Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
all have a vested interest in. Clearly, for animators' purposes, the analysis of
action need not to be this detailed; the outcomes of our analysis might not
have such far-reaching or critical implications.
Of course, the analysis of action varies depending on the medium involved.
Viewing live footage depends on the use of a timeline, which might or might
not include a time code. Analysis of the moving image can be undertaken as a
continuous sequence or frame by frame; each has its benefits. Analysis of the
moving image can also provide individual images taken from video footage
to identify possible key poses. Some aspects of analysis are common to the
moving recorded image, first-hand observation, or the still image, one of
which is the deconstruction of movement in an attempt to better understand
the movements. This should lead you to the identification of primary action:
the source of the action, secondary action, and tertiary actions found in both
still and moving reference material.
You can deconstruct action for analysis in a number of ways. Here
we concentrate on three of them, each of which will yield a different
understanding of movement: the Four A's of Animation, the hierarchy
of action, and phases of action. Let's start with my own breakdown and
classification of animated movement, the Four A's of Animation.
Four A's of Animation
I have divided animated action into four individual elements, each of which
represents a different level of movement. If you can identify the movement
you are studying as within one or more of these categories or possessing
aspects of these elements, you are in a better position to more clearly analyze
the movement. As a result you may be in a better position to replicate this
movement in your animation. The Four A's are:
• Acting
• Animation
• Action
• Activity
These categories are arranged in a hierarchical manner, activity the lowest and
acting the highest. I believe that an appreciation of these categories will make
an invaluable contribution to your understanding of action and help you
develop your practice to the highest level.
Activity
Activities are the most basic forms of movements that are not associated with
any kind of recognizable action. The term simply denotes movement of an
object across time and space. The movement may display variable dynamics,
but it does not describe any recognizable action. This type of action can be
illustrated by such subjects as animated titles (text rolling across the screen);
it is animated action but it does not relate to anything seen in nature or that is
character driven.
