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When I started learning about animation, I didn’t realise how important camera and cinematography are. At first, I thought camera work only mattered in live-action films, but I quickly understood that animation uses the same techniques. Even though everything is drawn, I still need to think like a filmmaker—deciding what the audience sees and how they see it.
I began by researching different camera angles and shot types. For example, a
close-up is used to show a character’s emotions clearly, while a
wide shot shows the environment and setting. I also learned about
high angles, which make a character look small or weak, and
low angles, which can make them look powerful or important. These small choices can completely change how a scene feels.
The Blue UmbrellaThe Blue Umbrella is a 2013 computer-animated short film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.
I noticed that the film uses a lot of cinematic camera movements, like slow pans and zooms, to create a romantic and realistic feeling. The close-up shots of the umbrellas almost make them feel like real characters, even though they don’t speak.
Storyboard sketch version of this close-upIn The Blue Umbrella, close-up shots are used to clearly show the character’s emotions. Even though the character is an object, the use of framing, lighting, and small movements helps the audience understand how it feels. This shows how effective close-ups can be in animation.
Wide shot storyboard imageA wide shot shows the environment and setting, helping the audience understand where the scene is taking place. It usually includes the full body of the character along with the background, which gives more context to the story. For example, in The Blue Umbrella, wide shots are used to show the busy city streets, rain, and surrounding objects like buildings and other umbrellas. This helps the audience understand the world the character is in and creates a strong atmosphere.
A zoom is when the camera moves closer to or further away from a subject. I noticed that zooming in is often used during emotional moments, especially to highlight a character’s facial expression. For example, a slow zoom into a character’s face can make a scene feel more intense or personal. On the other hand, zooming out can show isolation or make a character feel small in their environment.
A pan is when the camera moves side to side. This is useful for showing the environment or following a character as they move. I found that pans are often used to reveal new information in a scene, such as introducing another character or showing what is happening around the main subject. It helps the audience stay engaged without cutting to a new shot.
A dolly movement is when the camera physically moves forward or backward through the scene. In animation, this can be created by moving the background layers at different speeds. I learned that a slow dolly movement can make a scene feel more immersive, almost like the audience is moving through the world. It can also be used to build tension or focus attention on something important.
I also researched composition, especially the rule of thirds, which is a simple but effective way to frame a shot. This involves dividing the screen into a grid of nine equal parts and placing important elements along the lines or at the intersections. I noticed that characters are often positioned slightly off-centre instead of directly in the middle. This makes the shot look more natural and visually interesting.
From this research, I have learned that camera and cinematography are just as important in animation as they are in live-action films. They help tell the story, show emotions, and guide the audience’s focus. I also realised that I don’t need complex camera movements to create a good film—simple shots used effectively can have a strong impact.
How this will help my final project
This will help me plan my scenes more carefully and make my animation more engaging.
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