“Fruitsnackia; Big Smack”: An Animation Treat
Among a veritable pantry-full of animated commercials for children’s snacks, the “Fruitsnackia” commercial line- advertising Fruit By The Foot, Fruit Gushers, and Fruit Roll-Ups- stands out against others of its kind. As they employ the tried-and-true physical comedy gags many cartoons are known for, these commercials also bring in a unique style of their own that allows the fundamentals of animation to shine through.
In the short “Big Smack”, a smaller Fruit By The Foot character faces off against a behemoth of a Fruit Roll-Up in the Fruitsnackia wrestling ring. Clearly not only out-sized but also out-skilled, the smaller Fruit By The Foot (FBTF) tries to go at the Roll-Up- and ends up bouncing off the Roll-Up and out of the arena, unravelling all the way. To wrap it up, the official runs out of the arena to count down the defeated snack.
In this short sequence, the most apparent fundamental being used is squash and stretch; it’s used extensively throughout this scene. An example of this can be seen at the 8-second mark: as the Roll-Up lets go of the FBTF, the momentum that’d been building was enough to squish it almost flat against the unmovable Roll-Up.

In the next frame, the FBTF is almost immediately gone; it’s unravelled completely and its legs are excessively stretched, to show just how fast the FBTF is getting flung in the opposite direction.

Another fundamental that can be seen here is exaggeration; it’s absolutely everywhere, from the huge size difference between the fighters to the multiple arms and legs the FBTF gains when it scrambles towards the Roll-Up.


Even the distance the FBTF travels is heavily exaggerated; it not only clears the arena exit doors, but travels along the landscape and onto the next hill over until it finally rests.
As the official runs out to give the count, another animation fundamental is showcased: easing. In the background of the scene where the FBTF comes to rest on the hill, the official can be seen near the arena doors.


It first takes a few frames to jump onto position, then books it over to the FBTF in less than 15 frames. When it finally reaches the FBTF, it skids to a stop over 8 frames, then gives its count.



Overall, the short isn’t just funny; it’s a piece of animation that, despite its commercial purpose, remembers the fundamentals and uses them to its great advantage.
