Blazer - Animated Storytelling: Simple Steps For Creating Animation and Motion Graphics

Simple Steps For Creating
Animation & Motion Graphics

LIZ BLAZER

Animated Storytelling
Simple Steps for Creating Animation & Motion Graphics
Liz Blazer

Peachpit Press

Find us on the Web at www.peachpit.com.
Peachpit is a division of Pearson Education.
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Copyright 2016 by Elizabeth Blazer

Acquisitions Editor: Nikki Echler McDonald
Production Editor: Tracey Croom
Development Editor: Jan Seymour
Copy Editor: Jan Seymour
Proofreader: Kim Wimpsett
Compositor: Kim Scott, Bumpy Design
Indexer: James Minkin
Front Cover Design: Ariel Costa
Cover Illustration: Ariel Costa
Back Cover Design: Laura Menza
Interior Design: Laura Menza

Notice of Rights

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For information on getting permission for reprints and excerpts, contact .

Notice of Liability

The information in this book is distributed on an As Is basis without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of the book, neither the author nor Peachpit shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book or by the computer software and hardware products described in it.

Trademarks

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and Peachpit was aware of a trademark claim, the designations appear as requested by the owner of the trademark. All other product names and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies with no intention of infringement of the trademark. No such use, or the use of any trade name, is intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book.

ISBN 13: 9780134133652
ISBN 10: 013413365X

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Printed and bound in the United States of America

This book is dedicated to:
Evan Story Oliver and Jeff Oliver

Arial Costa, for sharing his spirit, immense talent, and artistry. His illustrations on the cover and throughout this book are the work of a multitalented wizard.

Nikki McDonald, for supporting this book in every way. It has been an honor and privilege to work with you.

Jan Seymour, the editor every writer hopes forsupportive, sharp as a whip, and creative. Jan, you made the editing process free of stress and full of joy.

To the Peachpit crew, Tracey Croom, Mimi Heft, Kim Scott, and Kim Wimpsett, thank you for your care and professionalism in helping me complete this book.

I humbly thank and am deeply indebted to Robin Landa, Christine Panushka, Denise Anderson, Laura Menza, Marc Golden, Bill Moore, Brian Oakes, Brooke Keesling, Alan Robbins, Karin Fong, Kim Dulaney, Sterling Sheehy, Greg Araya, Colin Elliot, Erin Elliot, Mike Enright, Yoriko Murakami, USC School of Cinematic Arts, TED Active, TED-Ed, Stephanie Lo, Jeremiah Dickey, Sarah Shewey, Kelly Young Stoetzel, Elizabeth Daley, Kathy Smith, Sheila Sofian, Lisa Mann, Mar Elepano, John Andrews, Leah Shore, Elaine Montoya, Becky Padilla, Justin Cone, Carlos El Asmar, Ron Diamond, Bonita Blazer, Jon Blazer, and Sheldon Blazer.

This book could not have been written without the collaboration, editing, and love from my husband, Jeff Oliver.

Ariel Costa, Cody Walzel, Sirirat Yoom Thawilvejakul, Phil Borst, Jamie Caliri, Louis Morton, Michael Waldron, Richard Borge, Sterling Sheehy, Colin Elliot, Nathalie Rodriguez, Jiali Ma, Kim Dulaney, Passion Pictures, Psyop, The Mill, Von Glitschka, Ian Wright, Jordan Bruner, Maciek Janicki, Gregory Herman, Stefan Bucher, Hsinping Pan, James Lancett, Sean Weston, An Ngo, Richard E. Cytowic, TED-Ed, Alberto Scirocco, leftchannel, Karin Fong, Sony PlayStation, Imaginary Forces, Miguel Jiron, Marsha Kinder, Mark Jonathan Harris, Scott Mahoy, and Julia Pott

We live in a magical era for animated storytelling. Film festivals have sprung up worldwide to celebrate new animation, television and the web are packed with animated content for both kids and adults, and advertisers are hungrily seeking fresh talent to connect with audiences in a meaningful way. Skilled storytellers specializing in animation are in high demand, and the opportunities to thrive in the field are ever expanding. And yet (until now) it has been difficult to find a resource aimed at providing the skills necessary to become a successful animated storyteller.

This book is a step-by-step guide on how to make great stories for both animation and motion graphics. Its based on the idea that whether you are creating a character-based narrative or experimental film for festivals, an advertisement for television or the web, or a motion graphics title sequence, being intentional about storytelling is the key to success.

In ten simple steps beginning with pre-production and storyboarding through color and sound and finally to animation, this book will provide you with the tools you need to create an effective animated story. Youll find concise explanations, useful examples, and short assignments allowing you to set the theory youve learned into action. Youll also find hints on how to take full advantage of animations limitless potential.

Big consideration went into the idea of exploring animation alongside motion graphics in the same book. The two forms are often treated as if they come from different worlds. Certainly, they grew up in different neighborhoods. Animation (for the most part) has been lumped into the filmmaking discipline, with its commitment to experimental and character-driven stories destined for television, movie theaters, and video game consoles. The study of motion graphics, meanwhile, has been part of the graphic design discipline, where its focus on branding and content promotion has made it essential to advertisements, broadcast graphics, and film titles, to name a few. Animation and motion graphics have been kept apart, and yet these two forms have much in common and so very much to learn from one another. They are presented together in this book because they exist hand-in-hand and because their lessons are mutually beneficial.

For you animated filmmakers eager to get your experimental short into the Ottawa International Animation Festival, youll find plenty in this book that speaks directly to your goal, but I also urge you to be influenced by the commercial culture of motion graphics which stresses discipline and strict deadlines. It will help you get that short completed and mailed off to Canada in time. And for you motion graphics artists working on a new commercial spot, I address you directly and often, but pay close attention to the lessons of animations experimentalism and storytelling structures. Your motion work will thrive under its influence.

So flip a page and start the fun. Get ready to learn scores of practical skills, but know youre also headed on a personal journey. This is about you gaining the confidence to tell the stories youve always wanted to tell and becoming the storyteller you were always meant to be. Lets get to it... and may the animated storytelling begin!

The doorway to a well-planned animated piece