Animation fixation

Animation fixation
LOGAN ART GALLERY
Animation fixation
Animation is the process of making the illusion of motion and change by
means of the fast display of a sequence of still images that slightly differ
from each other. The illusion is thought to rely on the ‘phi phenomenon’, as
defined by Max Wertheimer in 1912. The phi phenomenon is an optical illusion
of perceiving a series of still images, when viewed in rapid succession, as
continuous motion.
Animators are artists who specialise in the creation of animation. Animation
can be recorded with either analogue media, such as a flip book, motion
picture film, video tape, or on digital media, including formats such as
animated Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), Flash animation or digital video.
Creation methods of animation include the traditional technique where each
frame is drawn by hand, and those involving stop motion animation of two and
three-dimensional objects, such as paper cut-outs, puppets and clay figures.
Images are displayed in a rapid succession, usually 24, 25, 30, or 60 frames
per second.
Animation fixation showcases a selection of quirky works by tertiary students
from Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology that
demonstrate a broad range of techniques and concepts. Consisting of both
moving and still image works, this exhibition takes a look at the processes of
creating an animation, from background and character development to the
finished film.
Steven Mohr, “Making of” Powers above, 2014
Introductory essay
Animation fixation provides insight into the process of animation through the
presentation of stills (or captured frames), publicity posters, and the screening
of finished films. The animation production process is so long that the final film
might best be appreciated as a punctuation mark, the ‘full stop’, at the end of
an often arduous journey. With this exhibition’s inclusion of posters as a nod
to the marketing and distribution efforts that follow, perhaps a ‘semi-colon’ is
the most apt signifier for the relatively small space that the finished film takes
up in the overarching life and trajectory of an animated production. By the
time the film has been released, it is a document of process, the cumulative
trace of much work, compromise, happenstance, collaborations, technical
difficulties and frustrations. It begins with the seeding of an idea, through
mood boards, concept design and storyboards, to the modelling of characters
and environments, and then rigging, layouts, blocking, animating, lip-syncing,
lighting, colouring, soundscape, editing, effects and rendering – and I’m sure
I’ve overlooked the work of one or two (now cranky) key players and crucial
tasks.
But this is not to tar the process with negativity – as can be seen from
the artistry and often lightness-of-touch evidenced in the stills herein, the
animation process generates much beauty. And to think that each of these
stills in and of themselves amount to miss-able blips in real-time playback; it is
only in sequence, in concert with the other 24 orphan images, that they make
for that one second of majestic illusory life. That these stills stand alone as
impressive works of art is in fact astounding – what effort, artistry and attention
goes into that second … let alone a three or four minute film! This paradox
between the often-arresting beauty of the animated still and its transience
within the animated film continues to fascinate.
When you look carefully into the world of animation, fixation is indeed a
consequence. Looking beyond the first pass of character and story, and
into an appreciation of these films as moving works of art, this practice and
sensibility can accompany and inform a lifetime of pleasurable engagement
with imaginative, expressive, and uniquely personal rendered realities. This
exhibition presents student works from Griffith Film School and Queensland
University of Technology. As accomplished animated works they are
impressive, as the achievements of students of animation they are doubly so.
Animation Fixation includes 2D animations of both bold expressive colour and
subtle painterly approaches, stylized and realistically rendered 3D ComputerGenerated Imagery (CGI) works, and perennial stop motion puppetry. The
scenarios range from classic cartoon chases and sci-fi realities, to pirate
gags, trippy jungle face-offs, and sensitive filial dramas. There is much here to
wonder at, to look into and behind, and ultimately to enjoy.
Dr. Peter Moyes
Animation Program Director
Griffith Film School
POWERS ABOVE
ANIMATION TEAM
Director: Steven Mohr
Producer: Joel Bennett
Executive producers: Paul van Opdenbosch and Chris Carter
Artists: Steven Mohr, Adam Harvey, Damian Castellini and Joel Bennett
Motion capture: Steven Mohr, Damian Castellini and Joel Bennett
Sound design: Dion Clark
Freelance artist: Henry Sun
Freelance designer: Jed Dawson
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Queensland University of Technology
Animation title: Powers above 2014
Images courtesy of of artist and Queensland University of Technology
Steven Mohr,
Powers above
promotional poster,
2014, digital media
Steven Mohr, Powers above still images, 2014, animation
Steven Mohr,
Powers above
promotional poster,
2014, digital media
FOR THE BEAR
ANIMATION TEAM
Animation by: Madeline Byrne
Sound design: Hayden Riley
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Queensland University of Technology
Animation title: For the bear 2014
Madeline Byrne, For the bear
still image, 2014, animation
Images courtesy of artist and Queensland University of Technology
Madeline Byrne, The bear designs,
2014, graphite and ink
Madeline Byrne, For the bear still image, 2014, animation
Madeline Byrne, The fiddle player sculpture, 2014, clay and ceramic paint
Madeline Byrne, The
flute player concept
art, 2014, pastel
ODDBOTS
MOON BALLOON STUDIOS ANIMATION TEAM
Director: Kate Muffet
Producer: Claudia Blackburne
Modelling: Claudia Blackburne and David Kammann
Texturing: Nick Bowser and Kate Muffet
Rigging: Jeremy Taylor
Matte painting: Kate Muffet
Character animation: David Kammann and Claudia Blackburne
2D dynamics animation: Kate Muffet
Lighting and rendering: Claudia Blackburne
Compositing: Nick Bowser and Claudia Blackburne
Sound effects: Hayden Riley and Stewart Whiteley
Original composition: Jack Wilson
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Queensland University of Technology
Animation title: Oddbots 2014
Images courtesy of artists and Queensland University of Technology
Moon Balloon Studios, Oddbots still images, 2014, animation
Moon Balloon Studios, Oddbots colour script, 2014, digital media
Moon Balloon Studios, Oddbots
character development, 2014,
digital media
Moon Balloon Studios, Oddbots
character sheet, 2014, pencil
APOTHEOSIS
ANIMATION TEAM
Animation by: Alex Gee and Pujesh Joshi
Music: Travis Taylor
Additional help: Adam Earle
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Animation title: Apotheosis 2011
Alex Gee and Pujesh Joshi, Apotheosis still image, 2011, animation
Images courtesy of artists and Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Alex Gee and Pujesh Joshi, Apotheosis still image, 2011, animation
Alex Gee and Pujesh Joshi, Apotheosis still image, 2011, animation
BARBOUILLAGEVILLE
ANIMATION TEAM
Director: Declan Byrne
Producers: Declan Byrne and Connor Johnston
Story and concept: Declan Byrne, Luke Free and Connor Johnston
Character design: Declan Byrne and Connor Johnston
Lead storyboard artist: Declan Byrne
Additional storyboarding: Connor Johnston
Lead animation: Declan Byrne and Connor Johnston
Additional animation: Claudia Jakubowski
Lead background artist: Connor Johnston
Additional backgrounds: Caitlin Bennett
Original score composer
and producer: Zander Hulme
Sound design: Nicola Leonardi
Foley artist: Nicola Leonardi
Foley assistant: Daniel Borodin
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Animation title: Barbouillageville 2012
Images courtesy of artists and Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Declan Byrne and Connor
Johnston, Barbouillageville
promotional poster, 2012,
digital media
Declan Byrne and Connor Johnston,
Barbouillageville still image, 2012, animation
Declan Byrne and Connor Johnston,
Barbouillageville still image, 2012, animation
TRACKER
ANIMATION TEAM
Composer: Sarah Ward
Sound/colour: George Brown
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Animation title: Tracker 2013
Images courtesy of artists and Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Aidan May, Tracker
promotional poster, 2013,
animation
Aidan May, Tracker still image, 2013, animation
Aidan May, Tracker still image, 2013, animation
FIRE TIGER VS.
ACID PANTHER
ANIMATION TEAM
Animation by: Anya McNaughton
Music: Andre Bonetti
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Animation title: Fire tiger vs. acid panther 2012
Images courtesy of artists and Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Anya McNaughton, Fire
tiger vs. acid panther
promotional poster, 2012,
digital media
Anya McNaughton, Fire tiger vs. acid panther still image, 2012, animation
Anya McNaughton, Fire tiger vs. acid panther still image, 2012, animation
HERE BE
TREASURE
ANIMATION TEAM
Animation by: Samuel Lewis
Music: Timothy Tate
Cello: Dom Fitzgerald
Accordion: Joff Bush
Sound: Adrian Sprott
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Animation title: Here be treasure 2013
Images courtesy of artists and Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Samuel Lewis, Here be treasure still images, 2013, animation
WARM WINTER
ANIMATION TEAM
Director: Xin Li
Sound design: Xin Li and Paul Lalo
Music: Tim Bond
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Animation title: Warm winter 2011
Images courtesy of artists and Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Xin Li, Warm winter still images, 2011, animation
RELENTLESS
DRAG
ANIMATION TEAM
Director and Writer, Puppet
artist, Puppet rigger, Lead
robot animator, Animator,
Post-production: Troy Duguid
Puppet artist, Lead robot
animator, Lead dog animator,
Animator, Post-production:
Tom Ward
Producer, Puppet rigger, Lead
bird animator, Lead caterpillar
animator, Animator,
Post-production: Liana Beukes
Concept art, Background art,
Post-production: Alex Allen
Music: Shigeto
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Institution: Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Animation title: Relentless drag 2012
Images courtesy of artists and Griffith Film School, Griffith University
Troy Duguid, Liana
Beukes, Tom Ward and
Alex Allen, Relentless drag
promotional poster, 2012,
digital media
Troy Duguid, Liana Beukes, Tom Ward and Alex Allen,
Relentless drag still image, 2012, animation
Troy Duguid, Liana Beukes, Tom Ward and Alex Allen,
Relentless drag still image, 2012, animation
Animation fixation
22 JANUARY – 20 FEBRUARY 2016
Curated by Sarah Harper • www.logan.qld.gov.au/artgallery • P 3412 5519
Logan Art Gallery • Cnr Wembley Rd and Jacaranda Ave, Logan Central QLD 4114 • Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm • Admission is free!