Takzicution Tales

Tag: how animation are made

  • Is Using Reference in Animation Cheating?

    FRAMEBURST ACADEMY 11

    🎮 Summary (TL;DR)

     

     

    Is relying on reference… cheating?

    Or is it something every animator quietly depends on?

    Most beginners feel unsure about it.

    Let’s clarify that misunderstanding properly.

    🎬 How to Use Reference for Animation Properly?

    First and foremost, let’s understand one basic thing.

    đź“Ś What Is a Reference?

    A reference is only:

    Something you look at to help you understand how something works.

    That’s it.

    It could be:

    • An image of a hand
    • A real person walking
    • A video of someone talking
    • A clip showing an expression

    You are not guessing.

    You’re studying via observation.

    🤔 Why Do Beginners Feel Guilty Using References?

    Many beginners believe:

    • “If I rely reference, I’m not creative”
    • “I should be able to do this from memory”
    • “This feels like cheating”

    But here’s the reality:

    You feel this way because you assume you are supposed to already know everything.

    You are not.

    You are gathering intel.

    And learning always starts with observing.

    âś… Why Using Reference Actually Helps?

    Let’s make it easy.

    Reference aids you:

    1. Avoid making assumptions
    2. See how the universe actually operates
    3. Understand details you normally miss
    4. Improve faster

    Without reference…

    You are just guessing.

    And guesses without understanding often leads to mistakes.

    🛠️ How to Use Reference Properly:

    (Step by Step)

    Let’s break it down in the easiest way.

    đź‘€ Step 1: Watch Real Examples

    Start by observing real life or videos.

    E.g:

    • Observe how they react
    • Notice their seating position
    • Watch how someone walks or runs

    Do not rush.

    Just watch.

    🧠 Step 2: Understand What’s Happening

    Ask yourself simple questions:

    1. What moved first?
    2. What moved next?
    3. Was it fast or slow?

    You are not copying yet.

    You are trying to understand.

    ✏️ Step 3: Try It Yourself

    Now attempt to recreate it.

    Not exactly as it is.

    Just your version of it.

    It might appear different.

    That’s alright.

    🔄 Step 4: Practice Again

    Repeat the procedure.

    Watch again.

    Give it another shot.

    Each time, you’ll understand more.

    🎨 Step 5: Make It Your Own

    Once you understand the movement…

    You do not need to follow the reference exactly.

    You can:

    1. Simplify it
    2. Alter it
    3. Adapt it to your style
    It now belongs to you.

    ⚠️ What NOT to Do?

    This section is significant.

    ❌ Don’t Just Copy Without Thinking:

    If you replicate without understanding…

    You won’t gain anything.

    You will only repeat.

    ❌ Do Not Depend on Reference Forever:

    Reference serves as a tool for learning.

    Not for constantly relying on it.

    Over time, you’ll need it less.

    ❌ Do Not Rush:

    If you quickly glance and then move on…

    You miss the whole point.

    Take your time.

    Observe carefully.

    đź’¬ A Simple Truth:

    Citing reference is not cheating.

    It is a way you train your eyes.

    Even experienced creators use reference.

    Because no one recollect every detail of real movement perfectly.

    🌱 A Final Thought:

    Think of reference as a manual.

    It shows you the way.

    However, you still walk it yourself.

    You still do the work.

    And that’s what defines it yours.

    ⏭️ What’s Your Next Step (Coming Thursday):

    Next blog: How to really enjoy animation?

    👉 Click here -> (Insert Link Here)

    You now know how to learn better…

    But what about feeling better while engaging in the activity?

    How do you actually appreciate the process…

    Instead of feeling tired or trapped?

    We’ll explore that next.

    See you until the next summon.🎬

  • Is Animation Right for You

    FRAMEBURST ACADEMY 3

    🎮 Summary (TL;DR)

     

     

    Before you learn animation…
    You need to ask yourself one question.

     

    Not about tools.

    Not about ability.

     

    But concerning you.

     

    Because if your reason is incorrect, nothing else will work.

    And if your reason is correct… you will already sense it.

     

     

    🎬 Is Animation Right for You:

     

     

    Let’s be straightforward.

     

    A lot people come across animations online and think:

     

    “I want to do that.”

     

    And that’s a solid start.

     

    However, there is a second question lurking beneath that one:

     

    “Why do I wish to pursue this path?”

     

    That question is more important than anything else.

     

     

    ⚠️ Let’s Clear One Thing First:

    Animation is not:

    • A quick way to gain fame
    • An effortless way to fast cash
    • A simple skill you memorize in a few weeks

    If that’s what you anticipate…

    You are soon going to feel let down.

    Not because animation is bad or boring.

    But because the expectation is wrong.

    🕰️ The Reality No One Talks About:

     

     

    Let’s imagine something.

    You are sitting in your room.

    No audience.

    No applause.

    No immediate outcome.

    Only you… and your project.

    You dedicate several hours to a single frame.

    You repair it.

    Then fix it again.

    Then realize something else is not right.

    So you go back.

    Once again.

    Now picture yourself doing that:

    • For hours
    • For days
    • Sometimes for weeks
    • On a single video

    And when you ultimately complete it?

    It might not even function well.

    No big views.

    No instant gratification.

    Simply… silence.

    And then the following day?

    You begin again.

     

     

    🧠 Why This Matters?

    This is not meant to scare you.

    It is mentioned because this is the part most people never hear.

    They see the finished animation…

    But not behind-the-scenes {BTS}.

    And when they encounter this reality for the first time, they assume:

    “Perhaps this isn’t for me.”

    Sometimes they’re correct.

    At times, they were not mentally prepared.

    🤔 So… Is Animation Right for You?

     

     

    Let me clarify this.

    If you read everything above and thought:

    “Nah… I do not want that.”

    That’s perfectly fine.

    Animation is not the only artistic route.

    There are numerous ways to create, express, and build something significant.

    But if you read that… and something inside you remarked:

    “Yeah… I would still attempt.”

    Or maybe:

    “That sounds challenging… but interesting.”

    Then that is important.

    Because that sensation?

    That curiosity?

    That quiet excitement?

    That is not related to income.

    That is not about fame.

    That’s about savoring the process.

    🔥 The Real Sign:

    The real sign that animation might be right for you is simple:

    You do not just feel excited watching it…

    You like the concept of creating it, even when it’s slow, repetitive, and tricky.

    You are okay with:

    • Getting better slowly
    • Trying again after setback
    • Working alone for hours or days
    • Learning and making step by step

     

    Not because you have to.

    But because something about it feels… worthwhile.

    đź’¬ A Final Thought:

     

     

    You don’t need to decide everything today.

    You don’t need to be 100% certain.

    Nonetheless, you do need to be honest with yourself.

    Animation isn’t about chasing results.

    It’s about selecting a path.

    And the query is:

    Are you willing to live with this process?

     

    What’s Your Next Step (Coming Thursday):

    Next blog: What is making cartoons (animations) and what is story-time animation

    👉 Click here -> https://takzicution.com/making-cartoons-for-beginners/

    Now that you have pondered the honest question…
    next, we start understanding the craft itself.

    Not deeply.
    Not technically.

    Just enough to see what you are actually entering.

    See you until the next summon. 🎬