Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Reading a Sequence
The way we look at individual actions and the manner in which they can be
deconstructed leads us to the analysis of a sequence of movements.
Reading
such a sequence of movements adds yet another level of complexity to the
process of action analysis, but once again, if undertaken systematically, it
need not present too difficult a problem.
Here we attempt to establish the timing of animation in a sequence. Unlike
the timing of an individual action, simply called
animation timing
, the timing
of a sequence of actions is known as
phrasing
. This term describes the way
that separate movements work together sequentially to create an extended
movement that in some instances could be described as a dynamic narrative.
The separate actions that form the sequence often have their own distinct
dynamics and timing that, seen together as a sequence, form a series of
variable timings, rather like a dance with fast, slow, and intermediate phases.
These sequences are sometimes linked through sudden transitions from
one state to another; at other times there may be a slower and more steady
transition from one phase to another. Let's consider for a moment an athlete
undertaking a triple long jump. This will involve a number of separate and
FIG 7.33
Jumping action illustrating
all phases and how the figure moves
from one to the other.
