"Ursula" Thumbnail Sketches by Ruben Aquino

With animation, you get nothing for free.  Animators have to fill this blank space with creative, entertaining animation.  

The secret of success is to plan your animation - start with sketches and scribbles ("thumbnail sketches") which create a road map of where you want to go. 

The video below shows how the master Disney animator Ruben Aquino planned out a dialogue shot with Ursula the Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid.  

"And now look at me...Wasted away to practically nothing!"

Planning Animation

Look closely at Ruben Aquino's thumbnail sketches on the right, check out the final shot (below), and you will see how closely Ruben's planning matches his final animation result.

"And now look at me! Wasted away to practically nothing! Banished and exiled and practically starving! While he, and his..."

Ruben breaks down the line of dialogue into sections, or phrases, with a thumbnail drawing for each phrase.

Resources on Planning Animation

For more resources on how to plan animation (including how to use thumbnail sketches and live action), follow the links below:

• Planning Animation with "Thumbnail" Sketches
• Nine Ways to Create a Great Pose
• How to Block Out a Dialogue Shot
• How to Plan Animal & Creature Animation
• How to Enter the 11 Second Club
• Planning Animation on Stepped Curves
• How to Block Out Pantomime Animation
• Using Live Action to Create Great Animation

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects.  

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