Comment #23

I have to concur with Bonny,

The Pixar website rocks! I first went to the Artists Corner, and found animation only a click and drag away with the ol’ trusty mouse. Next I clicked to “How we do it”. This was cool, from pitched idea, to the treatment, which is really like a point paper, to the storyboard (which is pitched to the director). Next they pitch the voices for the characters, and then the editing begins. I think of this whole process, the editing is probably most important (short of character development). I believe this, because editing is where it all comes together and the characters are given life (or sum are the parts merge to make an animation outline).

Next, the art department creates the look and feel of the characters. Then, models are sculptured and articulated. Next, the sets are dress, much in the same way they are in movie and television (to give it the right look). The shots are laid out or the story is translated into 3D scenes, then the shot is animated, and then the characters are shaded. Lighting is then completed, and then the computer data is rendered or translated into files. The final touch consists of more editing, which might include sound, artwork, or a number of items, and that’s it. Again, I found this the most interesting part of the Pixar website, because I’m always interested in the how and why things work.

Bonny, I’m glad you ran out things to say and found this website, as it was helpful and better helped me understand the process used for making animation. Thanks, Mike

Comment #22

I did not see this movie as I arrived late for class however I do want to make comment about the toys. It is true, as children grow older, and get to a point where they disregard their toys. I had a stuffed lamb I affectionately called “Lamby” as a child, and to this day, I have idea what happened that lamb with the bell sewn in it’s tail. I think that toys are like cartoons, they will never die, and some, like “Lamby” fade away, but others quickly replace them in the fantasy world of another child.

And this is the beauty of animation and toys. So long as children are being born, there will be a place for them in society. Although, I wished I could have seen this movie to understand why it needed to be made in the first place (since most people would agree that toys never really die, they just fade away).

Post #12 Polar Express

This was a great movie, which I have waited a year to see (since its release last year in movie theaters). Based on the release timing, I believe the release was delayed until Christmas 2005. Therefore, what made this movie so great? The characters appeared human in cartoon form if that makes sense. There were many elements about the characters that looked real, but the hair comes to mind, as it really seemed real. Then there were their movements, which also seemed real. In fact, everything about them seemed real save certain movements they were making (I will save this one for you to see when you rent it). Therefore, I decided look into this type of animation. This type of animation is called “Performance Capture”. It is better explained below:

The movie is unique; it is not live action, but it is not computer animation as such either. Instead, the film is a hybrid of both, showcasing the latest innovations on offer in Hollywood. The entire movie has been shot through a technique called 'performance capture', which recreates the cast's motions and displays them on screen. The best comparison is when video game developers use similar technology to bring their characters to life. If you have been following the making of the Polar Express, then you would have noticed the actors kitted out in what seemed like skin-tight bodysuits with light bulbs. Obviously, the suits are far more hi-tech than this simplistic observation purports, but the technology allows the filmmakers to digitally map the actors. Hence every action and reaction is representative of the cast's actual physical movements.

In closing, this movie is available for sale or rent at Blockbuster, and I highly recommend it.

Comment #21

I agree with you on the landscape Lisa, as I too have spent a great deal of time out West, and go to AZ every year. So I can identify with your view. However, I was taken by the horses acting like humans, so thanks for bringing me back to put the real beauty of the film into prospective. I did get a sense of being in Utah, then out in Montana, and rockies of Colorado. It was all there. This movie also had a good storyline and kept it's viewer's attention. I think that in any kind of television or movie, the key is to keep the viewer's attention. And Spirit certainly did that. Mike

Comment #20

Animation has grown up is what has happened. Back in the 1950s everyone was in horror when the the creature from the black lagoon appeared on the screen. These days he'd be a laughable joke. I further agree with Lisa, technology has taken over, and the funny scenes of Bugs and Daff seem child's play to animators and their audience. Children are more interested in toys replicating a superhuman, rather than a mouse, rabbitt or duck.

Post #11 Spirit

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

I found a few things to comment about on this movie. First, the title, and introduction with the voice and bird flying gives no clue that the story surrounds one amazing horse. That said I was looking for an animated Indian with a special horse, rather than a horse with a mind of its own. So when the story turned out to be about a really smart horse, I simply sat back and took the entire movie as it was delivered to me without further anticipation. But since this was no normal horse, there’s was much to anticipate as the story built to the climax.

Communication

I believe the challenge for the animators was to make a horse performance movement, through eyes, expression, and gesture, with limited hoof direction. And this was accomplished very well, as I was able to understand the horses through movement absent of voice. The animators did use voice, but sparingly, and only when needed to illustrate or direct a scenes. Eyes: I’ve never seen eyes so big on a horse however; the animators made them bigger to further emphasize the horse’s intentions since they could not speak. The mouths of the horses were used for the same purpose.

Scenes

The scenes were great, although the idea of horses acting like a human’s in the film was a bit of a stretch, though entertaining. One scene was particularly enduring: The scene when the two young colts are fighting at night when the heard is together, and Spirit breaks them up, only to walk away and snap his head back, when the colts start fighting again, as to say, knock it off and I won’t tell you again. This is a human role playing by horses. Other elements of the scene are when Spirit is tied to the pole without water or food for three days. Again, the animators use the human spirit to demonstrate determination, and this could also be seen as a lesson for the viewer (a lesson in sticking to your beliefs and remaining determined to see your problems through to resolve). The scene as the train rolled down the hill was brilliant, and almost seemed real with the flames and fire affect. The last scene I’m going to comment on is the big jump. I know this was the climax of the movie, but there was something about a human and horse mentally connecting before the jump, that just didn’t seem right.

All in all, this was a wonderful movie, although I wonder what this movie would have been like if the roles were reversed (i.e. a horse playing a human). Hum…I digress, as it would probably be boring.

Comment #19

South Park to my knowledge comes on Television at night. So politically correct parents should have their children in bed. It is just a show for entertainment purposes. But isn't there a bit of reality in it? Think about it, kids being cruel to other kids happens everyday. I'm not condoning it, as I think this is a result of poor parenting.

Cursing, kids do it all the time, and in fact, kids these days have even been known to curse their own parents. This I blame on society with that "Time out" crap back in the early 1980s, and the threat of being locked up if you touched your kid. I think a sound beating goes a long way, and if I had kids, I'd probably beat them (when that needed it), and worry about going to jail later, because in having kids, I have a responsibility to raise honest, law bidding respectful citizens.

South Park is simply late night entertainment which you can either watch, or tune out by flipping channel (Besides, most people have 600 or more channels to choose from).

Comment #18

Lisa did bring back some memories however, I never heard of Wuuzles? Johnny Quest I do remember back in the 70s, and did not realize it ran through the 80s. Is it still on the air? The chipmucks. I thought the combination of a man raising three adopted Chimmucks worked fine. This was a sitcom cartoon, and was reminscent of the My Three Sons of the 1950s (single father, three sons). But of the three, Johnny Quest would probably be my favorite, simply because there was more realism to it, and as I grew up, I rarily watch cartoons. However, when I did I was drawn to the cartoons following adult themes. Do you remember Heavy Metal?

Post #10 Pocahuntas

Pocahontas

I had never seen this movie before. I found it interesting, funny, and thoughtful. The scenery in this movie was straight out of West Virginia, and Pocahontas was a spirited girl. I noticed that John Smith was on a quest for a new land and he seems taken by Virginia, while the governor is on a quest for gold. Mecco does not speak, however he is full of personality, and is funny. When he jumped off the cliff like Pocahontas did, it wasn’t until he was halfway down that he realizes he can’t fly. His expression was priceless. There were also a couple of memorable voices such as Native American actor Russell Means as the voice of Pocahontas father, and Billy Connolly as the voice of Ben. However, I did not figure out that Mel Gibson was the voice of John Smith.

Then there was flee the bird, who like Mecco does not talk, but is full of personality, such as parting Pocahontas and John Smith apart when they shake hands for the first time. Both characters, Pocahontas and John Smith, see each other as savages. Pocahontas sought to respect the land for what it was, and John Smith sought to change it with invention. Even granny the tree has personality, as she states her bark is worse than her bit, upon meeting John Smith. After making this statement, the owls look at each other as to say “Yeah right.” Percy the dog is a loser for the first part of the movie living like a spoiled king. However, it is Percy, who reflects the first sign of change or peace between the English and the Indians. Kocoum was killed by Lon, and John Smith was taken hostage by the Indians. It was at this point that Mecco and Flee head out. As they leave, they look back at Percy’s pitiful face, and they go back and embrace him (hence peace was on the way).

The story turns into the typical happily ever after when the English and Indians make peace. Overall, this was a great cartoon with excellent color and scenes. I enjoyed Pocahontas and highly recommend it.

Comment #17

This is the wonder of all wonders, "What is going on in the heads of animators." But what happens when their work imitates their lives, such as in appearance. I’ll tell you, you get Tim Burton. Now here’s a guy that’s a genius however, I doubt most people could pick up much from him in a conversation, because he’s probably so over the top, or at least his appearance suggest that (he could be a perfectly normal guy). I’ve heard Bob Dylan is a genius too, wonder what they conversation would be like. Staring to get my point. So in answer to your question as to what they are thinking, I don’t know, but I do know that I’ve met a few people who are considered genius’ in their fields, and most think and act perfectly normal (or what society considers normal). And then there are those like the Albert Einstein’s of the world who act, and are very much on the eccentric side. I say don’t worry your head, and just be thankful they keep coming up with these great animations.
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Comment #16

Mike said...
The witch in Snow White, and evil step mother in Cinderella, equally scared the hell out of me at age seven, when I first saw them movie at the theater. All these years later, it’s a different vibe for me however, I think there were several things happening, which affected me at seven. I’m certain I was afraid of the dark, so here I am in a dark movie theater, with this tall evil, purple, larger than life character on the movie screen in surround sound. Yeah, I’m certain the affects and scenary helped shape my opinion on this one.These days when I turn on the television, the such characters are amusing to seven year olds, I guess that’s progress for you in America.

Post #9 An American Tale

Who’s that mouse: Coming to America in the Giled Age

I had never seen ‘An American Tale’ until today’s class. So I spent most of the class making notes as I we watched. My impressions as I watched are as follows. My first thought was Russian mice looking to defect to the U.S. to get away from the cats (they think there are no cats in America). However, the cats are really Cossacks, and the mice are Jewish (I didn’t get this until after the film during the discussion). I immediately felt there was a history lesson coming from the start. Once in NY, the mice go through Ellis Island and the notorious name change, which actually happened (this was done to hide certain European identities, and some names were just to hard to understand or pronounce). Fievel separated from his family meets a pigeon that inspires him to "never say never," which seems so American, and fitting for the times for the incoming immigrant. Then Fivevel meets Warren T Rat, whose name and character remind me of a hustler. I sensed something bad was coming for Fievel, and sure enough, Warren throws him into a sweat shop or forced child labor. This was a big issue at the turn of the twentieth century. There were several child labor laws passed in the U.S. during this time, such laws that limited the amount of time a child could work during the week.

Though I acknowledge Tony the Italian mouse and Bridget, the Irish mouse, it was the character of Honest John that followed that caught my attention. It was only after the film that I realized that this character was modeled after the 1890s New York City political boss, Boss Tweed. During the Gilded Age Boss Tweed was the man you went through to get anything accomplished in NYC at that time.

Not sure who the rich female mouse was, but she sounded like Madeline Kahn. The voice of tiger was the voice of Dom DeLuise, and there were serious Cowardly Lion overtones from the Wizard of OZ in this character. Although I felt this tiger had social issues. In the end, the story has a nice ending. This was definitely a story for the whole family, because as the kids get caught up in the cartoon, the adults can make the historical connections the film has to offer. Great film.

comment #15

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You mentioned that Roy Disney produced the Ike commercial. Today this is typical of Hollywood, to support the candidate they endorse. Politicians have long known of the power an actor/actress has on the public, and many have used Hollywood to gain favor within the public, and Ike was no exception. I liked the comment you made about the GE short movie, because you got the intent, as it was intended to show the view how America and GE have developed from candles to lightbulbs. You also nailed the Stock Market short, as it was intended to do just that, enlighten the public on the benefits of investing. Good call on all. Mike

Comment # 14

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You have to remember that Bullwinkle was a victim of society at the time, and reflected those views. A cartoon is just that, a cartoon. There is a progression, which the Prof explained in class, whereby cartoon began as sales pitches and commericals and grew into what the industry is today. Bullwinkle is a part of the transition from commericial to 30 minute cartoon in a sitcom type setting. However, everyone is entitled to what they like and don't like, so I can't fault you there, but I agree with Lisa that the show does deserve our respect. Mike

Post #8 Bullwinkle & Rocky

Okay, I have to confess, I never knew Rocky the squirrels name was Rocket J. Squirrel. All those years of watching that cartoon, and I missed this obivous fact right in front of my face. I really enjoyed watching this cartoon again, I'd tried to catch it on the Cartoon network and missed it everything. What made this cartoon so good anyway?

We'll I enjoyed the whole aspect of storytelling. As a History major, I've enjoyed learning of the past since I was very young, and I believe the reason for this began with cartoons, such as Bullwinkle. Think about it, you get a Fairly Tale, such as Ruponsal, a look back in time with a talking dog that's adopted a boy, in which the dog thinks this situation is perfectly normal. The dog's built a time machine, and together with Sherman, they go back in time to discover fictitious characters, which the writer place in non-fictitious situations.

Then there's Boris and Nathsa. They were a sign of the times in the late 1950's and 1960's. The United States had been locked in a Cold War since the late 1940's with Russia, and between Joseph McCarthy, and J. Edgar Hoover, you never knew who was, or was to be accused of being a spy. So in many ways, this cartoon may have provided a sublimnal message to the viewer of that time.

All in all, this was a great cartoon, whose outlook was based on the events of the day during it's time.