Simple animation, feedback wanted

[Jimbo181]

I'm doing primary research for my Cartooning and animation assignment at collage. I'v got a really simple animation idea, and I would really appreciate any kind of feedback to do with my idea. I have kept my idea really simple, this is my Idea:

Character overview: Simple Ben, He is very simple minded and is ruled by his emotions, his actions are exaggerated, small things such as floating things and shiny things amuse him. His curiosity get him into trouble.

Ben is wondering down a street on a nice day. A balloon floats past and catches his eye, he begins to chase it. There is a man cleaning some windows on a ladder, the balloon floats behind the ladder, Ben accidently nudges the ladder with the man on it, the man falls, but Ben carries on chasing the balloon as if nothing happened. He carries on running and tramples a sleeping homeless man. He finally catches up to the balloon, he grabs it and then it pops. He is filled with sadness and shock; Ben just stands their not knowing what to do. Another balloon drifts past, he begins to chase it.

[maficmelody]

You should check out that Happy Harry toon called Chuck's New Tux. It's kinda similar with misfortune happening to people other than the one causing it, but you have a happier ending though =)
As a side note: I'm not sure what is with this balloon craze that I've noticed lately.. but I say pick a more compelling story than 'simple ben chasing a balloon'. From a story aspect I don't care about Ben or his balloon. Make me care about it. How about we see Ben, after having purchased a balloon, let go accidentally being distracted(plays to his character), and THEN chase after it. We, as the audience, now can put ourselves into Ben's position and therefore care about him and his balloon. NOW we are engaged into the story that unfolds, whether he catches it or not.

/2cents
Good luck with your class

At 4/8/11 06:24 AM, Jimbo181 wrote: I'm doing primary research for my Cartooning and animation assignment at collage. I'v got a really simple animation idea, and I would really appreciate any kind of feedback to do with my idea. I have kept my idea really simple, this is my Idea:

Character overview: Simple Ben, He is very simple minded and is ruled by his emotions, his actions are exaggerated, small things such as floating things and shiny things amuse him. His curiosity get him into trouble.

Ben is wondering down a street on a nice day. A balloon floats past and catches his eye, he begins to chase it. There is a man cleaning some windows on a ladder, the balloon floats behind the ladder, Ben accidently nudges the ladder with the man on it, the man falls, but Ben carries on chasing the balloon as if nothing happened. He carries on running and tramples a sleeping homeless man. He finally catches up to the balloon, he grabs it and then it pops. He is filled with sadness and shock; Ben just stands their not knowing what to do. Another balloon drifts past, he begins to chase it.

[Jimbo181]

Thanks alot for your feedback, I was having doubts that anyone would reply lol

[ironeagle99]

I like your idea for the character and the animation story but I think you should put more actions into it, like Ben going across the road and in doing so making some cars come to a screeching halt or him bumping in to people. maybe instead of him nudging the ladder maybe have him walk under it and then nudge it making the man fall, and then maybe have him walk into some one carrying a mirror so the man can drop it and break it. Give it a bad luck kind of theme

At 4/8/11 06:24 AM, Jimbo181 wrote: I'm doing primary research for my Cartooning and animation assignment at collage. I'v got a really simple animation idea, and I would really appreciate any kind of feedback to do with my idea. I have kept my idea really simple, this is my Idea:

Character overview: Simple Ben, He is very simple minded and is ruled by his emotions, his actions are exaggerated, small things such as floating things and shiny things amuse him. His curiosity get him into trouble.

Ben is wondering down a street on a nice day. A balloon floats past and catches his eye, he begins to chase it. There is a man cleaning some windows on a ladder, the balloon floats behind the ladder, Ben accidently nudges the ladder with the man on it, the man falls, but Ben carries on chasing the balloon as if nothing happened. He carries on running and tramples a sleeping homeless man. He finally catches up to the balloon, he grabs it and then it pops. He is filled with sadness and shock; Ben just stands their not knowing what to do. Another balloon drifts past, he begins to chase it.