Olympic Spirit

The animation that I looked at is located here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyFzcwi0UsQ&feature=related

While the animator, Johnny Kelly, can be located at this location: http://www.nexusproductions.com/directors/johnny-kelly/

This animation is a very simple but it has a lot to offer even if it is very simple. The whole story is about everyone coming together through the Torch. The torch has a lot of different meanings for people and in this animation is seems to bring together unity of different people. The reason being that there is so much war and hatred going on but during the Olympics everything changes and people find national pride. Also it is showing that an Olympian has to go through a journey to get the gold and get applause. The story to an animation is a big part but there are other factors that go into an animation. These can be audio, visual effects and style that is used.

The audio for this animation plays really well into the story. The audio in this animation ranges from the music that is played to the sound effects. These added features help the animation come to life for the audience. The music is upbeat and keeps a constant rhythm. Ultimately it builds in strength, which shows that there is a main goal and that is a gold medal for the Olympians. As for the sound effects that were added they were the torch and how fire crackles, along with wind for the snow and a crowd cheering in the end. These three different sound effects along with the music have brought the audience closer to what the animator, Johnny Kelly, is trying to say. That an Olympians journey is a tough one but the goal is possible.

The visual effects for this animation are nothing flashy and seem to incorporate stop motion with other forms of animation. This helps to show a wide range of animation within 32 seconds. Visually this animation is something that can be looked at today and people might question why it is made because of all of the different advances in technology. This animation was made to show people that complex animations are not always the way to go. Sometimes a simple animation is better than a complex one.

In the end of the animation the world becomes a flag and then that flag turns into a gold metal for an Olympian. This is interesting because a spirit comes out of people during the Olympics and that is represented through the nations flags.

This is a good animation all around because it is simple and gets the audience to think about the Olympics. Also this animation shows that the Olympics can help bring people together. Johnny Kelly has done different kinds of animations but all stay with this pattern.