The 12 Principles
Animation I is the first class in the FDMA Animation Master Class track and will be entirely focused on laying the foundation of animation around the 12 principals of animation as defined by Disney master animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.
Squash and stretch, Anticipation, Staging, Straight ahead action and pose to pose, Follow through and overlapping action, Slow in and slow out, Arcs, Secondary action, Timing, Exaggeration, Solid drawing, Appeal
Due to the ongoing Mesa Del Sol HVAC system reconstruction we will be operating as a hybrid class for the entirety of this semester. Please read the syllabus for an overview of the format of this class and how it will work throughout the semester.
Weekly Course Modules
12 Principles
Back when the animators at Walt Disney Studios were developing the craft of animation, they...
Launch Module
Squash & Stretch
The most important principle is "squash and stretch", the purpose of which is to give a sense of...
Launch Module
Straight & Pose
These are two different approaches to the actual drawing process. "Straight ahead action"...
Launch Module
Overlapping Action
Follow through and overlapping action is a general heading for two closely related techniques...
Launch Module
Slow In & Out
The movement of the human body, and most other objects, needs time to accelerate and slow down...
Launch Module
Arcs
Most natural action tends to follow an arched trajectory, and animation should adhere to this...
Launch Module
Anticipation
Anticipation is used to prepare the audience for an action, and to make the action appear more...
Launch Module
Solid Drawing
The principle of solid drawing means taking into account forms in three-dimensional space...
Launch Module
Timing & Spacing
Timing refers to the number of drawings or frames for a given action, which translates to the...
Launch Module
Secondary Action
Adding secondary actions to the main action gives a scene more life, and can help to support...
Launch Module
Exaggeration
Exaggeration is an effect especially useful for animation, as perfect imitation of reality...
Launch Module
Staging & Appeal
Appeal in a cartoon character corresponds to what would be called charisma in an actor...
Launch Module
Basic Walk Cycle
One of the most difficult basic animations to master is the walk cycle...
Launch Module
Finalization
First thing first is why we even care to make things look pretty at this point...
Launch Module