ARTICLE RESPONSE 3/10/19

            Appeal - 12 Basic Principles of Animation



            This week, a lovely animator and article author, Ethan Hurd, goes in depth about the meaning of 'appeal' and the misconceptions it tends to hold. The main theme around this article can be summed up by one outstanding quote given-- "Subject matter has nothing to do with appeal, disturbing can be just as appealing as cute." (Hurd.) Whether it be a grotesque zombie, rough bandit, or cute child, each has it's own appeal, and pieces about it that make it worth viewing to an audience. On an animation scale, rather than an illustration scale, certain principles of animation can help bring a broader appreciation and 'appeal' to a particular animation, timing and holds are put into effect as well to convey certain emotions. Appeal is much more than a simple cute drawing. "Appeal is the culmination of all the other principles above it, plus something extra." (Hurd.)
            Using examples that juxtapose each other, such as the Joker from Batman, and a cute group of bunnies inside a teacup. These things are vastly different, but each attract and audience and fame none the less! Now how could that be if the Joker is made to be somewhat disgusting (face it, he looks like a grease vat.) and bunnies are so small and fluffy? The key is the appeal of each, as the colors and design of each of these things bring about their own appeal. The Joker is somewhat scary, meant to send a chill down your spine at the 'insanity' (I use this term lightly.) of one villain, with a comical twist in the cartoons. Bunnies are soft, cute, and face it, we all love those bunny compilations videos that make you procrastinate your work. The appeal of these is in the design, but it only isn't for pictures. 
            Animations hold their own candle to appeal, as seen with the example of squash and stretch given by Hurd. He explains that even though exaggerated squash and stretch aren't quite realistic, they provide a beautiful animation when used properly. Even though it isn't realistic, our minds love to explore the impossible, and seeing a squishy ball, rather than a stiff ball, is much more 'appealing.'  It's simply "more interesting to look at." (Hurd.) Now, over exaggeration and completely unrealistic, it can bring about a bad taste in your mouth. If the ball suddenly becomes a dinner plate upon hitting the ground, it's bound to make the viewer think of it as a glitch, or see it as unappealing. Art is a balancing act of appeal and realism.
            Appeal isn't only in squash and stretch either, it's in the simple choices a producer can make. Whether it be live action of film, we all love a good pause before a punchline. Right before a joke hits, seeing the character take a second to pause in mid air, or star at the screen (or other character) is always funny. It gives the audience a second to register what's going on, and see the humor of it. Though it isn't always realistic, Thumper from Bambi won't jump in mid air and pause with his heart throbbing out of his chest, nor will the Hulk take under a millisecond to punch Thor in the stomach, it brings a sense of comedy and life to a character that is most definitely needed to convey a message.
            Misconceptions are bound to happen when taking things at a face value, however, through this deep-dive of appeal, I've learned it's much more than a pretty face and design. The reoccurring theme of appeal being a 'culmination of all things' (Hurd), resonates within me as I read this article. I found it especially interesting to take a step back, and remember all the times watching movies where an action happened in a split second. Those were one of the funniest moments- and it was all due to appeal! I also enjoyed how he incorporated all forms of art-related media into this article, it wasn't a simple cookie-cutter explanation. 
            All in all, this article written by Eric Hurd is an exceptional piece about the art of Appeal, and why it remains an important principle of animation-- despite being listed as the last. It's all about how it's used, rather than seeing it as one facsimile of illustration. It's color, design, unrealistic tendencies and the balance of such, stretch and squash, exaggeration, the list truly goes on! This was extremely informative, and a good reminder to read when it comes to ramping up one's animation or art.