Ed Hooks Acting for Animators Workshop

Allot of the material in the talk, I had already read in his book. However it was still a very informative and inspiring day. Form my notes I have compiled a checklist of sorts, to help me "ask the right questions" when planning an animation.  

"How are we all the same?"  

A good performance = Engaging Empathy 

People only empathize with emotions (not situations)  

Aim for empathy NOT sympathy. (If a character is too pathetic and just rolls over, the audience will no longer identify with them.)  

"Who is your audience?" 

This should impact geatly on how you approach your performance.  

"What is your character doing?"  

You should be able to stop your animation at any frame and answer this question clearly. 

ACTION in pursuit of an OBJECTIVE, whilst overcoming an OBSTICLE.  

"Where is the conflict?" 

Conflict can be with another character, yourself, or the situation. Theatrical reality must have some source of conflict. Good storytelling also involves at least one "adrenalyn moment", something the character will remember when they are 80.  

"What happened before? What going to happen?" 

Scenes begin in the middle.  

"Would the character do that?"  

Don't just put something in there because it’s a nice pose or you think its funny. Think logically about the characters behavior.