I have always been a big fan of the graphic art styles, both in animation and comic books. I find the simplicity of using basic shapes to create appealing character designs an inspiration. The use of colour in 2D animated films combined with shadows and light also brings out the form and shape of both the characters and story.
I have been researching studios' work over the past couple of days. Below is the link to the flashback sequence from Dreamworks Kung Fu Panda 2 in which we witness Po's childhood and how his past relates to Lord Shen's motive for his actions in the film.
- Dreamwork Kung Fu Panda 2 - Story of Po's Childhood Sequence
Although a flashback sequence, I really like the 2D graphic style shown. The use of colour and light really emphasises the emotion that the director wanted to get across to the audience. Relating this back to my project, I am going to have to find a suitable colour palette for my film that will get across the emotion and personality of the characters to my audience. For example, the waitress' uniform might be bright and colourful to show how youthful and energetic she is whilst the business man's suit might be dark and bland to show his age and stature in his job.
- The Thomas Beale Cipher
2D characters and layouts on planes and compositing. Minimal animation - all in the story and the commentating
- Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part One: The Tale of The Three Brothers Animated Sequence
Shadows and effects on the clothing
- The Backwater Gospel
Inspiration for my project - format
Now that I have decided how I want colour to play an important part in my film, I have to decide on how I am going to format my animated short. I want it to be fun to watch which means I have to research how my initial inspiration for this project i.e. Looney Tunes and Wacky Races present their stories to their audiences.
(insert link to an older Looney Tunes episode)
Snappy animation, motion lines,
Here's an example of a more recent Looney Tunes cartoon:
- Warner Bros. New Looney Tunes Cartoon: "Coyote Falls"
Although a CG animated cartoon, the simple story of Wile E. Coyote trying to catch his dinner (The Road Runner) is shown through clever camera angles and editing. The way in which the director of this cartoon has shown the story is emphasised by great exaggeration, squash and stretch and timing of the characters' actions. Relating this slapstick comedy style to my film, I have to think really hard about how I will time my characters' actions along side the storyline to really emphasise what's going on.
Just like how Warner Bros. has kept the magic of brilliant story telling through slapstick comedy in their new cartoons, I have to find a way of keeping my own style of story telling in CG into 2D, especially cameras and animation.
Comics - speech and thought bubbles
Borderlands 2 Opening Sequence - colour, angular designs, 2.5D look (cell shading on CG models) - creates a dynamic comic book style look
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part One: The Tale of The Three Brothers animation
References for my project
Vector cartoons
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