PUZZLE PIECES OF MOVEMENT: CONCEPT OF FRAMES IN ANIMATION

 

Did you know that in about 5 seconds of animation, you may possibly have about 60 - 120 drawings? Imagine, how many drawings your favourite episode of your animated series, has with a run time of 20 minutes.

Also, despite all the cool action sequences, slow motion scenes and all, that we heavily enjoy but also critique but have no idea how they were made might have lots to do with the language of animation?

Language, you may ask?

Yes, language. Stay with me.

At times, we have a favourite animated series that we can see being critiqued in an interview or show and sometimes don’t understand why. We may wish to give critique to the show and offer our feedback and may not have the words.

However, if you are lost like the coins that disappear in your couch, no need to worry.

Should you be an enthusiast who simply seeks to understand more about what you enjoy or you are an aspiring animator, we shall help you with being able to cover the concept of frames in animation.

 

Concept of frames in animation

As we have learnt, animation involves the use of drawings, pictures and images arranged in a series or sequence and moved in a specific manner to create the illusion of movement of an object or figure. Let us define them much closer.

 

 Frame: A frame refers to a singular space in which a drawing, picture or image is placed, among the many spaces to be filled by other drawings, pictures or images. Below is an example of how a single frame fits into a sequence of drawings to complete and animation, as well as what a frame looks like

Sequence containing many frames of animation

Image source: https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs5152/2025sp/labs/design1/

 

A single frame of animation

Image source: https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs5152/2025sp/labs/design1/

Frame rate: This refers to the speed at which frames move in order to create the illusion of movement. It is often taken as the number of frames that flip or play in a duration of a second, also known as frames per second (fps). Therefore, it could be as simple as 1 frame per second, meaning, one frame would be flipped or played within the duration of a second or it could as high as 60 frames per second, which is 60 frames flipped or played within a second.

The number of frames that are flipped or played per second, therefore, affect the quality in which the illusion of movement occurs. In some cases, the movements may be slower, while others may occur very fast.

The common frame rate for most animation videos is 24 frames per second.

Picture illustrating how frames move in the duration of a second. The space between each frame show how the interval between frames being flipped occurs within a second

Image source: https://animost.com/tutorials/how-many-frames-per-second-in-animation-and-other-medium/

Below are four videos, to show the difference in frame rate. Can you tell the difference?

Video one

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZH6he7EWDHU?si=SzwuShtx2k3BkXn2

Video two

https://youtube.com/shorts/upI_rRA_eXo?si=N8DIfTXtelbWmuvm

Video three

https://youtube.com/shorts/KFhfGUejv2o?si=DTFI8rua-4DPn3eQ

Video four

https://youtube.com/shorts/CN-o78KxJWk?si=T9RdCHCaihOew7V3

 

Extreme frames and key frames: As we know, in animation, we have a sequence of drawings, pictures or images of objects or figures that helps us create the illusion of movement, we wish to convey.

Imagine you have walked from your bed to your bedroom door and we wanted to animate it. We will take the position from the start of your journey and your end of your journey. As a fun exercise, you can draw these simple images as we carry along the article.

 

These serve as important part of a sequence of drawings, pictures or images, as they help establish the nature of an action and are known as extremes.

Other important, drawings are known as key frames, which help capture the critical points of an action. They are usually slot at specific places that ensure that they convey the story of the action. In your walk, these could be the moment the feet step on the ground and also get off the ground.

For example, in your walk, the extreme frames may include, the moment when you put our first foot in front, and when you put the other foot in front.

 A sequence of drawings for animation

Image source: https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs5152/2025sp/labs/design1/

 

First extreme frame

Image source: https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs5152/2025sp/labs/design1/

Second extreme frame

Image source: https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs5152/2025sp/labs/design1/

Key frames as mentioned, will be the important and critical part of the sequence of action

Sequence of drawings for an animation

Image source: https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs5152/2025sp/labs/design1/

Key frame A

 

Key frame B

 

Key frame drawings

Image source: https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs5152/2025sp/labs/design1/

Breakdowns: Breakdowns refer to the frames that are slotted between key frames, which assist in conveying the flow of an action much more accurately. This could be the movement of a hand or leg from one step to another as you walk. It could be fast, slow, hesitant etc, the breakdowns are added in adequate amounts to help achieve the proper flow.

Breakdown frame

Image source: https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs5152/2025sp/labs/design1/

In-between frames: In-between frames, refer to the any other additional drawings placed in the place between the extreme frames, key frames and breakdowns, which are able to add an additional flow to the action.

 

The combination of the extreme poses, key frames, breakdowns and in-betweens, all serve the purpose of being able to create a fluid and smooth animation. This ensures that actions, do not look robotic and therefore are more natural.

However, it is important to note that, the arrangement of extreme frames, key frames, breakdowns and in-betweens can look different for various activities and objects or figures. This is because, not every object or figure moves at the same speed or nature, for example, the movement of honey can look very different than the movement of water or the movement of a truck can be very different from the movement of a bicycle.

Due to this, the principle of timing and spacing is applied. The principle states that drawings that are closer together, show slower movement, while drawings that are further apart from each other move faster.

Below is a short video, showing the effect of timing and spacing.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Y869u8hjaDo?si=MGKkPehNSwkMNIPf

Conclusion

Frames in animation are the foundations of what movement you wish to create. Think of them like puzzle pieces that you have to fit into the cube and then you have a switch that helps those pieces play together.

With that regard, it is important to understand how to place them together and create the most fluid and smooth movement that is desired.

As a fun exercise, you can take the everyday activities you do, and turn them into a small sequence you would like to animate. For more fun, you could call in your friends as well. Enjoy!

 

References

 https://animost.com/tutorials/how-many-frames-per-second-in-animation-and-other-medium/

https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs5152/2025sp/labs/design1/