3D Animation & Finding Dory 

              One weekend, I had the pleasure of spending the night with my other family and partaking in movie night. Of course, as the title shows, we watched the new Pixar movie called 'Finding Dory'. I was very excited and astonished through-out the movie for many reasons. I loved 'Finding Nemo' growing up so it was a sweet refreshing moment for me. This time around, though, I was able to pay attention to the beauty in the animation itself. I noticed the way the bright colors and natural like movements/camera angels all played a part. 

           

             As a child, it doesn't hit you that animators have to create and position those different camera angles, just like they position the characters. And sometimes even as a mature knowledgeable adult it doesn't register in your mind. It definitely adds to the appreciation and beauty when you know somewhat about all the effort that had to be put in.  Now, the other reason why I picked this movie as a great topic, is the fact the animators of the movie talked about the difficulties at the end; main one being a certain character. They explained how this character almost broke Pixar because of how many obstacles they ran into bring it to life in the 3D world. The character was an octopus so the tentacles and making sure they flowed naturally like a real octopus took alot for the animators. It stood out because here are these professional animators talking about a  challenge with their career yet it taught them so much and made them even more confident in the 3D realm. 

           A lot of people, including me, may have thought anybody could work for Pixar, Disney, and create cartoons for show; but it couldn't be anymore false. 3D is definitely not child's play, it takes mathematics and accuracy. It takes determination and having an eye for things. It's not all about just the Imagination. I get chills even thinking about the realistic animations out there, how hard they must have worked...how hard they work for the graphics in commercials. 3D Animation is serious  skills all the way. 

- AW

December 11th, 2016 

History Behind 3D Animation 

      

      I honestly couldn't tell you why this, all of a sudden, popped into my mind. I guess as I grow and get a little more into my future career, I pay attention to the important things more. Of course its all about the bigger picture, that's with anything you do. I do know, though, that the little details can/do matter just as much. My uncle taught me, even if he never knows, you have to know about the things you're doing; the things you're getting into. 

     I started with this simple question: Who invented 3D Animation? Now it may seem silly, since 3D Animation isn't an actual object of contraption. I looked it up and did my research anyway. Turns out 3D was produced in 1972, a lot older than I would have guessed, and was said to be created by a man named Ed Catmull. Now, Catmull is a very successful man I discovered. He is a true pioneer with 3D Technology and is currently the president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Amazing right? I thought so. I never would have guessed it could turn out the way it did. 

      I think about so many other trends or hot things that were created and had been around, hot things that many of us have abandoned; marking unworthy. Yet this great thing was introduced in 1972, a time where I can only guess Technology wasn't the greatest, and now in 2016 I'm taking a class on it. Another great thing about 3D is, it's used for a lot of different things...you literally see it everywhere. There's 3D movies, games, art, graphics etc! And they all came from one grand man with one grand idea. 

-AW 

December 4th, 2016