Science Nation - Physics of Animation

In the multi-billion dollar movie and video game industry, making animations come to life is a crucial and revered skill. It takes a solid understanding of physics. For example, animators need to know things like how to cast shadows, how to direct the movement of their characters, and how objects, such as motorcycles, should maneuver. With support from the National Science Foundation, San Jose State University Physicist Alejandro Garcia has developed a course in physics for animators and artists. He is also spending a semester as a consultant for animators at DreamWorks Studio in northern California.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• movies
• video
• games
• gaming
• National
• Science
• Foundation
• San
• Jose
• State
• University
• physicist
• Alejandro
• Garcia
• physics
• animation
• artists
• animators
• DreamWorks
• cartoon
• animated
• movie film

[WutDaHeckMan]

wake me up when the artists propelling this industry are put higher on credits list than the caterers and assistants to the driver of Mr. So and So

[TheBenSweeney]

So what's the science behind the "Dreamworks smirk"?

[stringfellow573]

Gets even better with geophysics.

[1111abrar]

very helpful



[skeletonmf]

The physics actually still look floaty with computer animated cartoons. Classic cartoons had more believable physics.

[Jefe1975]

Sweet! Maybe they can go back to Monsters vs Aliens and re-animate every scene.

[analwartchicks]

@ 1:47 is that girl 12 years old?

[WutDaHeckMan]

Lucrative? yea, but only for the clients and business men in the industry... everyone else ie. the artists and talent behind the industry get sh*t on with terrible hours/strenous work/no home life and crappy pay. just waiting for that straw to break the camels back. CG'ers unite!

[fennecfanatic]

@bittergourd72 Yes, among thousands of other variables. The scale of the object is part of its geometry. He's just describing one rule of thumb in that clip, not the entirety of how shadows work. =)