9 Economical ways that animation builds emotion

The animated short I viewed was Walt Disney's "Education for Death" This film is used to highlight some of the most difficult times in history. This film uses a sensitive subject such as the Holocaust and incorporates the story of a young Boy who grows up and becomes less of an individual by attending Hitler’s school for young boys to breed into a Nazi Solider. In the end, Hans and the rest of the German soldiers march off to war. They fade into indistinguishable rows with nothing on them except a swastika and a helmet perched. This concludes Hans' “education for death." 1. Rear View a. The audience is brought in to imagine what the characters are thinking. i. The narrator of this film tells the audience what is happening 2. Shadows a. Added to associate suspense or drama. i. This is apparent when the couple walks in to get their son's name approved. the room is dim. 3. Shadows over the character a. Used to convey attitude in a character. i. This is used around 2:30 where the prince comes in and saves the day. He is nothing but a silhouette which conveys mystery about the character until his reveal. 4. Overlays a. Shows a 3d effect within the background i.Did not see anything that would apply 5. Dramatic layout a. Overpowering shapes can add dramatic feelings. i. The unnaturally skinny size of Hitler and the prince and the overbearing size of Germany as the princess at 3:18 6. Pictorial shot a. A background with a strong mood can save difficult animation. i. I would say one example of the pictorial shot was when the photos of Hitler is hanging on the wall at 5:21 with the children standing beneath it addressing him. 7. Effects animation a. Effects can establish a mood either by symbolism or showing what the character sees. i. at 5:51 when the lesson is being taught. Hans' answers incorrectly and is sent to the dunce chair and watches as his class mates give a more "brutal" and "right" answer. 8. Held drawing with camera moves a. Emotion can be strengthened through camera moves to establish an emotion. i. at 7:51 the camera moves and shows the entire class being interested in what the teacher is saying. Because of the young age of the children this conveyed disbelief and sadness towards the corrupted youth. 9. Offstage sounds a. Offstage sounds can draw in an audience into the scene by just targeting their emotions. i. Throughout this short music is played in the background to better convey things such as fear and anger. Points to Remember 1. Make sure the emotional state of the character is clearly defined. a. The emotional state is clearly defined by the corruptness of Hitler instilling fear and anger 2. The thought process reveals the feeling. Sometimes it can be shown with a single, held drawing or a simple move. Other times there should be gestures, body moves, or full action. Determine which is best in each case. a. The feeling is carried throughout the entire short. but the best one is conveyed at 7:26 when Hans catches on to the lesson and is infuriated with the rabbit being weak. . 3. Be alert to use of cutting and camera in helping to accentuate the emotion. a. Quick close-ups reveal the emotion of each character. 4. Ask yourself constantly: a. What am I trying to say here? i. The influence of one man with charisma is very powerful. b. What do I really want to show? i. how absurd the ideas are, but how much impact they've had on the world as a whole. c. How do I want the audience to react? i. Sympathize with Hans because he's a child all while seeing the ridiculousness of Hitler as he is shown as a goof. 5. Use the element of time wisely: a. To establish the emotion of the character i. Again, from beginning to end the emotional state is clearly defined. b. To convey it to the viewers i. Same as a. c. To let them savor the situation i. Same as a.