Eye trace has come up so I thought I'd share a video or two that helps explain it.
Some of the examples are for cinematography, but we use the same ideas in animation. What am I moving, and why? Every choice serves a purpose.
Walter Murch's Eye Trace:
Focal Point | Emphasis:
Here's a website that has some cool animated film examples:
https://theconversation.com/what-eye-tracking-tells-us-about-the-way-we-...
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I've seen this written about before, and I respect Walter Murch... but I have a hard time putting this theory into practice. I do believe in clear staging and composition, also giving the eye time to adjust to cuts.
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Okay, now that I've actually watched the videos linked, I can say those are pretty good practices. Most of what they're advocating is guiding the eye within a shot. (When I commented earlier, I was interpreting "eye tracing" as where the eye looks before the cut and settles after each cut. Very difficult to manage.)
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Thank you for sharing these fantastic resources, Jackie Tarascio!
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I never knew eye tracing was so important in filmmaking, Jackie Tarascio! It's an incredible tool for directors and animators! The video got me thinking. Screenwriters should study eye tracing since it's about getting the audience (or the reader when it comes to screenwriting) to focus on certain things.
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I agree with these concepts but have to say, that great shooters have always had this instinct. Good to crystallize some ideas but eye tracing has been happening since day 1 even if it was just considered focus on what the filmmaker wanted you to see in my very humble opinion.