Rotoscoping is an animation technique in which designers can trace the outline of an object or character’s movements through previously recorded video. This is an interesting approach to studying the natural timing and movement for new motion projects. It also provides an opportunity to experiment with new methods, leaving behind any preconceived notions that animation requires technical drawing skills.

In this assignment, you will record a simple action of 2 seconds long (24 unique frames as we will be animating on 1s for this assignment at 12fps), then rotoscope it using a mix of digital and traditional media. Hand render with any drawing materials you like: pen, pencil, crayon, marker, paint, lipstick, coffee, etc. You may draw on standard paper stock but you may choose to experiment with other materials (newsprint, used packaging, cutouts, or other things). Then you have the option bring it into Photoshop and animate using different drawing tools like brush strokes to create a mixed media rotoscope animation.

Part 1

What You Will Do

  1. Shoot video - Record a simple 2 second action (think a hand shake, wave, blowing a kiss, a snap etc). Remember to keep your camera on a tripod and sturdy to ensure your live action reference footage is optimized for rotoscoping later on. Edit your video to ensure it is 2 seconds long.

    <aside> 💡

    See How to Export Video for Rotoscope

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  2. Create image sequence - Now it is time to set up our video as an image sequence to print in Premiere Pro. Your image sequence will be set to 12fps. Remember to include your frame counter to keep your images in order.

  3. Print and trace - Print out your frames out and using a new piece of paper, trace over your images. Using any analog drawing materials and techniques of your choice.

    1. When tracing over images, centre the paper, be sure it is on the image accurately and consistently positioned for tracing the entire sequence. This will take a bit longer but is essential in making smoother animations. You will be grateful you have paid attention to this small, important tip!
    2. One suggested method is to tape the printed image to a window or light table and draw on top with the same size of paper. By using the same size, it will be easier to centre the drawing.

  4. Scan your drawings - When the drawing is complete, scan your images. Capturing in high quality is key to the image resolution.

    1. Use the flatbed scanners in the studio to scan your drawings. Make sure the resolution is set high, to AT LEAST 150 dpi,
    2. When scanning your images make sure that you pay attention to your image registration (centring) point so the images don’t bounce all over the place when they are animated. If they are not centred it will mean straightening in Photoshop
    3. After scanning, save your images as good quality jpgs. Do not change the name of your files. Any deviation will result in mismatched sequencing and much more work to re-organize. So this means keeping the same file name. Save to a folder

  5. Animating Premiere - Open a new project in Premiere. Before you import the image sequence files, set your preferences so that imported still images are set to 2 fps (default is 5 sec!). Look under Settings > Timeline

  6. With a new Sequence set to the desired frame rate of 12 fps and add your Import your scans

  7. Render and export your video as H264 format.

<aside> 💡

Due Sept 26, for in-class critique.

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Part 2

Once you’ve exported your video, its time to open Photoshop and add to the video with some drawing

  1. Go to Photoshop and start a new file that matches your exported video (eg. 1080p 72ppi) and choose Motion from workspace Window > Workspace > Motion
  2. Layer > New Video Layer from file and place your exported video in the timeline and rename. eg “Analog”
  3. Set timeline framerate to 12fps in hamburger menu on top right corner of timeline and lock Analog layer
  4. Delete frame layer (one with brush) and create a new blank video layer to create rotoscope and rename Digital
  5. Set Enable Onion Skin to 1 frame before and after. This will allow you to see previous and current frame for lining up your drawing
  6. Scroll through timeline and create new drawing on each frame. Use paintbrushes or pencil tools in Photoshop