SKILL.md
Nuanced Application of Animation Principles
You've internalized the fundamentals. Now explore the subtleties that separate competent from exceptional animation.
Beyond the Basics
Squash and Stretch: The Invisible Application
Facial animation relies on subtle squash/stretch most viewers never consciously see. Brows compress, cheeks stretch, jaw volumes shift. The principle applies to rigid objects too - camera shake and motion blur are perceptual squash/stretch.
Anticipation: When to Subvert It
Lack of anticipation creates surprise, shock, comedy. A punch without wind-up reads as unexpected. Master animators use anticipation's absence as deliberately as its presence.
Staging: Negative Space as Tool
What you don't show matters. Empty frame space creates tension. Cramped staging creates claustrophobia. Staging includes compositional psychology, not just visibility.
Method Selection: Scene-Dependent Choices
Straight ahead for emotional spontaneity in performance. Pose-to-pose for precision timing in action. The choice shapes the final energy. Some scenes demand switching methods mid-shot.