Squash and Stretch
The use of squash and stretch is to add more naturalistic movement to the animation, giving the object mass and weight, as well as being used for comic effect. Only hard, rigid objects show no squash or stretch, for example a chair. A good example of squash and stretch is in the movement of muscles. If an arm is bent then the bicep is contracting which causes the muscle to bulge, therefore showing stretch. But then if the arm is straightened out the muscle lengthens and become less visible, showing more of a squashed appearance.
Historical Example
In this historical example, the character ‘Wolfie’ shows exaggerated stretch in his eyes when they are travelling towards the female, creating the sense of quick movement, and then a big squash when they come to a halt.
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Contemporary Example
In this contemporary example you can see the character Scrat preparing to propel himself forward, stretching his body out and then squashing it back again but keeping the same volume throughout. This action is not as exaggerated or comical as the historical example.
(go to 2.05 in the video)
(go to 2.05 in the video)
Elise Townsend