Project 5 - Allen Heberlig & Will Rowe

Chapter 4

In chapter 4 McCloud mostly talks about the ideas of time and motion. He specifically makes reference to ways that a comics can give the psychology of time passing within a single image. In doing this, a larger message can be presented within a single image instead of 3 images. By adding lines that precede the object's movement, the message of movement is directed to the viewer in a non-distracting way. He also explains the polyptych in which a moving figure or figures is placed in front of a continuous background allowing for a single large background to be created from the combined images. I think the major point that McCloud is trying to make is to recognize the different ways time can be expressed but also that time is in the head of the viewer when it comes to comics.

Jeff McReynolds

Chapter 4

In chapter 4 McCloud explains how to show the passage of time in comics. He gives a few examples like a blank icon or to show a longer period of time, a longer blank icon. He also describes the importance of the icons. I would have never thought of this on my own. McCloud says how important the icons are, they contain all of the information wether it is black and white on the page or more abstract, like the passage of time. Next McCloud explains the flow of comics. That we read and interpret them from left to right and from top to bottom, we perceive the icons previous to the current frame as things in the past and icons to come are perceived as the future. the final points made are the ways different cultures and time periods show motion and sound.

Chapter 4

This chapter focused on the idea of time and the way comics transverse time from panel to panel. I found that most interesting part was the way some panels could slow time down to milliseconds between what happens while some didn't even have panels but all the time was shown within one panel and just a matte of how it was read. It was all happening at once in one panel though the way the reader read it created the idea of time.

McCloud, Chapter 4

In chapter four, McCloud talks about different ways that time can be represented within the frame. A frame is usually not just a single moment. Sound or movement adds duration to the frame. Likewise, the size of the frame and the amount of space between frames can be used to suggest the passage of time. Furthermore, a sense of timelessness can sometimes be achieved by a silent frame, although this depends largely on the content of the frame.

McCloud goes on to talk about Duchamp’s concept of movement (the single line) as well as the Futurist’s dynamic movement (the object in different positions in the same image). These were both precursors to the motion line that is used in most American comics today.

assignment 5

response to chapter 4

Chapter four dealt with how comics control the readers' perception of time. Through manipulation of frame, sounds/words, etc. Unlike comics, animation has the dimension of time determined by the author rather than the reader, but the perception of time can still be manipulated through framing and sounds. A slow moving scene without sound will always feel longer than the same slow scene set to music.

Understanding Comics Chapter 4

In Chapter 4, McCloud talks about the relationship between time and comic panels, how their shape and use affect perception, and how motion is represented. Something that I found most enlightening was the use of longer panels to show the passing of a longer period of time. In the 1800's motion was added to individual panels, using motion lines to represent an object going across space. This can give a panel even more control over time as someone plays out in their mind how long it would take for that action. McCloud's point throughout the chapter, however, is that timing in comics is not as simple as "1...2...3" it is subjective to the content of the panels and use of panels themselves.

Compositing Project

Assignment 4b

Jeff McReynolds

"Rainclouds"

http://digitalanimation.blip.tv/file/3381402/

Character Rational

Metalocop is one half of a detective duo of an animated show I have been working on that I will incorporate into this animation assignment. The show inhabits a world somewhat parodying worlds such as "Miami Vice" and "The Wire". MetaloCop is actualy the sissy cop of the detective due, and lives with his mom and family who are all also RoboCops with only one unique article of clothing to distinguish themselves, otherwise they look exactly the same; for example the father wears a robe, mother an apron, etc.
MetaloCop attempts to always be judicious, but is very clumsy, doesn't know his strength, and just ends up destroying more property than stoping crime. Turns out he has an unfortunate tendency to always hurt or kill innocent grannies while in pursuit.

assignment 4

by Hannah Schulman

Understanding Animation ch 3

Wells describes metamorphosis as a technique unique to animation where one image can morph through lines and color into a completely different image. This is used in simple light and shadow animation and creates a less real more imaginary sense. A queen can turn into an old witch through the strokes of the animator which is accepted by viewers despite being impossible in reality.

Condensation is the condensing of story elements into a much shorter action that wouldn't be possible in reality. Wells gives the example of the Home on the Rails where much of the story is shown in short sequences happening all at once. Despite what seems a simple narrative the main elements of the story remain solid and imply much more.

Synecdoche is when a part of something is used to represent the whole. The bottom half of something represents the whole, an often much more complext meaning.

Symbolism and Metaphor are a great tool for getting around censorship, where one can use an image of something innocuous to symbolize a whole complex idea that may be controversial or politically unacceptable. No where is this more used than in sexual innuendo and political satire.

My character may employ much symbolism as his life is very simple but is a metaphore for much larger ideas and motivations.

Animation shorts

Little late but finally got a chance to check out the ones on the website. All really good though I'd have to agree Logorama was my absolute favorite. The comedy with the constant action was really what kept me going. There was so much going on throughout the entire thing it was really good. I loved the use of all the random logos and symbols for companies. Really loved the m&ms part in it and McDonald being the bad clown guy was spooky and funny. Also the Granny O'Grimms was real good. Overall all the pieces had some very good stories though and some very interesting animation projects on what you can do with animation these days.

Understanding Animation Ch. 3

Wells starts off discussing the use of metamorphosis in animation, explaining that animation can go on to do more than realistic film often can due to a changing effect in a character going through a metamorphosis. This idea is interesting because I had a similar idea with my own project of the character changing throughout his need for a different environment. Next he discusses condensation in animation where animation is able to consolidate movements into fractions of smaller things. Using this for movement of a character in his actions is something I could use in my own piece. Synecdoche uses a form of condensation while actually substituting a an image for a symbol of closer movement. This idea goes on to represent the symbolism that is used. Where an object can represent an entire movement, it then becomes a symbol of that movement. Though this is very interesting idea for animation I do not think the symbolism and condensation with synecdoche would benefit the movement within my own piece.

Understanding Animation Chapter 3

In the chapter titled "Narrative Strategies," Wells talks about several techniques used often in storytelling through animation. One of these techniques is condensation, very commonly used in animation to move the story along from event to event, cutting out the unimportant and mundane. Wells talks about it as a way to focus on different aspects of the narrative, through implying the passage of time. I would like to use this in my character animation to try and keep the story moving and avoid awkward pauses, as well as transitioning for scenario to scenario. Symbolism and metaphor are described as something "more specific and more precise than the thing it symbolizes." Metaphors are whole systems of symbols that represent ideas. This seems to describe the underlying meaning that animations usually have, whether a social commentary or other moral. The character I am creating does not have a symbolic meaning at this point, but this is a very powerful tool worth looking into. Fabrication is the creation of an environment inside an animation that mirrors the real world; sometimes using unlikely and nonliving objects. The world created for the story not only mimics this world, but historical or subjective views of it, appealing to different people and different emotions. The world that I am putting my character into will be very much like the "real" world, only more simplified and brighter. Finally, Wells talks about associative relations, which he says is similar to Eisenstein's montage theory in the way that it uses juxtaposition of unlike things in order to convey meaning. By placing unrelated objects next to each other in animation, one can reveal a concept or relationship that normally would not be thought. Unlike symbolism, which uses commonly recognized relationships, associative relations reveals the abstract relationship through their juxtaposition. After thinking about it, I do not think that my character would benefit from associative relations, deliberate and direct symbolism should be adequate.

Oscar Nominated Shorts Response

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to go out to the actual theater to view these shorts due to fund shortage and lack of health, but fortunately for this time and age, the internet exists. So I did venture out on the internet to find these shorts and managed to find all of them. Logoroma though was a tough find because the usual places all had it taken down due to copyright issues, but I eventually found it on a foreign website, and boy am I glad I did. Logorama was definitely the coolest and most fun to watch. Watched it a few times actually, and always caught logos I didn't catch before. Also like how it was a big obvious metaphor for the economy. Did anyone think that when the North Face Logo fell apart at the end it was a mere coincidence that the E was left behind along with the lines curving downwards, HMMMMMMM?
The other shorts were fun and entertaining as well though. I liked how the Granny/ Sleeping Beauty one utilized some traditional animation along with the 3d. The jokes in this one were also pretty funny, with some being more mature than others.
I liked how the Reaper one started off serious and somber (which at first I didn't like), but then switched gears into a fun little comedy. Also liked how it was an innocent ride through a heavy topic.
Wallace and Grommet were great as usual, I liked all the cheesy jokes.
All in all, these were very satisfying to watch.