Post #11. Geri’s Game
VIDEO ENDS AT 4:54, DISREGARD LAST PART OF VIDEO
Produced in 1997, Geri’s Game created by Pixar, is one of my favorites. This short was released shortly after Toy Story being Pixar’s first short animation with the use of a human main character. A fun fact, Geri (the old man in the short) was actually used during Toy Story 2 as the repairman that fixed Woody’s ripped arm (Wikipedia). The techniques that made this short great were the use of shadows and secondary animation used on the chess pieces. Being Pixar’s first short using a human character I think that they did an exceptional job with the human characteristics given to Geri.
Throughout the entire short animation the shadowing techniques look amazing. When ever Geri moved his hand or a chess piece the shadows would move with it. I felt that this made the short seem more realistic and believable. Even in the background one can notice the shade underneath the trees and guess around what time a day this is taking place. In real life when it’s getting around dusk a person has a shadow along with objects, without this effect Geri would be less realistic. The lighting makes it perfect for Pixar to show off their knowledge of shadowing and help them make their new character seem more life-like. Overall I think that the shadowing used in this short really push it into the next level for this time period.
The other thing that I found really interesting is the secondary animation. I noticed this especially when Geri was switching sides of the table from ‘white Geri’ (white chess pieces) to ‘black Geri’ (black chess pieces). Objects that are touched by Geri move. The most obvious example is when ‘white Geri’ pretends to have a heart attack and falls down. When ‘white Geri’ falls, the chess board and the chess pieces all move. If this didn’t happen and all the pieces stayed static, then the animation would fall short.
A side note: the box that the chess pieces are dropped into says “Pixar Shorts” I just thought that was a cute little aspect added….
ETA I commented on Michael Griffith’s Post and Jessica Martin’s Post
I think you are right about the shadows. Before I read your post and was watching the video I was in awe over the shadow work. I really enjoyed how when he sat down and gently moved the chairs and table, all of the shadows followed perfectly. Also the easter egg with the cigar box labeled “Pixar Shorts” was a nice touch. Shorts being a short animation and a type of cigar.
By: mgriffi5 on April 12, 2010
at 4:06 pm
[...] I commented on Megan’s Blog and Chuck’s Blog. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Michelin Tires [...]
By: Post #11: “Sad Road” « Mike G. Blog on April 12, 2010
at 4:09 pm
The shadows do bring an amazing quality to the short. I am more interested in how realistic this sequence is with the old man playing both sides and being his own devil’s advocate. I guess when you get to a certain age, you have to be your own company. Also in the end, the animation moves from just that, animated, to life like. Loved that,absolutely nothing changed except for the shades of green, and the reflection of the sunlight were obviously real.
By: amartin78 on May 4, 2010
at 3:20 pm