Study Task 4 - Let Me Entertain You!

Twelve Animations (from Twelve Countries)

1) Amaro and Walden's Joyride - The Line (GB 2015)



Before I visited MAF, I discovered this clip on YouTube and chose to include it as I felt the animator gave great consideration to every aspect of the character's appeal. While at MAF, The Line presented a Masterclass covering their previous commissions and having seen their various techniques, this only made me more interested in this style of animation.

2) Afternoon Class - Seoro Oh (South Korea 2015)



Sound in this clip is utilised effectively to further connect to the audience's emotions as they follow the relatable narrative before them. The metaphorical visuals work incredibly well alongside the sound in this 2D digital animation. Considering the aesthetic, the colour stood out to me in this clip.

3) Scrambled - Polder Animation (Netherlands 2017)



This film is slightly longer than the first two however I feel the length is exactly right to tell the narrative without losing the interest of the audience, which I found a few other animations were guilty of.

4) Raymonde or the Vertical Escape - Sarah Van Den Boom (France 2018)



At MAF, I was introduced to this animation. I thought the story was thought-provoking and emotional, and the concept left the audience with a certain impression that was unique to the film and couldn't be replicated.

5) Who's Hungry? - David Ochs (US 2009)



The use of sound in this animation I believe helps capture the horror the story tells of; particularly the screeches of the kidnapper and the whirring of the blender. The lack of colour and sketchy, pencil-drawn style I find also evokes a more melancholy and uneasy vibe to the clip. The length also works well in leaving the audience apprehensive of what is about to happen, yet is also not too drawn out that they lose interest.

6) Animal Behaviour - Alison Snowden and David Fine (Canada 2018)



The voice acting in this clip and behavioural stereotypes based on the animals I feel made the animation much more wholesome even though the basic concept is a little more cynical masked with humour.

7) Wildebeest - Nicholas Keppens and Matthias Phlips (Belgium 2017)



I found the tone of this animation to be rather dark despite the fact there is humour running throughout. I thought this juxtaposition worked well in order to invoke a certain, unique response from the audience, which left questions in their minds.

8) Squaring the Circle - Karolina Specht (Poland 2018)



The use of abstract metaphors in this animation I felt provided something unique and fresh to the media.

9) One Small Step - Taiko (US/China 2018)



Similarly to the first clip, I felt the characters' designs were incredibly captivating and likeable.

10) The Fox - Sadegh Javadi Nikjeh (Iran 2018)

At MAF, I watched this animation. I thought the story was poignant and riveting. Aesthetically, the design (particularly the background) I believe adds another layer to the overall message by capturing a particular tone.
Link to the Fox Trailer

11) The Fly - Ferenc Rofusz (Hungary 1980)



I chose this clip as it uses a different technique to the others and also is much older so I can see the variation in animation and how it has evolved as time has gone on.

12) Death of a Father - Somnath Pal (India 2017)



This animation evoked an incredibly strong emotional response from not just myself, but most of the audience it reached as the focus of the film is something most people will experience in their lifetimes. The artistic design reminded me of old Pop Art pieces.