Marky B

Taken from December's Film Review.
"We all know how Gollum in Lord of the Rings was created - actor Andy Serkis performed the part,director Peter Jackson digitally designed the character's body on top bdused a separate video reference to animate facial features. Now that process,Performance Capture,reached new levels of sophistication in director Robert Zemeckis' The Polar Express,Warner Brothers' Christmas attraction based on the bestselling book by Chris Van llsburg. Tom Hanks plays five characters (the Hero Boy,the Boy's father,The Train Conductor,the Hobo and Santa Claus) andacted out in a marked out space containing shapes representing the key props in Van Allsburg's original illustrations. Covered in body reflector balls and with sensors on 151 key facial movements,all of Hanks' movements and expressions were captured by computerized cameras. Because the system recorded all movement three dimensionally providing 360 degrees of coverage,Zemickis could then mouse direct each sequence using an infinitesimal choice of angles.
"Does this mark the death of traditional animation? At a London press conference to explain the process,costing $1 million a minute,producer Steve Starkey said 'The tow forms will live side by side becuase not all animated movies are suitable for Performance Capture. I wouldn't have done Findingf Nemo using it. Those with human performances could be better done being generated by the set-up. I'dhave done The Grinch this way and Jim Carrey unrestricted by prosthetics.'
"So the future of the cinema looks set to be changing. 'Tom's physical DNA now exist in computer form,so his characters could live on in future films without his actual movement. Say you had a starring Paul Newman and you wanted a small scene in the past with his younger self. You could Performance Capture him and used that to drive a flashback'
"Isn't this creating nightmare for Academy Ward voters?
"'Tom might be animated but he should still be considered an actor in leading role-in fact he should be considered in Supporting categories too. I also fear Bob (Zemeckis) isn't going to get the attention he deserves for the gravity defying camerawork. The person whose work is going to be difficult to see,is the director's'"
So the face of animation might be changing,but what about the long distance future for actors.
Eastenders might get some acting in now.
Ta Ta
Marky B thumbs_u

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

Steve Crook

Don't these producers talk a lot of rubbish. Hanks still had to do the acting, the film-makers were just allowed to choose the camera angles after he'd done it.

Steve

Steve Crook

PaPAS

DB7

I've seen Polar Express and it's watchable but nothing more, lacking in the charm of The Incredibles or Shrek (and there's something blank about Hanks in voice and expression). The bottom line is that whatever the quality of the animation it's the script that wins the day - hence The Simpsons success.

[ 18. November 2004, 21:39: Message edited by: DB7 ]

David Challinor

To a 40 year old like me the clips look awful...technical brilliance cannot make up for the spooky machine-like movements of the 'humans'. More like Dr Who 'autons'!

Gibbie

Such a pity. I was planning on seeing that because it sounded like such a well done production and saw a good Hank's interview about it.

You are right DB7, quality quality, quality!

Gibbie

daisymum

I like South Park for the same reason. It's starting to show it's age, but I love the way Parker & Stone are coming up with some very apt & insightful social commentary. Then there's Terrance & Phillip.

I know next to nothing about British animation. Where would be a good place to go to find out more?

DB7

You can't beat Wallace and Gromit.

daisymum

You can't beat Wallace and Gromit.

Well, yeah, but that goes without saying. :)

No, what I mean is that I don't know much about "classic" British animation, say from before 1960 or so. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen any & would be really curious to learn more about it.

Steve Crook

Try Animal Farm (1954) by Halas & Batchelor. It's the first British feature-length animated film. They did quite a few others but that's their best. It's available on video & DVD in the UK & in the States.

Steve

Steve Crook

PaPAS

Marky B

Speaking if Wallace and Gromit,has anybody else noticed Mr and Mrs Tweedy look like Tony Blair and Gordon Brown lol
Ta Ta
Marky B thumbs_u

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

Gibbie

Cheeky!

lol

Gibbie

Also, Gerry Anderson's marionettes - Thunderbirds, Stingray, etc. Though these are post 1960.

Steve's suggestion Animal Farm is a good one.

Marky B

I agree with Gibbie,though I found the acting in Thunderbirds less wooden than those of Star Trek.(I've always said that,long before the critics said the same thing about this year's Thunderbirds film). Seriously though,when you look back,the Gerry Anderson puppetoons were fantastic for their time and I've always said that Britain led the way in puppetry animation clap (Gerry Anderson,Nick Parks etc) whilst the USA excelled in cartoon animation clap . Anyone agree?
Ta Ta
Marky B thumbs_u

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

Gibbie

Totally agree, Marky B! clap

You have Gerry and Nick and we have Walt and co.

Gibbie