[Analysis] Analyzing videos and group discussions [incomplete]

On our Tuesday sessions, the class gather to watch clips and discuss them. These are soon becoming my favourite sessions as we get to see new styles of animation and also learn new methods and ways of looking at them by taking each other's feedback on board. Below is a catch up on some of the videos we have watched so far, as well as my opinions on them:

ALMA

This video was chosen by my classmate Emma, who is a big fan of Pixar animation. This short was made by an ex-pixar animator and follows the story of a young girl trying to get a doll from a toy shop. This film is silent, so it relies heavily on expression and music to convey the story. The character design for this is well suited as it's a child with typical large, expressive eyes. The key to the video is to get the viewer attached to the character with her endearing design and movement, the gap teeth and mittened hands create a cute feel to the protagonist. Because the audience is more involved in the character, they feel the sense of danger and suspense leading up to the twist at the end of the video.

ARK

This video was chosen by my classmate Will. This 3d animation uses clever sound design and lighting to create a strong, dystopian environment. We drew some similarities to the environment in the videogame Fallout 3, which has an area named Rivet city which has a very similar atmosphere.

The dull colour scheme in the area as well as the dim lighting compliment the escalating tension in the protagonists mind as he begins to accept his fate. 

One thing we discussed in class is if the video could have worked as a live action instead. While it's true there was no animation specific techniques used in the video, I personally feel that the way the characters were designed, and the overall art direction gave the film a depth that live action would not be able to reach. The distorted and exaggerated structure of the characters helped with the theme of disconnection from reality, however if this then changed to live action when the story switched to the "real world" I feel this could have worked.