Character Animation Research…
Ok,
So we have to design a character…I love the design process and the research of this more than actually doing the final product. Hence why this blog is coming before I start drawing anything at all, which I consider to be the best process of how to go about doing an assignment like this. Research and background info is always great to have to base your own creation on.
So let’s begin…
My interests is a good place to start with the kind of character I want to design. If I’m not interested in my character, then not much passion will go into it now will it. So with that being said, let’s reflect on myself…
Things I love:
- Music (Any form, but mostly metal in all forms)
- Film (Anything with a good amount of substance and thought)
- Gaming (Role Playing, First Person Shooters and a well written story line usually)
- Experience (Anything I haven’t done that I want to do is fascinating)
- Socialism (Interacting with people I love and people I don’t know, is amazing)
Things I hate:
- Negativity (What the hell is the point)
- Reality blocking Dreams (If somebody wants to do something, why the hell shouldn’t they be able to)
- People with no respect or appreciation for the good things in life
- People who like to Stereotype everything (Everybody is their own person)
Ok, now that we have established what it is I like, let’s try and find some examples of things I like to base my animation around…
MUSIC
Lets try and find some pictures of band members & animation based on that industry…
1: Deftones Promo Poster
I love this design, its a well designed poster for one of my fave bands. The clothing on the central character is very similar to what I may have on my character.
2: Chester Bennington of Linkin Park
While not the greatest vocalist in musical history, he has some great fashion and visual appeal to both male fans and female interests. He has a lanky frame and loves his baggy clothes and singlet tops. I will most likely have my character based on his frame and visual appearance.
3: Inspirational Album Covers
These 2 album covers, especially the second of the two, have always made me want to draw a character based around them. The lanky clean look of the first, and baggy, gritty look of the second. I think, mixed together I could be onto something.
4: Meteora Street Art
This was one of the first pieces of art that inspired me to draw in a totally new style, the characters scattered throughout this mural and the way they are drawn are fantastic in the way they look so simple but so complicated at the same time. It took weeks to put this mural together using mostly spray-paint. Unreal.
FILM
The film industry is the most profitable industry for animation next to gaming…so let’s check it out and see what I like.
1: Anime
The Anime Industry, while not being the most profitable of animation in the film industry, is the most under rated and respected in my opinion. Much work goes into the animation, concept art, story and finished product. Some examples of my favorites are pictured above which include, Full Metal Alchemist, Getbackers and Samurai Champloo. Their art work is fantastic.
2: Collin Chou (Seraph of The Matrix Reloaded / Revolutions
This guy was one of my favorite characters in The Matrix Trilogy. I thought it was terrible that he didn’t get as much screen time as other non-central characters but you then again, many people didn’t like the sequels that much. His dress sense, mixing modern and conventional Japanese styling, add to that some guns and some sunglasses…and you got one cool mother fucker that kicks Neo’s arse in terms of the character department.
GAMING
Probably the most widely used example of animation, and one of my favorite things to do in my spare time. Gaming is the greatest example to pull character design from for animation because the lead character is the main focus in any game. So the design must be perfect to the style of game in question.
1: Lead Character Design
A few of my favorite characters in gaming (design-wise). There needs to be a certain appeal from the person playing. There has to be a level of coolism and greatness but not so much that it does not suspend your disbelief (if that makes sense). Jackie (The Darkness), Snake (Metal Gear Solid) and Leon (Resident Evil 4) are some of the best characters to play in a game because you believe their cause and their appearance matches everything it needs to, in order for the person playing to truly believe that they ARE this character.
EXPERIENCE & SOCIALISM
The only way to know if you like something is to do it, the following are pictures and concepts of experiences that have made me who I am and help lead the way into new things I will also love to experience…
1: Drug Culture
HUMAN TRAFFIC - Perfect Example of Drug Culture - Watch it
Although it is one of the most frowned upon aspects of society, I am thankful for it to a degree. And I many be the only one who admits it, but our world is mostly a drug and sex fueled society, regardless of if it is legal or illegal…each bring together people in their own way. They also have the power to destroy, but in my experience, I have grown to get to know a lot of people through moderate use of light substances. And I have had many more great experiences through these substances than bad experiences *touch wood*. My character will have something to do with the drug culture of society. Because lets face it, most of us do in one way or another. I don’t care if you have a morning coffee, a hit of heroin, piss on at the pub or have a nice prescription for anti-depressants…you are part of it.
Ok, now with all that research…lets see what I can come up with…Ill post back with my character soon…
Peace
