Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Something is Missing



The character of course. I was told by a Disney background painter, who worked on most of the classics, that a BG should look like an empty stage set. Waiting for the character to enter and give a performance. Therefor the BG should look "unfinished" in order to make room for one more element, the animated actor(s).
The first image is a color study by Mel Shaw for The Fox & the Hound.


The Little Whirlwind



Pinocchio



Robin Hood



Sleeping Beauty



101 Dalmatians



6 comments:

  1. Hallo Andreas, es gibt unter den deutschen Büchern wieder ein namedropping mit Bild und ein paar Disneysätze. Es passt farblich zu OHNE DRESSCODE von 2012, wie auch Disney-DVDs vom Coverrücken einen schönen Farbverlauf haben °o°. Leider online nur bei ebay: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Lyoner-fur-Cliff-Richard/232924973303?hash=item363b6908f7:g:KWUAAOSwSSNbmKdc. Ich schicke gerne eins nach L.A. liebe Grüße Christian

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  2. This has also become a common approach to background music. We're used to such full scores in the classic films, very Ravel-inspired (especially Bambi). Some could (should, really) stand on their own as complete works.

    But today, especially composers like Hans Zimmer (and to a lesser degree, Giacchino and Silvestri) tend to drop down to just 2-note chords when the characters are talking. In effect, the character's/actor's voice and inflections make up the 3rd note to complete the triad.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah films like Bambi have more room for melody because the characters don't talk a lot.
      A lot of that Zimmer-style stuff is kind of uninspiring for me

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  3. Hey Andreas, can you do a post that involves Frank and Ollie’s animation on Winnie the Pooh and Piglet? You never really seem to talk about the original animated shorts from the 60s and 70s.

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  4. I love the backgrounds from Disney. It's so beautiful!

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  5. The backgrounds from 101 Dalmatians remind me a lot of Maurice Noble works. The accessories of the scene taking color from behind them. Brilliant stuff!

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