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- Show, Do Not Tell
Show, Do Not Tell
T-SBFND-001-006
Remember that animation is a visual medium. You shouldn’t depend on the dialogue to explain what is going on in a scene or in the whole story. Your audience will understand quicker if you clearly show what is going on, instead of having a character explain what is taking place.
Here are some examples of visual cues you can use to explain elements in a story:
- Use the character’s surroundings to explain what kind of person they are. A messy room will reveal their personality. Paint and craft material will suggest an artistic character, whereas a room with a computer, posters and books lying around will suggest someone more geeky.
- Remember that an action can say a lot. Instead of having a character say, “I'm going to the grocery store” —have go outside, then cut to an establishing shot of the grocery store.
- Use clever shots to show a character’s emotional state. If you look up at a character, he will seem imposing. A character that is very small in a large empty field will seem lonely and isolated from the world.
- Showing the reason why a character is scared will have more impact than just stating the character’s emotion. If the character is terrified of falling, you might want to show the edge of a precipice.
Time Estimated 5 mins
Difficulty Level Beginner
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