Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 5: Finding an Idea
• Method 2 of 5: Script writing and storyboarding
• Method 3 of 5: Animation
• Method 4 of 5: Sound Effects
• Method 5 of 5: Spread
• Tips
• What do you need

Making a cartoon can be a long and difficult process. But if you're eager to see your own cartoon stories on screen, the end result will be worth the work. Here's what you need to do if you want to create your own cartoon.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Finding an Idea

1. 1 Consider your resources. Perhaps you have a limited imagination, and your budget and talent are limitless, or vice versa. When thinking about a new idea for a cartoon, consider how much you can invest in the process and what your creativity is enough for.
   • If you are new to this business, you will most likely want to stay away from plots that require complex animation scenes, such as large-scale battles or complex techniques. Hone your animation skills and gain experience before embarking on a project of this magnitude.
   • Also, do not forget that depending on the complexity of your cartoon, you will need different equipment. For a plasticine cartoon with two dozen characters and four decorations, more materials and devices will be needed than for a cartoon on celluloid film, consisting of just one scene. If you're on a very tight budget, opt for a short, simple cartoon.
2. 2 Think about the length of the cartoon. It may differ depending on the target market. If you decide on the length of the cartoon at the beginning, it will be easier for you to come up with a plot that fits into this framework.
   • If you want to create a cartoon that can become an animated series, it should be either 11 or 20-25 minutes long.
   • Full-length cartoons can be 60 to 120 minutes long.
   • If all you want to create is one cartoon (not a TV series) for the Internet, you can make it for 1-5 minutes. If it is longer, it can alienate viewers from viewing.
3. 3 Decide on your target audience. Despite the fact that most often cartoons are created for children, there are many paintings for teens and adults. You should be guided by age group and other demographic characteristics when creating a cartoon.
   • For example, a cartoon about something tragic (say, about the death of a loved one) is suitable for an older audience. If your cartoon is for toddlers, choose a specific, easy-to-understand topic.
4. 4 Build on your experiences. In other words, write what you know. Many authors write stories based on events, feelings, or relationships they have experienced. Make a list of things that have happened to you that could be the basis for your cartoon.
   • If you want to create a cartoon with a serious idea, remember the events that made you stronger and more tempered: unrequited love, the loss of a friend, dedication to achieve the impossible, and so on.
   • If you want to create a humorous cartoon, take an everyday situation as a basis, such as waiting in a traffic jam or anxiety before an important call, and make it exaggeratedly "terrible" in comic form.
   • A humorous cartoon can be filmed about something funny in itself.
5. 5 Use your imagination. Of course, there are many plots that are not related to real life moments. You can use your interests and imagination to come up with a completely new situation. In this case, you need to include enough detail that is relevant to the audience so that they can understand the actions of the characters and the plot in general.
   • Viewer detail includes topics that affect everyone. For example, the theme of growing up will resonate with most people, no matter where the plot unfolds - in the real modern world, in the cosmic future, or in the fantasy world of sword and magic.
6. 6 Create a charming protagonist. Make a list of the traits you would like to see in the main character. Write down both positive and negative traits so that the character is not too perfect.
   • This is an important step. It doesn't matter how simple or complex your cartoon is. If in a longer and more serious film the character needs to develop more, in a short humorous cartoon you need a hero with a clear goal and clear character traits that allow him to react to the conflict in his own way.

Method 2 of 5: Script writing and storyboarding

1. 1 Write a script if there are dialogues in the cartoon. If your character has lines, you will need an actor to voice him.He will also need to print the script so he knows when and what to say.
   • Before you start directly animating your cartoon, you need to know the script. The mouth and lips of characters move differently depending on the sounds they pronounce, and you will need to depict these movements in animation. You also want the sounds to match the picture later, when you apply your voice.
2. 2 Briefly write down the main plot. If there are no dialogues in the cartoon, you may not write the script formally. But you still need to set out the basic sequence of events in order to trace the course of history at different stages.
   • Before starting your animation, write a few rough drafts of the script. Create the first draft, set it aside, and then return to it in a day or two to see what points you can improve.
3. 3 Divide the plot into main parts. A short cartoon may only have one scene, but if your painting is longer, you may need to divide it into multiple parts or acts to make the job easier.
4. 4 Sketch each big change in action. When you're sketching a formal storyboard, each major change in action should be placed on a separate frame. Small changes need to be described, but they do not have to be drawn separately.
   • Use basic shapes, line art, and a simple background. The storyboard should only have basic elements.
   • Sketch your storyboards on separate cards so that you can rearrange them and move parts of your story as needed.
   • In order not to forget anything in the future, you can also take notes and write what happens in each frame.

Method 3 of 5: Animation

1. 1 Check out the different types of animation. In general, it is divided into categories such as celluloid animation, puppet animation, 2D computer animation and 3D computer animation.
2. 2 Try yourself in animation using celluloid film. This is the traditional method of making cartoons. You will need to manually draw each frame on a piece of celluloid film and then photograph them using a special camera.
   • Celluloid animation is guided by almost the same principle as the filmographer. A series of drawings is made, and each of them is slightly different from the previous one. When shown quickly one after another, the differences between them create the illusion of movement.
   • Each image is drawn and colored on transparent celluloid film.
   • Use your camera to take pictures of these drawings and edit them with animation editing software.
3. 3 Try yourself in puppet animation. This is a different traditional type of animation, but less commonly used than celluloid animation. Plasticine animation is the most common form of puppet animation, but there are other types of dolls that you can use to create such animation.
   • You can use shadow or paper dolls, sand animation, or anything else that can change position.
   • Each movement should be small. Always take pictures after making a new move.
   • Edit images by viewing them together, quickly alternating one after the other. By observing them this way, you will notice things that need to be corrected.
4. 4 Think about 2D computer animation. For this type, you need a special program, and the final product will look like an improved version of the cartoon on celluloid film.
   • Each 2D computer animation program works differently, so you will need to find tutorials for the program you want to use.
   • A typical example of 2D animation is a cartoon created with Adobe Flash.
5. 5 Create 3D cartoons using your computer. As with 2D animation, you will need special software to create 3D cartoons.
   • In some ways, 3D computer animation resembles puppet animation, but graphics can range from primitive images with noticeable pixelation to extremely realistic objects.
   • As with 2D computer animation, each program works slightly differently. These can be products such as Maya and 3D Studio Max.

Method 4 of 5: Sound Effects

1. 1 Take care of the necessary equipment. You will need a good microphone and a way to prevent echoes and background noise.
   • A high quality computer microphone will be effective enough for beginners, but if you plan to seriously promote and distribute your cartoon, you will have to invest in more professional equipment.
   • When working with a small microphone, use a special foam cover to avoid echoing and unnecessary background noise.
2. 2 Record your own sound effects. Be creative and look for simple, everyday ways to make sounds similar to the ones you want for a cartoon.
   • Make a list of the sound effects you need. Be creative and approach it from all angles: include both more obvious (explosions, alarm clock) and less obvious (footsteps, background noise) sounds.
   • Record multiple versions of each sound so you have more choices.
   • Here's how to create some sounds:
     • fire - remember dense cellophane;
     • slap - clap your hands;
     • thunder - shake a piece of plexiglass or thick cardboard;
     • boiling water - dip the straw in a glass of water and blow;
     • hitting the ball with a baseball bat - break the match.
3. 3 Look for ready-made sound effects. If you do not have the necessary equipment or for some reason you cannot record the sounds yourself, there are discs and sites with a huge selection of free ready-made recordings for every taste.
   • Always pay attention to the presence (or absence) of permission to use off-the-shelf sound recordings. Even if the download is free, this does not mean that these files can be used everywhere, especially for commercial purposes. It is imperative that you know what is allowed and what is not allowed before using the records.
4. 4 Record real voices if needed. If your cartoon has dialogue, your voice or another voice should bring the characters to life. When you write your lines, they should be read by script with appropriate expression and intonation. Make sure to match your lip movements with the lips of the character in the picture.
   • You can control voices using computer programs. If you have fewer actors than characters, you can change the character's voice by setting the necessary parameters. To do this, you will need to purchase dedicated audio editing software. Depending on the product you will be using, you can vary the pitch of your voice and add overtones (such as "metallic" distortion) to voices.

Method 5 of 5: Spread

1. 1 Distribute the cartoon using your own resources. If you have one short cartoon or your goal is to make a name for yourself, you can add your cartoon to your digital portfolio and upload a copy to your personal blog, social network page, or popular video hosting site.
2. 2 Contact the rental company, broadcaster or animation studio. If you created the first preview of a cartoon at home, you can try distributing it in any of these ways. If you succeed, you will need to schedule new animation projects to keep collaborating with you.
   • Employees of the rental company will review your test cartoon and determine how much it will be in demand. If the firm decides to promote your cartoon, you will be given a rental plan and an income forecast.Ask for an official letter of intent and show it to potential investors to make sure the rental company will represent your cartoon.
   • If you go straight to the broadcaster or animation studio with your test cartoon, they might be able to do it and distribute it directly, especially if they have time to fill.

Tips

• Watch YouTube videos for inspiration and help. On YouTube, you can find thousands of tutorials for drawing videos (normal on paper and using graphics programs). They teach how to draw not only characters, but also landscapes, rooms, cities, and so on. It's a kind of anime journey. Draw every day - it will be fun!

What do you need

• Pencil
• Paper
• Cards
• Computer
• Celluloid film
• Professional paints and painting tools
• High quality camera
• Lamps
• Programs for creating and editing animation
• Materials for creating sound effects
• Microphone
• Foam rubber
• Microphone case