Other Syncing Methods

Adam Sale

Compilation Paper

A character does not have to be facing the camera for it to sync up with the dialogue he or she speaks. Again variety is the key word here. Mix it up a little bit to keep your audience interested.

1) You can rely on a characters head moves to sync with dialogue

2) You can portray a character from the rear or in an over the shoulder shot. Shadow and silhouette are another great cheat to achieve sync

3) Offstage dialogue

4) You can also train the camera on another character and show the reaction to the off screen characters words.

A sequence overloaded with dialogue can become very disturbing to a viewer. Try and run your sequences without the dialogue track. Many times you will find that it plays well to the pantomime and the music alone. A key line may be needed for explaining the scene, but you will find that a lot of the dialogue can be expunged. See the section on dialogue for more information. Most of the time, however, cartoons communicate much better through expressions than through words.

If the dialogue doesn't require a definite physical expression, it may be a warning that you need to handle the scene differently.

Again, the Disney Animators followed a set of guidelines when it came to staging dialogue. They are outlined below.

1) Show the expressions change. Avoid a fast move while changing expressions. You should change the expression before the move, and at the end of the move, when the character is moving slowly enough for the expression to be seen. Don't lose the expression change in an active secondary, such as a wave or follow through on clothing.

2) Do not look up for a frown unless it is sinister or domineering

3) Don't hide a smile with a head tilted down, or behind a big nose or moustache

4) Thumbnail, thumbnail, thumbnail to achieve correct staging which will show the characters expression to its best advantage.

5) Is the expression you are using, the right one for what your character is thinking? Are all of the parts related to one another? Don't change the shape too much all over the face, and at times hold down the facial activity so that just the mouth is moving.

6) The change of shape shows that the character is thinking. It is the thinking that gives the illusion of life. It is the life that gives meaning to the expression. As Saint Exipery said "It is not the eyes but the glance, not the lips, but the smile."