Just how hard is animation?

[BronyBradyBuddyKiller]

I want to learn how to do animation; self teach if I have to. Only to make videos that are up to 5 minutes long since I've always been interested in doing it. Just exactly how hard is it making an animation?
Does it require extreme artistic talent, because I would be more of the actual animator & editor.
Ty in advance :3

[ZombieWolf2508]

I would assume it would depend on the method. For example, traditional animation would take ages as every frame would be hand draw, and I would think digital would be a lot faster and easier. I have a couple of friends who have been through school for animation, and from what I've heard, it's fairly hard to get the techniques and whatnot down, but it's fun.


Here's an article you may find interesting: http://www.bloopanimation.com/animation-for-beginners/

[BronyBradyBuddyKiller]

I would assume it would depend on the method. For example, traditional animation would take ages as every frame would be hand draw, and I would think digital would be a lot faster and easier. I have a couple of friends who have been through school for animation, and from what I've heard, it's fairly hard to get the techniques and whatnot down, but it's fun.


Here's an article you may find interesting: http://www.bloopanimation.com/animation-for-beginners/

Ty! I'm more interested in doing it digitally using things like Flash and SFM and have heard that there's a club/class I can go at to learn some stuff. I'm going to be doing it on a Mac since I'm not interested in games and such anymore. Macs are made for stuff like animation and such, right?

[Kumagawa]

Its not exactly difficult as much as it is repetitive and soul crushing work. And it hardly pays too. The average japanese animator only makes $11000 a year.

[Clayton_n]

Lauren Faust made the first season of MLP on her computer at home.

Some people do really good work on Youtube

[DeathBlade/13.666]

Putting in General Art.

[BronyBradyBuddyKiller]

Putting in General Art.

Sorry, didn't really know where to put it.

[DeathBlade/13.666]

Sorry, didn't really know where to put it.

It's cool, brah. Misc wasn't a bad place for it, I just felt it'd fit better here. ^.^

[chiichanny]

this took me a few hours to animate, i do animation for myself once in a while and i can say its hard and long, but if you like it and you enjoy it, its not so bad, i LOVE the end result, so in the end its worth it, but you need to ask youself and just practice in your own time, see if you really like it or not ^^

[npcomplete]

Its not exactly difficult as much as it is repetitive and soul crushing work. And it hardly pays too. The average japanese animator only makes $11000 a year.

I' used to think so, until I found out more details. It's true that you usually start off piss poor but you can make decent, livable money. You just have to be very efficient and take on multiple jobs. The issue is that there are two ways for non-permanent/temp animator (most are freelancers) to work: contract or per shot.

Doing per shot pays little per shot, so you need to complete a lot. However, you can a mix of shots, some very quick, some taking a very long time to animate. The advantage of this approach is that you have much more flexibility in terms of time, though there is still a max delivery date. Most of the really poor who stay can't-pay-rent poor are in this category with bad efficiency and time management skills. If you take 1 month for a shot, well, that's all you'll get for that month. If you split hard shots with easy shots each month, you'll earn more.

The other way for animators that are not salaried or part of a studio is with contracts. This basically pays per job or per duty for a particular show. It's a guaranteed pay so long as you can meet deadlines. And most animators take on a couple at once.

this took me a few hours to animate, i do animation for myself once in a while and i can say its hard and long, but if you like it and you enjoy it, its not so bad, i LOVE the end result, so in the end its worth it, but you need to ask youself and just practice in your own time, see if you really like it or not ^^

Wow, that's just great. Never thought I'd say that about rainbow farts though!