Animated Film Production: An Interview with Jim Harris

Interviewer: Welcome to Job Talk. We're talking to Jim Harris, who works on animated films. Thanks for joining us, Jim. So, what do you do, exactly?

Jim: I'm a film editor. I'm the person who puts the animated movie together.

Animated vs. Live-Action Films

Interviewer: How is an animated film different from a regular movie?

Jim: Well, actually, they're very similar.

The Animation Production Process

Interviewer: Take us through the process.

Jim: Well, first, just like in a regular film, a script is written. You have to start with a good script.

Interviewer: Of course, and it has to be funny.

Jim: Exactly. Then a director is hired.

The Director's Role in Animation

Interviewer: Now, what does the director of animated films do? Direct the drawings?

Jim: Ha! No, the director, who is probably the most important person, manages the process. He helps develop the characters and works with the actors.

Visualizing the Story: Storyboards

Interviewer: So what happens next?

Jim: Well, drawings are made to illustrate the story, to show what happens. This is called a storyboard. It's sort of like a rehearsal. When that's done, the animation can begin. I'll tell you how we do it the old-fashioned way. It's more interesting.

Interviewer: Oh yeah? Why?

Jim: It's all computerized now. So first, in the old way, actors record the characters' voices in a recording studio. The whole script is recorded.

Traditional Animation Techniques Explained

Interviewer: Then what?

Jim: Then, the backgrounds are created. It's like building the sets for a play.

Interviewer: Sounds fun. What's next?

Jim: Well, the animation begins. First, pictures of the characters are drawn. The animator draws the pictures on a clear plastic called celluloid. That's why they're called cels. Each picture is drawn on a separate cel.

Interviewer: Huh, then what?

Jim: Okay, here's where it gets fun. They put each cel on top of a background picture and take a photograph. They do this many times. When all the photographs are put together, it looks like the characters are moving.

Synchronizing Sound and Movement

Interviewer: That's so exciting! So, is that the final step?

Jim: Not quite. The director and I have to put the scenes together so that they match the sound. The voices have to match the characters' movements. Once the sound has been added to the film, that's it!

Interviewer: Fascinating. Thanks for talking to us, Jim.