Today we did the bouncing ball exercise using the traditional animation method of pencil and paper. We were given 31 sheets to complete the animation and a guide to the balls bouncing arc and its key frames. Each of the 31 sheets had the line to represent the ground already drawn on them and each was numbered, with the key frames numbers circled.
I then used the arc path sheet to trace an x on each frame. The x marked the center of the ball in that particular frame. I then did I similar process with the key frame sheet and traced the ball shape from the sheet onto the corresponding key frame.
Then it was down to me to fill in all the inbetween frames, using the marked places for the balls center.
When animating we have to keep these four principles of animation is mind.
Arcs-
In animation it will look for natural for things to move in an arc rather than a straight line. For example; someone jumping forward would look unnatural if the jumper when up in a straight line then down straight. So in this case he should travel in an arc, curving up then down.
Timing and Spacing-
Spacing, the distance the object moves in each frame, controls the speed of the animation. For example if I wanted to make an object move fast it would need to move a great distance between frames. If I want it to be slower, it should move less distance.
Fast movement with large spacing.
Slower motion with small spacing.
In terms of the bouncing ball animation this can be used to show gravity. As the ball initially falls it gains momentum, and so the frames hear will be very far apart. It then hits the ground and springs back up, still large spacing on the frames. But then, as it comes up from the bounce it enters a weightless section. To show this weightless period the frames should be closer together so that the balls movement appears slower.
Squash and Stretch-
To show energy and movement objects should be squashed and stretched as they move. This will sort of emulate motion blur, with the object distorted when at great speed. For example with the ball, as it picks up speed heading for the ground it begins to thin, turning into a lozenge shape. And then as it hits the ground it flattens, as if squashed by the impact. As the speed decreases squash and stretch should lessen. When the ball is going slowly during the weightless periods, it retains its shape completely.
Volume-
Whilst it is important to squash and stretch the moving object to show momentum and energy, the object must also keep the same mass. This is very important as a change in an objects mass will make it look like its growing or shrinking and give it a “mushy” look.
Whilst animating the ball I tried really hard to keep the volume the same and do the squash and stretch correctly. As the key frames and arc path had already been mapped out and traced onto the frames, doing correct squash and stretch was the only thing I had to think hard about myself. I flipped back and forth between the pages a lot; trying to make sure the size of the ball remained the same. As I was drawing one frame I would flip back to the last frame, and also the very first frame of the animation, to try and retain as much consistency as I could.
PHOENIX'S MEDIA 