Best directing

[Dulset Tarn 441]

Okay so I made a thread a while back about the best writing you remember from the series, so this thread, instead of writing, we'll be sharing what we consider the best directing the show has had.

 

For instance, just watch Fluttershy during this song.

 

Remember, Fluttershy is not a strong flier. She can't carry a pony by herself and she's not fast in the slightest. But while she sings this song, she does graceful twirls, zips around occasionally, you'd never guess she was a subpar flier when she's this excited and passionate about something. It really shows a depth of character as to how much changes between her everyday life and being alone with a friend, excitedly showing her all the animals that could live with her. Just like with Pinkie's Smile song, it really shows that this is the sort of thing Fluttershy lives for.

 

 

 

So what about you? Ever notice direction that's just too good to ignore?

[Leonard Smix 421]

Best directed scene? 

 

I say in the Wonderbolts Acadamy when they were testing their recovery skills from the spin thing. The animations and angles were flawless. The POV's were also quite impressive, (especially lightning dust's try) 

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,165]

Well, if I can pick one best directed moment out of a possible many, I'd say the scene when the Crystal Heart is returned to its place under palace and the explosion of colors and everything that results.

 

We have the heart spinning real fast, emanating a force of color and light that shatters the dark crystals and causes the Dark King himself to explode; from which a beautiful array of colors erupts from the Empire all the way even towards Ponyvile and Canterlot.

 

For me, that scene is still impressive.

 

Of course, if we're talking about the direction of character movements & all, then I'd say Ms. Harshwinny's intro in Flight to the Finish stands out, and all she was doing was moving her lips. Those expressions...

[Stellafera 3,836]

Remember, Fluttershy is not a strong flier. She can't carry a pony by herself and she's not fast in the slightest. But while she sings this song, she does graceful twirls, zips around occasionally, you'd never guess she was a subpar flier when she's this excited and passionate about something. It really shows a depth of character as to how much changes between her everyday life and being alone with a friend, excitedly showing her all the animals that could live with her. Just like with Pinkie's Smile song, it really shows that this is the sort of thing Fluttershy lives for.

 

I never thought of the direction in that number before, but yeah, it was a huge factor on why Fluttershy was so fun there.

 

This show tends to have excellent staging and expressive character animations, especially in later seasons, making this a tough choice for me. Hmm... I'd have to go with the two dream-based episodes as the best directed; Sleepless in Ponyville and For Whom The Sweetie Belle Toils. The former nailed Scootaloo's fear, and even the mundane scenes were great - watch Scootaloo talking about Rainbow Dash as her mentor dances around the clouds effortlessly. Toils was even stronger. It created a truly dreamlike dream, with all the changes of perspectives and angles and action that implies.

 

I would put Bats! in the top 3 as well. If an episode can be measured by how often I want to use it in PMVs, it is certainly a great work. 

 

As for individual scenes, I nominate:

 

 

Holy shit, those reflections. That swirling camera! The unnerving music! The echoes! Just a gorgeous environment made gorgeously.