Before computers existed, animating two-dimensional cartoons was an extremely labor-intensive task that required entire teams and studios. Currently, applications and programs for creating animations allow people to create their own content in a much faster way. Although a little patience is still required, creating your own cartoon has never been easier!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Create a Script and Script to Animate
Step 1. Write a treatment
Create a story and write a general summary of it without worrying about how you will execute it. Includes characters, settings, and action.
- Create a short story. Animation takes a long time. So if you are a beginner, aim to make a video of two minutes or less.
- Keep it simple. If you have an epic space battle in mind, save it for when you have more experience. It begins with a simple exchange between two characters within a single setting.
- Watch short animation segments, like HISHE’s Super Cafe, for a great example of a short and simple cartoon.
Step 2. Write a script
Take the basics of the treatment and specify exactly what you would like to see on screen. Includes dialogue, sound effects, establishment jacks, fade-in, fade-out, and more.
Specify the elements that are essential to the story, especially if you are working as a team. Clarify the details for everyone to understand. For example, if at the end of the cartoon a character smashes an empty soda can on his forehead, specify from the beginning that he will drink from a soda can, and do not simply write "he will drink a soda."
Step 3. Storyboard the script
Plan the story visually by drawing panels for each shot, as if it were a comic strip. Do it in a simple way for time reasons. Draw the characters as stick figures and draw simple geometric shapes to represent the objects.
Step 4. Evaluate the storyboard
Decide which elements will be placed in the background, in the background, and in the foreground, respectively. It also determines which elements will remain static and which will move throughout a shot.
Think in terms of effort. The more moving elements there are, the more time you will need to animate them. Reduce the amount of work you will do arranging shots to minimize the amount of movement within each shot. For example, if two characters engage in a fist fight while the others watch, focus the shot on the viewers' reactions and use sound effects to signal the fight off-camera
Step 5. Sketch the designs
Draw each item that appears on the storyboard until you are satisfied with its appearance. Once the design is to your liking, practice drawing it a few more times until you can reproduce it perfectly.
- Draw each element that is moved from panel to panel from whatever angle it is visible at. For example, draw each character facing the “camera,” then with their back to the camera, and again in profile. If any aspect of her appearance is asymmetrical (like the side of her hair), draw the profile on each side.
- Make simple designs. Again, think in terms of effort. Avoid drawing too many details that you have to reproduce multiple times.
- See "The Simpsons" for an example of simple, easy-to-reproduce designs.
Step 6. Record the dialogue
Record each line separately, on a computer or tablet, and save it to its own audio file. Another alternative is to record the entire conversation and divide each line into its own audio file.
Method 2 of 4: Animate a Cartoon with Acetate Sheets
Step 1. Install an inexpensive application to create animations
The computer programs most used by professionals, such as Adobe Flash, Photoshop, and Toon Boom Studios, cost thousands of dollars. For now, save money and start with simple apps, like Animation Creator HD or Animation Desk Cloud, which are easy to use and only cost a few dollars. Familiarize yourself with its functions and features. Then learn how to double frames and manipulate the amount that will appear on the screen each second.
Step 2. Time the actions
Decide how many frames will be visible per second. Then, perform each action that the characters are going to act out and take time with a stopwatch to determine how many seconds each of them will require. For each action performed, multiply the number of seconds it takes to complete by the number of visible frames per second. That way, you can determine how many frames you will need to draw each action.
It also determines how many frames it will take to animate each line of recorded dialogue. If the dialogue is spoken at normal speed from beginning to end, simply check the timeline of each line. However, one or more words are lengthened, check how long each syllable is prolonged. For example, imagine an announcer yelling "Gool!" at a soccer game. In that case, the way the speaker will open his mouth will form the vowel sound for a longer time than in the case of consonants
Step 3. Draw the backgrounds
Use ordinary drawing paper to outline and color the background of each scene.
Step 4. Draw each element
For each element that appears in the second or foreground of the first frame, spread a sheet of acetate over the original design and trace the outline. Divide it into moving and static parts. Then trace each of them separately on its own acetate sheet. For example, draw the base of a fan (static) on one sheet and the fan rotors (moving) on another. Then flip the sheet over and color the outline on the back of it.
Step 5. Photograph the frame
Secure the bottom to a backing with some adhesive putty. Lay the acetate sheets in order over the background, from the second to the foreground. Then, place a digital camera directly over them, pointing downward, and photograph them.
- Take a test shot or two to make sure the camera is located far enough away to capture the entire image.
- Choose a clean environment with controlled lighting to shoot. Avoid natural light because its quality can change. Also, avoid dust or dirty environments, as particles can get trapped between the acetate sheets and the camera may record them.
Step 6. Create the next frame
Reuse acetate sheets whose elements are not altered. Create new films for elements that move from frame to frame. Layer the sheets in order on the background and photograph them. Repeat this step until the end of the shot.
Keep a checklist of items for each frame. Make sure they are all present before shooting
Step 7. Upload the photos
Once the shot is complete, transfer the photos from the camera to your device. Create a new folder for each shot in the Photo Library and label each image numerically, in sequence, for easy finding. For example, you can write "scene 1: frame 1"; "Scene 1: frame 2", etc.
Step 8. Animate the shot
For every shot you take, open a new file in the app to create animations. Imports the first image from the photo library in the first frame. Then add the second frame, import the second image, and repeat the procedure. Once you're done, export the file to the video library.
Step 9. Finish the cartoon
Create a new movie with a video editing program, such as iMovie. Import each of the shots and arrange them in sequence. Import audio files for dialogue, music, or sound effects, and sync each one with the video.
Method 3 of 4: Animate a Cartoon on a Device
Step 1. Install an inexpensive animation maker app
The computer programs most used by professionals, such as Adobe Flash, Photoshop, and Toon Boom Studios, cost thousands of dollars. For now, save money and start with simple apps, like Animation Creator HD or Animation Desk Cloud, which are easy to use and only cost a few dollars.
Use a tablet. Artists generally prefer to draw directly on the screen
Step 2. Test the operation of the application
Familiarize yourself with the functions and features of the program. Try the different types of brushes that they offer. Also, learn how to duplicate frames, add more layers per frame, and change the ratio of visible frames per second.
- Practice animating a stick figure that runs in the same place. In the first frame, draw the entire body in a single layer. Then add a second frame. In the case of most applications, a new blank frame will look like a transparent "onion peel", so you can trace the previous frame below it. Trace the head and upper torso of the stick figure on the second frame. Then, draw the arms so that one of them rises slightly forward, while the other falls behind. Do the same with the legs. Add a third blank frame. Trace the head and upper body as you did before, and again alter the position of each arm and leg. Continue the process until you've created enough frames for the stick figure to run a few steps, and then play the video again.
- Then practice drawing in layers. Animate another stick figure running in the same place. However, this time draw her head and upper torso in a single layer. Then add a second layer to the first frame to draw the arms. Then add a third layer and draw the legs. Next, duplicate the first frame so that you get two identical frames. In the second frame, erase the arms on the second layer and draw them in new positions. Do the same with the legs in the third layer. Duplicate the second frame and repeat the process, without drawing the head or upper torso more than once, until the stick figure runs a few steps.
Step 3. Open a new file in the application to create animations
Choose the screen format you prefer for the initial shot. In the first frame, create layers for the foreground, background, and background, respectively.
Depending on the application you use, you can probably create even more layers. For example, the Animation Creator HD program offers four layers per frame. Feel free to create multiple background shots
Step 4. Re-evaluate the storyboard
Think in terms of layers and determine which elements will occupy the foreground, background, and background, respectively. Identify which elements will occupy more than one.
Imagine a person sitting with their elbows on the table, facing the camera and holding a soda can in their hand. To animate the character by lifting the can to his lips to take a sip, think of the arm and the soda as the foreground; the table and the rest of the character's body as the background; and the area behind them as the background
Step 5. Fill each layer
Use an electronic pen to draw each element in the foreground, one or more second shots, and the background, respectively.
Think ahead. Be aware of which elements will move from frame to frame, possibly revealing details whose visibility is blocked in the first frame. For example, when a character raises his drink, the raised arm could reveal more of his body
Step 6. Duplicate the frame
On the new frame, alter the elements on each layer as directed by the storyboard.
Step 7. Check your progress as you go
Play the animation again as you add and alter more frames. To slow down the animation, duplicate each frame without disturbing anything, or reduce the number of visible frames per second. To speed up the speed, add the number of visible frames per second.
Step 8. Export the file
Once you've finished each shot, export it to the video library. Open a video editing application (like iMovie) and create a new "movie" to edit. Then import the first animated shot from the video library.
Step 9. Repeat this process for each individual shot
Import each shot into the editing application. Then add them in sequence to the video.
Step 10. Import audio files
Synchronize any dialogue, music or sound effects with the video.
Method 4 of 4: Animate a Cartoon with Cutouts
Step 1. Install an inexpensive application to create animations
The computer programs most used by professionals, such as Adobe Flash, Photoshop, and Toon Boom Studios, cost thousands of dollars. For now, save money and start with simple apps like Animation Creator HD or Animation Desk Cloud, which are easy to use and only cost a few dollars. Familiarize yourself with its functions and features. Learn how to double frames and manipulate the number of visible frames per second.
Step 2. Time the actions
Decide how many frames will be visible per second. Then, do each action that the characters are going to act out and take time with a stopwatch to determine how many seconds each action will take. For each action performed, multiply the number of seconds it takes to complete by the number of visible frames per second. That way, you can determine how many frames you will need to draw each action.
It also determines how many frames it will take to animate each line of recorded dialogue. If the dialogue is spoken at normal speed from beginning to end, simply check the timeline of each line. However, if one or more words are lengthened, check how long each syllable is prolonged. For example, imagine an announcer yelling "Gool!" at a soccer game. In that case, the way the speaker will open his mouth will form the vowel sound for a longer time than in the case of consonants
Step 3. Create the funds
Use a rigid material to prepare the background, such as cardboard, wood, or preferably a note board. No matter what you wear, make sure it fits the camera mount. Make cutouts for each element in the background. Glue on the background the elements that will remain static during the shot. Use caulk to fix anything that moves, like clouds.
For items with moving parts, create individual cutouts for the moving parts. For example, in the case of a flagpole, the pole will remain static as long as the flag flies, is raised or lowered. Glue the flagpole cutout to the background and use adhesive caulk to fix the flag
Step 4. Create the characters
Determine how movable the characters will be. Decide how many joints each limb will have. For example, determine whether the arm will be attached to the shoulder and elbow, or just to the shoulder. Make individual cutouts for each movable part, leaving a small tab at the end of each end to secure to the main body with adhesive caulk or butterfly clips.
Step 5. Take the first frame
Position the characters in the background, along with any additional cutouts you made for the foreground. Use adhesive caulk to secure each cutout to the bottom. Place a digital camera on the stand directly over the scene and photograph it.
Take a test shot or two to make sure the camera is far enough away to capture the entire image
Step 6. Take the next frame
Rearrange each item that moves from the first frame to the next. Then, photograph the frame and repeat this step until you have finished your shot.
For each new frame, prepare a checklist of all the items you need to organize so you don't miss any
Step 7. Upload the photos
Once the shot is complete, transfer the photos from the camera to your device. Create a new folder for each shot in the photo library and label each image numerically, in sequence, for easy finding. For example: "scene 1: frame 1", "scene 1: frame 2", and so on.
Step 8. Animate the shot
For each shot, open a new file in the app to create animations. Imports the first image from the photo library in the first frame. Then add a second frame, import the second image, and repeat the procedure. Once you're done, export the file to the video library.
Step 9. Finish the cartoon
Create a new movie with a video editing program, such as iMovie. Then import each of the shots and arrange them in sequence. Import audio files for dialogue, music or sound effects and synchronize each of them with the video.
Advice
- In all methods, save each animated shot to the video library, even if the editing application allows you to import the files directly from the application to create animations. Producing every second of off-camera animation requires several minutes or hours of work. Therefore, make a backup copy of the finished project and save it in various programs in case the computer crashes. Also, save it to a disk or USB stick.
- For method 3, install a drawing application, such as Procreate or Brushes. Drawing apps tend to offer more options for creating and manipulating images than apps for creating animations, as they have more brushes, more layers, more ways to move and manipulate each layer within a single image, and so on. Use the drawing app to create more detailed backgrounds. Then import the saved image into the app to create animations and use it as the back layer of the frame.
- In all methods, animate the dialogue using a phoneme vocalization box to draw the different shapes the mouth takes when a character speaks. Another alternative is to articulate the words while looking at yourself in the mirror.
- Watch cartoons. Pay attention to style, movement, and mistakes.
- In all the methods, look for video editing applications to create the sound effects. Some applications, like iMovie, offer a library of sound effects. If they don't offer what you need, YouTube is another good source. When using someone else's sound effects, be sure to mention the source.
- For methods 2 and 4, keep your materials organized. Label and use folders to store acetate sheets or clippings in case the shots need to be re-taken. For example, in method 1, keep all the acetate sheets that animate a single element throughout a shot (such as a character's arm or leg) within a single file.
- Make the animation before recording the dialogue.
Warnings
- Set aside enough time to complete the project. Making a two-minute video doesn't seem like an ambitious task until you try.
- When using other people's work (music, sound effects, etc.), first familiarize yourself with intellectual property rights and fair use laws for protected products. Avoid violating other people's rights.