What is animation? Animation is the process of creating the illusion of motion, where a series of still images are linked together as part of a timed sequence. This makes the image appear to move, known as persistence of vision.

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What is animation? In drawn animation, moving characters are often shot "on twos", that is to say, one drawing is shown for every two frames of film (which usually runs at 24 frames per second), meaning there are only 12 drawings per second. Even though the image update rate is low, the fluidity is satisfactory for most subjects. However, when a character is required to perform a quick movement, it is usually necessary to revert to animating "on ones."

Creating the Illusion of Life The Animator is the actor in animated films.

Creating the Illusion of Life Animator showing emotion. SAD - We droop the shoulders, slump the body, drop the head, add a long face, and drag the feet. This can also mean the character is tired, or discouraged, or even listless. We can add a tear and pinpoint our attitude a little better.

Creating the Illusion of Life Audience Involvement. How you pull the audience in. We start with something they know and like. It can be an idea or a character, as long as it is familiar and appealing.

Creating the Illusion of Life Make your character as real as possible. He/she/it must have a personality, and preferably, an interesting one. In addition to gags and effects, there must be a point of entry through which audiences can identify with the story situation… And the best way is through a character who is like someone they have known.

Creating the Illusion of Life Our goal is to make the audience feel the emotions of the characters. Rather than appreciate them intellectually… If we succeed in this, the audience will now care about the character and about what happens to him/her… AND THAT IS AUDIENCE INVOLVMENT!

Creating the Illusion of Life Find ways to make the audience feel the emotions of the animated figures… Emotions the audience could “ Relate to, identify with, and become involved in.” a)Golfer swings and misses ball. How does the golfer react? b)Customer is on line in a food store. The line is the 10 item or less line. Person in front has 20 items. Reaction? c)Person is sitting peacefully on a park bench. Suddenly the person realizes there is a bee on their arm. Reaction?

Creating the Illusion of Life Understanding a basic truth of comedy, for instance… Falling into a manhole: Old lady selling flowers (not funny) Eager boy scout helping a little girl across the street (maybe a chuckle) Arrogant construction boss that just ridiculed some worker for not watching what he was doing (certainly would get a laugh) Man slips on a banana peel (funny) A down and out man slips on a banana peel (not funny)

Creating the Illusion of Life Let the audience know that the character on stage really knows what happened to him. The “looks” at the camera. The “burn” The “rage” The “helpless stare” The “uninviting expression”

Creating the Illusion of Life Charlie Chaplin took care to establish himself as one of us… As belonging to the world of the audience rather than the character on the screen. The audience has to be impressed, absorbed, and involved. The audience has to be taken out of themselves, made to forget their own worlds and lose themselves for cartoons to succeed.

Creating the Illusion of Life Look at someone walking down the street from the back view. Ask yourself: Are they old? Young? State of health? Depressed? Hopeful? Sad? Happy?

Creating the Illusion of Life Be observant of the world around you. Make observation a priority. In order to improve your powers of observation, you must make them a priority. Stop texting or Facebooking as you walk down the street, and keep your eyes on your surroundings. Good observation skills won’t appear overnight. You must do it little by little, day by day. People watch. Nature watch.

The Illusion of Life, Disney Animation Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston The Animators Survival Kit Richard Williams