Context of Practise 1: Triangulation

Context of Practise 1

Study Task 4 - Triangulation

Source 1: https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/real-magic-harry-potter-and-prisoner-azkaban

Source 2: https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/star-wars-behind-the-scenes-history-ilm-
industrial-light-magic-making-special-effects

Source 3: Furniss, M. (2016). Animation: A Global History. New York: Thames and Hudson.

With the creation of Buckbeak, described in Source One (The Real Magic of ‘Harry Potter’), being a digital creation allowed for quicker changes and feather manipulation, without limitation. It is stated that due to creating the realistic visuals of the creature, there were challenges in bringing “character to Buckbeak”. This was done through Buckbeak’s interaction with the actors and this allowed to create sense of character into something that doesn’t talk nor can move it’s beak in ways for emotion. Similarly, Source Two states (The Rise of CG in ‘How the making of Star Wars Changed Hollywood Forever), in the prequels, George Lucas makes use of the full CG character Jar Jar Binks. Due to the technology not being as advanced as during the making of ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’, the character, along with the writing of said character, is “lampooned” by audiences, in comparison.  Source 3 (Furniss, M. (2016). Animation: A Global History. p372-373) further emphasises this idea of “incongruity between realism and lifelessness”, explaining how the Polar Express was criticized for its realistic visuals, but the eye and mouth movements didn’t work right and thus ruined the overall visual experience. My understanding of this is that they all reference this idea that CG is being used within film making to portray visual realism to audiences and almost “show off” what technology can now provide for movies. It allows for more immersive content, however this is undermined by the idea of lifeless characters and the “dullness” which CG provides to movies.

I didn’t find the process to compare and contrast the sources entirely difficult, in terms of content, however it was being able to compile everything I found into a short paragraph. It was difficult to remain on topic. If I were to do this again, I think I would plan further or try using the PDF booklet more to look further into the process of active reading.