How To Edit An Animated Film

Editing is one of the most important parts of making any kind of movie, be it a documentary, feature film, or even an animated movie. It is crucial for every filmmaker!

Editing not only includes changing things like voice-overs, adding new scenes, and taking out ones that are already there; it also means altering shots and pieces of the movie to make them fit together better.

This article will go over some basics of editing for animators.

Pay attention to the editing

A lot of people assume that animators do not edit their films, but this is very wrong! Animator editors are just as important in shaping the film as the directors and writers.

Filmmaking is mostly made up of shots- there are a few key scenes in almost every movie. Most of these scenes are either set pieces or ones where something dramatic happens (like someone gets hit with a car).

These major shot types usually contain several sub-shots. These are individual frames that make up the bigger picture - for example, the establishing shot of a house before the camera moves in for a closer look.

The way those individual shots fit together makes a difference in the narrative of the scene they’re part of. For instance, if a person runs across a street then it means one thing, but if she walks slowly across the road then it implies something different.

Find the good edits and the bad edits

There are two main types of editing in film: what we call “visual” or “look-based” editing, and "content" editing. Visual editing is making changes to the way something looks - for example, changing the color of a car or cutting away from someone so that their face is not seen.

Content editing comes down to taking out, adding, reordering, or altering pieces of the movie to make it work better as a whole. This could be removing a scene that doesn't fit into the plot, adding new scenes to help develop characters, or switching up the order of events to tell a stronger story.

Good content editors will use these tricks throughout the entire length of the project, but especially during production where they can really pay off.

Learn to identify when an edit is effective and when it is not

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Learn to use the best shots in the movie

In editing any film, there are two main things you must know how to do! The first is using the right shots and the second is finding new ways to edit them.

The term shot comes from filmmaking where they would take a moment to rest before moving onto another part of the scene or changing the setting. A good cut frame is when everything is lined up perfectly and nothing is out of place. A great way to learn this is by watching films and noting which ones have beautiful cuts.

A cut frame is when the camera is completely still for a few seconds while the actor(s) prepare or say something important. Some actors like a short break after saying a line so that they can gather themselves before responding to what was said earlier. This gives us a better sense of their character because we see them process what has happened already.

There are many different types of cuts used in cinema but none compare to the one-shot pull back. An example of this is when a person runs towards something or away from it. This creates anticipation as people watch them run and hang on every detail of the set-up and drop.

Try to identify the director and the cast

As mentioned before, directors of animated features are not usually known unless you have seen their previous work or they have spoken about it.

However, the main writers for the film will be credited in most cases (unless there is only one writer). The screenwriters typically receive credit for creating the script first, then the story and dialogue are reworked by the producer and/or directer.

The director will also make additional contributions to the movie such as setting up scenes, filming styles, and overall moods. These additions can include things like choosing which songs to use, picking where to take breaks, and deciding whether or not to add slow pans or cuts away from action.

General tips- try to avoid looking at your phone during the movie! This includes putting it down or completely ignoring it until after the screening.

Avoid talking while watching the movie so that you do not influence the storyline or tone. If necessary, use headphones to listen to music or chat quietly with someone outside of the theater.

Look at the cinematography

Another way to edit an animated movie is by looking at the overall look of the film. What style the filmmakers use for setting, costumes, characters, and environments all contribute to how the viewer feels about the movie.

If you watch animated movies with lots of bright colors and flashy effects, it can make you feel happy and playful. If the settings are very dark and shadowy, it can make you feel scared or even depressed.

The styles used in different parts of an animation determine how emotional the scenes will be. For example, if the scene is set in a lush jungle, then it may want to emphasize nature over human activity. Or if the scene takes place in a desert, then it might focus more on the emptiness that people feel when there’s not anyone around them.

General editing tips aside, studying the design and storytelling techniques of popular animated films is another way to learn some key filmmaking concepts.

Observe the design of the set

The next thing to do is assess the level of polish that has gone into creating this story. This includes how well they captured the look and feel of a given period, as well as their use of style and theme.

There are many ways to edit an animated film, but one of the most important is observing the design of the set. A lot of films will include some sort of studio or house setting which gives us a good idea of what era the movie takes place in and also how professional production values have paid off.

These qualities can be seen through the use of textures, colors, and themes throughout the whole film. For example, if there’s a scene set in the 1920s, then you would see lots of florals, bright colors, and classic looking furniture. If it was set in the 1980s, then we might see sleek, futuristic designs and technology.

And of course, if it’s set at a later time like now, then we would probably see natural landscapes and minimalist styles. All of these give us ideas for contemporary settings so that filmmakers could add those to their own movies.

But beyond just giving us insights into the eras in which the movie is set, it also helps tell our audience more about who these characters are and what makes them tick. These traits come from outside sources such as personal experiences, upbringing, and life lessons learned.

Look at the costumes

One of the first things you will need to do is look at the costumes. If the costumer did not take enough time to design their own clothes, then they have left the editing process up to you!

Usually, animators are given a basic outfit and asked to make modifications to it or add new pieces. Sometimes, however, directors ask for something totally new that was not available when the film was in production.

You may be asked to cut out some parts of an already designed garment (this can be done with any fabric like leather, wool, etc.), add another element such as a strap or pattern, or completely redesign the item.

The easiest way to start this is by looking through your costume box at the studio. There you can find old clothing that has been saved away or new items that were put away because they were still being built.

Take these new outfits seriously and go into them with care. Make sure they fit properly and dress like a professional! Also, search online for similar items so you know what looks good and what does not.