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Chapter 11 Animation Composition
Staging includes setting the scene and positioning characters inside the
scene. Light and shadow can be used to help draw attention to details. A book
on a table in a dark room will not attract attention. Putting the book on the
same table under a desk lamp highlights its importance. Movement of an object
will also attract attention. Animating branches moving in the distance or smoke
from a fire gives visual clues to the important area of the scene.
In character animation, staging should include the perspective that
best displays the item. This can be demonstrated through
silhouetting,
as
shown in Figure 11-8. When a character carries an object inside his or her
silhouette frame, little attention is drawn to the object. This communicates
that object is unimportant. An object positioned outside of the silhouette frame
attracts attention and indicates
importance. Next time you see a
television commercial or a game
show, pay attention to how the
model holds the product. It will
almost always be outside of the
model’s silhouette.
CHEAT CODE: SILHOUETTING
Silhouetting is creating a shadow
image that shows only the outline of
the object.
Figure 11-8.
An object carried
within the silhouette
of a character has
less emphasis than
one carried outside
of the silhouette.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher; images: Algol/Shutterstock.com
Normal Silhouette