Thumbs and Ammo posits the idea: would it be funny to replace guns with thumbs up in stills from movies?
YES!
5 Diverse Animations Full of Tips for Scriptwriting - Guest Post by Marianna Keen
We have a Guest Post today from journalist and writer, Marianna Keen, writing for us from Qudos Animation Studios (www.qudos-animations.co.uk) in London.
I hope this brief analysis of some fantastic animations has helped you come up with some creative scriptwriting ideas.
Wishing you all the best!
Billy’s Balloon
Billy’s Balloon by Don Hertzfeldt is an extremely simplistic 2D animation, yet it has a strong impact on the viewer.
This film is a great reminder that even a film with no narrative can be engaging.
Content that generates emotion can engage and retain an audience. This video shows that this can even be done with stick men and minimalist images.
Simplicity in animation design can often be more effective when the concept is strong or complex. This is important to consider in all stages, including creation of story ideas, storyboard and script.
Viewers will likely have differing reactions to Billy’s Balloon, ranging from humour to disgust. It reminds you to take into consideration your target audience when writing script for animated film.
Billy’s Balloon initially appears innocent from its cute animations, but the strange concept soon becomes clear. Some viewers will be hooked, eager to see what comes next, whilst others may feel uncomfortable.
When you opt for a shocking concept, there will of course be a risk of this. Either way, it is memorable.
There are some profound messages you could take away from this animation, whether intended or not. Hinting and insinuating a point is another thing to consider achieving with your animation. This can often inspire more thought than a film with obvious messages.
Fantastic Planet
This film remains an inspiring animated film even many years after its production. Fantastic Planet was made in 1973 by René Laloux, and it is a classic landmark for animation for a few reasons.
A political allegory runs throughout the film, presenting a dystopia similar to that in Orwell’s 1984. Strong messages are presented by the story, which is informative, entertaining and ironic.
When creating your script, you may want to consider basing it on a real life scenario. This could make it more engaging and if it hits some thought-provoking points it can make a huge impact.
Another aspect that makes Fantastic Planet so memorable is its quirkiness and strange characters.
When writing script it is important to consider your characters and the story in unison, so as to effectively engage your audience.
There is so much to consider, from character personalities, images and animation technique to using these to present your desired message. This film presents these in a flowing and intriguing way.
Frozen
In addition to offering an engaging fantasy storyline, Disney’s Frozen applies computer generated imagery to create hugely fun and relatable characters.
This film is a great example of an adventurous and captivating animation with ethical messages. It is one of few modern commercial animations that passed the Bechdel test for gender bias.
The messages that a film sends out are very important to consider throughout the script writing process.
These messages will of course depend on whether the animation is for children or adults; though, either way, a moral stance is something that needs to be set. This will help you to form a story, and will also help to maintain consistency.
An animation is often more powerful when viewers can relate to characters in the story. The great thing with this animation is that the female characters present a positive image to young girls who watch it. The cute snowman, Olaf, also conveys encouraging messages while making the film funny.
Have a good think about the audience for your animation, as this will influence not just the images and style of your animation, but also the language used and underlying messages conveyed.
Verto Developments Group Marketing Video
If you wish to educate or provoke an action with your animation, then you should ensure your script is motivational. This can be achieved in many ways, including by presenting detailed facts about a topic, or by offering a simple and engaging story.
This animated marketing video combines an engaging concept with detailed information about the importance of energy efficiency. It also provides information about Verto Developments Group in a professional way that garners trust.
The video has a broad appeal, using interesting information, humour and relatable characters to keep viewers engaged.
Keeping viewers captivated is important in any animation, and for an educational or marketing video this can mean the difference between success and failure.
Remember that even when informing an audience you can be innovative, imaginative and generate emotion. This can ensure the best chances of being memorable and inspiring conversions.
Wallace and Gromit
This stop motion animation by Nick Park is a great reminder of the many techniques to bear in mind when writing script for animation.
Considering your medium is important at the best of times, but when an intricate method like stop motion is in question then this is critical.
Drawing up the storyboard, documenting camera angles, developing sequences and creating characters will be impacted by your knowledge of the technique being used.
Wallace and Gromit provides a fantastic mix of complex modelled figures and impressive animation technique. This is not to mention the imaginative storyline injected with hilarious moments throughout.
There are so many levels to this animated film and it offers valuable lessons for script writing in any animation medium.
Earth Art
German artist Dietmar Voorwold (http://www.landart-creations.com/) creates geometric shapes and patterns out of the natural materials he finds on the site.
Voorwold expresses his passion for his work:
I love art and I love nature. I love beauty. I claim to be a representative of beautiful art; something I expect of myself. It’s purely subjective, without any judgement. I want to feel good with art. It should arouse positive feelings in me and create moods I can cheerfully relate to. Artistically created images I would gladly choose to decorate my home, indulge my eyes and fondle my heart with. Art is an expression of harmony and the right resonance. Art is healing for the soul. Nature is my grandest stage and I`m very pleased when my Creations in Nature speak to you.
Star Trek v. Stormtroopers Dance Off
There is very little that needs to be said about these.
Real-life Hover Board (or Jet Board)
Back the Future II? Sorta. Pretty fun looking.
Fairytale Book Sculptures by Su Blackwell
Su Blackwell brings the fairytale world to life in these stunning book sculptures. In her profile she states that "as a child, I spent a lot of time in the woods near to my home, in my own make believe world." While she was attending RCA her father passed away; after graduating, while on a trip to Thailand, she had begun "to think about life, death, and the in between." She was inspired by her encounters with Eastern rituals regarding paper and states, "I employ this delicate, accessible medium and use irreversible, destructive processes to reflect on the precariousness of the world we inhabit and the fragility of our life, dreams and ambitions."
An Artist-Made Root System You Can Walk Through
Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira created this installation entitled Transarquitetônica at Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade in São Paulo.
Trailing Mud and Dripping Water
Sumeru - Illustrations by Nick Pederson of Zen Buddhist training and practice
In this breathtaking series by artist and illustrator Nick Pederson, Sumeru is a body of work that illustrates the meditative 'mind-world' of Zen Buddhist training and practice. Each black and white image is symbolic of different stages of consciousness and perception on the road to enlightenment.
If you would like to see more of his work please click here.
Ecce Homo - Human Photos by Evelyn Bencicova
Beautiful, terrible, moving, terrifying, human forms in larger forms. Ecce Homo by Berlin artist Evelyn Bencicova.
all photos copyright Michel Denancé
Startling Building Squeezed into a Paris Neighborhood - Renzo Piano's Design for The New Pathe Foundation Headquarters
Pritzker-winning architect Renzo Piano has for the last 8 years worked with the Pathe Foundation in Paris to design and construct their new headquarters opening this September.
At-At Walker Made of Recycled Skateboard Decks
Denver-based artist Derek Keenan create this AT-AT Walker (16″ tall by 17″ long) out of recycled skateboards for a Star Wars-themed group show, Deathstar Blues at the Black Book Gallery in Denver.
Alice in Waterland underwater photography by Elena Kalis
These delightful underwater photos by Elena Kalis are inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Kalis dove into underwater photography some five years ago preferring underwater photography for it's dream like, and other worldly, quality. This is an ongoing, "unfinished", project that features her daughter as the main character.
Colored Pencil Sculptures From Frederico Uribe
Miami-based artist Frederico Uribe uses colored pencils as a sculptural material, laying them together to create colorful and amazing shapes.
Beach Airliner - Photos from Josef Hoflehner
Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten, is remarkably close to a public beach. Photographer Josef Hoflehner and his son Jakob Hoflehner have taken these extraordinary photos for his book, Jet Airliner: The Complete Works.
“It’s is an extraordinary place,” Josef Hoflehner said via email. “There simply isn't anything like this airport anywhere on the planet. With all the heightened security we have today, one can not get that close to a plane anywhere else without buying a ticket.”
And the Sci Channel has a video of the many crazy people getting really really close to it.
June Events - Zombies, Basketball, Bluebird and World Cup
Interactive History of World Cup Kits
3D Sand Beach Drawings
Public sand on beaches is something we've seen before, but never 3D drawings like these from Ben Harkins.
“We’ve seen other people doing stuff on beaches, but it’s always been geometric, flat shapes, like a pattern, so we thought we’d get into the whole 3D thing. And I kind of like the fact that it disappears at the end of the day when the tide comes in. It makes it impermanent.”
Exquisite Ballet Tricks in Slow-Mo
The Washington Post highlights enormous talent of the Washington Ballet dancers on this segment from their Post TV, showing, in gorgeous slow-motion, some of their hardest tricks.
Nearly 4 Years of 5 things I learned today
August 10, 2014 will be 4 years that I've been collecting and sharing things of interest online. Connecting with all of you has been the greatest gift, working with some amazingly talented people, and being introduced to some of the most beautiful, fascinating and interesting creators in the world has made every day worth it.
Some things to point your attention to. First, if you can't tell, I am super excited for the start of the World Cup this month in Brazil, and I for one have already ordered my favorite jerseys. Also, we've recently launched our Calendar of Events, realizing that some of the most amazing things we learn are through in-person experiences, we wanted to add that to our coverage. If you have an event you want included, Submit it here.
In addition to this blog, we have some other projects we are so excited to be working on.
AmyAndDevShow.com
Sketch comedy series starring Amy Urbina & Devereau Chumrau
Poetry + World Cup = Copa Poética
ManipulatedBestiary.com
And beyond just the 5 things I learned today blog, there is 5 Thing TV — from the very first episode, through interviewing Bill Paxton, to inviting readers to share poems they love.
Check out all 5 at: http://5thin.gs/episode-4-3 1. Wow! A realistic dinosaur puppet 2. Portable music players from the 1920s 3. Other than describing how 'foreign' they are, I don't really agree, but... What Are The Hardest Languages To Learn [INFOGRAPHIC] 4. A short video tour of Spain and its architectures 5.
The Very First 5 things I learned today video
Links at http://5thin.gs/1nG9dfA
Bill Paxton - 5 films that influence my career
http://5thin.gs/1nG9m2v
Read by Daniel Dean Demerin See all 5 and links to the texts at http://bit.ly/j33tBz
If you haven't browsed around before, take a look through our stuff.
Poems
![Poem of the Day [VIDEO] — The Ecstasy by Philip Lopate](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5005d21ac4aa55eb76ab5f3b/1472163162494-64Q6LZ82P9ALRIRKAT8B/lopate.jpg)
Amy & Dev Show: Yoga at Home: Hot Yoga
The third sketch from our own Devereau Chumrau's sketch comedy series Amy & Dev Show is here, and it is yogalicious.