Key Frames

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We know the saying when someone says they hold the key to something. It means that they have the power or authority. It is the same concept when it comes to animation. We have this thing called key frames. These key frames have a specific duty. It is the frame where we determine the movement, expression, joke, mood and lighting of the entire scene. Usually key frames are the defining schemes in an animation.

I give you and example. This is a key frame, that epic moment:

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or this moment where everyone remembers

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What I produced below are keyframes for a fight scene. This key frame will determine the movement and the manner in which the fight is carried out.

Or below when a joke is being cracked. In short, key frames are the defining moments. If we have memories in terms of still shots, this would be the shots that will be embedded in our minds.

We also ensure that the key frames will give the right mood, ambience to the animation. Key frames are also guides to other members of the team so that they do not wrongly interpret the storyline because things can get pretty messy when you have a long story and many people who are involved in the production. Key frames help keep the story within the story board and maintain a form of synchronicity within the production.

Here is a finished sample of a key frame where the Hero is sharing a moment with his sidekick.

In our key frames, we do insert some notes for others to follow up. These notes are usually notes expressing the character's emotions so that they roughly get the flow.

In Key Frames we do also practice what films do, we try to create epic shots which are empowering for the hero, that gives a nice vibe to the entire animation by setting the mood right.

credit to @zomagic