Blog Number 6

Animation Deconstruction:


SpongeBob SquarePants

            There are many similarities and differences between the two pictures I chose. I decided to pick two pictures from the same animated television show, SpongeBob SquarePants. Both pictures are very similar with regards to color or hue. The main color that stands out in each picture is green. Although the first picture with SpongeBob has many different colors, the green background seems to stand out the most. In the second picture, there are many different shades of green between Squidward, the background, and the floor. The other color that stands out the most between the two pictures is brown. The burgers in the first picture stand out on the green background because they are contrasting colors, which make the burgers look like they are advancing. Squidward’s shirt also stands out the same way as the burgers in the second picture. Also, saturation is used in the second picture with the color brown. There are many different shades of brown within the picture, which helps things stand out. For example, Squidward’s shirt, the garbage bag, and the stains on the garbage bag are all different shades of brown. The stain is a much darker brown, which emphasizes the stain and shows that the garbage is greasy and full. Squidward’s shirt on the other hand is a much brighter brown because it allows him to standout from the background.

            The biggest difference between the two pictures would definitely have to be the lighting. The first picture does a much better job of using lighting than the second picture. In the first picture, there is lighting around SpongeBob SquarePants’ body and his left hand, which not only makes him stand out, but also makes his hand look like it is advancing. Also, the lighting around SpongeBob verifies the fact that the burger ingredients are floating in the air. This contrasts with the second picture, which has no lighting. The lighting in the first picture also affects the mood. The lighting around SpongeBob not only helps emphasize the fact that he is extremely happy, but it also gives the picture a happy mood. The colors are very bright and SpongeBob appears happy so the mood is happy. The second picture is completely different as there is no lighting and it is clear that Squidward is not happy. The darker tones give the picture a much more somber mood. 

Blog Number 5

Ratatouille


Storyboard:

Overhead View:

            The director of the animation film Ratatouille did a very good job of following the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is essentially a rule of thumb where important elements of each shot should cross the lines cutting the scene into three rows across and three rows down. For example, in the first shot, Remy’s face crosses the lines because the director wants the viewer to pay attention to his facial expressions. Since Remy is thinking in the first shot, the viewer’s eyes are guided to his eyes first. Also, the director has other important elements such as the pot of soup and the wooden spoon crossing the imaginary lines in the second shot because it is essential for the viewer to recognize the fact that Remy is cooking in the kitchen. Another scene where the director uses the rule of thirds very well is in shot five when Gusteau is constantly flying around Remy. Gusteau is an important character in this scene because he is telling Remy to go ahead add ingredients to the pot of soup while he can before the cooks come back in the kitchen and see him.

            The director also followed the 180 degree rule and the rules of 30 very well. Throughout the entire scene, the camera does not cross the 180 degree line. Also, when Remy is turning his body, the camera moves around with him so that it does not cross the 180 degree line. The same thing goes for when Gusteau appears in the air and flies around Remy. Remy is constantly turning around so that he can be face to face with Gusteau and talk to him, so the camera moves with them to avoid crossing the line. The director also follows the rules of 30. There are no jump cuts within the scene. In the first shot, the director uses a pan shot when Remy is running back and forth horizontally on the counter. In order to avoid jump cuts in the third shot, the director uses another pan shot when Remy turns around to look at the pot of soup.

            Overall, the director did a great job of following the rule of thirds, the 180 degree rule, and the rules of 30. He made the most important elements of each shot stand out by having them cross the imaginary lines that cut each shot into 9 parts. He also avoided jump cuts by not crossing the 180 degree line, by using pan shots throughout the scene, and by having the camera move around with the characters. 

Blog Number 4

Mumford & Sons


The Cave:

Little Lion Man:

Listening Framework: The Cave

Listening Framework: Little Lion Man

          The two songs The Cave and Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons share more different qualities than similar qualities. There are three major similarities between the songs. The first similarity is that they both have moderato or medium tempos. They are also alike because the rhythm is coming from the lead guitar. Also, the two songs have a very upbeat and fun groove and each song flows very well.
            The two songs are also very different from each other in many ways. The lyrics in The Cave are about leaving behind fears and living life the way it is intended whereas Little Lion Man is about pushing a loved one away. The structure and the organization of each song are different as well. The Cave starts off very slow with the guitar playing the same notes over and over again. The song builds up in the middle with the vocals on top and then slowly drops again. The song then builds up again for the ending. Little Lion Man also starts off slowly but does not build up that much throughout the song. Instead, it builds up just a little bit in the middle of the song.

            It seems that The Cave is much more intensified and faster than Little Lion Man. When the instruments (drums, banjo, and guitar) in The Cave, are all playing in sync with the vocals on top, the song becomes very intense and loud. The listener can really only hear the vocals and the banjo playing the same notes over and over again, when in reality the drums and guitar are playing as well. In Little Lion Man, there is a little bit of intensity in the middle of the song, but the beginning and the end are slower and quiet. Also the drums play a big role in driving the song along with the guitar, whereas the song Little Lion Man is driven by the lead guitar and banjo. With regards to timbre, the chorus of The Cave is much noisier than the chorus of Little Lion Man.

            The melodies of the two songs are also very different. Both songs have completely different tunes that can be hummed. Their tunes may differ from one another but they both seem to have linear melodies with regards to following the intro to verse to chorus pattern. I personally like the song The Cave better than Little Lion Man because I like how the song intensifies and drops many times throughout the song. I also really the meaning behind the song, and I like the fact that it has a very upbeat and fun groove.