To Animate Is Creating The Dead Become a Living Being
When we go to the cinema, sometimes we are so lulled by the luscious Hollywood visual animation, plus the smell of popcorn and butter, that we forget to notice the names of the Indonesian artists involved behind the scenes. One of them is Roni Gani, if you mention several Hollywood films that have become box office hits, one of which is The Avengers, you will find Roni Gani's name listed as an animator in that film. Now, let's dig into the world of animation from Roni's eyes, what are the stages needed in the creative process?
Modelling
Even though he has breathed life into various characters in Hollywood films, apparently Roni still uses the character of Unyil when in an interview with the Karen.id podcast he was asked further about the modeling process. Just like humans who started their journey as an embryo, the Unyil also started from a cloth. By the designer, the cloth is sewn into a doll according to sketches and concepts that have been carefully considered so that it has a 3-dimensional shape.
This process includes the preparation of character designs, environmental designs and character properties, up to details of the characters themselves. You could say, this is a development plan for the universe and its actors. Therefore, this stage requires an understanding of the surface topology of the shape of the character we are creating, or there will be a risk that our character will fail to animate. This department is staffed by observers and researchers, because as Roni mentioned in his interview, animation is the process of bringing dead figures to life.
Texturing
After the concept design is complete, the next stage we need to manage is texturing. What materials will we choose for the characters and universe? What colors will enliven the look? How does this choice affect the character and the universe? Because each decision will determine the extent to which we breathe life into the animation that we are developing. This stage requires the sharpness of an animator so that the combined colors and textures successfully breathe life into them so they can look alive.
Rigging
This is a stage that requires a person's ability to act. Or, at least, an understanding of acting. When we talk about acting, it is closely related to the task of conveying a message; both story and emotion. Let's say we are finished with the modeling and texturing stages. Now, we have characters that are not only 2 dimensional, but have metamorphosed into 3 dimensional characters.
However, that alone is not enough. Our character hasn't moved yet. As a puppeteer, you are expected to provide the right body language with your characters and story. We certainly understand very well about the types of emotions, but we are not the ones who convey them to the audience. But rather the characters that we have created. We only divide and coordinate the character's movement areas.
Lighting
Even in animation, a creator still needs a setting, or setting for the story. Some are set indoors or outdoors. What determines the setting is light, so the creator is required to be able to adjust the lighting according to the needs of the story setting.
Renderings
This is the final stage of the entire production process, where the creator sews all the cut scenes in the animation he created into a complete, continuous show.
In learning all this, before Roni was currently involved in making Hollywood films, Roni visited an Internet Cafe and learned many things with capital of IDR 6,000 to rent a computer and internet for two hours. This proves that a person's limited facilities never stop someone from achieving their dreams. It is limited willpower that actually stops human progress.
Roni also shared his journey to be accepted by a film production house which required him to take part in several interview stages, which he ensured showed that he really wanted the position. Because for Roni, animation is no longer just an alternative performance, but an industry that can accommodate creative artists to develop their abilities.
Persistent, never giving up, open to new things are the characters that Roni applies to pursue his dreams. Without all these elements, Roni's desire to join a Hollywood-caliber production house would probably remain just wishful thinking. Now, think about it, how far have you gone to pursue the dream you have longed for? Find other inspiring stories only at KARENA.ID.