Animation Deconstruction

Both of these images are from the Pixar film Monsters Inc. Both images feature the same amount of saturation, due to the style of the film. The first image, however, uses a lot of vibrant hues for both the characters and the background to show the energy in the scene. In the second one, however, the hues are warmer to give a sense of being in a safe place. The first image is also much brighter, because it is during the day, while the second image has lower brightness to show that the little girl is getting ready for bed. As far as lighting, the first image is very well lit with few shadows to create the mood of admiration and happiness. There is actually a sort of spotlight effect on the center characters to symbolize the admiration they are receiving from the other characters. The spotlight shines on the two monsters as the other characters adore them in slightly darker lighting. The heavy shadows used in the second image, along with the girl’s facial expressions, give off a mood of fear. She is afraid of the antagonist of the movie, who is pictured in the drawing she is holding so that the storytellers can tell the young audience what she is afraid of in a didactic manner. The movement of the characters in each scene is very different. In the first, the two main characters are sort of strutting to show their pride. These characters are using slow, large scale movements to show their high status in the scene. While these two characters have very different models, their movements parallel each other. In contrast to these movements the little girl uses very small, quick movements in comparison to show how afraid she is. Secondary movements happen when the big blue character walks and his hair fluffs around, which also happens to occur with the girl’s pigtails when she shakes her head. The green character has the secondary movement of his bag swinging back and forth. The principle of squash and stretch is displayed in the blue characters large stomach, which bounces up and down as he walks.