The first position of photography in animation is to combine the background and animated characters, and add special effects. With the advancement of digital technology and the improvement of software functions, photography can do more and more things. It can be said that it is nearly a dozen. The improvement of Japanese animation screens in the past year is largely attributed to photography. For example, it gives a sense of space and air, and enhances the sense of high-level picture. There are many related articles on Anitama, which will not be introduced here. .
There have been more and more Chinese people who have been animated in Japan in recent years. Many of them have the opportunity to be responsible for the core positions of animation production with their strength and persistence. One of them is Liao Chengzhi, the photography supervisor of this season’s animation “Anima Yell!”. She entered the animation workshop at the beginning of the 15th year. In the 17th year, she took the second season of “The Dry Matter” and the photography supervision of “The Fall of the Glass”. This year, she successfully obtained the position of photography supervision. It was also the first TV animation in mainland China. Photography supervision. .
I am very grateful to her for her interview and sharing her experience and work experience in Japan for reference to young people who are interested in animation or who are interested in entering the industry. .
——What was the earliest reason to think of going to Japan to do animation? .
Liao: I like animation when I am very young, and it is the kind of comparison. I was very fond of “Magic Girl Madoka” at the time of the year, so I suggest that since I like animation so much, I might as well go to Japan, so after I finish college, Came to Japan. At the beginning, I didn’t have a clear goal of doing animation. I was probably holding a mood that I hoped to be closer to what I liked. .
—— After graduating from college, will there be an age disadvantage when going to Japan? .
Liao: Because I went to school earlier, I went to Japan to finish school and started my normal school graduation. .
——It turned out to be the case, after what happened to Japan after school? .
Liao: When I went, I went to the language school for a year, then went to the Tokyo Designer College the following year. .
——Now there is a lot of Chinese people who are doing animations from Tokyo Designer College. .
Liao: Yes, about one-third of the students I went to were Chinese. .
——So why choose photography instead of painting? As far as I know, you will paint too? .
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“Anima Yell!” The official countdown illustration of Twitter, the third day of the painting by the supervision of photography. .
Liao: If you are a specialized school, the teacher will make the specific production of the animation and the various aspects of the industry more clear to you. Then we arrived in the second grade before we started to have photography classes, elective forms, and those who are interested can participate. In fact, I am very interested in the whole process of animation production. And photography as a post position is intuitive to see the completion of the picture, the strength of the flower can be seen directly from the picture, this is not like painting, painting may go through a series of subsequent steps, can not get feedback in the first time and A sense of accomplishment, and the final broadcast of the picture may not be the effect of your own imagination. .
And I have seen a lot of people who love painting in professional schools. No matter the art foundation or the constant love of painting, they can’t compare with them. At the same time, everyone knows that the wages in this industry are relatively low. Many companies are piece counting when painting, and photography is a fixed monthly salary, which is easier than painting. In addition, for photography, a very important requirement is communication ability. This is a bit like making a production. At the time, I was very good at Japanese. I also liked to play computer and do some interest-related editing. In general, I feel that I am not suitable for specific creations, but it is better to have material references. Photography is the kind of work that can do a lot of interesting effects, adding some ideas to existing things, so I think it is more suitable. Yourself. .
——How did you learn at school? Do you have self-study? .
Liao: If you have photography, the school has a teacher who teaches photography. He is a photography company. He will bring some materials, teach at the school, and then give us practice. In fact, the school is very mixed. The photography class is one and a half days a week. In addition to the compulsory painting class, the AE class of the microscope, the hand-painted background, and the game department are all on the screen. I have chosen it all over. At that time, the background teacher was responsible for the art supervision of a noodles, and also worked in the background teacher’s home to scan and synthesize a kind of handyman.
Self-study is first of all “AfterEffects for アニメーション”, the top three, the upper is the basic use, suitable for getting started to understand the basics of animation photography, the other two are more specific effects and corresponding AE software operations. The middle and lower books were actually bought for reference after entering the animation studio. The other is to look at various tutorials to learn software usage. .
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“AfterEffects for アニメーション” can be said to be the most widely used photography material. .
——How does the orientation of the job choose the animation studio? .
Liao: Because I really like the animations made by the animation studio, such as “Swaying Lily”, “Love Institute”, and the favorite Ota Yahiko Supervisor often cooperates with the animation workshop. When I was in charge of volunteer investigation at the school, the first volunteer was to write an animation workshop. However, their photography was not recruited every year. At the time of the first time, I only made production and painting. I was going to give up. I didn’t expect it later. Brush them. 官方网站, suddenly there was a trick, so I voted. In fact, there were a few previous investment, but the collection was not very hard. I knew that the animation workshop was recruiting photography, and I prepared the collection again overnight. .
——What’s in the collection of photography? .
Liao: The collections need to let the examiners understand what I did, because only the photography part of the graduation design animation is responsible for me. I have to explain what I have done and what effect I have added. Add text descriptions and contrasts to the video, and there are special effects exercises that you usually do, and add them together to make a DVD. .
——Is there an interview in the animation studio? .
Liao: There is an adaptive test, a lot of common sense questions, let you do more than thirty pages of Japanese multiple choice questions in an hour. There is also a short interview. When I think of the application, there is a small essay of my own title ten years later. As a result, I suddenly asked what you thought about yourself after 30 years. .
——When did you officially start working? .
Liao: Internship started in January 15 and officially started in April. The first officially involved animation was “plastic memory.” At the beginning, when the internship was in the animation studio, there was no film being broadcasted. So I started to do a little line of photography (line 撮, processing the original paintings and sub-mirrors that were not finished, the importance is lower and often assigned to other companies.) ), after the work is the photo (Ben, after processing the finished material, the output is the picture we see, more important, the general production company is responsible). The line photo is necessary for those who don’t know much about the animation process. If the person who has not experienced the special school does not understand the original painting system and the animation system, the most basic group card may have problems. .
——How did you start to work as a supervisor for photography supervision? .
Liao: Our company may not be the same as other companies. Before the subsequent films have not been done, we will give you the same things as expectation, so that everyone can write the positions and reasons they want to take. Then the Minister of Photography (Ito Kunihiko) and the producer, as well as a more powerful predecessor of photography (Sang Yegui), decided who to do which position. So in fact, in the first year, you can directly fill in the photography supervision (laugh), but how to say it is a step-by-step process. .
——So the second season of “Drying the Little Girl” and the photography supervision of “The Fall of the Glass” is such a thing? .
Liao: Right. In fact, the second season of “NEW GAME!” was also filled in, but not selected. Because there was a predecessor in the first season to assist, the second season still used him, and the second season of “NEW GAME!” and the second season of “dry material little buried”, the two can not do concurrently. .
——How many people in the animation studio photography department? Usually only responsible for the photography work in the community? .
Liao: When I first came, there were six people, at least five people, and now nine people. The general project runs smoothly, and if the construction period is normal, a work of six people is enough. I have asked for more than fourteen people before the seniors.
It is also quite coincidental. When I first entered the animation studio, it happened that the animation studio began to expand. From half a year to a film, the photography department was formed very early. (The Minister Ito Kunihiko has more than ten. The experience of photography supervision in the year, Sang Yegui first in the side of Ito Bangyan, did a minor photography supervision, from the first season of “Swallowing Lily” began to do photography supervision). It may be seen that some quarters are double-open (such as this season), but on average it is a very stable four-year. .
——How do you get a chance to supervise photography? .
Liao: At that time, I filled out the expectation table of the fourth season of “NEW GAME!” to “Tada Jun does not fall in love”. After the completion of the period, the minister interviewed me to announce the result. The final decision was “dry matter.” In the second season, I was assisted by photography supervision. “Tada Jun is not in love” was the April of the following year. It was just that I could continue to be assisted by me. But when it comes to this, the minister turned a headline and said that a work immediately after Tada Jun is quite suitable for the first time to do photography supervision. It is a daily animation that is good at work. I feel that if you are willing to be a photography supervisor, this is a very Good opportunity. I also knew “Anima Yell!” at that time. This topic is actually quite early. Last year, “The Fall of the Glass” was not finished long. Finally, he gave up the original animation “Doda Jun does not fall in love” and chose the photography supervision of “Anima Yell!”. Because of the chance, of course, try it. .
——What teachers are there at work? .
Liao: Because the predecessor who brought me at the earliest was relatively vocal, I didn’t like to answer my question very much. I was quite dissatisfied at the beginning. Later, when the minister interviewed, I just joined the job and responded to him. The minister said that it doesn’t matter. You can ask him directly if you have questions in the future, so the minister is taking me in the early stage. Later, when I was assisted by photography supervision, I was doing it under the photography supervision of “The Fall of 珈 璃”. He is a photography supervisor who has his own ideas. He will put forward many opinions and have a picture of what he wants. A clearer impression and description, I followed the second part of the photography supervision to assist the “dry material sister buried” is also working with him, to say who is the biggest help to me, or the supervision of Sanye photography. “Anima Yell!” This time I was a photography supervisor, and Sang Ye was a photography supervisor to help me adjust to a new position. .
——What is the difference between photography supervision and general photography? .
Liao: Photography supervision assistants need to follow the photography supervision and performance meetings, sometimes the artists will be present, the supervision will usually be present in each episode, and there will be no circumstances. Some places may be different from other companies. After we have finished the photography, the photographer and the assistant will look at the finished product twice and do some checks to see if there are any low-level problems. Also attend the revision meeting and record the revised content until the final product. .
——The photography supervision has more power than the assistant? .
Liao: The photography supervision and assistant work of the animation workshop are relatively close, but the decision is still in the hands of photography supervision. One of the things that the assistant has to do is to check the schedule of each card, that is, the law is correct. For example, because the law table is wrong, the character has a strange movement, and suddenly the hand shakes back, and so on. It is necessary to check one frame and one frame to see if there is any error. This is because it takes a lot of time, so it is basically assisted. At the time of inspection, the photography supervisor looks at the photographic processing of each card and does not meet the requirements of the user. In the early stage, photography supervision needs to determine the photographic processing of the entire work. It must be discussed with the supervisor and the character design. Generally, art supervision is present. Because the art team of “Anima Yell!” is far away, it is not on the scene, so it is Skype contact. A simple photographic effect test is also required in the early stage. Then to the specific scene of each episode, the photography supervisor needs to decide which part to do for whom and what needs to be done. In addition, for example, material management such as 2D textures, the material is not there, and what is still worse, basically by the assistant to contact production.
In addition, the photography supervisor has to manage the schedule of photography. Every week, he and the production desk (production director) open a meeting to confirm the progress of each speech, estimate the workload of the photography department, when to make, how many cards to come, and then what the photography department Pay these cards and keep in touch with the production every day. There may be some urgent things at some point, and when the photography supervision is just gone, the production will be decided with the assistants. It is a very long time to exchange accidents with the production of the four times. As soon as the schedule changes, we must continue to confirm the production. Originally, we should make a voluntary report, but there are too few things that can be done. I started to spend nearly a third of the time each week, and in the second half I felt a little useless, affecting the content processing I did and changing the countermeasures. .
The most supervised by the photography supervisor is the first words. You have to set the basic processing of the whole work. The initial photography and testing by the artist and the art board will encounter many expectations at the beginning of this article. The external card needs to be adjusted to have a universal treatment. However, if the material of the first words is slow, the time for the basic processing will be short, but the subsequent words cannot be greatly modified, affecting the follow-up work, as photography. I am very hopeful that the previous project will be handed in on time. .
——Because the previous project dragged, the pressure went all the way to the final photography. .
Liao: Yes, in fact, the photography supervision and assistant system of the animation workshop is still in the process of exploration, and the details are still changing. This time I recommended that I do photography supervision. It is because our animation studios do more daily animations for beautiful girls. Daily animations do not require too complicated photography processing, and they have established a relatively standardized model. Coincidentally, this supervision is also the first time to supervise. .
——Sato Masako supervised, before performing in IG, Ghibli was born, and his strength was very strong. .
Liao: The first words can obviously be seen to be very strong, the picture is very expressive, and it is very interesting to make a typical school community story very interesting. This may be the charm of animation. The supervised split-painting style is biased towards realism, and the characters’ expressions are more dramatic and exaggerated. The author’s design is a relatively cute five-headed body. The overall painting supervision is still very distressed. How can the outlines be outlined? The atmosphere is fully expressed (laughs). .
——So how do you discuss the style of photography with Sato? .
Liao: Sato Supervisor is also a painter, and he prefers to use it as a painter. Therefore, it is expected that the photographic effect will be less. It is best to show the taste of the lines. At that time, Mr. Azaki, who was set up, also said that he did not want to The role adds too much processing. After testing, I still added a little of processing that is not very obvious. In general, the overall picture photography effect is relatively light, and the specific scenes of each word, as the photography supervision will be fine-tuned as needed. Although “Anima Yell!” is a daily animation, the second half of the dance (support dance, cheerleading dance) is still very testable. .
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“Anima Yell!” The dance scenes are all realistic paintings. .
——No wonder a daily animation has set up an action painting supervision. .
Liao: Yes. A part of the cheer dance that is dedicated to important words. .
——In October, there is also a “My maid is annoying enough!” “, is also an animation workshop, will it be tight? .
Liao: Actually, “Anima Yell!” was originally made in July animation. The schedule is also the July construction period, so it is okay. If this is dragged, it will affect “My maid is enough.” bother! “, the current volume of the animation studio can not be done together. .
Another producer wants Sanno to do “My maid is annoying enough!” After the photography supervision, the minister and I had discussions, and finally decided to assist Sanye in the first six words. The remaining six episodes were assisted by the minister. .
—— So the two photographers who have the strongest start to work are your assistants. .
Liao: Yes (laughs). The animation studio is still very willing to give young people a chance. .
——What difficulties have you encountered in your work?
Liao: The biggest difficulty is the problem of schedule management, especially the period between the first year and the second year. Because there was no photography supervision in that period, it was just ordinary photography, but the work was already skilled. Still busy, sometimes two consecutive nights in a week, two animations in a week, the last two episodes of the season and the first two episodes of the next season, each time the season is particularly busy, that time is I feel really tired and have no reward. I might have thought about giving up at that time. Fortunately, there was “NEW GAME!” in the second year, because I really liked this work and I was very happy. .
——Can you say “NEW GAME!” saved you? .
Liao: Yes, I said at the time of the class reunion. “Because I have to do “NEW GAME!”, I have to stay in the animation studio” (laugh). The schedule of “NEW GAME!” is very, very good, the production director often comes to discuss, keep the schedule full, and attaches great importance to photography. .
——So it is important to choose a company that does your favorite work. .
Liao: Most of the works I have participated in are very fond of, and if I participate in my favorite works, the subjective initiative will be stronger and I can persist. In fact, there are not many people who can still be enthusiastic about watching the animation after working like me. Many people gradually do not watch or do not watch the animation. Being able to maintain the perspective of the average audience is also one of the advantages for me. .
——What are the goals in the future? .
Liao: Actually, the recent goal has been reached, and I want to solve the idea of putting the work on my hand. However, I still hope that I can learn the style of the supervision of Ota Yahiko. I hope that I will be responsible for the splitting and performance of the speech at the same time. If I am only responsible for the performance, others will be part of the mirror. .
——Two of the assistants in photography supervision are working with Ota Supervisor. What do you think is the strength of Ota’s supervision? In the same season, “My maid is annoying enough! It is also his supervision. .
Liao: For example, he can design a very ordinary plot, very interesting, and design a variety of small movements or performances for the character, he can specifically point out in the mirror, and sometimes see his points Mirror, it feels really more funny than a piece. He is good at taking long shots, and it doesn’t make people bored. The connection between the lens and the gap between the dialogue and the music is great. Simply put, the rhythm is very good. After taking over the photography supervision of “Anima Yell!”, I realized that the film that was supervised by Ota Yayan was followed, if I had enough trouble with my maid! If you are listed with “Anima Yell!”, you may consider the former more. Although Sato’s ability to supervise is excellent, after all, Ota Supervisor has an idol aura for me (laughs). .
——Photographic conversions are not uncommon in the industry. .
Liao: There seems to be no precedent for the animation workshop. However, Sangye Photography Supervisor has performed the “NEW GAME!!” ED’s split show, which is the second season’s ED, and he is also responsible for background photography. This time “Anima Yell!” ED is also looking for him. The two seasons of “NEW GAME!” eyecatch (transfer of advertising, separated A and B-part) are also designed by Sanye, the specific characters are painted by others, and other links are made by him. .
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The eyecatch designed by Sangye. .
——What do you think is the essence of photography? .
Liao: The essence is to add icing on the cake, because the clever woman is difficult to be without rice. The key to animation is to look at the performance of the picture. Photography is similar to the existence of buff in the game, setting off the overall atmosphere of the picture to achieve the desired effect. However, in the case of special rush, the quality of the material itself is not high. Photography is only a combination of painting layers and backgrounds. It can only add the most basic effects, and there is no way to add points. If I let me say that I don’t want to do photography. If that is, the schedule is too tight, and I can’t do my job well. I can only fill in the materials I have done before. .
Some other non-artistic backgrounds may also make photography, such as “The Fall of 珈 璃”, “NEW GAME!” OP ED’s non-realistic background is made by photography. .
——What do you think is the level of photography?
Liao: This is related to the style of the work. The style of the cool flash style may not be the same as the style of the daily work that I contact. I personally prefer the style that is not overwhelming, so I will speculate on the subject that the performance wants to highlight, simplify the other parts, add blurring and darkening, and consciously guide the audience’s line of sight is the most basic. On this, go for some new effects or tricks, which need to draw inspiration from outside the animation, such as movies or observations in life.