[COP3] Finished Animation

Less Movement

More Movement

Rearrange scene

Final move movement animation

METHOD

Aim

It is said that movement is an essential element when anthropomorphising an inanimate object. The aim of this animation is to explore the use of movement in animation and to compare the result of two animation with different amount of animated component. I am hoping for distinguishable outcome that one of those two animation could assign more anthropomorphism and empathy from the audience without dialogue or text. I also want to investigate whether anthropomorphism could attribute personality or character to the object from the audience.

Target Audience

My target audience are general public from age five upwards. Normal people how are able to recognise emotion and feelings. Best to have basic knowledge about respiratory system(not compulsory)

Procedure

It is an animation about the respiratory system that do not include narrative or dialogue. Different texture are introduced into the animation by scanning and photoing in materials as well as editing in Photoshop and Aftereffect. The main characters are an oxygen molecule and carbon dioxide molecule which are designed with no face and humanised body hence no facial expression or gesture that audience could connect to directly. The story begins with a zoom-in scene that introduce the micro-particles in the atmosphere. Particles' movement  is caused naturally by the flow of air so as to clarify that no human emotion or feelings are attributed onto the characters though altering at the first place so it is believed that the moving oxygen and carbon dioxide could be gradually characterised by show sequence of dance and staying together to show a bonded relationship. Suddenly, the oxygen is sucked into a human body via inhalation and audience follow it into the body to begin the journey. In the less animated version, characters do not bend or stretch, just maintaining the same volume with a few rotation movement throughout the whole story whereas the characters in another more animated version could squash and stretch, moving their body to pull forward. The inner body parts are animated more vigorously and introducing the body as a character as well. Consequently, the oxygen is taken into the lungs, comprehends gas exchange, and would be consumed by the body. Its carbon dioxide friend waiting outside would never see it again and follows the air current to another place eventually.

Results and Evaluation

The comparison of the two version of animation proof the statement of the importance of movement in object character from Paul Wells and discover new ideas and knowledge throughout the production. First of all, there are significant difference between two animation and obviously are the amount of movement. The stiff characters could modestly narrate the story with aids from the background and camera angle for instance showing adventurous inside the mouth by a round torch layer and slow motion scene to emphasise the gas exchange moment. Comparing to the better animated character, the caricature object suggests a lot of feelings by the level of the movement and the familiar sequence of flapping wings. In the second animation, the whole body is animated so as to create an environment of liveliness and every part of the body seems involving in the story. It is suggested that inanimate character without human physical characteristics or any exaggerated performance is difficult to create empathy from audience on its own because the amount of information is hugely restricted by the faceless and non-humanised character design. A massive difference is demonstrated in the scene where oxygen starts becoming alone in both animation. Oxygen character that is animated less is dull and lifeless especially without the help of moving background whereas the same character in the other animation shows more energy and personality simply by providing a constant sequence of movement so it attracts audience’s attention despite of being alone. The more the connection made between audience, the better opportunity for the characters to be anthropomorphised. The aim of attempting audience to see the characters with feelings which is succeed. As the creator of this animation, even with the understanding of the purpose behind, it is irresistible to attribute character onto the oxygen and carbon dioxide which might argue that the ability of anthropomorphising is indeed an instinct of human and it is a gift to create. What is more, the use of material aids storytelling and building up a good character. Object character without the ability to express verbally or physically requires other ways to reveal their thoughts and personality to audience which could be using the suitable texture on the appearance. For examples, the oxygen has an airy texture of a watercolour painting that introduce a lively, light weighted and happy character compare to the solid, intense texture of fabric on carbon dioxide that create a less flexible body and personality to it.