Tutorial
iOS/Android
Make Animations and Cartoons with Animation DeskHow to Manage Colors in Animation DeskHow to Control Speed and Motions with FramesHow to Create Animation Faster with the Selection ToolsHow to Draw Animation on a Live-action VideoHow to Animate with LayersWhat is Onion Skin and How to Use it in 2D AnimationHow to Export Your Animation as Storyboard, Video, GIF and PSDWindows
Animation Desk app for Windows 10: Interface NavigationHow to Control Speed of Your Animation- FPS and Frame RepetitionHow to Design Color Palettes in the AppHow to Create Animations Efficiently with the Selection ToolsHow to Import Video and Image Using LayersHow To Track Motion With Onion Skin in 2D AnimationHow to Use RulersHow to Export Animation and StoryboardHow to Lip Sync or Add Music to Your Animation VideoShould I Get a Surface Dial? How to Use Surface Dial in Animation Desk
iOS/Android
Make Animations and Cartoons with Animation DeskHow to Manage Colors in Animation DeskHow to Control Speed and Motions with FramesHow to Create Animation Faster with the Selection ToolsHow to Draw Animation on a Live-action VideoHow to Animate with LayersWhat is Onion Skin and How to Use it in 2D AnimationHow to Export Your Animation as Storyboard, Video, GIF and PSDWindows
Animation Desk app for Windows 10: Interface NavigationHow to Control Speed of Your Animation- FPS and Frame RepetitionHow to Design Color Palettes in the AppHow to Create Animations Efficiently with the Selection ToolsHow to Import Video and Image Using LayersHow To Track Motion With Onion Skin in 2D AnimationHow to Use RulersHow to Export Animation and StoryboardHow to Lip Sync or Add Music to Your Animation VideoShould I Get a Surface Dial? How to Use Surface Dial in Animation Desk
Tutorial
iOS/Android
Make Animations and Cartoons with Animation DeskHow to Manage Colors in Animation DeskHow to Control Speed and Motions with FramesHow to Create Animation Faster with the Selection ToolsHow to Draw Animation on a Live-action VideoHow to Animate with LayersWhat is Onion Skin and How to Use it in 2D AnimationHow to Export Your Animation as Storyboard, Video, GIF and PSDWindows
Animation Desk app for Windows 10: Interface NavigationHow to Control Speed of Your Animation- FPS and Frame RepetitionHow to Design Color Palettes in the AppHow to Create Animations Efficiently with the Selection ToolsHow to Import Video and Image Using LayersHow To Track Motion With Onion Skin in 2D AnimationHow to Use RulersHow to Export Animation and StoryboardHow to Lip Sync or Add Music to Your Animation VideoShould I Get a Surface Dial? How to Use Surface Dial in Animation DeskiOS/Android
Make Animations and Cartoons with Animation DeskHow to Manage Colors in Animation DeskHow to Control Speed and Motions with FramesHow to Create Animation Faster with the Selection ToolsHow to Draw Animation on a Live-action VideoHow to Animate with LayersWhat is Onion Skin and How to Use it in 2D AnimationHow to Export Your Animation as Storyboard, Video, GIF and PSDWindows
Animation Desk app for Windows 10: Interface NavigationHow to Control Speed of Your Animation- FPS and Frame RepetitionHow to Design Color Palettes in the AppHow to Create Animations Efficiently with the Selection ToolsHow to Import Video and Image Using LayersHow To Track Motion With Onion Skin in 2D AnimationHow to Use RulersHow to Export Animation and StoryboardHow to Lip Sync or Add Music to Your Animation VideoShould I Get a Surface Dial? How to Use Surface Dial in Animation Desk12 Principles of Animation - Staging
Staging in Animation
The purpose of staging is to deliver ideas to your audience. Do the most important objects and actions stand out in a scene? Does the scene deliver your message and evoke emotional responses? Staging is about arranging actions and composing the scenes. In the following section, we will introduce the wide shot, medium shot, and a close shot. These are the three most common and basic types of staging.
What is a Wide Shot
In a wide shot, the audience can see the surroundings and context around the characters. Wide shot is useful to summarize the background of the story, but it's not suitable to show individual characters' expressions.
Image source: Sword Art Online, Reki Kawahara, A-1 Pictures IMDB
What is a Medium Shot
A medium shot shows a character's facial expression, some physical action, and a little of the background. A medium shot includes a lot of information and it's widely used.
Image source: Steven Universe, Rebecca Sugar, Cartoon Network (IMDB)
What is a Close Shot
A close-up fills the frame with a character's head. A close shot emphasizes the expression and emotion of a character.
Image source: Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli (IMDB)
Which Shot Should I Use?
Each type of shot has its limitations and strengths. Imagine that you are shooting a film; picture a scene of your animation with different types of shots. Try to arrange the objects and characters in different positions to decide which composition best evokes the desired feeling and communicates your idea.
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