readily depending on explaining individuals' behavior as being determined
by genes or hormones. We must also be aware that we are not brought up in
a gender-neutral environment. This will almost inevitably result in the shaping
of our behavior and the perpetuating of social norms.
To illustrate, a group of characters you're animating may require very
little difference among the group members, such as a group of soldiers
undertaking a rigid group activity such as marching. This homogenous
approach to movement will soon break down if the animator then needs to
explore the
individual
personality of one of the group, such as an individual
soldier undertaking action other than a group activity. The soldier's body
language may well indicate a level of fitness and training shared by all his
colleagues, but there may well be personal traits that set him apart from
other individuals. Clearly, the exploration of this individuality becomes really
necessary only if you need to showcase this individual.
The observation of body language can provide a basis on which to build a
performance; the use of body language alone may be enough to provide
the animator with a basis for building a performance. There are clearly
performances that depend on little other than body language—purely
physical performances. Before the use of sound in cinema, actors had to
depend heavily on the physicality of their performances. Harold Lloyd, Charlie
Chaplin, and Buster Keaton depended almost entirely on the use of body
language; yet this seems to have provided very little restriction to their art
and craft, since these three performers managed to develop very distinctive
personalities. The inference here is that it is the body language that provides
an illustration of personality.
With the advent of sound in cinema, the craft of acting obviously changed
considerably. It could be argued that this change allowed for far more subtlety
in performances.
Mood and Psychology
An individual's physicality is clearly very important in setting out to create a
performance, because the body will either allow or restrict a certain range of
movements. Just as important, or maybe even more so, is the psychological
makeup of a character. In creating a performance, animators' work becomes
more complex, considering the mood and temperament the individual
character is required to display throughout the performance.
