"Timing gives meaning to motion"
- Timing defines the weight of an object
- Timing contributes to the size and scale of an object
- Timing illustrates the emotional state of an object
Historic Example
Winsor McCay – Sinking of the Lusitania (1918).
Timing is very important in this early animation, to show the huge size and mass of the ship. To make this clearer, the contrast of the speed of the people falling/jumping off the boat is used. The boat sinks extremely slowly to reflect its size and the surface of which it’s on, and the people fall very quickly showing the complete difference in mass. It’s also a very sad piece so the dominant slow timing of the boat reflects this.
(Look at 7.00 on YouTube video)
Timing is very important in this early animation, to show the huge size and mass of the ship. To make this clearer, the contrast of the speed of the people falling/jumping off the boat is used. The boat sinks extremely slowly to reflect its size and the surface of which it’s on, and the people fall very quickly showing the complete difference in mass. It’s also a very sad piece so the dominant slow timing of the boat reflects this.
(Look at 7.00 on YouTube video)
Contemporary Example
Monsters Inc. Trailer – Mike and Sulley
One of the first scenes in this trailer is Mike and Sulley falling through the door. The comparison of how fast each of them gets back up is a good example of timing and how it shows the weight of a character. Mike gets up very quickly whereas Sulley takes a lot longer, showing his bigger size and mass.
(Look at 0.37 on YouTube video)
Amber Rose