The 12 Principles of Animation Explained - The Most Important Rules for Animating

[@pepepoopsonthefarright7531]

"Animation is not a genre for kids. It's a medium for art, it's a medium for film, and I think animation should stay in the conversation." Guillermo Del Toro

[@StudioBinder]

Excellent quote!

[@glennac]

This is what makes animation appealing to audiences of ALL ages and not simply a child’s medium - the attention to detail and realism. I don’t understand the assumption of many that “cartoons” (animation) are just for kids. It does a great disservice to the artists and that thinking is a sign of a lack of imagination.

[@StudioBinder]

Couldn't agree more!

[@frankie4855]

It IS primarily a visual medium that’s meant to entertain and impart good lessons on children. It’s asinine to claim otherwise. With the exception of animation strictly aimed at adults like those from Japan, every creative working on animation is PRIMARILY concerned with serving a younger audience. It’s bullshit to pretend otherwise. Of course that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t like for adults to enjoy the content and they even cater to them, but only to an extent. Because again, if children can’t consume a creative choice (say too risqué and adult) then that choice doesn’t end up on the final product. It just doesn’t take away from your enjoyment to admit those truths.

[@glennac]

@@frankie4855 This ignores the fact that many of the classic “cartoons” of the 30’s-50’s were not originally directed at kids of the time but adults. These were shown prior to many major motion pictures of the day alongside Movietone news reels and the subjects and jokes were targeted at the adult audiences much of which completely went over the heads of children that might be in attendance.

[@frankie4855]

@@glennac What’s the most successful, most iconic and beloved animation? It’s that of Disney (the classics more so). Along with other animation content from other places that’s also for children. You have a medium, that is ALWAYS at its most SUCCESSFUL when it’s aimed PRIMARILY at children. So, you could say that inherently, the DNA of the animation art form lends itself at its best when the audience is kids, not adults.

[@ИванСнежков-з9й]

@@frankie4855 I think you confuse correlation for causation. If Studio execs think the same as you do, they will not risk with animated movies for adult only audience so there will never be a SUCCESSFUL Hollywood adult animation movie, because it would never be made. The very fact that you had to exclude anime from Japan is proof of that. However it's something that creators have been pushing against for a very long time. Most of the SUCCESSFUL animation movies are made so both young and mature audience could enjoy them. Just because something is made accessible to children, doesn't mean they are the PRIMARILY audience. There are also more animations targeted at young adults. "Arcane", "Spider-man - Into/Across the spider-verse", "Castlevania", "Invincible". If the young audience keeps watching animation, the market for adult animation would keep growing. I would even argue that the recent photo-realistic remakes of Disney classics are PRIMARILY targeted at audience of adults who are too embarrassed to watch the animations they grew up with. "The Lion King"(2019) grossed $1.6 Billion, it's entirely 3D animation.

[@azraelle6232]

"They must be prepared for the next movement..." while showing a shot from the "Be Prepared" sequence from The Lion King (4:43). This is the top-shelf content that I come here to see!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for noticing! 😉

[@SLokutaR]

Yayy I thought nobody would've noticed or it'd be buried under lame comment❤s

[@rayancedrichaddad1197]

Animation Movies are Masterpieces! This video is a complete audiovisual encyclopedia about how Animation works. Thousand Thanks StudioBinder for this Inspiring video. All the Best to come.💯💯💯

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@MienLeHoang]

It's always nice to watch about the base principles, no matter how long you have worked in animation. Thanks a lot. Very well crafted video

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks! Yeah, these principles have been around for decades and still very much apply.

[@jeremyt6459]

"Exaggeration can serve the emotional reality of a sequence". "Emotional reality" is such a good phrase, I'm going to try remembering this more often when I animate. Since I don't think it applies to just the principle of exaggeration but the art of animation as a whole. We're not simply depicting movement, but stories and emotions. Like the name implies, we aren't movement artists (for lack of a better term), but animators. Thanks for this well put together video!

[@ayushnair8570]

Glad StudioBinder is giving the Animation medium the respect it deserves. This is a fantastic video. Would love to see more like this!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks! We love animation so that won't be a problem for us.

[@TheArtofJohnKelekele]

Would definitely to see more videos about each steps of the animation production in the future🙏🏾

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion! We just might have to do that.

[@hornet718]

Thanks for this in-depth look at animation! Much of this I already knew but there is so much more that goes into animation. Heck, a single frame animation is a mini-production. My hat is off to all those old school animators (independent and pro) who gave us hours of animated features!!! I think I will stick to live humans to make my features, but there is much to take away from this lesson of animation for filmmaking.

[@StudioBinder]

Well said!

[@Omnicrola]

Always nice to have a refresher on these basics!

[@StudioBinder]

Indeed! Thanks for watching.

[@codywhite8427]

I have to say, yall knock it out the park, Im working on my animation short and decided to get a little lesson in of filmmaking that I could apply to animation, whatever but this is the video I really wanted. Good job

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks and good luck on the project!

[@smokeback]

This is awesome one thing i love about studio binder is how the breakdown is done have learnt so much from the videos that even when i do my first full animation story will be amazing

[@Ludens93]

That was quite a nice video. I'm learning a lot as an animation student. I'll be sure to take these 12 principles and utlize them in my animation journey.

[@MiguelNdiweni]

Animation is a masterpiece and does not just appeal to children, I didn't know about the 12 principals of animation but now I do thanks Studiobinder

[@StudioBinder]

You're welcome!

[@FoxofAllTrades]

I love this video. The narrator's voice is so great too it blind sided me a bit hearing him reference things like perfect blue because it feels out of character 🤣

[@gregorylagrange]

Well done StudioBinder. My love of animation from cartoons to comic books has always been from a heavy fascination and appreciation with the art of the use of perspective and scale. As well as not only does it give you the freedom to express cool ideas, but it's provided the best uses of comedy and drama in cinema. And it's provided some of the best scenes cinematography wise. I have forgotten most of Pinocchio. It was never my one of favored Disney classic. Not that it is a good movie. But it just takes a backseat to all the other to me. But seeing the scene where the kid turns into a donkey and having him call out to his mother while you see the silhouette of it just caught me off guard as "they really had that scene in a kids movie?" On the other side, I've become a growing fan of anime that was kicked off because of your videos about Hayao Miyazaki. And there's a scene from a movie I haven't seen yet, Ponyo, of a girl running on top of waves and the waves are cresting like whales. Everything about that short clip is so cool to me. Just the idea of her running on top of waves for one. And the way the girl has the fast motion of her legs the way kids look when they're running. Then she goes into that quick hurdle jump. The secondary motion in her hair and clothes. And then the pan and change of perspective to be behind her. That one scene not only makes me want to watch the movie, but it's good enough to play on a loop as an art piece. The art of animation (not just the graphics or drawing, but the art of telling a story with animation) is probably going to go through a period of taking a back seat, or my bigger fear is almost disappearing, because I'm expecting AI to like many forms of tech lead to an influx of people without skill making things where before they needed skill to make. (auto focus for cameras for example) And it's going to show in the quality.

[@RoseBriddell]

This is incredibly interesting! I never knew any of this about animation and i've been watching disney and cartoons for years.

[@JillGambaro]

Amazing how much of this is transferable to live action films--whether in the writing, acting, staging or direction.

[@freddyjosereginomontalvo4667]

Animation is a truly majestic way of telling a story 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@StudioBinder]

Definitely!

[@peterkalyabe7553]

As a newbie, I appreciate these basics. They don't feel "basic" yet.

[@StudioBinder]

They're a great starting point for all animators, that's for sure.

[@EDJK_]

needed this now my confidence has came back!! never knew there was a principle behind time to study more!

[@HlaAmrAdel]

Hi! Studiobinder The video that you made about the introduction and explaintion of animation and its 12 principles are terrific ❤❤❤ I hope you guys make more of these even talking about the importance of making good and interesting illustrated novels and comics Because I really want to work on them plus you guys make it very interesting that make our minds very deep into the depth of different arts and creations 😊 And it's a pleasure and thank you very much ❤❤❤❤

[@stephenwilliams3807]

So many great films in this episode.

[@StudioBinder]

And yet we had to leave so many more out! There's so much good animation out there.

[@gos_707]

Thank you so much for this video! Big fan of your work, and one day I'll be a Writer and possibly a Director for films and an animator!

[@StudioBinder]

You're very welcome and hopefully we can help you get there!

[@djjoe8899]

Out of curiosity can you do one on character design? Like the process in making a character and model sheet for animation.

[@StudioBinder]

Great idea!

[@djjoe8899]

@@StudioBinder awesome can't wait to see it.

[@bubblesculptor]

All these subtle details are fascinating!

[@StudioBinder]

We couldn't agree more!

[@Sherif-the-Watcher]

I'm EXTREMELY grateful for dis video

[@linodisalvo1427]

Great presentation. Well done.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@jrfk3d]

Yeah ! Studiobinder in tha house with their amazing content again 😎🚀

[@StudioBinder]

Every week! Thanks for watching.

[@winnermarshal]

please do more about animation, studiobinder!!! i love your videos about it

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks! We feel the same so we definitely will.

[@Sunil778-l4c]

*What are Media Text, Niche Culture, High Art, Low Art, Pop Culture, Representation, Iconography and Semiotics in film studies could you please make a video on these?❤*

[@StudioBinder]

Those are all great suggestions. We'll add 'em to our list.

[@JurajPadych]

Keep up the great work StudioBinder! Very well done!

[@mariagraziele1445]

Awesome video like always. I wonder when are we getting a video about music editing in movies, or anything related to sounds.

[@tokyozombe]

As an animator, this was an amazing description of the principles.

[@thatguywhosayshi7021]

Could you maybe make a video about what constitutes a good book to film adaptation? I’m very curious to see what you would have to say.

[@StudioBinder]

Interesting topic! That would be a fun one.

[@tomsouzas]

Amazing! A true animation class!

[@JoshLange3D]

Great video!! 15:23 small technicality: we usually need to adjust all 3 axes (x,y,z) to make a proper arc in 3D animation.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@muhammadrasheed408]

So informative as always. Love it

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks so much!

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

This video is perfect! Very inspiring

[@awesomein360tiagowolf4]

Great lesson, great video SB ✌️💯💥

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks!

[@Bobywan75]

It feels so obvious when you explain these principles, even though none of this was ever explain in art class.

[@StudioBinder]

That's true. We take these things for granted but there's a whole art/science behind them.

[@The22boris]

This is Gold.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks! We had a blast making it.

[@petermuguro7462]

Great stuff. Would it be possible for you guys to make an entire bundle of videos showing many movies' and TV shows' filming gear?

[@StudioBinder]

We do have a series called "How They Shot It" that covers a lot of that: kzbin.info/aero/PLEzQZpmbzckUBXvCXDDyCzBraZ-WLWwY8&si=aEh0yVcKwfyyVY4n

[@petermuguro7462]

@@StudioBinder Thank you

[@youthawake]

Once again you guys have neiled down. Thanks for such awesome content

[@leatherleaf12]

amazing vid!

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ShesGonnaWriteIt]

Great and informative video.

[@Sasukesanimation]

Even through many of the different animation genres, these rules still stay follow, for example, I am more well versed in Japanese anime style kind of animation, but I still follow the 13 rules of animation in order to create the necessary effects

[@LongTed]

I have learned a lot from the video, thanks a lot. BTW, what is the word followed the definition "occasionally 3D replicas of characters" at 22:29

[@danl.2626]

Best narrator ever

[@UNEWS_ANIMATIONS]

this is so good!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks, we put a lot into this one.

[@sakugamin]

well explained

[@Nico_LaBras]

I like live action movies but I love animation even more. There is just so much more freedom of expression imo. The moment I learned about impact frames in Anime I saw them everywhere, even in non-anime animations

[@StudioBinder]

So much to love about animation!

[@cedricadougba324]

Thanks, GOD bless you.

[@emiliomanueldepedro9650]

Hey, guys, could you make a video on the Psychological Drama genre? You know, films like The Whale, Melancholia, First Reformed, Brothers, The Hunt, Spencer, Requiem for a Dream, etc. Is it possible for you to do that?

[@djjoe8899]

Awesome animation is one my favorite subject matter

[@StudioBinder]

Ours too!

[@rongpirson5250]

4:43 they must “be prepared” Shows clip from the be prepared number

[@pmrooter]

Man, I need the list of all the animations shown here so bad. Want to watch each of them after such a great video. Yeah, they are all titled in the corner, but the list would make it so much easier 🥲

[@dwellersart7538]

Ouuuffff just in time 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@StudioBinder]

Phew!

[@MrMaa2007]

Im going to start the next Disney animation company on tik tok after i watched this video, my only problem is i Don't have enough bank accounts to hold all the money that i will make

[@StudioBinder]

That's a good problem to have!

[@MwayiComfort]

Oooh wow ❤❤❤am so glad❤the class is in session

[@StudioBinder]

We're glad you're here!

[@paulfulford91]

Great explanations.

[@StudioBinder]

Glad it was helpful!

[@seanmanning5565]

Using Studio Ghibli films is just 🤩... like showing someone a Caravaggio to teach them how to paint 😂

[@StudioBinder]

If you're not inspired there, you might not ever be.

[@SLATTERDAY]

Oh so y’all had this ready!? 😂 drop the other videos too!

[@sakhrnoman]

Love you guys ❤

[@StudioBinder]

The feeling is mutual!

[@user-wi9wi9ph8y]

Fantastic!

[@brain_respect_and_freedom]

My favorite quotes from the book "The Illusion of Life Disney Animation": " Our tools of communication are the symbols that all men understand because they go back before man developed speech. As he said of himself: I can never stand still. I must explore and experiment.(...)"

[@StudioBinder]

That's an excellent quote.

[@CatMasked]

Thanks

[@gamerlegend2568]

They should put the title of the animations so we can go watch them

[@Karonclip]

Please take more example of these rules please please please 😢😢 another video

[@thasniskannittayil5430]

Very helpful🌟

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for saying so!

[@12Cooper]

Awesome thanks!

[@StudioBinder]

Our pleasure!

[@hyperunboxing9304]

Does any of theses rules apply to 13 plus animation?

[@hyperunboxing9304]

I mean like pg 13

[@StudioBinder]

Yeah, they apply for all ratings.

[@hyperunboxing9304]

​​@@StudioBinder and is it ok to not follow the exaggeration rule so I can have a more realistic animation?

[@Jays_Brickfilms]

@@hyperunboxing9304 depends on what you want to animate i think

[@ladushdevdas8465]

How to use korrellation in films?

[@pn4960]

Fantastic !

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks!

[@AdelShaheen-cr6mh]

can you guys do a video analyzing techniques used by Akira Kurosawa, like the one made by every frame a painting?

[@StudioBinder]

We actually having something coming soon!

[@ranks6670]

Road to 10M views ❤

[@iOnRX9]

thank you for this

[@StudioBinder]

You're very welcome!

[@OzanBurada]

7:20 Let's face it that goes for all that action movies. Fury Road really worked hard to keep the action easy to follow using this. Also, all spider verse movies uses frame rates very creatively across the board. No wonder they are seen one of the best spiderman movies.

[@StudioBinder]

Agreed!

[@TheBoyQwerty]

I want to be an Animator and i want my creations to impact the world positively... I hope i will be able too

[@MeanFinger]

​ @StudioBinder Well, all we have to do then, is keep claiming (like your point here) that animation is for all ages and sign it until the top heads (or the Oscar's animation people --as that might seem like the cream of the crop now) make this clear by not allowing anyone make a joke out of it as they have in the past! If people always state that animation is use to "keep their children at bay" only, then, you've gotta keep your voice heard and burn it in their ears that is NOT a kids medium only!

[@reallyfurious]

Thank you🙏

[@StudioBinder]

You’re welcome 😊

[@SPturns]

Finally, Animation Lore.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@HarskyMusic]

you need to do a directing style video on michael bay or a vid on him.

[@Stinky-Pete]

Good thing you made this. Hopefully, the new Tumblr hires at Disney animation can use this as a reference, and they don't end up blundering their way through another "Wish".

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@dmytro1933]

Gold

[@nyxsh]

why posted late? that's my lectured in 1 semester 😂❤

[@StudioBinder]

Sorry we're late!

[@GlenCollinsOfficial]

You should do the cinematography of Dean Cundey.

[@StudioBinder]

Great suggestion, we have to!

[@blknight6984]

I think new Disney should watch your video so they would remember where they came from.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[@blknight6984]

@@StudioBinder A long time fan here. Im not a film maker but I enjoy watching movies. Also, there is something soothing about the voice.. Keep it up. 👍

[@brandonart267]

Anime uses way more than 12 principles, animation in the West is far behind, in fact it always has been. It's no wonder that anime is influencing the return of hand-drawn animation and style, as in Puss in Boots, Arcane, Spiderverse, etc. who used the advanced techniques created by anime

[@person6768]

We invented the TV and animation. Always have been behind is laughable

[@brandonart267]

@@person6768 No, you didn't invent animation, and commercial animation was made in the same year USA, Japan, around 1905. The funny thing is techniques created by the anime industry used since the 70s, are being implemented very recently in some animations in the West but in a very basic way like Spiderverse and some people say "innovation", the only innovation I saw in Spiderverse compared to the anime industry was, actually I can't think of any, maybe the constant change of effects on the Character, but the dramatic changes of colors Scene to Scene were already used in anime

[@adrianr87]

The lack of EXAGGERATION is why so many live action adaptations are dull. One Piece on Netflix recently made some big strides in the right direction due to the abilities of the characters. Studios need to look more into fan-made live action adaptations which happen to stay truer to the source material while not ruining it by being too real.

[@StudioBinder]

Good point!

[@nnt7311]

Chapters are broken

[@brycecombs2868]

Upon reflection, HB and Filmation, and even WB at times, seem to have skipped most of those lessons. I suppose there could be a separate video on animating within time and budgetary constraints.😞 Some KZbin channels, such as Terrible Writing Advice, use very scaled down animation still, but to good effect, as their messages are in the dialogue.🤔

[@StudioBinder]

That's true. If there are budget concerns, the animation might not be able to have all of these principles in effect.

[@aiqalizam1534]

me here!! sir amirull :)

[@StudioBinder]

Welcome!

[@nikshmenga]

5:49 animated James Bond cheating at Golf

[@StudioBinder]

Indeed!

[@dillonwright13]

There's a 13th Principle that no one seems to talk about, not even The Illusion of Life references it. Here's a video explaining what it is, and a video about its origins. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHTVZ3WBfa95fac - What Is The Plausible Impossible kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5nZq62Ah8aFobc - Walt Disney's The Art of Animation Fauxview (came from the never released book, Walt Disney's The Art of Animation from Walt Disney's Disneyland)

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for sharing!

[@dillonwright13]

@@StudioBinder This principle is so important, that it explains why some things are the way they are in cartoons. Heck, it’s even responsible for why certain inventions and foods are being attempted in the real world. Why Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston left it out of The Illusion of Life, probably the same reason why they caused Eric Goldberg not to get the job at Disney the first time he tried out.

[@Anjaan-vn5bq]

More Videos On Animation ❤

[@StudioBinder]

We just might have to do more!

[@niqualinproductions168]

A certain horse needs to watch this

[@StudioBinder]

🤔

[@BlessingJohnAseweje]

wow, now i will see animation differently

[@StudioBinder]

Fascinating, right?

[@BlessingJohnAseweje]

@@StudioBinder It is, I"m more knowledgeable now

[@itsapinecone7280]

noodle would be proud

[@tylerbailey4279]

How to pitch a script👀

[@StudioBinder]

Fantastic suggestion!