Anyone else "peeved" by Derpy being called and "animation error?"

[Cirrus. 1,089]

Is/has anyone else been annoyed when Derpy is referred to as an "animation error" over the years?

 

I have ever since the first time I saw mention of her when I first got into the show. I've worked with Flash (The animation program used) and was pretty sure that she was no "Error"

The easiest way to explain what happened is that one of the animators INTENTIONALLY made her and her goofy expression while messing around with the "crowd models." She wasn't in frame, or "camera view" at the time for that scene, so they just left her in the work area (the area of the screen not visible when finalized). Well, before the episode was finished, changes to the layout of the scene were made and she actually did come into view and it wasn't caught before the episode was finalized and sent off. The fact that Derpy was able to be seen in the actual episode is the error. So the "mistake" or "error" is like this Starbucks coffee cup visible in this Game of Thrones scene:

The coffee cup was intentionally made and used, it just wasn't supposed to be on the table while the camera was rolling. The cup itself isn't the "error" here. The error is that someone didn't catch that it was showing in the shot!

 

My main point is that Derpy was fully someone's intentional creation, You just weren't ever supposed to see her.

Here's one of the CREDITED MLP animators from the Philippines studio Top Draw from the early days of MLP explaining it in a video I found years ago. When I first saw it I was like, "I KNEW IT!"

 

As for the whole "Muffins" thing though...

 

Edited August 26, 2021 by Cirrus.

[Pentium100 2,126]

It could also just be an error. An unfinished model (vector, whatever it's called) or her face was obscured by another character or some thing (so there was no point to get her eyes right), then, the scene was changed and her face became visible.

 

[JMTV99 1,353]

No. That was a just a thing that happened. It was an accident, but an accident that really left a great impact on the character all thanks to the fans noticing it. Honestly, it's for the best.

[Misty Shadow 7,900]

I'm...not peeved by it, since all people were doing was regarding what the creative staff told them as truthful. Regardless of what happened, that's not what's important. It's just cool that so many people grew an attachment to the character because the how isn't greater than the why. 

[Tom Gallagher 33,588]

She isn’t a mistake, she’s a muffin legend! 

Edited August 25, 2021 by TomDaBombMLP

[EpicEnergy 23,218]

Until there is conclusive evidence, not theories or assumptions, that Derpy was intentionally made that way, I won't be upset or annoyed at her being called an animation error.

[Pandora 38,063]

She’s the best error they made

[Sonic Shimmer 4,132]

Well, that's what she originally was.

[Splashee 28,564]

2 hours ago, Cirrus. said:

Here's one of the CREDITED animators from the Philippines studio Top Draw from the early days of MLP explaining it in a video I found years ago. When I first saw it I was like, "I KNEW IT!"

 

Okay, that was awesome!

I didn't even question the "Animation Error". I wasn't even upset thinking about it. But hearing the animators talk about all these secrets that made the Internet all upset and stuff... Seriously, this video has a lot of more information than just Derpy. (Now I cannot stop listening to everything)

[Sasoriman 138]

Honestly, no. Because I remember reading that her cross eyes were an animation error. 

[Evil Pink One 13,507]

No....it is an animation error...so? Same as autism and other sickness.... Live with it I guess?

[Splashee 28,564]

I'm still listening to the video... (Too bad it was from May 20, 2015, so long ago! I miss the show and the Bronies )

[Tao 7,777]

I mean does it matter now,  the fandom gave her life,  made her a pillar in own way and stand many many brony love her for just being our "Derpy" if anything!   Many fans found a connection or bound to her outside the mane six, along with many of the "side" ponies.   We have Derpy now,  she is ours and also herself,  just accept it and move on! 

[Fluttershutter 2,481]

I'm pretty sure it was actually an error. But it spawned a huge phenomenon.

There's a great quote from Westworld. " Evolution forged the entirety of sentient life on this planet using only one tool: the mistake.."

[Megas 27,656]

She Is an animation error, she was just one that fans really loved and ran all the way with

[Cirrus. 1,089]

 

2 hours ago, Splashee said:

Okay, that was awesome!

I didn't even question the "Animation Error". I wasn't even upset thinking about it. But hearing the animators talk about all these secrets that made the Internet all upset and stuff... Seriously, this video has a lot of more information than just Derpy. (Now I cannot stop listening to everything)

I thought it was a very good interview also. I REALLY mainly became interested in MLP due to the behind the scenes stuff, and how open and accessible the staff were on social media. Like I mentioned, I've worked with Flash and know a lot about animation and the production process. I almost decided to persue it as a career, but didn't think that would be good long term as I think 2D is kind of dying off/cheapening.

Anyways, by looking at the posts, maybe "peeved" was too "strong" a word?

If I rephrase it, I just am more kinda sad that it seems like people think SHE herself is an error/mistake. People do goofy stuff behind the scenes for fun with no particular reason you know.

Derpy just accidently made it into the finished scene with the rest of the crowd. BOTH goofy eyes AND a goofy mouth? Seems like more than just a coincidence to me.

The guy in the interview worked for Top Draw, the studio that did more of the mundane time consuming animating. DHX (Studio B at the time) did the asset designing, layouts, and effects and also told Top Draw what they wanted. DHX would take Top Draw's work and then do anything else needed.

 

Edited August 26, 2021 by Cirrus.

[Splashee 28,564]

21 minutes ago, Cirrus. said:

I almost decided to persue it as a career, but didn't think that would be good long term as I think 2D is kind of dying off/cheapening.

Remember that good things always return, in cycles (I have seen this multiple times, old video games returning after almost completely being killed off by 3D games, the 80s music coming back, etc, etc). It might take 20 years, but I am sure this style will return, with so many people being inspired by it. That means, it is a long time that you can prepare and work with it, knowing that it isn't a waste of time

[Lunaholic 898]

I'm not at all. It's just the truth. She made it to the show despite being an animation error rather than being trashed and forgotten

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

It served its purpose perfectly, and brought the brony fandom closer together. Derpy will always be who she is, the klutzy silly mare she is. 

[Dark Qiviut 22,425]

Not at all, for Derpy's face has been confirmed by staff to be an animation error. But her lovable, quirky face caught keen eyes in bronydom's earliest days, and fans (and DHX) ran with it. Thanks to Derpy, the fandom developed the basis for her personality, her occupation, and headcanon, and she's a major fandom unifier as a result.

[Reality Check 632]

I've actually heard about that. Derpy got her eyes due to an animation error by one of the animators, but after the fans showed appreciation for the eyes and her character, they decided to keep the eyes as a part of her. At least, that's what I remember hearing.

Intentional or not, I'm not peeved by them calling it an error. In fact, I think they're just being honest about making Derpy's character.

[Steve Piranha 29,425]

I don’t see the problem. Far from being the first error being embraced, and take part of the series or franchise.

Remember Civilization Ghandi being nuke-happy despite being known of extreme pacifist? It all began with a glitch in the original game, and later they’ve just roll with it