Film Vs. Game Animation
Animation: The very word that perfectly describes animated films or even games. As to animate means to bring to life, many people involved in making the very films we watch and the games we place try to make them as realistic as possible, whether it be each object’s shadow, tone, that corresponds to its’ distance away from the source of light. Whatever it may be, animators spend tons of time trying to perfect each scene, each picture, each object. Could it be however that those animators who create games may have a much more difficult task?
When comparing animated films and games, we see so much visual and audio similarity. However, one distinction that is clear is that one is interactive while the other is not. What does that mean? The audience does not get to choose which angle to watch a scene from in a film. The film’s angle is set for each scene from the beginning to end. While many games have introductory films, it is not so while the game is being played. Most games allow the player to view every possible angle.
image courtesy by leagueoflegends.wikia.com
Another difference is that every object within a game is “alive” or on-going whether it can be seen or not. If I zoom into my character, it does not mean everything around me ceases to exist or stop movement. Everything has a script on which it follows 24/7 unlike a film where the only thing that exists is the scene being played. This does not mean it’s easy to make animated films, but it does mean gaming animation can be more complex in ways that filming is not.
Just think about how many different things you have control over in a game. Many role playing or simulation games allow you the utmost control of sometimes even that which is not realistic via cheats. Incorporating these controls to enable interactive playing while maintaining the best visuals is a tremendous feat that should be appreciated. However, it’s also what makes gameplay exciting or boring, and thus has a big impact on the games’ review.
Big Hero 6
One of the hit films of this year as an animations, it has been brought to many people’s attention and all for various reasons. One thing that may be striking as odd is that this is in fact, a Disney film. At first glance, and even during the film, it does not feel so. Compared to our beloved Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and other classic Disney films, not only are the characters shaped differently, but the setting, atmosphere, and the amount of drama in it as well. In fact, this may be the first Disney film to have a presented loved character burst into flames. It’s different, but it’s a good different: an aspect of Disney that we’ve rarely seen.
image courtesy by digitaltrends.com
Big Hero 6, which takes place in San Fransokyo, has many common features to Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films, and for good reason. Take Baymax for example. What robot do we know that looks like Baymax? Our robots are more sophisticated and look like evil characters on Terminator. In order to have a more cute and appealing robot, Disney intentionally imaged the robot not only physically appealing, but emotionally too from the way it walks to every little but sophisticated action. Many of the heartwarming scenes in Big Hero 6, are not the action packed conversation full scenes, but more like the calm after the storm. There was so much meaning and relaxation in these “empty” scenic scenes, but the film in whole was just as great.
Who would have thought that Disney would create a film about a team of superheroes, like Avengers and other superhero series. Taking a look back at the film, even the visual quality surpassed many of Disney’s previous movies. Everything from the wood on the ceiling to the reflecting light on round surface was very detailed. But there are even more cultural surprises like the crates of empty sake/alcohol beverage bottles in the city alleyways. Maybe that’s not very Disney or child appropriate, but it definitely shows how much effort and work they’ve put in to create the perfect environment for the film. Many cross cultural aspects can also be seen throughout the film if paid attention to. Not only is the plot good, but how everything is shaped around it. Big Hero 6 is definitely a new must see animated film.
The Evolvement of Animation in Pixar films
Technological advancements highly impact animation films. Escalations in depth, color and realms are among the aspects that have been enhanced by technology. Moreover, the graphics which impacts the effects have been improved; making the films more stunning. Hand drawn animated films are slowly fading and today seem out dated and completely out of fashion. Compared to the days when hand drawn animated films like Lion king and The Little maid were drawn, the need for them is slowly diminishing. It is worth noting that this does not imply that their impact and popularity is not felt today. These films carry with them their own ton of popularity even today. During transition, when Pocahantas was released, varied reaction and cynicism arose. This was followed by the release of Toy story which was a big hit that marked the beginning of the end of hand drawn animations.
Pixar has had incredible appraise for computerized animated films. Anime has over time influenced the watching habits of the clientele. For example, poke cards can be used to impact good and bad; right and bad. This is demonstrated by the traits of the characters. For example, in Pokeman is portrayed as the bad guy with Ash and Pikachu as the heroes. Different characters exhibiting different traits can be used as contrast in animation. This serves to capture audience’s attention to some vital concepts in the film. In addition, it has promoted cultures such as Asianic. Children have something to look up to for the weekends. On Saturdays children watch Yu-Gi-Oh or Dragonball Z; some habits that have been incorporated into their daily lives. Computers have had an aesthetic value on anime. The aesthetic value of Pixar films attracts clients not only in the screen but also affects the marketing trends in products such as toys and drawing books.
The characters incorporated in animations are life-like and portray a varied range of feelings. The cartoons have features like doll-like eyes, spiky hairs and simplified facial traits where each of the characters is a major work of artwork. The artists are highly creative and very dynamic. These artists deform and hyper cartoonize the intensely emotional cartoons while maintaining the life-like trait for the cartoons which have normal feelings. This goes along way in dictating the audience reactions by the details of the character actions.
Pixar films have a diverse clientele. Their diverse products focus on both children and teenagers and the market continuously changes depending on the target audience. Consumer accessibility to Pixar films product has been facilitated by YouTube, the internet and iphones. This has led to the capturing of a wider audience as well as the spread of the anime. A Pixar film poses unique characteristics and abilities. This is as opposed to realistic films where actors and actresses show the traits of the characters they portray. Pixar films offer a unique set of products that keeps their customers coming back. Pixar films display their art exhibits in public galleries; something that allows the target audience to see their work.
The Use of Color in Animation
Ever since films and technology could incorporate color, the use of it held an important part in creating an environment. Nowadays, one can determine the stage or mood of a film simply by the colors presented in the opening. This is of course, even more so with animation. Whether the film was created using 2D or 3D animation, the use of colors still remains the same.
image courtesy by Disney.wikia.com
To contrast between the most dramatic films, we will use “Snow White” and “Tangled” as examples. Both are Disney films, however, there lies about seventy years between the release of these two films, “Snow White,” released in 1937 and “Tangled” in 2010. To take the simplest example of color incorporation, just look at the colors of their clothes. Snow White wears a blue and yellow dress: yellow which symbolizes brightness and joy, while blue symbolizes wisdom and truth. They represent her through these colors especially to the seven dwarves who adore her in such ways. Rapunzel from “Tangled” on the other hand wears a purple dress, which symbolizes loneliness (of being locked up in a tower), but also royalty (her bloodline). These are only the most common examples of how color is used in animation.
image courtesy by en.wikipedia.org
The use of light and dark colors and/or contrast to set the mood of the setting is very important. It often even characterizes the protagonist or antagonist, of which can clearly be seen in “Hercules,” another Disney movie. While Olympus is filled with bright colors of gold, yellow, and white, which are very noble and pure like, Hades world is of dark black, lit by torches, and grim obviously representing the Underworld. Although this is of extremely noticeable, many may not consider how important color is and how it represents certain aspects of each film.
Although color does not make the story, its use highlights the narration as well as personalities of characters. It does not matter whether the film is 2D animated or 3D animated, or if there is more of a variety in color uses in this age. The use of color in representation can be seen in all kinds of films.
Contrast in Animation
One of the most eye popping aspects of animations can be contrast. Contrast shows not only a difference between two things, but what it really does is direct the audience’s attention to what’s important. Although contrast is often used in non-animated films as well, the use in animated films greatly directs the attention to what’s important or what the situation is.
image courtesy by moviepilot.com
Take the image above from Disney’s “Brave” for instance. In this image alone, we can clearly see that Queen Elinor (on the right) and Merida (left), are not pleased with other. Seeing that they are frowning at each other, they are most likely having an argument. However, among all the similarities, there is contrast. Queen Elinor is slightly hovering over Merida who is in the same angle retreated. This contrast is the most important of all because it shows that Queen Elinor is in charge and has the authority. Although two are very alike in facial expressions, the one who has more power is Queen Elinor.
Contrast is especially important when there is dialogue. There is usually little movement in a character that does not talk much. The character who talks the most however, will be followed by multiple gestures that are sometimes even exaggerated from realistic communication to drag even more attention towards that character. This is contrast simply on a scene level, which shows even more so that contrast is very important globally as well.
The Art of Animation 
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