Considering My Practical

The group tutorial that I attended yesterday also enabled me to think more about the practical element of my CoP project. I have already established that I want to work in 2D and that my dissertation provides me with a great opportunity to produce a series of line test animations, that explore the different techniques and methods that can enhance an animated performance. However, through my reading and researching, I have been able to solidify a couple of ideas for some practical tests. 

An experiment I'm almost certain I shall be carrying out is looking at how different methods of referencing or how this reference material is used, can have different impacts on animated performance. I'm planning on animating a simple movement/action a series of times, but the first time I animate shall be without using any reference what-so-ever. Then I shall animate the same movement but with a reference video to refer to. I could even look into Rotoscoping, and have a third result to compare. There's also the potential to test whether the extent to which I look at the reference effects the performance. It was pointed out in Animated Performance: Bringing Imaginary Animal, Human and Fantasy Characters to Life that Frank Thomas suggested to Nancy Beiman that she should "Take a look at the reference footage, then put it away and never look at it again", and I think this would be really interesting to explore, and see whether looking at footage too much can make a scene feel lifeless, as Walt Stanchfield suggests in Drawn to Life. 

There is also the opportunity to test the difference between animating Straight Ahead and from Pose-to-Pose, as well as testing drawing techniques such as Blending and Smearing, to then analyse the effect they can have on performance. It also might be a good idea to produce a short line test for each theory or suggestion (or at least most of them) that I have researched and will talk about in my dissertation. For example, an animation that focuses on squash and stretch, or one that demonstrates weight, forces, balance, body language or 'the look of memory', to name a few.

Then there is also the opportunity to produce a short animation that focuses on all the successes from my testing and research. It wouldn't necessarily have to be very long, but just long enough to demonstrate what I have learnt and bring a character or object to life.