ACTION ANALYSIS CLASS

Session held Thursday, January 30 7:99 - 9:00 P.M.

Topic Analysis and Criticism on ORPHANS' PICNIC

In Charge DON GRAHAM

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We are going to go over the picture but by bit - analyse the
action and try to find out where the action was successful or
where it fell down in getting over the idea at any particular
point of the picture under discussion. Consider the follow-
ing points in criticising a scene as far as animation is Concerned:

     Was the animation in the scene under discussion sufficient-
     ly strong or bright; did it have enough character?

     Was it analyzed correctly from the point of view of action?

     Was it carried far enough fron the point of view of extremes?

     Was it clearly handled, well or badly drawn?

     In other words, if you were animating the scene, would you
     have done it as shown; or of you were asked to pass judg-
     ment on it, would you O.K. it as fine example of animation?
     or how could you fix it up?

Scenes 1 to 8.
The problem is to visulaize how that action takes its part
in the story, and tho we cannot criticize the story here, we
can feel that there is a general mood prevailing - that the Duck is
leading the chorus of kids in the truck. In the handling of
the Duck, the whole spirit of the picnic can be portrayed - it
is the handling of the Duck in the first scene that really sets
the feeling of the whole day.

In leading into the picture in the long shot, the general
idea of the scene and the locale is planted sufficiently well;
but as we truck down on the Duck we find his action is too
much the same. Altho he is leading the kids in the song he
does not build into the spectator the feeling of gaiety and
frivolity or the picnic spirit. From there to the time when
the Duck is clunked on the head in the closeup, more of a feel-
ing of gaiety and of the picnic spirit could have been built
into the action. Also, up to this point, which is the top of
the sequence, the action is slow. Just as the Duck is being
clunked on the head as the truck passes under the gate the
action seems forced and stagey. It is very much like a fellow
spreading his arms out and waiting to be hit. In the build-
up of the gag, the surprise was slightly lost in the Duck's
anticipation of the sock on the head.

     (Many members of the class agreed on the points brought
     out by Don.) [...]