Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Motivated Movements
The motivation for an individual character's actions largely depends on
the character's nature and personality coupled with the motivating factor.
This combination may result in a series of actions or patterns of behavior
specific to that individual character. What constitutes a motivating factor
and instigates a particular action for one person clearly does not necessarily
motivate other individuals.
These motivating factors can be made apparent in a performance; indeed,
they can form the basis for analysis. This is where people watching can be of
real value. Watching how individuals react differently in similar situations can
be very revealing. The way people behave when they are stuck in a traffic jam,
queuing for service at the post office, or waiting in line for a taxi clearly
demonstrates these personal traits. Observing these behaviors reveals how
different people deal with and react to particular situations—which become
bored, which become impatient, and which behave in a more stoic and calm
manner. It interesting to witness what this rather prosaic situation motivates
them to do as a result.
The things that motivate one person into action, and in some instances rather
extreme forms of action, may have little if any effect on another person.
What upsets one character will not have the same effect on others. Indeed,
it could result in an altogether different action. You can probably see how
important it is for the animator to begin to gain a reasonable if not in-depth
understanding of the human condition. After all, it is the human condition on
which much of your work will be based.
Characterization
Animators' ability to attribute personality and psychological traits to
characters is one of the fundamental skills for working with character-based
animation. It follows, then, that the study of character will prove useful. For
the purpose of this text, I differentiate between the terms
character
and
personality,
but clearly they are interrelated though not necessarily the same.
It might be possible to categorize character types (in a very incomplete and
simplistic way) by taking into account external factors, such as where they live,
their jobs, or their hobbies. Personalities, on the other hand, might be seen
as more individualistic and related to the nature of that individual: morose,
happy-go-lucky, serious, daydreamer, panicky, steadfast, and so on.
Character Types
You must consider the individual characters in your animation. The interaction
between individuals is what makes a performance interesting; let's face
it, that's what makes
life
interesting. There could be some truth to the old
saying, “Birds of a feather flock together.” Initially we might be attracted to
