Animation techniques
Hand-drawn, puppet and clay, cut-out, computer 2D and 3D: how they differ and how they work.
an independent family guide to animation
Prodimy — how animation works and how to enjoy it as a family
A cartoon seems simple until you try to make even a few seconds of movement. Behind every scene there are drawings or figures, hundreds of shots, sound and editing. Prodimy is an independent guide for parents, children and anyone curious about how pictures come to life: what animation techniques exist, how to make a little cartoon at home on a phone, how to choose cartoons for a child and how animation began.
A child who has once moved a clay figure a millimetre and taken a shot will watch any cartoon with different eyes.
Where to start
Make your own cartoon
A step-by-step article: a clay cartoon on a phone, from the idea and figures to the finished clip.
Choosing for children
Age ratings, length, story and talking it over afterwards: short answers for parents.
History
Collections for a first look: from optical toys and the first screenings to feature-length films.
Guide sections
- Topics
A map of the guide: animation techniques, animation at home, children and screens, history and professions.
- Practical
How to make a clay animation on a phone, step by step. Also a catalogue of upcoming articles.
- Questions
Short answers about animation technique, children and cartoons, and stop-motion filming at home.
- Collections
Reading paths: a first look at animation, a homemade cartoon, watching together with your child.
- Reference
Glossary: animation techniques, frames and movement, jobs in animation.
- New
A dated feed of the guide's publications.
- Archive
All materials by date and topic, plus a note on the domain's former addresses.
Example: choosing a cartoon for an evening with your child in five steps
Check the age label
In Russia, films and programmes carry an information product label: 0+, 6+, 12+, 16+ or 18+. Other countries use their own systems, such as PEGI or national film ratings. The label shows which age the material is legally allowed for, but not whether your child will like it. Treat it as a minimum check, not a recommendation.
Consider the length
A short cartoon is easier to watch to the end and talk about calmly. A feature film is better saved for a weekend, when there is time and energy. If your child is tired, it makes sense to stop and carry on another day.
Find out what the story is about
Read the description and watch the trailer yourself: are there scary scenes, loud noises or sad moments worth discussing in advance? Think about whether the theme suits your child's mood and age.
Watch together
Watching together turns the screen from background noise into a shared activity. You see where your child laughs and where they get scared, and you can take their hand, pause or answer a question at the right moment.
Talk about it afterwards
Ask which moment they remember, which character they liked and why, and what they would have done in the characters' place. You can draw a favourite scene or make up a sequel, so watching becomes a starting point for conversation and creativity.
Common questions in brief
Is this the website of a particular cartoon?
No. Prodimy is an independent family guide to animation. We do not represent any animation project, do not retell the plots of specific cartoons and are not connected with the former website on this domain.
Where can I watch cartoons?
On legal platforms, from rights holders, on television and in cinemas. We do not show or distribute films and do not give viewing links: choose sources that hold the rights to show them.
Are you an animation studio?
No. We do not produce cartoons, take commissions or hold castings. We write about how animation works and explain how to make a simple cartoon at home yourself.
Do you recommend specific cartoons?
No. We do not compile rankings or give scores. Instead of lists of the "best", we explain how to choose for yourself: by age label, length, theme and what matters to your family.
About the project
Prodimy is an independent family reference project about animation. We write about animation techniques, stop-motion filming at home, choosing cartoons for children, the history of animation and the professions behind it. We do not retell films, name the best and worst, or invent dates and facts: where precision matters, we rely on the law, encyclopaedic sources and materials from professional organisations.
This domain used to host the website of an animation project and later unrelated advertising. The current guide is connected with neither and does not restore their content.
Sources
- Federal Law No. 436-FZ “On the Protection of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development”
- Encyclopaedic sources on the history of animation
- Cinémathèque française — materials on early cinema
- ASIFA — International Animated Film Association
Information is current as of the date it was prepared. Age rating rules, platform terms and app features change, so check the latest details in the primary sources: the text of the law, the platform itself and the description of the specific film.