a look into animation:

I decided to use “Tales from Ba Sing Se” (Episode 14 of Book 2 [Earth] of Avatar the Last Airbender) which lasts from 4:45 - 8:59 (in the time frame of the 24:34 minute episode) , and is called “The Tale of Ihro” [http://www.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=70136326&trkid=438381] The scene opens with the principle character of the short story, Iroh himself, purchasing a basket from a vendor on the street. The audience follows Iroh throughout his day; he helps the vendor with a wilting flower, cheers a small toddler with a song, offers wisdom and practical advice to a group of young boys, mentors and encourages a mugger, and finally visits a forlorn tree atop a hill overlooking the city of Ba Sing Se. It is at this tree Iroh pulls out a photograph, the basket he purchased, and lights incense. He speaks softly to the young man in the picture saying “Happy Birthday, my son. If only I could have helped you [as I helped those people today]”. The song he sang for the toddler earlier he then sings again, tears brimming hot and falling down his face, “Young soldier boy come marching home”. The “Tale of Ihro” ends here, somberly, sweetly.
This clip communicates incredibly well, despite being deep into the series, if this clip were to be watched alone it could be very well understood. ”Conveying a certain feeling is the essence of communication in any art form. The response of the viewer is an emotional one, because art speaks to the heart” (Johnston and Thomas). I chose this clip according to this definition from the text because I believe it so perfectly illustrates this principle. While watching Iroh cry freely, singing a song to his solider son who never came home, my heart swelled and I felt empathy for a two dimensional character. For the moment, he was real, and his heartache was real because my compassion for him made it real. That is what makes this particular example such a well communicated clip.