Animator's Free Will.

[Dalmatian]

Do animators usually stray from a script and add scenes that would not
be normally written in by....oh say the writers?
I would think that that sort of action would not be allowed.
Is it because the animators can get away with it so easily during the
animation process? :)
Or, are they just trying to make filler space for the show in somewhat
amusing, if not strange ways.

Anyway, I know I could live without their "creative" input on the show.
:)

Dalmatian

[DiTillio]

>Do animators usually stray from a script and add scenes that would not
>be normally written in by....oh say the writers?
>I would think that that sort of action would not be allowed.
>Is it because the animators can get away with it so easily during the
>animation process? :)

It is QUITE COMMON for Animators to add visual elements which were not
specifically written in... This is a collaborative business and while we take
pride in what we write, we are also professionals who realize that when it
comrs to visual input the animators have a definite contribution to make.
Indeed we have enjoyed many of these "inspirations". And yes, sometimes we get
a little miffed when something is not played as we want it to be (but generally
because it does something to the story we did not want, not because it's
necessarily bad).

On BW, the Animators often add humorous visuals which they come up with on the
fly. Again,. sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

>Or, are they just trying to make filler space for the show in somewhat
>amusing, if not strange ways.

When you have 18 minutes to tell stories like we are telling, there's no need
or time for filler.

EXAMPLE: The rock em sock em scene was added by the animators. I just wrote in
that Rhinox hit Inferno so hard he bent his head out of shape, they took it
from there. I could bitch and moan and say they messed me over, but in truth
it was funny and what the hell...

Larry DiTillio
Story Editor - Beast Wars

[Tengu]

In article <34E20E...@Assiniboinec.MB.CA>, Smi...@Assiniboinec.MB.CA
says...

> Do animators usually stray from a script and add scenes that would not
> be normally written in by....oh say the writers?

It happens, as has been evident in a few BW episodes. Primal's
head floating in space was a good example of this. From what I've heard,
Larry and Bob specifically didn't write this into the script (they wrote
in the "glass breaking" part). As such, the Mainframe animators cut off
a possible way to bring Primal back because they were having some in-joke
fun.

> I would think that that sort of action would not be allowed.

In most cases, animators won't add stuff that isn't called for in
the actual script; throwing in an entire scene isn't something convenient
enough to do. However, it's relatively easy to throw in a beach ball, a
smiley face, or some other sight gag that doesn't hurt the story at all.

> Is it because the animators can get away with it so easily during the
> animation process? :)

Probably- and in most cases, it doesn't take away from the action
at all. Heck, Waspinator's severe trashings are a direct result of the
Mainframe folks having some fun at the character's expense.

> Anyway, I know I could live without their "creative" input on the show.
> :)

As long as they don't negatively affect the story, I'm not
bothered by animator in-jokes. The "floating Primal parts" irked me a
bit, though- the animators stepped over their bounds and mucked up a
possible plot device.

Tengu:<>