How-tos


  • Research
    • First off, you learn about the surroundings and environment as much as you can.

    • The key to success in this class is choosing RIGHT themes that must sound unconventional, noteworthy, otherworldly or peculiar in a way that we don’t normally see.



  • Inspiration
    • Looking at other artists work is important source for inspiration.

    • Viewing of other artists work can open doors to new techniques, styles and ideas in all sorts of ways.

    • Look deeply into any artist's work, and analyse what strikes you.

    • By looking closely and deeply at other work even if that doesn't really fit into the kind of things you like to create still can give you a lot of fresh inspiration which you may integrate into your work.

    • What makes an (rotoscope) animation amazing isn't just the quality of the illustration, it's the quality of the movement, and "the uniqueness the style and concept". ​



  • Creating the storyboard
    • Simply put, that’s like a visual version of the script. Define the core message of your piece and write a cohesive script around it.

    • Following a comic book-like format, illustrate the key moments of your animation.

    • Use this storyboard template



  • Capturing video footage
    • All video must be shot and captured by you. They must be “original.” No stock images or footage are allowed.

    • When capturing video, keep your camera steady - rest it on a stable surface, tripod or stand.

    • Record videos of anthing that are compelling, gripping, otherworldly and noteworthy that you don't normally see. Locate places of events, shops, parks, or restaurants,...

    • Save your video files on your laptop or mobile device.​ Trim, crop and resize the video if necessary​. Preview, the set the appropriate start time and end time so that you trim it to just the part that you need.
          • Talk to people. You will come across many unusual and fresh creative inspirations by mingling with the people and witness the way they think, speak, and socialize.  

          • What seems to be the rhythms of life here? What do people do? What architectural and artistic styles prevail? How do people behave/interact?​ In looking at and walking through the cities, what do they evoke in you?​

          • What are your impressions as you walk through the area? Describe any interactions that caught your eye.​

          • Take notes about the experiences/observations as you do.

          • Try to avoid trite tie-ups. Just don’t do something too obvious and it took you less than two seconds to think of it.



  • Deciding the visual style:
    • In this stage of the animation process, you focus on your animation’s aesthetic and style.

    • Needless to say, you should pay special attention to deliver animation style that matches your subject.


  • Tips and Tricks (Treatments/Animation Principles)
    • Before you begin, watch the footage all the way through and think about how you’ll animate it.

    • You need to learn how to use your tools efficiently.

    • Try a short and simple test before you commit to your project.​

    • Think of movement that will result in a creative, expressive and seamless loop .

    • Rotoscopes can take a considerable amount of hand-on time.​ Like other forms of frame-by-frame animation, rotoscoping even a few seconds is a time-consuming process and requires a lot of patience, but it’s so satisfying when it’s done. The result gives you a great sense of achievement.

    • It is time-consuming due to the precise and laborious nature of tracing.​ Misinterpretations of the forms cause the line to wiggle​. Consistency and solidity are important.

    • If you make 5 seconds long animation with frame rate 24 (5 secs x 24 fps = 120 frames)
      You need 120 drawings to achieve a fluid animation 5 seconds. If you draw every other frame which reduces the number of needed drawings by half, 60 drawings, but this may affect overall fluidity of your animation.

    • Choose significant keyframes to illustrate first, then go back to fill in the tweens to add extra detail to the movement.

    • Keep it simple - hair, eyes, mouth, clothes, accessories, backdrop, anything that are secondary or peripheral elemements.

  • Sounds:
    • Music, audio, narration or ambient noise may be incorporated. 


  • Wrapping up:
    • Rome wasn’t built in a day – and neither was any great animated films out there.

    • To create awesome animation, you must put plenty of time and care and strive to get the best results.

  • Video tutorials