How does one begin a career in 2D animation? Anita Bell shows you how to use Cartoon Animator to visualise your concepts in two dimensions.
Who Is Anita Bell?
Award-winning author Anita Bell has a varied body of work that encompasses fantasy, science fiction, crime comedy, and children’s adventures. Three of the top 10 best-selling business books in Australia and New Zealand over the last ten years have been written by her thanks to her extraordinary talent in the business and investing sector.
Anita is currently using Cartoon Animator and iClone to help her pitch for funds. She adds a distinct viewpoint to the art of presenting by fusing impressive motion graphics and 3D/2D animations, creating a wow effect that enthrals audiences. Regarding visual storytelling and Reallusion products, she says the following:
“Initially, I intended to create visuals for some of my short stories, but after ten years of giving guest lectures at colleges, universities, and libraries—and after getting to know so many incredible, motivating people—I’m loving the newfound enthusiasm in encouraging others to tell their experiences as well.
Despite having no prior experience with film or animation, I was able to produce professional and effective results in 2D animation with the aid of Cartoon Animator and iClone. Using free resources and tutorials, I spent several months learning animation methods after injuring my hip in an accident involving a neighbor’s bull on our farm. I started my portfolio by providing one-minute talking cartoons to charities and local businesses, which got my sample reels for funding applications off to a great start. I’m thrilled to announce that I now have a full calendar of corporate and educational projects reserved for up to two years!”
Anita’s animated interview, which also includes her friend and 2D Community Mentor Garry Pye as a guest voice, offers a wealth of advice on finding funding for your own projects. The top 5 suggestions are as follows:
5 Crucial Tips for Beginners
#1 Use KISS principle (Keep it Short and Simple)
Remember that funders are frequently extremely busy while sending in your textual support docs and 2D animation pitches. Don’t waste their time or even disrespect their intelligence by repeating things too often.
#2 Have Impression Points
Make sure your pitch is succinct, interesting, and exciting, and that you have a clear idea of how much money you need. Use language strategically to engage and compel your audience to support your goal.
#3 Set Up Your Keywords
Anita comments, “You know why.” on this tip. Thus, carry it out. Additionally, don’t cut corners. Following the viewing of the video, the interviewer asked her to list three to five keywords that readers might use to find her post. Examples of such terms are “vector animation,” “secondary animation,” “lip sync animation,” and “face animation.” Anita chuckled and answered straight away:
“Oh no, I think I should politely withdraw from using keywords like “vector animation,” “secondary animation,” “lip sync animation,” or “face animation” in any of my responses here. The video’s dirty little sub-title character indicates that I’m still having a horrible hair day.
b) Within the video, I have already SHOWN all that I needed to say concerning those terms. Additionally, “Show, don’t tell” is one of the Top Rules for Writers. Thus, you won’t hear me use terminology like face animation, lip sync animation, vector animation, or secondary animation. ANYWHERE in my responses to your inquiries regarding this piece. Just make your readers watch the damn video while strapping them to a chair.”
The interviewer was laughing and had no clever retort.
#4 Brainstorm Your Ideas
“Most people make the big mistake of thinking about why THEY want grant funding for their 2D animations,” according to Anita. Warning: they are incorrect by only one small—or large—detail!
Rather, she advises looking into the reasons behind the grant donors’ large funding commitments and speculating about what kinds of initiatives they might be interested in seeing based on the “intellectual flavours” and topics of projects they have already funded. In other words, she prioritises the needs of the grant providers over those of the award seekers.
“Refocus your attention on coming up with creative ways to use your abilities and networking contacts to support THEM in reaching THEIR objectives for THEIR budget while also benefiting the greatest number of THEIR target viewers and communities.”
#5 Enhance With 3 Key Features
Anita suggests employing understated expert touches like spring dynamics, free-form deformations, and scalable vector graphics to give your pitches more “punch” and “WOW factor.” “Oh, and maybe also some healthy helpings of vector animation, secondary action animation, lip sync animation, and face animation, if that wasn’t already obvious,” she concludes, maintaining the cheerful tone of her deposition. LOL.
Conclusion
In conclusion, embarking on the journey of transforming your ideas into captivating 2D animations requires a combination of creativity, dedication, and practical know-how. By adhering to the five beginner tips outlined above, you can set a solid foundation for your animation endeavors. Remember the significance of storyboarding, mastering key animation principles, and exploring suitable software tools to bring your visions to life. As you progress, consider seeking professional assistance from reputable 2D 3D animation services or collaborating with a trusted 3D Animation Company or 3D Animation Agency like Dezpad. Our expertise can elevate the quality of your projects and provide valuable insights to enhance your animation skills. With dedication and continuous learning, you can navigate the dynamic world of animation and potentially establish yourself as a noteworthy presence in the realm of a 3D Animation Video Company.
Contact us today to discuss your 2D & 3D animation project and explore the possibilities of visually stunning animations tailored to your unique needs.