The effect on the video is live action rotoscoped by an artist turning it into a very graphic style. Some of the action being depicted is a chase sequence, and the 2D element is complementing this by showing the actors/band member fairly clearly using outlines, but the shading is fairly chaotic. Cross hatching was used to great effect to enhance the forms on the screen. Due to it's random nature the cross hatching changes radically from frame to frame, sometimes making it quite difficult to follow what is going on. The difference between frames is very controlled, with each frame sculpting a different part of the picture. When viewed at full speed the drawings become dynamic and flow nicely from one to the other. The overall effect is impressive, and makes the music video stand out. In relation to this project, the lessons to be learnt are how to breakdown a picture into its' main components and then enhance them to make the audience see what you want them to see. Here the main image elements are firstly the outlines of the characters are very important and must therefore be easily recognisable throughout the piece. If this does not happen then the subject of the animation may get lost within all of the other elements of the scene. Secondly, the shading of the forms can be executed differently over a number of frames, but when viewed together should give an enhanced sense of form and volume to the objects on screen.
Enhancements to this effect can be combining the live action and 2d effects on top of each other. In the video the 2d and live action interact, but they are never combined. It is always either 2d or live-action. By having, for example, a live action hand which has been sketched over to enhance the shadows or maybe leave trails as it moves through space, the effect could be much more powerful.
| To view a clip from the video click on the picture. A-ha Music Video |