FLAIL-MATION
Topic: Why do Disney’s characters overact ???
Why do they have to throw their whole bodies into action ? The voices and facial expressions aren’t enough ? Why do they have to bow their heads and lower their shoulders that much when they want to just “sigh” ? And what is it with all that hand waving thing ? Animation Nation discussion board topic
It’s true – Disney characters flail. Not that there is anything wrong with characters moving all the time.The problem with contemporary Disney animation (‘Beauty & The Beast’ onwards) is that it is so FORMULA. Disney characters nowadays are drawn with emotional expressions that are totally predictable. They act “cute”, “zany”, “perturbed” and “sigh” in the same way. Also: it’s as if Disney animators have been conditioned to animate movement for movement’s sake. As if they feel they are not doing their job (and failing as Animators) if their character isn’t moving ALL the time.
It’s a pity – more often than not, we don’t get to appreciate the drawings – which if HELD, would communicate a character’s essence and attitude a whole lot better than superfluous and relentless head-nodding, arm-waving, hair-flippin’, squashy-stretchy movement.
Next time you talk to someone, ask yourself: How much does my head actually move?
