Economics!

This is a list of the nine economical ways that animation an build emotions in the imagination of the audience:

1. Rear View – for the audience to get inside the characters’ heads
2. Shadows – for suspense, drama, and interest
3. Shadows Over The Character – for excitement and dramatic action
4. Overlays – for adding depth to the situation through the movement of things other than the character (almost personified)
5. Dramatic Layout – for the portrayal of feelings of a character through the layout
6. Pictoral Shot – for setting a mood and saving yourself difficult animation through the use of an establishing shot
7. Effects Animation – for creating strong feelings by the animation equivalent of particle system effects
8. Held Drawings With Camera Moves – for strengthening expressions beyond what is normally possible
9. Offstage Sounds – for telling a story and or enhancing a story by sounds rather than or in addition to animation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2uuEOV5PhI


Shadows are used heavily to dramatize the shots, as well as overlays and effects though the names over people’s heads and gun shots. Held drawings with camera moves are used, however the frames are not still.

Points to remember when animating emotions:

1. Make sure the emotional state of the character is clearly defined.
2. The thought process reveals feeling. Sometimes it can be shown with a single, held drawing or a simple move. Other times, there should be gestures, body moves, or full action. Determine which is best in each case.
3.Be alert to use of cutting and camera in helping to accentuate the emotion.
4. Ask yourself constantly:
What am I trying to say here?
What do I really want to show?
How do I want the audience to react?
5. Use the element of time wisely:
To establish the emotion of the character,
To convey it to the viewers,
To let them savor the situation.
Don’t be ponderous, but take it away from them just as they start to enjoy it.