what do you guys think? the animation is pretty rudimentary, but its cute (and deceptively morbid) enough to justify the millions of people who watched it.
DSB, when i say the animation is rudimentary, i just meant the backgrounds and textures looked really simple. much more "master's thesis" material than say, Pixar animation. But my opinions are pretty worthless, I know less than nothing about animation. And certainly the animation of the protagonist was pretty complex, and well done.
Ah, I got it. Personally, I like seeing it this way; it means the animator put the time into what was important, rather than wasting time on a feather shader, leaf dynamics, etc.
Like I said, my only quibble was when he decided to give the gag away. Other than that, I really like it - it's now on my iPod :D
[/B]I thought he put the aviator's cap on the kiwi too early - I'd have waited until just before he was getting ready to jump off the cliff. As it is he's telegraphing the bird's intentions kinda early, which takes away from the payoff a bit, especially that terrific camera turn that creates a horizon shift.
Like I said, a quibble. I just think the story would have had a bit more impact if that bit of business had come a little later.
My only crit is the sound at the end. I would have loved it more if the kiwi just disappeared into the fog and the screen fade to white. The kiwi's tear says both "Sad to die" and "Happy to fly". I don't think it's beyond any reasonable audience member to understand that the little guy dies.
I saw it for the first time today. I cared more about this little kiwi in 3 minutes than I did for all the penquins in Happy Feet.
He was so happy ...
SPOILER
Timing wise, I think it works just the way it is. Revealing it later would make it seem like one of Wile E. Coyote's bright ideas worthy of a Darwin award. Instead, there's a sense of awareness that adds to the sadness. Also, the timing lets the viewer put all the pieces together.
Reminds me of two things, Otis's sad "Wish for Wings that Work" as well as the waterfall dive in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
Timing wise, I think it works just the way it is. Revealing it later would make it seem like one of Wile E. Coyote's bright ideas worthy of a Darwin award. Instead, there's a sense of awareness that adds to the sadness. Also, the timing lets the viewer put all the pieces together.
I don't agree. He's obviously aware and knows the consequenses of his actions. Waiting a couple of seconds to dress him would have made a huge difference. We shouldn't know what he's been working at until the camera does its rotation. As it is, it takes away some of the emotional punch. In this case, I think it would have been more powerful to not let the viewer put the pieces together.
Throughout the rest of the short, the audience is a bit "behind" the character, then we're permitted to leap ahead. That's a mistake, IMO. A minor one, but still...
I hear AJR's point about the sound at the end. I lean towards agreeeing with you - it would have been just as effective (maybe moreso) without it.
I don't know about rudimentary, but that's a matter of opinion...
I thought he gave away the gag by "dressing" the kiwi as early as he did. I'd have probably waited longer, until just before, well, you know...
Struggling not to give it away in case you haven't seen it yet. If not, here it is
DSB, when i say the animation is rudimentary, i just meant the backgrounds and textures looked really simple. much more "master's thesis" material than say, Pixar animation. But my opinions are pretty worthless, I know less than nothing about animation. And certainly the animation of the protagonist was pretty complex, and well done.
Ah, I got it. Personally, I like seeing it this way; it means the animator put the time into what was important, rather than wasting time on a feather shader, leaf dynamics, etc.
Like I said, my only quibble was when he decided to give the gag away. Other than that, I really like it - it's now on my iPod :D
it was amazing. Awesome idea, good animation.
dunno what this guys talkin about gave it away. I thought it was executed quite well. Had me up until the end.
"who wouldn't want to make stuff for me? I'm awesome." -Bloo
Here's what I mean by "giving the gag away"...
[B]SPOILERS BELOW!
[/B]I thought he put the aviator's cap on the kiwi too early - I'd have waited until just before he was getting ready to jump off the cliff. As it is he's telegraphing the bird's intentions kinda early, which takes away from the payoff a bit, especially that terrific camera turn that creates a horizon shift.
Like I said, a quibble. I just think the story would have had a bit more impact if that bit of business had come a little later.
SPOILER BELOW
My only crit is the sound at the end. I would have loved it more if the kiwi just disappeared into the fog and the screen fade to white. The kiwi's tear says both "Sad to die" and "Happy to fly". I don't think it's beyond any reasonable audience member to understand that the little guy dies.
I saw it for the first time today. I cared more about this little kiwi in 3 minutes than I did for all the penquins in Happy Feet.
He was so happy ...
SPOILER
Timing wise, I think it works just the way it is. Revealing it later would make it seem like one of Wile E. Coyote's bright ideas worthy of a Darwin award. Instead, there's a sense of awareness that adds to the sadness. Also, the timing lets the viewer put all the pieces together.
Reminds me of two things, Otis's sad "Wish for Wings that Work" as well as the waterfall dive in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
I don't agree. He's obviously aware and knows the consequenses of his actions. Waiting a couple of seconds to dress him would have made a huge difference. We shouldn't know what he's been working at until the camera does its rotation. As it is, it takes away some of the emotional punch. In this case, I think it would have been more powerful to not let the viewer put the pieces together.
Throughout the rest of the short, the audience is a bit "behind" the character, then we're permitted to leap ahead. That's a mistake, IMO. A minor one, but still...
I hear AJR's point about the sound at the end. I lean towards agreeeing with you - it would have been just as effective (maybe moreso) without it.
I am not going to nitpick, it's one of the better animations floating around the net today.
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