Details and visuals in animation (and the wonderful worlds it creates)

Animation has always been an absolute favourite of mine. The wonderful characters, the fast-moving visuals and the most important aspect; the world in which the story takes place. It can be a world filled with magic and wonder or a world grounded in reality, both of which take you on a journey. In most animation movies this journey is a compelling experience, teaching you values and virtues using its bright or even dull visuals. The core of animation truly lies in the childlike awe and wonder it makes a viewer experience.

Characters play a very important role in animated movies. They are the ones who help carry the story, offering a sense of relatability and reality to the story. A good character has good characteristics. If, for example, a human is being portrayed, it is important to capture the behaviour that human displays. If a story centres around an adult, then mannerisms would be more steady and controlled whereas if it centred around a child, it would be jumpier and restless, a sense of eagerness shining through. If we start to feel that the character isn’t real, we begin to lose interest in the story, so it is very important that a character is believable.

Visuals are like the backbone of animation; animation wouldn’t work without breathtaking visuals and impressive scenery. The way the character interacts with their environment can take the visuals to the next level. The shadows forming the silhouette of the character, the sunlight glistening on the bubbling brook, the trees and grass swaying with the wind and even the people who form the backdrop can elevate the visuals. Visuals can be simple or complex but still follow the pointers mentioned above. For example, in the Studio Ghibli movie ‘The Tale of Princess Kaguya’, simple backgrounds made purely of brushstrokes and lines of lead displays such a shocking sense of realism that it leaves the viewer constantly wanting more. It’s almost like you’re dreaming; it’s simple, but so well constructed that you walk away thinking what you saw was real. 

Sound is also an important tool, allowing the atmosphere of a scene to be improved. Disney believes that animation movies should contain music for every scene, but I don’t agree with them. Some scenes work solely on the principle of silence. Silence can help truly push an emotion and leave it on display for the viewer’s amazement. Musical scores also help by creating the aforementioned sense of wonder, truly revealing to the viewer the size or importance of the spectacle, unfolding in front of his/her eyes.

Animation is truly impressive, and with the improvements in technology, it’s only going to get better. I just can’t wait to be blown away by the marvels of animation in the near future.