7-3-1 Traditional Animation Explained

Key Concepts Related to Traditional Animation

Traditional Animation involves creating moving images by drawing each frame by hand. Key concepts include cel animation, keyframes, inbetweens, timing, and the 12 principles of animation.

Explanation of Each Concept

1. Cel Animation

Cel Animation is a technique where each frame of an animation is drawn on a transparent celluloid sheet, known as a cel. These cels are then photographed one after another to create the illusion of movement.

Example: Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is a classic example of cel animation, where each character and background were meticulously drawn on separate cels.

2. Keyframes

Keyframes are the most important frames in an animation that define the beginning and end of a movement. These frames are drawn first, and the inbetweens are added to create smooth transitions.

Example: In a character jumping animation, the keyframes would be the character's position at the start of the jump and the peak of the jump, with inbetweens filling in the movement between these points.

3. Inbetweens

Inbetweens are the intermediate frames drawn between keyframes to create the illusion of smooth motion. These frames are crucial for making the animation appear fluid and natural.

Example: If a character is walking, the keyframes might show the character's feet in different positions, and the inbetweens would show the gradual transition between these positions.

4. Timing

Timing refers to the speed at which the frames are displayed, affecting the pace and feel of the animation. Proper timing is essential for creating believable and engaging animations.

Example: A fast-paced action scene might have frames displayed quickly to convey excitement, while a slow, dramatic scene might have frames displayed more slowly to build tension.

5. 12 Principles of Animation

The 12 Principles of Animation are guidelines developed by Disney animators to create more realistic and appealing animations. These principles include squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, and more.

Example: The principle of "squash and stretch" is used to give a sense of weight and flexibility to objects. In a bouncing ball animation, the ball would squash when it hits the ground and stretch as it rebounds.

Examples and Analogies

Consider the work of legendary animator Chuck Jones, known for his work on Looney Tunes. His use of keyframes and inbetweens created iconic characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, showcasing the power of traditional animation.

Think of traditional animation as a flipbook. Just as a flipbook creates the illusion of motion by flipping through a series of drawings, traditional animation uses a sequence of hand-drawn frames to create movement.

Another analogy is to think of keyframes as the main points on a timeline. Just as a timeline helps organize events, keyframes help organize the main movements in an animation, with inbetweens filling in the gaps to create a seamless story.