Math in Digital Media

An animator has to have knowledge of many applied math subjects. It allows the animator to find unknowns from a simple set of equations and to work out aspects of geometric figures when you are dealing with objects that move and change. An animator uses linear algebra to show the way that an object is rotated and shifted and made larger and smaller—all major actions in animation.

Since the entertainment industry is something people devote so much money towards, it has a box office gross of nearly xxx in 2014 alone.

Math plays a critical role in several careers involved in the film industry, such as

Producers are often given the task to control the specifics of the film, especially the budget. Needless to say, the budget includes a myriad of calculations. Some of what they're responsible for include budget, finance, extra costs.

Though the cinematographer technically decides on which angles should be shot, it is the cameraperson’s job to ensure that the video captured matches up to the cinematographer’s vision by using mathematics and, by extension, physics.

A film would be nothing without realistic sets or convincing costumes, and it is the task of set designers and costume designers to effectively convey these aspects over the camera.

Editors are charged with the difficult duty of reducing countless hours of constant film to a movie generally between two and three hours long, and their job includes much math. When they trim shots, they may be cutting off mere milliseconds to help the different angles merge together seamlessly.

Animators are arguably those in the film industry who use mathematics the most. An animator may use trigonometry, algebra, integral calculus, subdivision surfaces, and harmonic coordinates, depending on which element of animation that they are controlling.

Subdivision surfaces are generally used while the animator is creating a setting, for they control the smoothness of the surface. This process incorporates much geometry, for it is a specific math inspired by the film industry that allows even an uneven surface to maintain a realistic smoothness. It was first used in Geri’s Game for the character of Geri.

Integral calculus is used to determine how light reflects upon these smooth surfaces, and this is done by calculating how much light is traveling from one point to another and later creating a rendering equation for this factor.

Basic algebra is also incorporated in this process because it is used to give the light and objects additional shine and sparkle. Character movement is determined by harmonic coordinates, a type of math that applies to any dimension and uses Laplace’s equation.

The combination of trigonometry and harmonic coordinates simplify how the characters move, and it allows the animators to move the characters with less effort. Lastly, the colors are created through a series of three numbers for pixel, and each number determines the amount of red, green, or blue in that particular pixel.

Producers, editors, costume and set designers, producers, and animators are all careers that have ample amounts of various mathematics. The types of mathematics involved also include multiple different types, ranging from the basics of algebra and trigonometry to integral calculus and harmonic coordinates, and the combination with the abovementioned math techniques and the film industry show a practical use that students often demand in a theoretical classroom setting.