2. Anticipation - 12 Principles of Animation

This is my video series highlighting each of the 12 Principles of Animation as described by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston in their book "The Illusion of Life".

[El_Andru]

I love how you always give also the "How to NOT" of the situation and because, it adds SO much to the learning process cause it warns you for the future to not screw up in your personal project. GENIUS!

[TheBlacklineMaster]

Hey Alan! I just wanted to say that this whole series is great! I'm using them with my middle school students (in Mozambique!), and it is really helping them produce more professional results with their work. Super clear and easy to understand. Many thanks!

[voidninja]

LOL the part where the figure gets punch and spins away xD I just can't xD

[D_Jive]

is it alright that i think the non-anticipation punch is funnier? (this does not mean better for every situation, but for some).
i think the concept is that it is surprising, like when the hulk punches thor. no build up, then bam!
for action as opposed to humor, i think conan (80s) building momentum before a lavish swing of his sword is good for anticipation, and i think anticipation works better for that kind of situation.
a lack of anticipation i think would be better for things like ren and stimpy. there is a ton of anticipation throughout most of the scene, making it visually appealing and fluid, but every now and then there is a complete cut from stillness into confetti spreading madness, and i think this is funnier than the surrounding clips of anticipation, though i think the context of the anticipation helps support the non-anticipation surprise, similar to how negative space helps promote positive space in a drawing.
is this novice naivety?

[tobyisawesome]

1:13 this happens in like so many cartoons, it looks like it's being pulled out of their butt.

[AnthanKrufix]

Note that this video is based on a few older principles designed for old-age cartoons which have since been -disproved- expanded upon. A lot of times it's better to not include anticipation into the animation itself.
For example: If a character has just told another a really bad pun, a punch to the face with no windup is far more effective than one with a large drawback. In such cases the narrative and situation creates the anticipation. *Pun... 'beat skip' .... POW!*
Another occasion is where the action is supposed to be thought about afterwards rather than before. A punch with no windup AND no (immediately apparent) narrative reason can leave the audience wondering "Wow, what the hell? He just punched him!"
And other than that the lack of windup when animating for a player controlled character in a video game is often times necessary. Having too much windup for (non-special) attacks makes the controls feel laggy and slow to use. (Super attacks often times do have a lot of windup, but the entire rest of the game pauses during the windup so they benefit from the best of both, the move itself is almost instant to hit the opponent, but it still has a windup to sell the power of the hit).

In any case, this is definitely the rule which has the most flexibility and reasons for breaking it. Even to the point where you might need more reasons to justify using it than not to make it useful. It's still important to keep in mind at all times to know when it's good, but also when it'd be better left out.

[crlyfryz]

*2:19* Nevermind the happy and peaceful music, over the point where the stick figures get deleted

[keaganhartley]

10 years after you drop and you helping with my major. thank you man

[TheMarivasc]

Gosh! I just literally started playing with flash on my own and i came across you tutorials. I am so glad I did. they are really really good!

[andreafishman]

ALAN I USED TO SUCK AT ANIMATION THEN I WATCHED THE ENTIRE VIDEO SERIES AND NOW IM AWESOME!

[Imjustme]

I love how short and sweet you make each video for the principles

[okbuddy]

step 1 breathe, count to ten
step 2 Throw a punch at 8, nobody is expecting that

[LucaHulot]

i wonder why people dislike this...
why ?

[spiralpocus]

This series of animation principles is awesome.  I am showing them to my class and you explain it much better than I.  Looking forward to the rest!

[ChaosRayZero]

I'm sorry, but that weak punch at 0:42 is _just hilarious!_ X^D

[chaelisa]

Hey Alan. I really appreciate your work. I loved your animations since i was little. I hope you earn enough money to make even more animations :)

[Monitor-tg]

Incorporating this and making a character grab something when the viewer isn't looking could be fun

[eriknastesjo]

This video deserves more views and likes!

[hashmatyasiri]

My friend, This playlist is very helpful than school.
Thank you so much!

[_Bees]

What about the one inch punch? That really has no anticipation, but is said to be a really deadly punch.