Reference
Reference
This section explains terms that come up in conversations about cartoons, in film credits and in the instructions for stop-motion apps. The definitions are short and based on encyclopaedic sources on the history of animation. Where the practice of different studios and countries varies, we describe the general meaning and do not go into details we cannot confirm.
A cartoon's credits become more interesting once you understand what each person on that long list does.
Techniques
- Hand-drawn animation
- A technique in which each position of the character is drawn anew on a separate sheet or layer. Émile Cohl's "Fantasmagorie" (1908) is considered one of the first fully hand-drawn animated films.
- Puppet animation
- Three-dimensional puppets with a movable armature are placed in a set and filmed frame by frame, with their pose changed a little between shots.
- Clay animation
- A type of three-dimensional stop-motion animation in which the characters and props are modelled from clay. It is handy for filming at home, as a figure is easy to put into a new pose.
- Cut-out animation
- Flat figures made of paper or card, with separate movable parts, are laid out on a backdrop and shifted between shots.
- Computer animation, 2D and 3D
- In 2D, characters are drawn and moved on a flat plane using software; in 3D, three-dimensional models are created, which the software shows from the chosen viewpoint and with the chosen lighting.
Frames and movement
- Frame
- A single still image in a sequence. The standard for film projection is 24 frames per second.
- Animating "on twos"
- A technique in which one drawing stays on screen for two frames in a row. It saves work while keeping the movement smooth enough.
- Stop-motion
- Also called frame-by-frame filming: an object is moved slightly between shots, and when the shots are shown quickly, they create the illusion of movement.
- Storyboard
- A sequence of sketches of the scenes to come, similar to a comic strip. It helps decide in advance what to film and from which angle.
- Keyframes and inbetweening
- Keyframes set the main positions of a character in a movement, and the in-between drawings that link them make the movement smooth.
Jobs in animation
- Animation director
- Responsible for the film as a whole: how the story is told, how the characters move, and what the rhythm and mood will be.
- Production designer
- Creates the visual world of the film: the look of the characters, the backgrounds, colour and light.
- Animator
- Brings the characters to life: draws or sets up the key positions and decides how a character moves and acts the part.
- Inbetweener
- Draws the intermediate positions between the animator's keyframes so that the movement becomes smooth.
- Sound designer
- Records and mixes voices, sound effects and music. In animation all the sound is created separately, since there is no sound on set.
Materials on this section's topics
- 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.
Related sections
- Questions
Short answers about animation technique, children and cartoons, and stop-motion filming at home.
- 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.
Sources
- 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.