Motivation in Animation

If we look at your desire to animate as a musical instrument then you are the master to play it. To be exact, it is your mind. Your mind must be a motive power for your creative process. In order to do this we must believe in something. As actors with pencils we must create the life of a human spirit (or any other character) and then we can believe in that. If we are to communicate with one another we must have thoughts and feelings to exchange.

We now have three tools to work with: our Minds, our Will, and our Feelings.

The power of these motive forces is enhanced by their interaction with each other. They support each other with the result that they will always act at the same time and in close relationship. When you call your mind into action you stir your will and feelings. When these forces are co-operating harmoniously you can create freely.

Mood, Being and State of Mind are the forces which dictate body attitude, action and expression. It dictates behavior.

Let’s look at three states of mind:
1) Fear - Physical actions are erratic, undisciplined, frenzied and staccato.
2) Composed - Actions are warm, graceful and considerate.
3) Depressed - Actions are confined and minimal.
Understanding the state of mind of your character is important to the thought process of how you phrase, time and pose, then ultimately animate your characters. Just as you analyze the mechanical aspects of the characters motions, understanding the basic principles of motion: anticipation, action, reaction, overlapping action, follow through, stretch, squash, weight so too must you analyze the psychological aspects of the characters motivations.

As animators, we have the opportunity to entertain, communicate thoughts, emotions, ideas, express a point of view... touch on a mental level... people with similar attitudes. In order for us to do this, we must be possessed by the moods and personalities of the characters and put it into our drawings.
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