This week focused on the importance of establishing shots and how they can ground the audience instantly. A good establishing shot shows the setting, introduces characters, and connects them to their world. We looked at examples like The Simpsons and Harry Potter, where repeated shots of the house or castle help make the scene iconic and memorable. I realised this is something I need to work on — right now, my animation doesn’t have a distinct style or recognisable opening. I’ll focus on developing this more in the previs stage.
We reviewed the 180-degree rule for dialogue scenes. It’s a simple but important principle — keeping characters on consistent sides of the frame helps avoid confusing the viewer. Breaking it can work, but only when it’s done intentionally.
Finally, we talked about what makes a character compelling. They don’t need to be “good” — they need to be layered. Flaws, strong motivations, and emotional depth are what draw people in. We looked at Carl from Up, the Joker, and Tanjiro from Demon Slayer. Even small design choices (like Tanjiro’s rough hands) help tell a story.
We were reminded to show, not tell — using props, gestures, costumes, music, lighting, and movement to reveal personality.