The Fundamentals of Animation: With Felix Colgrave

Double King, featured in a recent Sweaty Eyeballs compendium, is an excellent animation to use to discuss some of the fundamentals of animation.

Secondary Action

The mouse/rat king’s bow provides an excellent example of secondary action at 0:26. Instead of simply bending over, the king twirls his paw in a majestic yet easy going flourish (see screenshots).

Squash and Stretch

Before the rat king can even finish bowing, the main character of the story shows some fantastic squash and stretch. The protagonist grabs the rodent’s snout and it stretches out and snaps back like a rubber band.

Anticipation

Once the king has gained the crown, one of the most critical moments of the film begins. The king truly makes the first step to enter his descent into utter madness. This critical moment is highlighted by the darkening of everything but the king and the crown as well as the long hold of the crown over the king’s head.