Reflection on Practice

As part of the Reflection on Practice module I have also uploaded an online version of my report.

Click here to view report.

Report Writing and Presentation

From now on I will be focusing all my efforts on writing my Reflection on Practice report and preparing for my end of semester presentation. I will be trying to continue with my own practice as this is happening and will update my progress here as time goes on.

The Programme of Study 2.0

Updated programme of study for the end of semester one.

Adam Thomson - Programme of Study 2.0

adamthomson.blogspot.com

Title:

Developing performance using character, objectives, emotion, and physical actions.

Acting Theory - Preparing a Character

After reading Ed Hooks Acting for Animators recently I have decided to go back and read some of his influences and the context from which he is teaching. But also to see if I can gain more of an understanding by reading the source material.

The Research Poster

Here is my research poster for the Research Skills & Methods module assessment. 

Click the image to embiggen.

Madame Tutli-Putli

Creating Atmosphere and Mood using Animation.

The atmosphere and mood of the film at the start is quite lonely, somber and uncomfortable. These are reflected in the character of Madame Tutli-Putli, we see through her movements she is uncertain, nervous, filled with anxiety and is quite solemn and lonely. These characteristics are heightened even more as the atmosphere and mood grows darker, more hostile and tense as the film goes on.

Meet The Spy

Meet the Spy is is the 8^th short animation based on the game Team Fortress 2 created by Valve Software.

The Meet the Spy short is a very good example of the style of animation that I am interested in creating. Everything from the way it is rendered to the character models and animation is very stylised and exaggerated. Although quite cartoony everything still moves in a believable way so as to not be too unrealistic.

The Left 4 Dead Intro

The Left 4 Dead intro is quite unique in that it as well as setting up the context for the story and introducing the characters it also acts as a gameplay tutorial. Every moment of the trailer is there to inform the player of all of the main game mechanics and gameplay devices before they even start to play the game. By using the framework of a short film the developers are able to inform the player of the techniques and knowledge needed throughout the game to survive. But doing so by showing them through the actions, choices and mistakes that the characters make throughout the story in the trailer.

The Abstract

Adam Thomson - MSc Animation and Visualisation 4/11/10 

Research Skills and Methods - Abstract 

Research Title: Research developing character and personality through movement, action, appearance and performance.

“When we speak of the illusion of life in animation, it boils down not to mannerisms and naturalistic movement, but to emotion.” - Ed Hooks  

As an animator I feel that I have reached a point where on a technical level I am quite advanced but in terms of character performance my work is far more functional than emotive. With this in mind I wish to become a more accomplished animator with a better understanding of performance animation with more of a focus on why something moves than how it moves. The production of animation exploring and experimenting with character and performance will help me to really be able to get to the heart of why characters move the way they do. 

These animation tests will include but not be limited to basic walks and runs to more complex performance based animations with single and multiple character interactions and dialogue pieces. Some of this work will be used to take part in the monthly 11 Second Club animation competitions. 

To support the practice based research I will be reading into different acting and movement theories such as Stanislavsky and The Actors Studio, Ed Hooks Acting for Animators and Laban Movement Analysis and will also talk to local actors and performers to find out about their approaches. 

The work I want to create is very much based within the context of researching and producing animation focusing on developing my understanding of character performance and then applying this to short character led animations.

Hooks, E. (2003) Acting for Animators: a complete guide to performance animation. Revised Edition. Porstmouth, NH, Heinemann

The Contextual Review

Adam Thomson - MSc Animation and Visualisation 10/14/10
Research Skills and Methods - The Contextual Review

Research Title: Research developing character and personality through movement, action, appearance and performance.

Throughout my search most of the books I have found that claim to be about character animation, especially those focused on computer animation actually have very little content on the process and techniques of animating. They instead deal with the technical side of building and rigging characters for animation. Content, which is much more, like that of a text book or software manual.

Programme of Study - Draft

As part of the course we are to complete a document called the Personal Programme of Study that outlines our project for the year, the rationale for the project and the research methods we will use to achieve our goals. As this was the first draft of my Programme of Study some sections are still to be completed and as time goes on some will need to be updated.


Adam Thomson - Programme of Study