Session 1 - Evaluation of Caminandes 3: Llamigos

This week we reviewed animations for our assessment. The key points that needed to be addressed would revolve around a 10 - 15 second portion of the clip in order to then evaluate the animation and address the expressions within it. One of the points given was to choice an animation involving animal and the purpose of this animation is initially to see the animal in question attempt to overcome an obstacle.

What is the Character trying to do?

In this animation in which we have elected the first portion of it. We meet the main protagonist, a lama named "Koro" is attempting to eat the berries in the middle of the icy path, though whilst so he encounters many different penguins who cause him distraction from gaining the food. 

- Koro and his objectives; the berries.

What is character thinking at each key point?

Throughout the animation the character expresses a few different facial animations. At first their is a very joyous looking expression though this is soon replaced but with a rather worried expression when almost fearing that he will lose his balance and cautiously searching around him of course this is soon replaced with a determined face once he feels he has the chance to gain the food once again. 

- Koro acting cautious of more penguins appearing

What mood is the character in and what emotions demonstrate it?

He uses much of these emotions to express how he is feeling the first pose gives an impression of happiness by showing his smiling and wided eyed expression. Then replaced with worry as he's quick to show his ear crooked as to show something has caught him off guard and then into determination and happiness as he seems so close reverting back to his smiling wide eyed expression though also mixed with him leaning in to show that he is try hard to get at the berries.

- Koro sliding himself along on the ice and hungry to get berries.

A Critique of a key pose

For one key pose in particular I have chosen the use of when our protagonist is startled by the appearance of the penguins causing his to jump and flail in the air. The reason I chose this expression is because it heavily emphasis the aspect of over exaggerating his emotion and actions. The jump is very sudden and quick and makes him act in a way that is not rather common in animals such as a lama but presents the comedic purpose by doing this.

- A startled Koro jumping expressively. 

What key animation principles are present?

This animated short uses a wide variety of different animation principles namely it presents the over exaggerated expression and actions of being startled by the penguins. Once he has also leapt into the air Koro comes down to the ground very quickly speeding up the gravity. This is done in the fade in and out to show once again an exaggeration to make the comedic and visual representation more appealing. It also gives a squash and stretch technique as when we are introduced to our second significant character "Oti"he bounces on the head of the llama making it act more as a flexible material then a solid psychical object, which of course is untrue but again created for a more visual and comedic representation.

What works and what does not

For this portion of evaluating the animation I have put this into the two different key bullet points that show reasons for either side of the argument.

What works

• The animation uses many of the principles very well to exaggerate the points and give the animation more value. 
• The story is engaging to try to root for the llama to see if he get his objective or not. The story dose bring points to make the watcher wonder.

What does not work

• There could be more comedy presented in the animation as it's comedic value while present is not impactful enough.
• Koro's personality is shown to be rather tame which can affect the audience viewing him as an interesting character.

What could be improved?

In order to evaluate what I believe can improve this animation after watching it I think that a way to improve is to perhaps change the personality of Koro to seem much more cautious giving him this aspect of not simply shrugging off any type of hindrance as he does would make people see him as a more engaging character, a key point to animation to include a protagonist that views can root for an wish to seem their reaction in strife. Another point to add is that for particular points the principles presented can be further improved by making the impact much more exaggerated.