Production for 2D Animation

In one of my previous blog posts I summarised the pre-production process in all areas of animation. For the production stage I have decided to break my posts down into three: 2D, 3D and Stop Motion animation. I have done this as the processes of production are different in each one.

Step 1: Keyframes: Keyframes are an important part of visualising how an animation will pan out. All parts of animation are linked together in 'frames', each has a movement which when combined together creates a seamless transition. Keyframes represent the main movements rather than the frames in between. They act as basis to build the rest of the animation on.

Step 2: Animation:

This part of the production is the final part before the elements of post-production begin. At this stage, all the key frames and frames that have been created are linked together. Depending on where the 2D animation is produced, the techniques will be different. 2D can be achieved traditionally or digitally. If it is done with the traditional techniques using pencil and paper, each piece of paper will be photographed in order. This will then be transferred into a program such as Adobe where the photographs can be linked together. If it is done digitally using programs such as CorelDRAW and Adobe, each layer or file represents the frame, this saves time as they don't need to be photographed separately and only require being combined together.