Acting Essentials

Watched this great video by AnimSchool on acting tips to keep in mind whilst planning out and animating a shot.

Main Points

• Acting is reacting. Acting is doing - have an achievable goal

Thinking tends to lead to conlcusion. Emotion tends to lead to action.

• The character needs an objective. Who are they and what do they want?

• A character will play an action until an obstruction makes them play differently

• Scene is a negotiation/conflict. A character pursuing a goal but on object is in the way. e.g. - Person vs Person

      Person vs Situation/environment

      Person vs Self

• Acting is real life heightened - the character feels more than you do

• Scene starts in the middle. Adrenaline moment (a moment in the character's life they'll remember)

• Power centre (the focus of the body e.g. high, low, nose, hips)

• Comedy - extremes

e.g.  An unusual person in a normal situation

        A normal person in  an unusual situation

        Drama is normal. Comedy in drama heightened

• Simplicity

       Illustrate the idea clearly

       Make it obvious to the audience

Make sure to have a look at Ed Hooks advice on acting for animators too. Incredibly insightful information.