Outline of first term paper

This is the outline for my analysis of the laws of physics in the movie Spirited Away, by Hayao Miyazaki.

Introduction

a. The laws of gravity and physics are portrayed correctly under “everyday” circumstances through out the movie.
b. Physic and gravity is compromised because of magical powers in the bath house, dragons, and exaggerated expressions.
c. Analyzing what was correct about the falls in Spirited Away and pointing out which details did not follow physical laws.
d. Thesis: Spirited Away was a very intelligent and highly detailed film in terms of understanding basic laws of physics enough to make the the film highly realistic, and only manipulated those laws when it was necessary for story telling purposes.

Body

A. Evidence of correct laws of physics.
1. In the car, Chihiro is pulled back when the car is moving fast.
2. Things off in the distance move slower than ones that are closer.
3. When Chihiro turns her head, hair spins outwards, following centripidal force.
4. Objects such as gold and plates of food fall with the right timing.


B. Laws of physics and gravity compromised
1. A tiny fly is lugging a mouse five times its size.
2. General magical powers of levitation of Ubaba and Haku.
3. When Haku runs, it is unrealistic, almost levitates.
4. Wind blows through skirts, they float back down too slowly.
5. When Chirio is angry, surprised, or struck with sudden emotion, her hair stands on end, and often holds that position.
6. Haku and Chihiro walk through flower bushes, they move to fast past them for the pace they are walking.

C. Dramatic falls that obey and disobey the laws of gravity.
1. The force of the fall on the steps propels Chihiro down the stairs, running at a high speed.
Chihiro runs across the pipe and they brake off the wall they are nailed to, but instead of falling because of the weight of Chihiro they propel horizontally away from the wall.
2. Chihiro and Haku the dragon are falling, the mice and fly are getting lifted up in the air, even though they are on top of them.

Conclusion
a. Repeat thesis.
b. The point this paper is trying to make and what is the purpose for writing it.

Video Analysis of Path of Action

Here is an analysis of the path of action of me doing a jump after a running start. I had thought the camera was shot 30 frames per second but it looks as if the frames were shot uneven, in neighboring pairs. Here is the reference video for the analysis. Unfortunately the tracker software did not allow me to record a Quicktime of the image with the tracks in motion. I believe it is partially due to the age of my Mac computer, and the unwillingness to accept Tracker as a compatible software.

Tracker Video Analysis of Falling

This is an analysis of the rate of a falling orange per second, using the Tracker software program.
The video is shot at 30 frames per second, and it takes about 9 frames for the orange to travel from the apex to contact.



The new video reference shot for tracker.

Video Reference

The camera is an Olympus FE-340 and shoots video at 30 frames per second.

Mini Portfolio

"Worm out of Sight" is an animation final I did for my Intro to Animation/illustration class back in Spring 2008. Since then I have learned a bit more about animation through some of my 112b classes, where we learn life drawing from a former animator, Sheldon Borenstein. The Animation Podcast is a great show I listen to, where famous animators are interviewed about their lives and movies they've worked on. I also like to absorb knowledge from my peers as I watch and listen to them struggle on their animations. I am currently in Art 114, my second animation class.

Illustration is my primary focus in the A/I program at San Jose State. Painting has become my new love since taking Art 113a with Cameron Chun. However I love the acting and story telling aspects of animation. I appreciate how exaggerated and loose the drawings are in each frame, which are good skills to have for illustration. Some of my favorite animated films are Ratatouilli, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Tekonkinkreet.