Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 4, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
One of the most important requirements when creating a character is that all the creatives working on an animated film know the fundamentals of acting — and not just in theory.
Everyone should learn for themselves how to use gestures and facial expressions, speech, pace and rhythm to create characters that audiences love. The most important reference for animated characters is the human being. It is not without reason that animators and directors film each other and keep a mirror next to the monitor. Sometimes they even put on motion-capture suits themselves instead of actors, because they simply know their characters best. No wonder, then, that American animation studios hold improvisational acting workshops every week.
Agenda:
11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (with a lunch break)
In this workshop, participants learn to inhabit characters and play roles. They learn to perceive their body movements consciously and use them purposefully. They portray emotions and characters. Countless tricks and games in the style of Ed Hooks, the inventor of the “Acting for Animators” workshops, create a basic feel for the body, voice and their effect.
Workshop Methods
- Theoretical foundations
- practical exercises individually and in groups, in the form of physical exercises, observation exercises, small role-playing games and scene exercises through to complex scenes; many of these exercises come from improvisational theatre
- Analysis of live-action and animated films
- Workshop contents
- Importance of emotions and empathy for stories
- Tools for finding characters and portraying emotions
Different pace = different character
Laban method
Body’s centre of gravity — Power Center
Animal figures as the basis for a character
The four elements
Language as a resource
Reaction to the surroundings — reaction to others
Exercises in perceiving space, surroundings and other players: how does physicality change?
Staging directs emotions
Status — its importance for relationships between characters
Analysis: every relationship between characters involves a difference in status
Exercises in status roles and changes
Gestures and facial expressions
Theoretical introduction
Function of eye movements
Function and use of hand gestures
Analyses and exercises with a partner
Eyes
Hands
Spontaneous body movements
Facial expression — establishes emotion and character
And: any inhibitions some participants may have about “performing” simply vanish into thin air. An energetic workshop with plenty of fun and good humour awaits you.
Time and Place:
Saturday, April 12
Duration: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
BAF – Bayerische Akademie für Fernsehen e.V.
Betastr. 5., 85774 Unterföhring
Cost:
The participation fee is 299.- euros. For students, the fee is 119.- euros.
DP Premium subscribers receive a 15% discount.
All prices are net prices, to which 19% VAT will be added.
The registration deadline is Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Further Links:
- Now f
