You want to make your own short cartoon, but don't know how to start? Why not try making your own animated film by following the process that many professional animation studios follow: planning the film through a storyboard, and building the film with the help of a computer animation program or by performing stop motion animation.
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Method 1 of 3: Creating a Storyboard for a Movie
Step 1. Write a plot summary
To get a better grasp of the story idea, you should write a rough plot summary or synopsis of the film. The plot summary should identify who is the protagonist, antagonist, and what the film's goals, or drives, drive your characters.
- For example, the synopsis for Toy Story is: This 3D animated film follows a pull-string cowboy doll named Woody, who becomes the leader of all toys until the newest action figure (miniature clone of superheroes), astronaut Buzz Lightyear, is placed in a toy box. When Woody and Buzz are separated from their owners, the two are forced to put aside their differences and work together to defeat the bad boy and return to the boy they love.
- This synopsis is strong because it identifies the protagonists in the film (the cowboy and the astronaut), identifies the antagonist or conflict (separation from their owners), and discusses their goals (to work together to get back to their owners).
Step 2. Write a screenplay for the film
Once you have a solid plot summary, you should start working on a rough draft of the screenplay for the film. The length of the screenplay depends on the length of the film you are planning. Most feature films require a screenplay of 100-120 pages long and are divided into three main acts. If you're planning to write a short film, you can only write about 40-50 pages, depending on the length of the film you want.
When writing a screenplay, you should keep in mind the goals the characters are trying to achieve in the film and the meaning of the film as a whole. Many screenwriters will create a brief initial draft, or first draft, to brainstorm ideas and sketch scenes. Then they will re-examine and revise it, cutting out unnecessary scenes and adding scenes as needed to develop the story
Step 3. Break each scene into a series of shots
It would be very inconvenient if you had to turn a long screenplay into a film. You can make the process of writing a storyboard easier by focusing on one scene at a time, by breaking each scene into a series of shots. What is meant by shot is when the camera is turned on to record an event or action until the camera is turned off to indicate the recording has been completed. So, the shot can be considered footage (raw material recorded directly from the camera) without interruption (cut). You'll need to evaluate each shot to know what's needed for each shot before you start filming.
- Consider setting the location for the shot. Will all scenes be shot in one location or multiple locations? What will be shown in the shot regarding the location?
- You should also think about how many actors are needed for the shot and whether you need props in the shot. Since you will be creating an animated film, make a list of properties or effects that must be built during the animation process.
- Think about the type of shot you'll be using, such as close-ups (shots that show the character from shoulder to head), establishing shots (shots that show the entire scene), or wide-shots. You should also think about the angle of the shot, or where the camera is placed in the location. Maybe you can use a high angle shot for a dramatic establishing shot or a low angle shot for a close up shot of the character. Consider how the camera will move during shooting, will the camera follow the actor or property during the recording process?
Step 4. Make a list of shots
The shot list will help give you an idea of what will be needed for each shot and make it easier for you to break it down into separate storyboard panels. The shot list should list the main shots for each scene and identify all the characters, locations and properties for each shot.
The shot list may change or shift as you start building your film. So, don't be too rigid in applying it. You'll still need to create a more detailed shot list as a guide as you start building your film
Step 5. Create a storyboard panel based on the shot list
The storyboard panels look like boxes on a blank sheet of paper that you can fill in with a picture of each shot in the shot list. You can buy storyboard panel blocks at an art supply store or draw the panels yourself. You should draw four to six squares for quarto-sized paper, with enough space between each panel to make it easy to read and follow.
- When drawing a storyboard for an animated film, it is important that you think in 3D perspective. This step will give depth to the storyboard image, as well as give depth to the shot in the film. You can create floor patterns on the storyboard panels to produce images with a deeper perspective.
- Try to add as much detail as possible in the storyboard, especially for main shots or scenes. Use all areas of the panel, including foreground, background, and middle.
- If there is more than one character in a shot, try grouping them together or labeling them for easy identification. You should also make sure all characters are easily recognizable on the storyboard panels, whether using labels, physical markers, or arrows with their names. This step will help you remember which characters are in each shot as you start working on building your film.
Method 2 of 3: Making a Movie with a Computer Animation Program
Step 1. Use a computer animation program
There are many computer animation programs that can be used online, with prices ranging from very cheap to more expensive. Many programs do not require you to have extensive knowledge of computer animation and are designed to help beginners learn to make their own cartoons. You can also draw characters and add properties to your shot with a few mouse clicks, so you can build movies easily and quickly.
You can view the top seven computer animation programs here. Ratings are determined based on ease of access, price, and number of choices
Step 2. Design the characters and properties
You can use a computer animation program to design each character in the cartoon and the properties needed for the film. Many programs will provide models that you can edit and add, while adjusting them to match the desired character.
Most programs come with an accessible property library for movies. You can also build your own property if you need something uncommon or not widely known, such as a wand or a special sword
Step 3. Place the characters and properties in the background provided by the computer program
Most computer animation programs come with some standard backgrounds that you can use for your movies. After designing the characters and properties, you can start placing them in the setting to see how they look.
If you're making a film about a magical boy in medieval times, for example, you might choose a castle or country farm setting. You can then place the boy wizard in a setting with properties like a wand, wizard hat, and maybe even a fire-spitting dragon
Step 4. Move the movie based on the storyboard
Use the storyboard you have carefully drawn as a guide for moving the film. Focus on filming scene by scene, while moving characters and properties in different settings within the computer animation program.
Once the process of moving the rough pieces of the film is complete, you should watch it from start to finish, noting any scenes that look underdeveloped or confusing and checking that the pace matches the film's content. For example, if you're making a fun, action-packed film about a boy wizard and his quest to save the world, the pace needs to be fast and furious. If you're making a meditative-style film about the death of a family pet, the pace may be a little slower and longer
Method 3 of 3: Creating a Movie with Stop Motion Animation
Step 1. Prepare everything you need
To make stop motion animations at home, you will need some basic home supplies such as:
- A laptop or computer that can process video data.
- A webcam that is separate from your laptop or computer.
- A flat and stable surface such as a table.
- duct tape.
- Basic animation program.
Step 2. Set up a movie studio at home
To create a stop motion animation, you must record each frame of the animation so that it forms a complete animation when you edit it together. To do this, you have to draw one frame of animation, record it, and then tweak the animation a bit, and then record the next frame. You must do this step until the entire film has been moved. You can use the storyboard as a guide for any animation you will draw.
- Start by placing a sheet of paper on the table and tape around it to keep the paper from shifting. This will ensure that you place all the sheets of paper in the same position so that the resulting animation looks smooth and fluid.
- Place the webcam on another surface so that it is pointing downwards, onto the paper. Use tape to glue the webcam to the surface so that it is at the perfect angle. You can tape the webcam to the side of the desk lamp and then direct the lamp so that it illuminates the paper. This step ensures that the light source and webcam are always facing toward the paper.
- Plug the webcam into the computer so that the recorded image will be uploaded into the animation program on the computer.
Step 3. Draw and record each movie scene
Once you've set up a film studio at home, you can start drawing and shooting movies. Draw the first sketch and shoot the same four frames so you have enough video during the editing process. Also, adding extra time at the beginning of the animation will make it look smoother when you replay it and edit it.
- Add it to the existing image and shoot two more frames. Continue the process of adding images and record two frames for each change.
- If you have to start a new scene or make major changes to the image, you can start drawing on a new sheet of paper. Place a new sheet of paper on top of the first paper and trace each element on the first sheet of paper that will be used for the next frame. After that, get rid of the first sheet of paper and replace it with a new sheet of paper.
- Continue the process of adding images or adding new images, recording each change in two frames until you have the complete movie.
Step 4. Edit the cartoon to make the final changes
After putting together the rough version of the cartoon, you have to watch it from start to finish. Take notes while watching, marking any scenes that feel too long or don't support the story. You also have to make sure there is continuity in every scene of the film and all the properties used are always consistent from one shot to the next.
