Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
that simulates various effects in live-action films is to work seamlessly with the
live-action elements.
To do that, the suspension of disbelief must be total. The film
The Perfect Storm
(2000) relied heavily on the accurate animation of the behavior of a hurricane
and very heavy seas. To maintain believability, it was necessary to create the
illusion of water in all its separate forms: the overall swell of the ocean, the
giant wave that finally overturned the boat, individual waves that occurred on
the surface of the giant wave, small wavelets, spray, and spume. All of these
effects combined to create a magical but totally believable event. Many of the
animated sequences were cut together with live-action shots of water, which
placed extra emphasis on the accuracy of the simulated action.
The use of animation in most live-action films calls for this high degree
of realism. It is this realism that is the key factor in audience acceptance.
Computer-generated animation allows for a high degree of mathematical
accuracy and occasionally even completely negates the hand of the animator.
Representation
Representational animation
does not have the same constraints as simulation
animation. It is usually made in a manner that demands less accurate
movement than can strictly be evidenced in the actual behavior of the
subject. Such a classification of animation may be extended to movements
that may pass as “real,” even if the actual movements themselves cannot be
evidenced as such.
Consider the animated movement of dinosaurs. There is no doubting that
these animals were real, but we have no hard evidence of how they moved.
Therefore the animator is left with the option of making animation that is a
representation of what we believe to be true. Animators may gather some
insight into the way dinosaurs moved in life from the evidence offered by
their fossilized remains, though even these remains may generate a degree
of disagreement among paleontologists. Even so, we can make reasonable
assumptions about dinosaurs' movements and very good or at least
acceptable representations of their actions. We gather information about their
size, an estimation of their weight, and theories about the articulation of their
joints. All these pieces of information offer valuable clues for the animator.
It is possible that completely fictitious creatures may be represented in a
“believable” manner if the animator uses reference material gathered from
appropriate sources that allow for comparison with these subjects. Using
animals and humans of a similar nature to the imagined creatures may offer
a guide to the types of movement required if we look at each creature's
shape and size, flexibility, and weight as a starting point. So, it is perfectly
possible that unicorns, dragons, trolls, and hobgoblins—even the Devil
himself—may all be represented by levels of believable motion. Some of the
