動畫的誘人是一般傳統繪畫無法模擬的境界,而動畫引人之處就是角色的表演。由於角色動畫的動作,可表現在現實中無法演出的高誇張度效果,是觀者觀賞動畫最直接的感受力。一部好的動畫片必定有好的造型才能充分傳達出故事情節和人物性格。 近幾年民間藝陣受到各方人士的注重,傳統的藝陣結合現代的表演藝術,產生了許多的新意。尤其是以「八家將」爲代表的各式將團,因其角色裝扮鮮明突出,充滿神秘與威嚴;威猛中帶著赫奕的狂步急奔,行進舉止間無不呈現出獨特的表演藝術,帶有俠義形象的傳說,更是由傳統文化中發展動畫角色造型的絕佳題材。透過數位的媒介,3D 虛擬角色動畫因著造型可以千變萬化、動作可以無所不能。這樣特性正適合運用在充滿視覺張力與神怪想像的「家將」角色。將八家將的視覺元素進行解構和分析,得到其中的構成元素,結合當代文化創意,重新塑造出具有吸引力的角色造型,將民俗藝陣的形式及意涵透過動態擷取的技術再現於動畫藝術之中,而以電腦動畫創作作品「巡狩」,驗證其可行性。
Animation is an attractive art form which general drawing is unable to achieve, the performance of characters being the most prominent element. Although the movement of animated characters may display an exaggerated effect that is unachievable in real time, that effect gives the audience the most direct aesthetic response. A good animation surely needs a good modeling design to be able to fully convey the plot and the disposition of the characters. Due to a recent upsurge in native-Taiwanese consciousness, folk arts have captured much public attention. Traditional arts have been integrated with modern performing arts, thereby creating fresh new ideas. ”Pat-ka chiòng” is a good representation of the various folk arts. The remarkable customs of its characters are mystical, dignified and powerful, exhibiting a heroic image in performance. These unique manners in the performing arts render ”Pat-ka chiòng” rich in thematic material for developing animation modeling design in a traditional culture. A 3D digital virtual idol can undergo various changes by modeling and is thus able to perform every movement. Such a visual characteristic is suitable for use on the mystical character of Kachiang, to remodel an attractive design which transmits the meaning and form of the folk art by stop-motion computer animation technology. The ”Short Film Patrol” archive of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival provides several excellent examples which demonstrate this technique.