Making top animations!
Do you need help with your animations? Do you want to go that extra mile, and place your animation in the main page of Go!Animate? You have come to the right place... Follow these 5 tips and prepare yourself to be there!
Tip #1.
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Before you start with your animation, you should get a plan of what it is you are going to do. You don't need to write everything down to the last detail, although putting together some kind of script will help you a lot.
You might think that improvising has worked for you so far. And you are right. It might. But it is also true that if you had made some kind of work beforehand, your animation would have developed in an even better fashion. I would suggest for you to draw in a paper the main scenes. It doesn't even have to be a good drawing, but it will help you identify the points of interest of your story. Also, write down the dialogues; don't worry, you'll have time to change things once you have your animaion on tracks. In other words, what you are doing is just a draft on paper. Once you start animating you will see if your script works or not, you can change parts or even the whole thing, but you'll get a starting point that will save you time afterwards. And, what is more important, it will force your brain to start rolling... If you also decide in advance the music and the props and the backgrounds you are going to use, you will save time, as you can start now searching on internet, or making them yourself. You won't stop the publishing of your animation because those "details" are missing! |
Tip #2.
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How many good ideas have I seen ruined because of poor attention to detail? Countless!
It's a pity. Some animations could have become a real success if it wasn't because of that character being in front of a "prop" when it should have been at the back, or that other character not talking, and still moving its mouth... These things are very easy to fix and when they show up in an animation it only means one thing: lack of interest. I have received many comments asking me to view an animation, on the grounds of the big effort and long hours the animator claims to have invested on making that animation. So, when I finally get to watch it, and I find one of those errors, I feel cheated. It only takes a minute to repair those "details"... and yet there they are! Some other details you should be paying attention to: If you're using "speech bubbles", check that you're using the correct spelling and grammar. Also, double check any user will have enough time to read the text you're showing! If there are sounds in your animation (including music, and yes, please tell me there are!), check that they begin and end when they should, that the volume is correct, there are no non-desired loops that shouldn't be there... Also check that the scenes are the right length, so that things go fast when they are supposed to go fast and slow when they have to go slow! Finally, see if you are using FX like "Cut", "Zoom" and/or "Span" the right way, and that you are not all the time with the same "camera view". |
Tip #3.
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Once you have finished your animation you might come to the conclusion it is time for everyone to watch it. Well, let me tell you you're wrong!
It has come the time to watch your animation... again! Don't use the "Preview" inside the Studio. Go to Your Videos page and watch it there, like any user would. Don't worry if the views counter starts growing. Some Top Animators have more than 50 views already when they publish. You are not breaking any rule, you are just making sure that your animation is ready for your audience. That is what you should be doing: try to watch your animation as if you haven't made it yourself. Pay attention to details, you are still on time to fix the problems. Do not rush it! You have done most of the work already, so do not spoil it just because you don't want to check those minor faults. Once you are happy with the result, think about having a second opinion. Most of the times, other users will be very condescendent with your work, because they will feel it is unpolite to tell you there is something wrong with your animation. That is perfectly normal, and if anything, it will help you to boost your confidence. However, if you have trust on the advice of a particular user, choose him to watch your animation first, before you make it public. There might be something you are missing, and, once again, you are still on time to fix it! So, publish your animation first as private and choose a couple of users to give you advice. If they like it and can't find any flaw, go ahead and make it Public! |
Tip #4.
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To get a top animation, the first days are crucial. The goal is to get on the Top Animations page as soon as possible. Why as soon as possible? Because the difficult stuff is to get on the first page of that ranking, as once you are there, views will come at an steady rate.
So, instead of spamming everyone choose the users you really need to promote well your animation! The list of users you should tell about your animation (in a personalised way), should include:
Remember, the purpose is to get around 100 views or more in the first three-four days, together with around 15-20 recommendations and, of course, recommendations. Also stress the part of comments when you are promoting your animation. You should strive to obtain at least a comment for every four views in those few first days. Once your animation is on the top page, you can start a wider promotion, threads on forums, etc. But remember not to be annoying... for example, if your thread "dies", let it die in peace, don't bump it continuosly. Also, do not spam on forums, use always the appropriate means of promotion. Share your animation in Social Networks (Twitter, FaceBook, Google Plus, etc.). If you manage to make your vids be known outside GoAnimate, it will be awesome for you and also for the site! |
Extra Tip: Give thanks and Promote again!
(Do not be mislead by the title. I am not suggesting that you should keep promoting your animation forever!)
If you manage to get a "Top Animation", you should do one thing first of all: thank your viewers. Without their help your animation wouldn't be there, among the highest ranks. There are obviously different methods to express your gratitude, but I would limit them to these two:
1. Message everyone who commented on your animation and/or shared it. By doing so you are expressing them how thankful your are that they liked your work and/or shared their opinion with you. But, what is more important: your are giving more strength to their loyalty. After receiving your message they will be more likely to comment on your next animation!
2. Make a thread in the "Animation in General" forum, telling everybody about your awesome friends who have turned your animation into a "top" one. This will help you to thank everyone who has watched it, and didn't leave a comment, while at the same time, promoting - again - your animation.
But this is not the end. A Top Animation doesn't make you a "Top Animator". There must be a constant presence in the site in order for you to become quite known. If you become popular, things will be easier with your next animation. It all comes with hard work. And that doesn't rule out the fun!
If you manage to get a "Top Animation", you should do one thing first of all: thank your viewers. Without their help your animation wouldn't be there, among the highest ranks. There are obviously different methods to express your gratitude, but I would limit them to these two:
1. Message everyone who commented on your animation and/or shared it. By doing so you are expressing them how thankful your are that they liked your work and/or shared their opinion with you. But, what is more important: your are giving more strength to their loyalty. After receiving your message they will be more likely to comment on your next animation!
2. Make a thread in the "Animation in General" forum, telling everybody about your awesome friends who have turned your animation into a "top" one. This will help you to thank everyone who has watched it, and didn't leave a comment, while at the same time, promoting - again - your animation.
But this is not the end. A Top Animation doesn't make you a "Top Animator". There must be a constant presence in the site in order for you to become quite known. If you become popular, things will be easier with your next animation. It all comes with hard work. And that doesn't rule out the fun!