Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
animated elements in
The Lord of the Rings
(2001-2003) integrated within the
live-action footage are completely convincing. The evil Nazgul's dragon-like
steeds are not only terrifying, they are totally believable.
Interpretation
Interpretive animation
allows for a more creative use of animation and
dynamics and leaves room for more personal expression that does not depend
on either naturalistic or believable movement. Although the abstraction
of movement and dynamics, and even the creation of completely abstract
animation, falls into this area, interpretation is not limited to abstract forms.
If we consider some of the best-known and well-loved cartoon animated
characters, we can see that they are interpretations of the subjects they
represent. Due to their very design, some human cartoon characters are
destined to display movements that clearly do not reflect the actual movement
of a human. Cartoon characters often have extraordinarily large heads,
proportionally far larger than we would normally expect to see in real life. As a
consequence they move in a manner we could consider cartoon-like. Indeed,
cartoon characters of all kinds seem to obey the cartoon laws of motion rather
than the laws of physics the audience experiences on a daily basis.
Striking a more abstract note, animated characters such as Daffy Duck and
Bugs Bunny have few if any discernible qualities of either a duck or a rabbit.
Yet we still accept them as representatives of their animal forms because,
despite their abstraction, they possess the minimal requirements for
recognition. Despite walking upright and looking more like a youth in a gray
suit, Bugs has long ears, buck teeth, and a fluffy tail like a rabbit. Daffy has the
same overall physiognomy as Bugs and he also walks upright, but he has a
yellow bill and a small feathered tail like a duck. Other than these details there
is little to commend them as either rabbit or duck. Instead, we recognize them
not as their animal forms but as characters.
Other cartoon characters are even more abstract in nature. Ren and Stimpy, a
cartoon cat and Chihuahua dog, barely resemble animals, let alone a cat or a
dog. The artistic liberty animators and designers are able to take is extreme.
These more abstract designs are open to interpretation because they are not
being measured against anything that the audience has experience of, so they
become acceptable as cartoon characters.
Four A's of Animation
Over the years I have considered the hierarchical nature of animated action,
leading me to come up with an additional way of classifying animation to help
us better understand and appreciate the nature of animated dynamics. These
classifications are
not
an alternative to the principles of animation that are set
out in this chapter; rather, they offer a useful addition to those principles. I call
these concepts the
Four A's of Animation
.
