Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
• How are the changes in emotions displayed in action, speech, and facial
expression?
• How do the characters respond to one another, and how does their
behavior alter as a result of the presence of other characters?
• How does the sequence conclude? How have the characters changed as a
result of the encounter?
This exercise will provide you with a starting point for the analysis of acting.
Through such systematic study, you will continue to learn more about your
craft.
Now consider another short example of how emotional states can be manifest
in very different ways, depending on the nature of the character involved.
Two very well-known and beloved characters, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck,
would respond in very different ways to the same event; even if they were
both driven to high levels of annoyance, they would demonstrate it in very
different ways. If pushed to the extreme limits of his tolerance, Bugs would
announce to his antagonist in the calmest but tensest of voices, “You realize,
of course, that this means war.” Daffy, on the other hand, would behave
entirely differently—far from being calm cool and collected, his reaction
would be more extreme, more physical, and probably a lot louder. A slight
closing of the eyes and a smile playing around the lips would suffice for Bugs;
nothing but a raging tantrum would be sufficient for Daffy to express his
displeasure.
Group Actions and Dynamics
At the root of any great performance is an understanding of movement, but
for animators working with performance-based animation—through the
movement of objects, animals, or more complex personalities—interactivity is
key. Performances are seldom a solitary activity; though there are some very
obvious and excellent examples of this, more often than not a performance is
an interactive event between two or more characters.
An individual's behavior may change a good deal once that character is in
the company of others. An individual's behavior may be reinforced by the
presence of others; the result may be to encourage a certain type of behavior,
or it may repress it. The company of strangers could have a liberating effect on
an individual who may feel somehow restricted in the presence of people that
know him or, conversely, the confidence that family or peer groups bring may
evaporate. A degree of competitiveness within the group may emerge. We
can often see this in the behavior of children that become more excitable in
the presence of other children.
Once individuals come together, they begin to interact in various ways.
Groups may decide to collaborate and begin to work in teams, or they may
interact in other ways—perhaps in partnership or as antagonists—and the
composition of the group may determine the action of the group and the
