Principle 1: Squash and Stretch
Disclaimer
Unfortunately, I have not yet gotten access to the books that I had intended to use for reference, which means that this post will not be as detailed as I hoped it would. Instead, I will be using online resources to study squash and stretch, which will impact how thorough I am on this principle of animation.
What is Squash and Stretch?
Squash and stretch is one of the fundamental principles of animation. It is the, "applying a contrasting change of shape-from a squash pose to a stretch pose or vice versa-to give the feeling of fleshiness, flexibility, and life in animation." [1] What this means is that it gives the quality of softness in animation, and helps emphasize the movement of items or people.
As displayed in the video, squash and stretch emphasizes the affect of gravity on the ball, as well as gives it the quality of squishiness. Without it, the ball is boring and doesn't display much dynamic motion in comparison.
What is the application of Squash and Stretch?
Squash and stretch can be used for more than showing gravity. It can also be used for emotions and actions as well. Large amounts of squash and stretch can be used to make actions more deliberate and forceful, by giving windup time before the act is preformed. One of the most common areas where you will see squash and stretch is on facial expressions. By doing this, animators can better convey the intended emotion to the audience, guaranteeing that the audience understands what the character is feeling.
Citations
[1]
Hurtt, Chris. “Squash and Stretch: The 12 Basic Principles of Animation | Animation Mentor Blog.” Animation Mentor Blog, 12 Feb. 2019, blog.animationmentor.com/squash-and-stretch-the-12-basic-principles-of-animation/.
Becker, Alan, director. 1. Squash & Stretch - 12 Principles of Animation. YouTube, YouTube, 16 Jan. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=haa7n3UGyDc.
