Nathan Laird and I found a really
interesting book in the Massey library that explains all the techniques and
principles of animation throughout history.
The book
is titled "The Illusion of Life - Disney Animation" by Frank Thomas
and Ollie Johnston and describes process and fascinating story behind the
Disney cartoons and films. The most interesting information we gathered is
about their principles of animation, which are as follows:
Squash
and Stretch
This is the most important principle, the purpose of the squash and stretch is to give a sense of weight and flexibility to characters/ or drawn objects.
This is the most important principle, the purpose of the squash and stretch is to give a sense of weight and flexibility to characters/ or drawn objects.
Anticipation
The anticipation was introduced to prepare the audience for an action displaying a more realistic build up to an event. This way the audience would never miss the gag.
The anticipation was introduced to prepare the audience for an action displaying a more realistic build up to an event. This way the audience would never miss the gag.
Staging
Similar to theatre, staging’s purpose is to direct the audiences attention and make clear what is of greatest importance to the scene.
Similar to theatre, staging’s purpose is to direct the audiences attention and make clear what is of greatest importance to the scene.
Straight
Ahead Action and Pose to Pose’
These describe the different approaches to the drawing process. “Straight Ahead Action” is drawing a scene out frame by frame from beginning to end, and ‘Pose to Pose’ involves starting with drawing a few key frames, then filling the intervals later.
These describe the different approaches to the drawing process. “Straight Ahead Action” is drawing a scene out frame by frame from beginning to end, and ‘Pose to Pose’ involves starting with drawing a few key frames, then filling the intervals later.
Follow
through and Overlapping action
This action describes two closely related techniques, which help render the movement more realistically. This helps give a more realistic impression. ‘Follow through’ means the separate parts of the body will continue moving after the character has stopped.
This action describes two closely related techniques, which help render the movement more realistically. This helps give a more realistic impression. ‘Follow through’ means the separate parts of the body will continue moving after the character has stopped.
‘Overlapping
action’ is where parts of the body move at different rates.
Slow in
and Slow out
The movement of the character, and the timings to create a realistic movement particularly through acceleration and deceleration.
The movement of the character, and the timings to create a realistic movement particularly through acceleration and deceleration.
Arcs
Natural actions tend to follow more arched/ smooth paths rather then rigid ones. Therefore Adding arc movements to a character tends to add greater realism.
Natural actions tend to follow more arched/ smooth paths rather then rigid ones. Therefore Adding arc movements to a character tends to add greater realism.
Secondary Action
Secondary actions often give support to a main action performed, therefore adding more life. They often are used to emphasize, rather then take attention away from the main action.
Secondary actions often give support to a main action performed, therefore adding more life. They often are used to emphasize, rather then take attention away from the main action.
Timing
This refers to the number of drawings used for any given action. Timing is crucial for establishing a characters mood, emotion and reaction.
This refers to the number of drawings used for any given action. Timing is crucial for establishing a characters mood, emotion and reaction.
Exaggeration
This is essential for cartoons and animation, as it helps give a sense of realism and believeability to the given scene. There should be a balance in how the elements are exaggerated in relation to each other.
This is essential for cartoons and animation, as it helps give a sense of realism and believeability to the given scene. There should be a balance in how the elements are exaggerated in relation to each other.
Solid Drawing
Solid drawing means keeping in mind the forms of three dimensional space/ form, giving a character volume and weight.This requires a basic understanding of three dimensional shapes, anatomy, weight, balance, light, etc.
Solid drawing means keeping in mind the forms of three dimensional space/ form, giving a character volume and weight.This requires a basic understanding of three dimensional shapes, anatomy, weight, balance, light, etc.
Appeal
This relates to what the audience wants to see, in terms of charisma in a character. The important thing is that they feel the character is real and interesting.
This relates to what the audience wants to see, in terms of charisma in a character. The important thing is that they feel the character is real and interesting.
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