You've got it - adding a few more frames would smooth out the movement. Anticipation is used before an action is taken, and it is the opposite of whatever movement is about to be made: a character will lean back for a few frames before moving forwards for instance. Anticipation can be subtle or extreme, and it is not a natural inclination for general movement, but it is part of what makes animation work. Overlap is when the actions don't all land on the same key - for instance, if a character is pointing at something, the arm will lead, followed by the hand, followed by the fingers. Like the opposite of anticipation, ending movements should have some overshoot before settling into a pose. Snappy animation has all of these qualities in a condensed amount of frames, and is my favourite of all animation styles. Poppy animation is snappy animation without the bells and whistles of anticipation and overlap. Floaty/natural animation uses moving holds, and can been seen in the classic Disney films.
MLP definitely uses computer animation - most likely it's done on Harmony, which is the main software used for 2D projects. The characters and props are drawings, but the animation is done by posing the rigged models, so once they are drawn and rigged-up, no new drawings are needed. Stuff like walks, runs, flight, etc... are done with cycles, you build the cycle and then can just plug it in where it's needed. You are bang-on regarding Spike's animation, he looks VERY computer generated. I'm not sure why it stands out more on him than on the ponies, mind.
I think it'd be super-fun to work on this show! Most series in North America are completed anywhere between 8 - 3 weeks for a 22 minute episode, and I have no idea where this one falls, but with the economized animation (not a bad thing, I actually applaud that decision being made so people don't have to work around the clock to meet their deadlines) I imagine they are cranking it out faster than the 8 week schedule.
Anyhow, it's cute, and the design is clever, and I agree that is is MUCH improved over the old MLP that I used to watch as a kid (I still have my old-skool ponies from the 80's - Peachy and Moondancer!)... The design is my main reason for watching the show, the aesthetics are very appealing, and have certainly hooked my attention enough to bring me back to watching it even tho I'm not the biggest fan of the writing.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2013-07-10 03:55 pm (UTC)MLP definitely uses computer animation - most likely it's done on Harmony, which is the main software used for 2D projects. The characters and props are drawings, but the animation is done by posing the rigged models, so once they are drawn and rigged-up, no new drawings are needed. Stuff like walks, runs, flight, etc... are done with cycles, you build the cycle and then can just plug it in where it's needed. You are bang-on regarding Spike's animation, he looks VERY computer generated. I'm not sure why it stands out more on him than on the ponies, mind.
I think it'd be super-fun to work on this show! Most series in North America are completed anywhere between 8 - 3 weeks for a 22 minute episode, and I have no idea where this one falls, but with the economized animation (not a bad thing, I actually applaud that decision being made so people don't have to work around the clock to meet their deadlines) I imagine they are cranking it out faster than the 8 week schedule.
Anyhow, it's cute, and the design is clever, and I agree that is is MUCH improved over the old MLP that I used to watch as a kid (I still have my old-skool ponies from the 80's - Peachy and Moondancer!)... The design is my main reason for watching the show, the aesthetics are very appealing, and have certainly hooked my attention enough to bring me back to watching it even tho I'm not the biggest fan of the writing.