Expert: Russell Calabrese - 12/29/2009

Question
I am new , pls help and give me comment :

I can use Flash or toon boom to produce a 2D animation good for TV broadcast or movie for cinema, right ?
If yes, what will be the resolution(NTSC)

I think flash is easier to learn
and toon boom have more setup good for  Inverse Kinematics, right?

What is your comment on 2010 to 2015 animation trend?

Will 3D animation be very popular? (many 3d movie at 2009)

Will 2D animation be great on internet? ( e.g : cartoon, web development, small file size )

How long did a 10 people team to work on a 5 minute 2d animation ?
( I understand the detail will affect alot, so just give me a rough data : e.g : 2 weeks )

Any web link for 2d animation inspiration/great idea/funny?

How did you do the sound recording? ( e.g : speech of a cartoon boy )
What will be a basic setup to record a sound track ( e.g : a USB professional mic )
Any more link for sound edit/effect?

Ewan  

Answer
Hello Ewan,

For video resolutions and aspect ratios here's a site with a lot of info.

http://www.cinemasource.com/articles/aspect_ratios.pdf

You need to know what your deliverable you want to end up in. Now with HDTV you may want to create in that format.

If you're doing traditional 'Disney/Warner Bros.' style animation Toon Boom is probably the best. Disney is actually using it on their 2D features.
Flash is OK for 'down and dirty' quick turnaround end product.

Flash has 3rd party software for 'puppet like' hierarchy.
http://www.trickorscript.com/
Works nicely.

As far as trends go, there's enough variety to go around. If the film is good, I can enjoy it and I don't care how they made it. I hope all styles of animation remain popular with out having one wipe out another. I still like Black & White movies and cartoons even though few people make them today.

10 people making a 5 minute cartoon can take anywhere from 1 day to 6 months. based on the style of the film and the talents of the people involved. I've done 3+ minutes with 4 people in 3.5 weeks. See below.

http://www.hi-test.us/®©_BOOK/FLASH_ANIMATION_SAMPLES.html

For inspiration, look at the news. it's almost too funny to satirize these days.
I get inspiration from books, art, people I know. Crazy stuff happens all the time so make it your own by putting a spin on it and making it funny.

For audio I use ProTools with a Sennheiser mike in a Whisper Room isolation booth.
You can use any mike or software that gives you the results you can live with.
I have a sound effects library for some effects. I'll record my own when neccessary. I write music and have friends who write music for me using ProTools or Garage Band. (I'm a Mac Guy, in case you were wondering.)

For editing I use Final Cut Pro.

Hope this helps!

Russell
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