The reality of the CG animation industry

In recent years, CG animation has become more and more popular with audiences. In the face of this type of work, many people may think that "cost saving", "cheap", and "anyone can do it". But recently, a CG animation director named Takuya Minezawa published a lengthy tweet revealing the truth behind the CG animation.

[The full text is as follows]

Nowadays, there is a popular saying that "CG animation can reuse character templates, so there is no character collapse, and the cost is cheap." "But this aspect is actually based on the actual situation. It takes a lot of time to prepare for a CG animation, and the remuneration for this is not based on the unit price of each work, but on the working hours. Also, let's be honest, it's best not to expect too much to be able to reuse a template in your animation.

Having said that, we should check whether the statement "CG is cheap" is justified. "The CG industry is highly efficient and relatively low-cost" doesn't mean "the cost is lower than other works of the same quality", right?

The reason why people have the impression that CG is cheap is because there is a common belief in society that "anything can be made at the push of a button". It's a digital myth. It's impossible for people to push a button and do everything and accomplish tasks easily. However, because people in other industries do not know the inside story of this, this misunderstanding has arisen.

Although CG can do all kinds of things, we have only one body, and it is difficult to make a qiē perfect. Therefore, we must first focus on the task at hand, and no matter what happens, we must insist on one thing: we must first complete the "what we need to do" rather than "what we want to do".

Although I can understand what people say about "reusing templates (of course, I don't use such a term myself)", there are still difficulties in the animation process. For the reason, although CG can be used in animation, animators often need to add some action to the storyboard during the shooting process. Therefore, I think it is almost impossible to use CG directly in animation.

A long time ago, when I heard someone say, "Just make a template, you can reuse it in your animations, and the software is impeccable!" CG animation or something can be made in no time!! , will be coldly watched and hummed in his heart: "Ah~ It's fatal~ It's terrible~ It's obviously not like this~". And now, I can tell you clearly: "Wait a minute, it's not like that. ”

Nowadays, the situation has become very interesting, and although the quality of CG animation is guaranteed, we have to think about how to mass-produce and reduce losses. If the number of works increases, then there will be a lot of testing errors. CG animation was very hard in the early days of making zuò.

In my remarks above, I mentioned, "Now, I can say to everybody: 'Wait a minute, that's not the case. This sentence. But as it stands, it's not easy to make people understand this. I don't mean to say, "As long as someone complains, the CG people will immediately refute it", but I think that in order to make a better work, we should also build more alternatives, including CG. I think that's very important.

I don't want to play some negative masochistic tricks here, I just think that everything has to be determined according to the actual situation. The only way to think about it is to "how can I make my work better?" Only by figuring out whether the tools you use are good or not, and using CG on this basis can you make CG in both animation and live-action works show a powerful charm. So, the most important thing is that we can understand each other on this issue.

You can't just deny a certain method, but you have to put forward your own ideas and find alternatives, otherwise you won't be able to move forward. This is something we need to insist on. In this way, as long as we persevere, we will definitely reap good results. After that, it's a matter of timing, luck and fate.

Personally, I think that CG can be used in all genres of work, such as high-quality works, works that are realistic, and works that are a little tight on budget. Although the good and the bad are mixed, everyone's definition of success is different, so we can't just judge a person by quality. At the time of the production of new genres, at the time of mass production of this genre, and at the end of the era of this genre...... We all encounter failed attempts, and the deviations in the process of making zuò are worth everyone's attention.

In April, "Magic Inferior" sparked hot comments from Japanese netizens

In April, the new "Inferior Student of Magic Science University" has been a topic of conversation since it was launched, and with the release of related video products, many Japanese netizens have also begun to comment on this work. Recently, someone published a long recommendation article under Amazon's "Devil's Inferior" product page, which uses adjectives such as "eyebrows and eyes" and "both civil and military" to describe the protagonist Si Bo Daya, but at the same time, many people think that this work is actually a failure. Let's take a look at some of the most representative remarks!

[Evaluation: Five-star Tatsuya, so handsome!! 】

Eyebrows are clear, beautiful in both civil and military, taciturn but gentle and considerate...... I don't think it's been a long time since I've seen such a character who is the ideal object in the hearts of women, and such a perfect orthodox protagonist is fascinating.

If you think about it carefully, such a perfect character has just entered the first year of high school, and in fact, it will not appear in reality (⊙_⊙b Khan).

However, with men, they often shout "cuteness is justice!" "All the same, for our girls, handsome guys are handsome guys!

And my sister Miyuki is also cute to the point of perfection. It's just that this brother and sister are a little strange ( ^_^; They don't seem to realize that their relationship with each other is a bit of a brother and sister, and they don't have a full of lovers, right? Maybe it's because of the past war that has brought the two together, but the people around them still can't help but complain about "Hey, look at you" or something like that.

If you haven't read the original work, but have only read a little bit of the comments on Amazon, then you may feel that "this is not an inferior student at all" and "too perfect is boring", right? But isn't that what makes it so appealing? Since Tatsuya has strong magical powers, why did he become an "inferior student"? If you try to unravel this mystery, you will definitely have a lot of fun.

Of course,For those men who don't like the perfect protagonist,It's inevitable that you'll be jealous of Tatsuya~

Generally speaking, the protagonists of Hou Gong Xiang's works are very ordinary.,It's easy to have a sense of substitution.。 Therefore, the appearance of the role of Tatsuya is natural to arouse the disgust of male audiences.

The expression of magic in the work is very beautiful, and Tatsuya's physical combat mode is also agile and oppressive.

In addition, the painting style of Kana Ishida (original illustration, character design, and animation chief painting director) is very cute and enjoyable.?

PS: Some netizens think that the protagonist is too genius, and I think such comments are correct. If a person wants to improve, then he should deal with people who are better than him.

But ah, because reality can't provide an environment or character for us to improve, and the vast majority of people in this world are not motivated, so everyone will indulge in the second dimension to find solace.

The so-called animation and light novels are the existence of such unattainable ideals that delight the viewer.

If you just pursue "realistic setting and development", then you just watch those live-action TV series, wouldn't it be good?

For those men who don't like the perfect protagonist, I don't recommend you to watch "The Inferior Students of Magic Colleges". For women who crave an orthodox protagonist, hurry up and join us, right?

[Evaluation: One-star this thing can also be animated]

In short, the protagonist is already invincible, and it's not interesting at all. I can't figure out why it's an inferior student......

I feel like this is just a work of "the hero is the strongest, don't worry about anything else".,As for the plot.,Just make do with it.。

The costumes are so tasteless!

[Evaluation: One star for students who have watched this animation and want to become geniuses]

Nowadays, there are too many protagonists who are ordinary or inferior students at first glance, but in fact they are extremely talented and have super talents, can have an impact on the world, and get super-first-class praise.

Some middle school students may feel that they are handsome and stylish after reading it, so they have a longing. But don't forget that "longing is the emotion that is furthest from understanding".

Extraordinary abilities or talents do not fall from the sky or are innate. Of course, trying to be stupid doesn't necessarily lead to success.

It is the "environment" that has the greatest impact on people.

Unfortunately, if the 5 people in society closest to you are ordinary people, then you are at this level. On the contrary, if those five people are all outstanding elites, then even if you don't pay attention to it, you will unconsciously give full play to your "talents".

So, don't live in passive relationships like this light novel, but actively seek to stand under the same blue sky as those who are powerful.

At the very least, please don't mess around with those who like the Konomiya anime.

【178 Report】Hong Kong held an exhibition of animated manuscripts by Ghibli Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki

This article was filmed and reported by Raymond C., a resident reporter of 178 Animation Channel, and was exclusively published on 178ACG Channel (acg.), please indicate the author and source for reprinting, and keep this line at the beginning of the article.

On 13 May, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Studio Ghibli Scene Design Manuscripts Exhibition. The Secret of Takahata and Miyazaki's Animation" was held at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, showcasing more than 1,300 rare animation manuscripts from the collections of Studio Ghibli and the Ghibli Museum of Mitaka no Mori, including Castle in the Sky, Goodbye Firefly, My Neighbor Totoro, The Witch Home Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Boer on the Cliff and The Wind Rises.

The exhibition, which will be open until August 31, is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors. On the opening day of the event, the Club's Executive Director of Charities, Mr Stanley So, together with the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Yeung Lap Mun, the President of Studio Ghibli, Mr Chiyoshi Tanaka, Studio Ghibli's Producer, Mr Kan Miyoshi, Curator of the Ghibli Museum of Mistaka no Mori, Mr Lo Wing-sang, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Art Museum, Ms Andrew Fung, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, and Ms Anthony Wong, Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, unveiled the exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum The faceless man in the cameo cutting ribbon!

【Q&A from Japanese guests】

The answer was given by Chiyoshi Tanaka, producer of the Studio Ghibli exhibition

Miyoshi no Mori, curator of the Ghibli Museum

Q: How many manuscripts are there in the pavilion? How many manuscripts do you need for each work? What to draw with? How many people do you want to draw?

A: There are more than 1,300 manuscripts in this exhibition. A minimum of 11,200-1,300 manuscripts is required for each work, and a maximum of more than 6,000 manuscripts, depending on the quality of the work and the number of contextual references. As for the number of people, there used to be less than 20 people, now 20-30 people are needed. The flowers are made of ordinary pencils, and some of them are made of wood, all of which are used by ordinary students

Q: Do these paintings reflect some of Takahata's interests?

A: In his works, it is natural to reveal what he likes to paint, but in fact, his preferences are very wide, not limited to a few things, he likes to eat, he likes nature, he also likes to play, and he also likes to play, as well as chariots and fighters.

Q: What are some of the most valuable items in this exhibition?

A: Actually, these exhibits are very precious, but the most precious are some of the older works, such as HEIDI (I don't know what this is, take an English pronunciation and forget it), Piao Lingyan these are more precious, but everyone's preferences are different, as long as you like it, it is precious.

Q: Do you have any habits for Jun Miyazaki and Mr. Takahata when making animations?

A: Mr. Miyazaki shows up in the studio on time to work, eats lunch on time, takes a nap on time, and is very regular. Mr. Takahata was relatively free, and if he hadn't called him, he might not have seen anyone until dusk, and asked the staff to pick him up from Mr. Takahata's house in a car and take him to the studio. It's not that Takahata is lazy at home, it's that he transcends time and space when thinking about things, and he doesn't know where he is and how much time he spends.

Q: Actually, these landscape compositions are from some places in reality, so did these places affect the development of animation?

A: Actually, this kind of layoutsystem (how does this translate?) It was pioneered by Hayao Miyazaki and Takahata and directly influenced the way Japanese anime was created in the future (no wonder there are so many holy places). In fact, this exhibition was proposed by a staff member (I can't hear the name clearly): since our production method is so special, why don't we hold an exhibition for everyone to see? Then I was very fortunate to come to Hong Kong.

【Q&A at the Bunka Museum】

Q: How can you enjoy this exhibition to have the best effect?

A: The venue design of this exhibition is already a creative effect of a work, and there is no need to deliberately plan the route. But the highlight of this exhibition is that it is large and comprehensive. As we all know, in general, many people ignore the production process of an animation work, and some animators will easily throw away the manuscripts, but this exhibition presents these manuscripts very comprehensively, allowing everyone to enjoy the works of two masters, Hayao Miyazaki and Takahata. On the other hand, there are two new works, the unreleased manuscripts of "The Tale of Radiance-hime" and the newly released "The Wind Rises" will appear in this exhibition, and you can get a glimpse of "The Tale of Radiance-hime" before the release of this work.

Q: How was the exhibition planned? (I asked how the exhibition was discussed)

A: Actually, we have been discussing this exhibition for more than two years, but because the two masters and Studio Ghibli have a lot of work and schedules, many places want to invite them to do exhibitions, so we talked for a long time, and we want to match the time of the Cultural Museum and the time of Studio Ghibli.

Q: Is there anything special about this exhibition that is limited to Hong Kong or that will be on display for the first time?

A: Just like "The Wind Rises" and "The Tale of Radiant Hime" mentioned above, one has just been released, and the other has not yet been released, both of which are being exhibited in Hong Kong for the first time, and there are no other places yet. This exhibition has been held in both Japan and South Korea, and it has different characteristics in different places, such as the special photo zone in Korea. This exhibition is honored to have been approved by the studio, and works such as "Spirited Away", "Howl's Moving Castle", "Boer on the Cliff", and "Castle in the Sky" have been used to create large-scale cardboard decorations and three-dimensional sculptures. And we also have a game area, you can design the [Coal Ghost] in "Spirited Away" by yourself, and then paste it on the exhibition board, and then put our Facebook professional to vote, and if you have a large number of likes, you can get our prizes.