Animation Context - Weeks 9 & 10

In this week’s animation context lesson, we were shown a video which analysed how Stephen Spielberg portrayed the terror of war through film, specifically in his film ‘Saving Private Ryan’. I think the reason that we were shown this was to help us with how to reference material and properly analyse pieces of media and/or texts. I feel as though the video analyses its material well, however there is an instance where the narrator uses a quote/opinion from a friend as a reference, which would be fine if you were collecting some primary research of your own, but not as an academic reference. However, the way that this video assesses how the shots, angles and pans are used is very well done and backed up by a lot of proof, therefore this video could help me to better analyse pieces of media, if I were to ever need to. I still do feel like I need a better grasp on Harvard Referencing in writing though, as I only experimented with it a bit when it came to my Storyboard research.

After watching this video, I searched to see if any similar videos were made regarding my favourite director, Edgar Wright. I found one video which is very similar to the one that we were shown in class, but this one instead analyses how Wright uses visual comedy. This video gave me an even greater admiration for this director, and I feel as though many of the points made that are made in this video could easily be applied to animation, and as I am very interested in comedy, it will definitely be something that I will soon experiment with myself. I found this video to be very well made and I was engaged with it throughout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FOzD4Sfgag&feature=share

Edgar Wright

Although I really enjoyed this class session, I was happy that in the following week, we journeyed outside room 3.33 for our context session and into an art gallery, as it was be nice to get a change of scenery. In the art gallery in Manchester we were tasked to pick three particular pieces of art that we like and answer some questions about them, I documented my picks and have anaylsed them.

Artist name - Jai Redman

Title and Date - Roses (2007)

Notable features i.e the medium, structure, the narrative - For me, the main thing that stands out about this piece is the juxtaposition between life and death or alternatively beauty and horror. At first glance, I never even noticed that the roses we made out of human skulls, therefore giving me a shock when I initially realised it, which made me remember the piece. For me, I think the artist is trying to portray an insight into how pessimists may observe something that may be beautiful to another individual, as the pessimist is contemplating on the fact that these roses, like every living being will one day perish, which is given a human personification through the form of a skull, in order for the observers to relate more.

This interests me/is relevant to me as an animation student because - I could envision this being in an animated show as a replacement for foliage around a villains base or hideout, which would create a creepy and frightening atmosphere. This has shown me how you can alter everyday objects in order for them to convey completely different emotions than what they normally do, which would be very helpful when attempting to communicate a certain atmosphere in an animated show

Artist name - Briton Riviere

Title and Date - The Last of the Garrison (1875)

Notable features i.e the medium, structure, the narrative - After some very faint research on this piece, I have descovered that this is dipicting a scene from the English Civil War. I would have prefered it if I didn't find this out however, as due to the unclear circumstances and situation which lead to this painting's narrative, it is interesting to assume the full story based upon what you personally portray. I like this painting as it gives an insight onto an element which is often cast over and not considered when generally refering to war, which was the consiquences and lives which animals and pets had to endure during these times.

This interests me/is relevant to me as an animation student because - Without even knowing the narrative behind this piece, I felt sympathy for the subject, though its gaze, posture and grim surroundings. It's a huge testament to the artists ability that he can create that much of an emotional impact without even giving us any context or dialogue. These techniques could be applied to animation in order to make an audience sympathise with a subject.

Artist name - Jai Redman

Title and Date - Portrait of a Man (2015)

Notable features i.e the medium, structure, the narrative - I didn't realise it at the time, but this was produced by the same artist who painted the 'roses' art which I previously anaylsed, therefore showing that I clearly have a preference to his work and style. This very surreal scene amused me at first, as once again a huge juxtaposition is created between the serious and the silly. However, despite their similar premises, I had a completely different response to this painting than I did to his other work, as I mainly just found this one amusing. The observers are lead through the title of the piece, the tones and positioning of the subjects body to believe that this will be any ordinary 'portrait of a man', but will then be shocked to find that he has a huge piece of ham for a head.

This interests me/is relevant to me as an animation student because - Unlike the other two where they inspired me with ways to garner more of a horrified or emotional response from an audience through the medium of animation, this one has shown me how comedy and humour can be created by framing, as I can image a pan upwards being used on this image in an animated cartoon, which would be used for comedic effect when it's revealed to be a piece of ham.