Animation Terminology

Front

A preliminary version of a movie produced by shooting successive sections of a storyboard and adding a soundtrack.

Back

Animatic

Front

The individual responsible for checking and approving the creative side of key drawings and overall animation quality.

Back

Animation Director

Front

A preparatory action that occurs before the main action of an animated scene, used to cue the audience and make the main action more impactful.

Back

Anticipation

Front

The characteristic that makes a character interesting, simple, and appealing to the audience, contributing to their emotional connection.

Back

Appeal

Front

The principle that states animated movements should naturally follow curved paths rather than straight lines to appear more realistic.

Back

Arcs

Front

The stage in the production workflow where rough animation drawings are traced meticulously to create the final, refined artwork.

Back

Clean-Up

Front

The process where colored artwork (characters, props) is combined with background artwork to create the final shot.

Back

Compositing

Front

The process where animators' drawings, characters, and backgrounds are colored digitally using computer software.

Back

Digital Ink and Paint

Front

The final phase of animation workflow where the completed product is delivered to viewers through various channels.

Back

Distribution

Front

The process of adding or replacing dialogue in postproduction, often for localization or corrections.

Back

Dubbing