The Moving Image Workshop

If you need a fun, hands-on introduction to core animation techniques – then look no further! Heather Freeman guides you through a wide range of practical projects, helping you establish and build skills in narrative animation, motion graphics and visual effects.

Each chapter begins by summarizing historical and theoretical concerns and connecting them with current practice and applications – all beautifully illustrated with stills from classic commercial and independent films, as well as contemporary examples from student work. Having established this context, the remainder of the chapter focuses on walking readers through their own creative projects.

Topics covered include early animation technologies and techniques, scenes and staging, character animation, animated type, visual effects and motion graphics, pre- through post-production and experimental approaches to motion graphics.

Dozens of sample files are available online, for experimentation and to get readers started on each exercise. The companion website also includes example animations as well as links to recommended software tutorials, recommended artist websites, blogs and animation channels.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Underpinnings: The Principles Of Animation
Chapter 2 Brain Games: Preplanning And Preproduction
Chapter 3 A Thoughtful Space: Movement And Composition
Chapter 4 Synthetic Life: Character Design And Movement
Chapter 5 All Words Are Pegs To Hang Ideas On: Text Animation
Chapter 6 Lightning Bolts And Weathermen: Motion Gfx And Visual Fx
Chapter 7 Devious Things: Experiments In Movement
Chapter 8 Your Name In Lights: Venues For Animation