Finding a process.

As someone continually looking to achieve the best result possible, I have always pushed my boundaries regarding my character animation skills, trying to find new alternative processes and applying them to my practice. My primary outcome regarding character animation was to attribute personality and emotion to my characters rather than concentrate on motion mechanics by exploring various animators' approaches and methodologies. There is a difference between making a character move and bringing life, personality and emotion to them.

Before this course, I found it challenging to visualise the movement of a character and plan my animation, usually animating intuitively with no form of direction. Although the freedom for spontaneous creativity does have its merits concerning performance, the lack of planning remained the primary cause of being unable to progress further. While attempting to overcome this obstacle, I believed exploring how other animators prepare their scenes would assist me with my predicament.

Disney animation veteran Aaron Blaise (The Art of Aaron Blaise, 2013) demonstrates his process for animating a sequence, emphasising the importance of preparation by thumbnailing his scenes before doing any animation. It is a way to explore poses, gestures, and potential movements. Although this method of planning animation is a subject I have previously touched upon in written formats, having Blaise discuss and show his previous work gave me a better understanding of the benefits of thumbnailing and how to put it into practice by creating rough sketches, focusing on communication through body language rather than the quality of drawing.

The Art of Aaron Blaise (2013) Aaron's Art tips 4 - The importance of thumbnailing! Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ8q__Fd-F0 (Accessed: 19 February 2023)

In an interview with animator Glen Keane (Jamycustar, 2010), Keane spoke about the importance of believing in the characters one draws and seeing them as entities with personalities rather than drawings. He also expressed the importance of reflecting on personal experiences and applying them to a character's performance, given the tone and circumstances of the scene. Keane’s interview demonstrated the importance of animating from a philosophical and psychological standpoint, allowing oneself into a character's emotional state and concluding how the character would act or react within the scene. Although he does not necessarily explain the technical aspects of the animation process in detail, his insight contributes to animated performance.

Jamycustard (2010) Glen Keane Talks about Ollie Johnston's animation. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=657awFFGVS8&t=1s (Accessed:19 February 2023)

In her demonstration, animator and filmmaker Joanna Quinn (ANIMEST TV, 2021) explained that the key drawings within an animated sequence are the most crucial part of successful animation. She highlighted the importance of observation, noting how the direction of the movement changes, whether it be observed from life or by video referencing oneself and applying the information to the drawings. This information can be more beneficial than imaging the movement, as observing or acting out the movement can provide additional content and charm to the animation.

ANIMEST TV (2021) The Animated Secrets of Joanna Quinn. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZsvr4BT1dw&t=1250s (Accessed: 19 February 2023)

Initially, covering these principles may have been considered unnecessary at first; however, to progress further, I felt I had to review the fundamentals to refresh my understanding and identify a technique or process that would work for me and through my research I believe I have. What is apparent is that character performance is a combination of both philosophy and technical skill, the key components being the creativity to explore a character's emotional state and preparation of movement through thumbnailing but, more importantly, the key thumbnails.

However, researching and understanding the principles is one matter; applying this knowledge into action is another. One can only progress onward with practice and failure.