Animation Principles - Refresher
Quick Principles Refresher
You know these. Here's the checklist.
The 12
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Squash/Stretch - Volume constant, shape varies. Check your impacts and fast motion.
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Anticipation - Is the audience prepared? Opposite direction, proportional to action.
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Staging - Silhouette test. One idea. Where's the eye going?
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Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose - Right method for this shot? Maybe hybrid.
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Follow Through / Overlap - Does everything stop at once? (It shouldn't.) Hierarchy: root leads, tips lag.
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Slow In / Out - Checked your spacing charts? Bunched at ends, spread in middle.
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Arcs - Track the paths. Everything curves unless intentionally broken.
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Secondary Action - Supporting, not competing. Add after primary works.
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Timing - Frame count matches intent? Weight, mood, pacing all live here.
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Exaggeration - Did you push it enough? (Probably not.) Find real, then go 20% past.
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Solid Drawing - Does it have weight? Volume consistent through motion?
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Appeal - Would you watch this? Clear shapes, readable pose, distinctive design?
Quick Diagnosis
Floaty? Check timing and slow in/out. Probably too even.
Stiff? Add overlap. Offset timing. Break symmetry.
Confusing? Staging issue. Simplify. One idea per shot.
Mechanical? Arcs are probably too straight. Add anticipation variety.
Dead? Secondary action missing. Overlap insufficient.
Boring? Push exaggeration. Check appeal. Vary timing.
Shot Checklist
Before calling it done:
- Silhouette reads
- Arcs tracked
- Spacing varied (slow in/out)
- Overlap on all appendages
- Secondary action supports (doesn't compete)
- Exaggeration appropriate to style
- Timing matches weight and mood
- Anticipation proportional
- Volume consistent
- Appeal present
Principle Priority by Shot Type
Action: Timing > Arcs > Anticipation > Squash/Stretch Dialogue: Staging > Secondary > Timing > Appeal Comedy: Timing > Exaggeration > Anticipation > Staging Subtle acting: Secondary > Overlap > Timing > Staging
Trust your instincts. You've done this. This is just calibration.