Anticipation
Anticipation is used to prepare the audience for an action, and to make the action appear more realistic.
Historic Example
In this intro to The Scooby-Doo Show 1976, anticipation is used at 0.18 mins to prepare the audience for Scooby running off screen quickly. This is done by holding the character in a static position and cycling his legs round rapidly to allow the audience to prepare for the approaching fast action, this means they do not miss his exit from the screen.
Contemporary Example
In the 2004 film The Incredibles, anticipation is used again for the exact same purpose, to prepare the audience for Dash’s extremely fast exit from the scene. This time a squash and stretch technique is used like a coiled spring to help the audience anticipate the movement.
Jess Spiers