Journal #4

For Matt Barnes' Junior Animation.(Personal opinions for class only)

• evidence of strong structural elements (narrative or otherwise: sense of place and context in introduction, clarity of articulation of and viewer engagement with the introduction of the hero’s conflict, growing sense of tension as development events occur, clear and powerful articulation of climactic moment, satisfying conclusion)

Matt has a good sense of constructing stories. The story is clear and easy to understand. Another good thing is the Animation style is nice. It is disappointed that the climax moment is not that excited, not much engagements for us. I can not feel much tension in this piece, the main problem is the voice acting, it is no emotion within. 

 

• sophistication of movement design (sense of weight via speed changes, squash and stretch, secondary action; strong acting via silhouette, gesture, and key poses; grace and fluidity via arcs and secondary action)

The Movement design has a little bit stiff, not much squash and stretch. Too much stays and stops. Walk cycles are not natural at all. 

• evidence of character thought process, motivation, and appeal

The characters are too flat and no much personality.

 

• strength of composition and staging (effective and informed use of closeups, medium, full, wide, and other shots; use of active negative/positive space, size relationships and overlapping of forms to orient the viewer towards important shot elements

Limited skillful techniques in this field.

 

• effective pacing that keeps the viewer engaged from beginning to end

Not much, the story is too clear and somehow flat.

 

• strength of design and color: line quality, character and object proportions, color palette that supports the story and establishes an appealing aesthetic

As I said, the Animation style is nice; line quality is rough but looks fine, also colorful and bright.