"Animation is the method that encompasses myriad filmmaking techniques, by which still images are manipulated to create moving images."
The art of creating moving images through the use of technology, including hand-drawn, computer-generated, and stop-motion techniques.
Principles of Animation: Includes elements such as timing, squash and stretch, anticipation, and exaggeration. These principles form the foundation of animation and are essential to creating believable movements and expressions.
Drawing: Whether traditional or digital, having a basic understanding of drawing is key in animation. Artists must have the ability to sketch out and design the characters and scenery used in their animations.
Storytelling: Good animation tells a story, and knowing how to craft a narrative is crucial. This includes creating a compelling plot, developing characters, and understanding pacing and structure.
Character Design: How to design characters that are visually unique and recognisable. Animators must consider aspects such as facial features, body shape, and clothing when creating their characters.
3D Modeling: Creating three-dimensional objects and characters using software such as Maya or Blender allows animators to manipulate objects and characters in a virtual space.
Texturing and Lighting: Understanding how to texture and light a 3D model to make it look realistic or stylised.
Rigging: Creating an internal structure for a 3D character to allow for movement and poses.
Keyframe Animation: The process of setting specific key points in an animation, allowing for smoother movements and more precise control over timing.
Motion Graphics: The use of graphics to create dynamic and engaging visual effects in digital media.
Stop Motion Animation: Animation using physical objects that are moved in small increments and photographed for each movement.
Sound Design: The use of sound effects, music, and dialogue to enhance a visual story.
Acting: Animators must have a deep understanding of character emotions and body language to create believable and engaging performances.
Compositing: The process of combining multiple visual elements into one cohesive scene.
Visual Effects: Creating realistic or fantastical effects to enhance a scene, such as explosions or supernatural elements.
Writing: Understanding the fundamentals of storytelling and story structure, character development, and the different writing styles used in various mediums.
Cinematography: Knowing how camera angles, framing, composition, and lighting can affect the mood and tone of a scene.
Colour Theory: Understanding how colour can influence emotions and establish atmosphere in a scene.
Marketing and Distribution: Understanding how to market and distribute an animated production, including distribution platforms and methods, and how to target specific audiences.
Industry Trends and Technologies: Keeping up with the latest advancements in technology and software used in animation production.
Workflows: Knowing how to organise projects, collaborate with team members, and manage time efficiently when producing an animation.
Traditional (2D) Animation: Animators draw each frame by hand on paper or digitally, and then the frames are photographed or digitally scanned to create a moving sequence.
Stop Motion Animation: Objects or models are captured one frame at a time and then moved slightly before being captured again. When the frames are played back in sequence, it creates the effect of movement.
Claymation: A type of stop motion animation where clay figures are used, thus the name Claymation.
Computer Generated Imagery (CGI): Created entirely on a computer without any real life props, sets or actors. Pixar is well known for their CGI animated movies.
Cut-out Animation: Animators physically cut out pieces of paper, cardboard or other materials and move them to create the illusion of movement.
Motion Graphics Animation: A combination of graphic design and animation that includes typography, visual effects, and illustration to create a moving presentation.
Puppet Animation: Puppeteers manipulate puppets or marionettes by hand to create movement that appears as if it is occurring naturally.
Drawn on Film Animation: Using markers or ink, animators create images directly on the film strip itself.
Sand Animation: Animators use sand to create images and stories, typically on a lighted surface.
Pixilation Animation: Similar to stop motion animation, but instead of using physical objects, actors are used and are captured one frame at a time.
Multiplane and Cameraless Animation: Multiplane animation typically involves several layers of artwork on separate panels, creating a 3-dimensional effect. Cameraless animation involves physically manipulating the film itself to create effects.
Rotoscoping Animation: Animators use live-action footage as a reference to create realistic animation movements.
Zoetrope Animation: A traditional animation device that involves a cylinder with stationary images placed around the inside. When the cylinder is spun, the images appear to move.
Flipbook Animation: A simple form of animation where images are drawn on a stack of paper and then viewed in sequence by quickly flipping through the pages.
"In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film."
"Animation has been recognized as an artistic medium, specifically within the entertainment industry."
"Many animations are computer animations made with computer-generated imagery (CGI)."
"Stop motion animation, in particular claymation, has continued to exist alongside these other forms."
"Animation is contrasted with live-action film, although the two do not exist in isolation."
"Many moviemakers have produced films that are a hybrid of the two."
"As CGI increasingly approximates photographic imagery, filmmakers can easily composite 3D animations into their film rather than using practical effects for showy visual effects (VFX)."
"The method encompasses myriad filmmaking techniques, by which still images are manipulated to create moving images."
"Images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film."
"Animation has been recognized as an artistic medium, specifically within the entertainment industry."
"Many animations are computer animations made with computer-generated imagery (CGI)."
"Stop motion animation, in particular claymation, has continued to exist alongside these other forms."
"Animation is contrasted with live-action film, although the two do not exist in isolation."
"Many moviemakers have produced films that are a hybrid of the two."
"As CGI increasingly approximates photographic imagery, filmmakers can easily composite 3D animations into their film rather than using practical effects for showy visual effects (VFX)."
"The method encompasses myriad filmmaking techniques, by which still images are manipulated to create moving images."
"Images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film."
"Animation has been recognized as an artistic medium, specifically within the entertainment industry."
"Many animations are computer animations made with computer-generated imagery (CGI)."