Tools over Methods

Research Proposal
Writing up the second draft of my research proposal and  going over my notes, I find that my project and research isn't heavily influenced by acting methods  by Michael Chekov, Constantin Stanislavski the only direct relation is toward how the techniques can be used.  Which is Calling on your own past experiences to create the emotion and physical outcome generated by that emotion in front of a video camera or mirror. While the principle of theatrical acting allows for the mimicry of emotion and physical pose  adopted in that situation. This part is used toward posing the character animated and by combining these two techniques  An animator is filling the gap between the body of the character and the mind of the animator.  This gap that isn't present for an actor because they use their own body as the medium.

On the other hand I have realized in terms of Acting for animators my research and project falls heavily on  the acting teacher Ed hooks and theory's from his books. One thing that instantly pops into mind though is that Ed hooks focuses on realism which is achieved by the Disney standard of animation. While I on the other hand and frankly  DONT CARE about realism. I do however plunge myself into  the terms "The Suspension of disbelief", "Comedy and Farce", "Credibility and believability"  of course there are others I can't remember at this time.

Studying into these notes they are more leading towards Acting tools that bring out Personality, Emotion or Mood. These are the examples: Power centers, Psychological gesture, Improv, Status and Timing. While also thinking about the Animation side - Subtext, Rhythm, Honesty, Eyes  And most important of all which I can't categorize into a singular side is CONTEXT. you can only get emotion or personality from identifying the context it relates to.

Bertolt Brecht

During my Crit presentation Bertolt Brecht was suggested as a cross reference toward Constantin Stanislavski. After taking a brief look into his methods and techniques I can safely say he stands on the opposite of anything I believe in performance as well as Constantin Stanislavski.  Why this is also related to why I do not enjoy the current moves that have a heavy emphasize on 3D or bullet time effects.  The moment you slow down a bullet and see it traveling through the air or have a random object thrown at you it breaks the 4th wall or breaks your out of the movie. This is something I personally hate with a vengeance and from the description of Brecht's techniques he liked to constantly make you think, question and realize what was happening in the performance. 

My Project and current thinking

So coming away from that topic and more onto my project, Mary and Lilly most likely going to be the stars of my project. The principle behind it will be building their personalities and background to an extent that no matter what the situation they are put in I can instantaneously tell the audience how they would act or react. Ideally forming an animation which will inform the audience of both of their characters personalities to the extent that no matter what the rig looks like Lilly and Mary will be identified for their actions and reactions using the tools described above.

Here is an Example from Jackie Chan Adventures Season 2 Episode 35 - Chi of the Vampire 

In this episode Jade, Toru and Uncle have all had their Life force(Chi) transferred to one another and then this is displayed by the way they speak, move, act & react. (For a quick glimpse go to 12:56mins)

Ill conclude this post with saying  I believe my project if focused on  Animation and acting tools over Methods employed but will also consider the influence Ed hooks terms of summarizing reality into how people act as being a foundation of my project.   Method acting and Theatrical Acting are considered methods an animator should use while animating however the research and depth I have went into does not influence the creation of character personality but the animators ability to create a performance.