Contrast in Wall-e.

Contrast – It is a very important principle used by many artists for breaking the monotony of a scene. This doesnt mean that it only applies to a scene or a shot. Rather it is a principle which avoids sameness. This can be anything - sameness of motion, action, size, proportion, color...........

For using this particular principle on needs to be open to break the rules. It is the first step which one needs when it comes to ART.

Wall-e is a very great example of Contrast which we will see in a moment. I will be highlighting a few areas where CONTRAST is quite evident. Lets take a look -

Setting - One of the biggest Contrasts in this film is the setting itself which has a robot abandoned by humans thus making the former live for a huge part of his lifetime on the planet earth. Earth is naturally supposed to be the home of humans who in this case have left and gone to outer-space. Contrast is echoed on varied levels here - humans leaving earth and shifting to outer-space, robot staying alone on earth, only 1 robot left among the massive heap of others like him.........

Character design - In the film the main character is very boxy. Generally the more the curvature the more appeal your character has. Inspite of this Wall – e still manages to be quite a charm whenever he comes on-screen. It is this contrast which creates the magic; eg:– WALL-e who is BOXY and has sharp edges is Lovable, cute, whereas, EVE – having all the curves is a very angry robot, with loads of attitude and fire-power.

Again some distinguishment when it comes to kinds of contrast; we have -
Internal contrast and external contrast –
Internal contrast – The character is seen to be contrasted against itself - The design of Wall-e makes it difficult for us to imagine that he is someone who is soft-hearted from the looks of his structure (as he has sharp edges, and the boxy look). Being a robot one can only expect the last thing he would do is wait for his love. (Again a contrast ) The fact that i am writing that "a robot is waiting for his love" is a testimony to the power of contrast because of which we are able to believe that even a mechanical thing can have such an emotion.

External contrast – This relates to the contrast between the character and someone or something else other than him.
Eg - EVE flies – Wall-e rolls.
Contrast can also be seen in the fact that Wall-e is given Colors where as Eve is White. It can even be seen in the way they move one flies whereas the other rolls on the ground. Also there is the contrast between their versions or age. The point however is the fact that they still inspite of all these differences come together.
The flavor of animation is the fact that this Contrast can be exaggerated to the point that it makes it almost impossible for them to happen as a couple but still their relationship connects leading us to the joyful conclusion that "Love conquers all!"

(still more to come on the same)