What is mise-en-scène and how do you use it in your films? See how Psycho and Dune expertly use mise-en-scène to develop the overall look and feel of each film.

by Sophia Lin

Have you been wanting to know what is mise-en-scène and how to utilize it? A commonly used film term, on the lips of filmmakers, critics, and audiences alike, is mise-en-scène. You’ve probably heard about how a film has fantastic mise-en-scène or seen the term mixed in with other popular buzzwords like visual storytelling. And if it all seems a little wishy-washy after a while, we’re with you! As it turns out, mise-en-scène is a complex concept with more than a few layers to dig into. In fact, it covers multiple elements of filmmaking.

 

So let’s get into the nitty-gritty of it all. It’s one thing to grasp the definition of mise-en-scène, but entirely another to use it in your work or build it into your film analysis stratagem. To help you further understand what is mise-en-scène, we’ve included an in-depth analyses of two very different films. See how the iconic Hitchcock film Psycho and the recent Oscar-winning film Dune have both made use of mise-en-scène in some of their most pivotal scenes. How does mise-en-scène foster symbolism? In what ways do directors use mise-en-scène? And exactly how did it work together with the cinematography?

 

One of the greatest instruments in a filmmaker’s toolbox is mise-en-scène. We’re here to show you how to use it to its full potential!

 

What is mise-en-scène?

Getting a good handle on the core definition is always a must. To start, mise-en-scène is a French word, literally translated into “putting on stage”. Appropriately, its definition involves the arrangement of some kind in front of the film camera.

 

Mise-en-scène is composed of the following four elements:

1. Setting
2. Staging
3. Lighting
4. Costumes

Each contains a couple more sub-elements, so to speak. Staging, for instance, encompasses actors’ performances and blocking. But we’ll be breaking all that down soon enough. For now, these four neat terms will make it easy to remember.

 

1. Setting

The first element to analyze when it comes to understanding what is mise-en-scène is setting. A film’s setting is where the story is set. In the realm of mise-en-scène, it almost always refers to the setting of a specific scene. For example, we would consider the interior of a character’s bedroom in one scene, rather than a broad setting for an entire film, like the city of New York. The setting also always includes any props or set design visible on-screen.

 

Settings can be used in a variety of symbolic and figurative ways. For one, they can act as an indication of a character’s personality. Or, if the setting undergoes changes as the film progresses, it can be an outward display of a character’s interior development. In more complex cases, settings can reflect a character’s psychology or motives. 

 

How Is The Setting Used In Psycho?

Mise-en-scène is used often in horror films. When we first meet the antagonist Norman Bates from the horror film Psycho, he invites Marion Crane, the female protagonist, into his parlour. At the time, he seems charming and innocent. But look closer — in this scene, Alfred Hitchcock cleverly uses the setting to reflect Norman’s eventual villainy.

 

One key example is, whenever Norman appears on camera, several taxidermy birds appear behind him. But they aren’t just any birds — they are predatory birds, from owls to eagles, showing Norman’s true nature as a predator preying on innocent victims. On the other hand, Marion is shown on-screen surrounded by small birds, sparrows and such, which points to her fate as the prey of Norman.

 

2. Staging

As we’ve mentioned, staging refers to a couple extra sub-elements as well:

 

The first is performance. At the end of the day, the actors are the star of the show. As a result, the specifics of their performance help to make up the mise-en-scène. How are they delivering lines? What is their body language? This goes as far as incorporating the style of the actors’ performances, such as whether it’s naturalistic or theatrical acting.

 

Second comes blocking, a term that refers to where the actors are physically placed and how they move relative to the camera. For that reason, the camera placement is often considered part of the blocking as well. One intriguing example is that a character moving from left to right past the camera is seen as a symbol of change in a positive direction.

 

How Is The Staging Used In Dune?

One of the most visually stunning scenes in Dune is when the protagonist Paul Atreides sees Arrakis, his new home planet, for the first time in a helicopter. Arrakis is known for its precious Spice, and the overhead view of the desert planet serves as an unforgettable introduction. But that isn’t all it is.

 

During this scene, the blocking is intentional and carefully considered. Paul sits behind the glass window of the chopper, with the camera placed on the other side. This creates the unique effect of the desert reflecting off that glass, making it look like the sand dunes are overlaying or overlapping Paul’s face.

 

An actor’s face is also a clear symbol of identity. Director Denis Villeneuve uses the blocking to tell us that Arrakis will become a foundational part of Paul’s identity, perhaps even to the point of inseparability.

 

3. Lighting

A third element to understanding what is mise-en-scène is how the film is lit. Lighting is one of the many parts of filmmaking that we typically don’t notice. Gaffers, who are responsible for the lighting of a scene. You can use lighting to create realism, so the shots appear natural and never tip us off to the fact that it has been fabricated. But because it is fabricated, it leaves many options for how the lighting can be used to enrich a film’s message.

 

There are two main types of lighting to get to know:

 

One is low-key lighting, which means the contrast is high, with the dark parts of the shot being very dark and the bright parts very bright. To no surprise, this lighting is favoured in horror, thriller, and noir films for the harsh look it creates.

 

Another is high-key lighting, which is low contrast with few shadows. There won’t be much of a difference between the darker and lighter parts of the shot. This creates a brighter look overall. In contrast, this lighting is often found in rom-coms and musicals.

 

How Is The Lighting Used In Psycho?

Remember the scene in the parlour with Norman? Well, turns out the setting isn’t the only noteworthy part. Filmmakers aim for each scene to contain multitudes of meaning, and Hitchcock is no exception. Lighting-wise, Norman is lit from the side in this scene. As a result, this creates shadows on one side of his face but not the other.

 

This results in a curious two-face effect. With a split down the middle, this lighting technique suggests a light half and a dark half to Norman’s character. Or in other words, a sense of duality. As the film goes on, it becomes clear that Norman is not who he appears to be. (Spoiler alert!) As we come to find out, there are, in fact, two personalities within him. This whole scene also acts as a perfect illustration of how the various pieces of mise-en-scène can work together to send multiple messages within one idea. 

 

4. Costumes

The final piece to understanding what is mise-en-scène to the costuming of the film. This aspect of mise-en-scène refers to anything the actors are wearing, including hair and makeup. Costume designers will spend their time looking over the exact details of outfits, styles, shoes, and accessories that will be true to a character. This will also convey meaning on a second level. As we know, what you wear says a lot about who you are.

 

Interestingly, costumes can be another way to track a character’s development and their relationship with those around them. The lending of a jacket, for instance, can reveal much about how two characters feel about one another. Beyond that, how costumes are worn is also considered. For example, a disciplined character may have ironed clothes and tied-up shoelaces, while an absent-minded one will wear a half-tucked shirt. 

 

How Are Costumes Used In Dune?

Rather than observing a specific scene, costume analysis is often more overarching. Throughout its entirety, Dune is filled with elaborate and ground-breaking sci-fi costuming in nearly every scene. Some costume choices reflect the climate of a particular planet, while others were chosen for reasons of practicality. An example of this is how the stillsuits had to be able to preserve moisture.

 

A true prime example of costuming being used to the peak of its creative capabilities is the costumes worn by the opposing Harkonnen tribe. Their armour is hard-shell and darkly coloured, with repetitive textures and bands that resemble those of insects. In fact, the costume designer based it specifically on the look of beetles, ants, and spiders.

 

Wait a second, beetles? If that sounds familiar in any way, it should be — Dune features a one-off scene of Paul simply watching a small black beetle crawl up the sand. Beetles are pests, invading and harming any environment they intrude upon. In this case, the Harkonnen costumes create a parallel, foreshadowing their tribe as the colonizing parasites that will invade Arrakis.

 

Conclusion

As you’ve seen by now, understanding what is mise-en-scène isn’t a quick and easy task. It’s versatile, subtle, and leans towards the abstract. But once you’ve studied and practiced it, employing it in your film will become second nature. Many refer to it as a language in and of itself – mise-en-scène conveys hidden ideas on another level working together with the dialogue and plot events.

 

And so, learning a visual language like this takes time, and close film analysis is a must for understanding what is mise-en-scène. With that in mind, there are some famous examples to dig into. Some that come to mind are the use of light in Parasite, the red jacket in Rebel Without A Cause, the blocking in The Shining’s climatic scene, and the googly eyes in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

 

So get into it! Before you know it, you’ll be watching films in a whole new way, seeing more with every rewatch. And if you’re a filmmaker, you’ll find yourself sprinkling fresh ideas into the mise-en-scène of your own films, making the most of what the art of filmmaking has to offer.

 

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Coming up at this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival is Soviet Bus Stops. Read more about VIFF and the film below.

 

By: Kennedy Randall

After much anticipation, the Vancouver International Film Festival is returning at the end of the month. In the past 41 years VIFF has become one of Vancouver’s most beloved film festivals will be running from September 29th to October 9th showcasing over 130 feature films and 100 short films.

 

InFocus Film School has partnered with VIFF to showcase Soviet Bus Stops, one of many fantastic films screening this year. Directed by Kristoffer Hegnsvad, Soviet Bus Stops follows Canadian photographer Christopher Herwig. From Ukraine to Uzbekistan, Armenia to Far Eastern Siberia, Herwig sets out to document a piece of urban architecture in former Soviet Republics that may be considered ordinary and benign – bus stops. 

From the 1960s and 70s, the architecture of the Soviet Regime was largely utilitarian and mass-produced. What Herwig finds on his travels is profoundly different; bus stops that are creative and whimsical. Architecture within the Soviet period was highly monitored and totalitarian following a uniform style. However, bus stops are often a negligible part of the urban landscape, and these revolutionary structures ended up being overlooked. Therefore, these roadside fixtures artistically represent a place and time in history, built as quiet acts of creativity against overwhelming state control. 

Although, despite their radical nature and innovation, these bus stops are seen by many as strange or embarrassing. This is, unfortunately, leading many of them to be torn down. “These bus stops are disappearing so fast. If I come back a year from now, they could be gone, demolished, or rebuilt. These pictures may be all that’s left in the end. I want to give them some kind of immorality,” Herwig reflects.

 

Shot over seven years, Soviet Bus Stops follows Herwig on his journey to capture these bus stops and memorialize them through film. He meets some of the humble and eccentric bus stop creators from various former Soviet Republics to hear their stories about how these unique structures came to exist.

Herwig’s photography books of the bus stops have become bestsellers around the world. Hegnsvad’s documentation of this process turns this unusual journey into an engaging film about human connectivity, photography, politics, and history. In so doing, Herwig and Hegnsvad both commemorate the stories of these bus stops through their chosen medium, sharing a relatively unknown subject with wider audiences.

The stories of individuals who created small acts of resistance are embedded in the poetry and art of the remaining bus stops and become honoured, protected, and celebrated in these mediums.

InFocus Film School is proud to be the community partner for such an unforgettable film. Purchase your tickets for either screening on October 2nd at The Cinematheque or October 4th at International Village 8 here.

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Join the Vancouver Chinese Film Festival for their renowned film screening on August 9th!

Taking place next month, the Vancouver Chinese Film Festival has set to screen various films relating to Chinese culture. By merging Canadian and Chinese audiences the festival allows Chinese culture to be seen by audiences at home and abroad. Their mission is to create a more inclusive Canada by promoting cross-cultural exchange. Below we have outlined five of the short films that will be screened at the Vancouver Chinese Film Festival on August 9th. 

1. Brick

Brick follows Wenxin, an architect who lives abroad. He returns to his hometown to bury his mother’s ashes. Upon arriving in his hometown, Wenxin finds himself at a classmate reunion. Here, he accepts the invitation of his classmate to act as a consultant for the renovation of the old district. It seems as if he has the ability to protect the nostalgic memories of the traditional district and the opportunity to enact his “dreams’ ‘ and “revenge.” Upon attempting to complete his dreams, he finds that he cannot achieve them. On the other hand, his revenge results in a new series of harm. Wenxin learns Yin and Yang, finding that life and death are a part of the natural law and the unity of men and nature is the true connotation of Feng Shui.

2. Ideal Homeland

The story takes place in the near future when AI (Artificial Intelligence) controls humans. In this future, the tables turn, and humans begin to work for AI. The hero of the story, Joe, is the carrier of AI’s sexual experience. He does the most mechanical task every day to obtain the credits on which we depend for survival in AI society. In such oppression of slavery, Joe desperately yearns for the freedom of independence.

3. A Zebra-Riding Boy

Based on the Impressionist-Southern author, Su Tong’s novels, Cavalryman and Paper, A Zebra-Riding Boy explores the combination of literature and commerce. Poor bow-legged teenager Zuo Lin has a dream to ride a horse in the most prosperous place of the city: the sad wooden horse cavalry, the happy zebra cavalry, the bleak and sad iron cavalry, and the brilliant paper cavalry all melt into one.

 

4. Churi

Churi is a short dramatic film about a young man who remembers his mother’s love through the act of making churi. The film weaves together the young man’s search for food and subsequent cooking with the memory of his mother cooking. The film artistically jumps between past and present. By doing so, it evokes the longing that pervades diasporic experience and explores how we carry memory and our roots in our bodies. 

Created by Namit Kataria, this film was made during his time in the InFocus Film Production Program!

5. Sisyphus the Turtle Chaser

Years ago, teenagers, Will and Liang Zi grew up together in Northeast China. When they were young, Will was lively and naughty. He was known as the”king of gambling,” becoming a master of all kinds of gambling and trickery. Liang Zi was his faithful follower. One day, the pair ran away from home. Many years later, the two adults find each other face to face in Beijing. Liang Zi had a southern girl Molly, while Will became a taxi driver. Both adults must figure out how to face each other years later.

 

Beyond screening films that promote Chinese culture, the VCFF aims to further develop China-Canada relations. Liu Fei, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver, saw the quality of cross cultural exchange in the Vancouver Chinese Film Festival. Fei vocalized his wish for more young individuals to contribute to cross-cultural exchange between the two continents. 

 

This year, the Vancouver Chinese Film Festival will be held as a joint festival with the Vancouver International Youth Film Festival. Reserve tickets for film screening here.

 

Other than the film screening, VCFF has many other events to check out. The Opening Ceremony will take place on August 8th at the Vancouver International Film Festival Theatre and the festival will conclude on August 13th at the Michael J Fox Theatre. 

 

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Learn more about the multi-talented filmmaker’s genius and the highly anticipated film, Jordan Peele’s Nope (2022).

By: Sophia Lin

There’s no doubt you’ve heard of the famous mind behind some of the best horror movies out there, from Get Out (2017) to Us (2019). Not to mention, one of the screenwriters for Candyman (2021) and the writer-director of the hugely anticipated horror film Jordan Peele’s Nope (2022). It goes without saying that Jordan Peele is a master of horror filmmaking… but the big question is, how does he do it?

Few directors are able to churn out hit after hit, and even fewer are able to redefine a genre. Peele has certainly done both, and we’re here to let you in on how. We will look into his writing process, his directorial style, and what exactly separates him from the rest. We’ll dive deep into his impact on the horror genre and the social commentary he embeds in his work. Without further ado, let’s get into how exactly Jordan Peele has become one of the best horror directors!

How Jordan Peele Became Jordan Peele

Let’s start from the beginning. What lead Jordan Peele to create some of the best horror films of our generation?

Jordan Peele famously started in comedy. While attending Sarah Lawrence College, he dropped out to perform in stand-up and improv. After various stints for four years, he finally got his first big break as an actor in the comedy series MadTV. This led him to meet his future collaborator Keegan-Michael Key and from there, the comedy sketch series Key & Peele was born.

As his work gathered acclaim and virality, including an Emmy nomination along the way, Peele broke into the directing world with his debut feature film Get Out. Both a critical and commercial success, Get Out launched Peele into international attention — and he hasn’t looked back since!

Jordan Peele’s Directorial Style

Society as the Greatest Evil

A trademark of a Jordan Peele horror movie is that it’s not really a horror movie. At least not in the traditional sense, in which a big bad must be overcome and destroyed. Peele has said that the antagonists in his films aren’t truly the source of evil, but rather, the system as a whole is evil.

In Peele’s words, his work explores “the horror of society”, focusing on the depravity already contained within humanity. One of the best examples is the Armitage family in Get Out — a reflection of America and the fatal racial tensions that lurk in today’s society.

Comedy and Horror

While it might not be surprising, Peele’s multifaceted experience in the industry factors into his unique voice as a horror director. More interestingly, it’s his work in comedy that informs his horror movies. One makes you laugh and one makes you scream, but as he says, there’s really a very thin line between the two realms.

 

Both are based in realism and relatability: comedy and horror both work the most effectively when the world feels believable, with only one or two heightened changes. Another crucial similarity comes in the timing. Well-timed jump-scares are truly no different than well-placed jokes in a story. It’s a matter of creating tension in the audience and then releasing it at the perfect moment. From his comedian days, Peele learned how to manipulate this release of tension, applying it just when the suspense becomes unbearable.

 

Contrast of Visuals and Sound

A more subtle decision that permeates Peele’s filmography is the idea that visuals deceive, whereas sound or aural information contains the truth. A clever trick, it makes for excellent plot twists and forces audiences to look twice, so to speak. The (spoiler alert!) doppelgängers in Us and the teaspoon clinking in Get Out are perfect illustrations.

 

Beyond that, it can act as a form of social commentary too. Harmful biases and judgments almost always come from visual determinations, and Peele’s horror films point out the fallacy at the root of this. Even with such understated devices, he sends a strong message: looks can — and are — deceiving.

 

Jordan Peele’s Creative Process

Getting Inspiration

New Jordan Peele movies seem to come out every few years or so, yet writer’s block is one of the biggest struggles that artists face. How does Peele overcome this? His first step when looking for inspiration, he says, is to listen to himself and his emotions. He assesses what makes him scared and uses that as a jumping-off point.

 

In that same vein, he sees autobiographical elements as an irreplaceable part of his brainstorming. He looks to bare his soul in some way — in fact, the key storyline in Us was inspired by his time growing up in New York City and staring at his own reflection while riding the subway. Peele’s own movie tastes come into it too: one of his mantras is to write his favourite film that he hasn’t seen yet.

Developing Ideas

With the initial conception spelled out, the tricky part is developing it into a full-fledged film. For Peele, he spends the bulk of his time planning the plot — Get Out’s plot took 4-5 years of planning. He then writes the actual screenplay in a matter of short months. He sometimes works out multiple endings and then eventually choosing one.

 

As he’s picking and choosing, cutting and rewriting, he likes to have a “democratic” approach to art. In other words, he diligently considers audience appeal and whether his work is accessible to all. Stemming from his improv days, Peele has spoken about how he values getting to “everybody in the room” — while making sure to balance this with his own artistry.

Building Creativity

With so many overdone horror tropes, creativity is a rare find in the genre. One of the crucial ways Peele figures out how to work in brand new ideas is not making them brand new. He sees the future of horror in the past, closely studying classics like The Stepford Wives and Rosemary’s Baby.

 

After getting to know the gambits of these classic horror movies , he employs them as the base, using them in a modern way For instance, Us takes after the historical horror element of shadow selves and the Other. In his Jordan Peele’s Nope (2022), he’s also incorporating early cinema, such as the iconic “Galloping Horse” shown in the trailer.

 

Jordan Peele’s Impact on Horror

What do recent horror hits like Fresh, The Black Phone, and Ma have in common? In one way or another, these films exhibit elements introduced into the horror genre by Jordan Peele. His impact on the genre has been massive despite his five short years as a horror director. We cannot wait to see what Jordan Peele’s Nope (2022) will add to the horror industry. Here are some of the indelible marks Peele has left on the industry:

Commentary on the Black Experience

The biggest differentiator when it comes to Jordan Peele movies is the one prominent aspect that he always slips into his reinvented horror devices.

 

Peele seeks to reimagine horror tropes from the perspective of a Black man in America, the most noteworthy being the white saviour trope. Commentary on the Black experience can be found in all his work, contained within countless concepts. Some significant examples include Us depicting the fear of the outsider and Get Out digging into white liberal racism.

 

Horror as Social Allegory

A commonly held notion is that studio and indie films simply cannot cross over. Peele’s work does what was previously considered impossible: the seamless melding of these two worlds. His redefinition of horror began with what he calls a “social thriller”, a genre film that pleases crowds while also taking a no-holds-barred look at hard-hitting issues of racism, classism, and political divisiveness. 

 

While horror is well-known as a subconscious reflection of society’s fears, Peele brings the collective consciousness to the forefront. His films bring to light discussions around whose fears get reflected in horror and the real systems that create fear.

 

Emphasis on Realism

It used to be that the wildly supernatural and unbelievable were the popular go-to in the realm of horror. Filmmakers seemed to think that the crazier they could make it, the more it would shock and scare audiences. Peele turned this entirely on its head. 

 

Instead, his films are rooted deeply in reality, sometimes even staying faithful to a certain era and location. Peele’s philosophy is, the more real something is, the more it’ll scare. So rather than feeling far-fetched, audiences connect more closely with the world he’s built. This means when the tables turn, it hits close to home, creating realistic fear.

 

Jordan Peele’s Nope (2022) – What We Know

The big talk of this summer is the upcoming horror film Jordan Peele’s Nope (2022). Not much is known about it yet, but Peele promises one of the biggest and most ambitious spectacles yet. Jordan Peele’s Nope takes place on an idyllic ranch and focuses on a sibling relationship as the duo comes into contact with an ominous force. The film will undoubtedly shed insightful light on the social issues Peele plans to explore further. Jordan Peele’s Nope (2022) looking to be another unforgettable entry in his horror filmography.

 

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Wondering what is the difference between 2D and 3D animation? We have the answers to all of your questions!

By: Sophia Lin

Animation sits at a unique position in the film industry. As one of the few fields to have astronomically advanced in the past few decades, it also holds the record as one of the fastest-growing disciplines. Valued to be a billion-dollar industry, animation’s storytelling can exceed the constraints of reality. Creating the fantastical, the magical, and the out-of-this-world is just another day at work in the world of animation.

 

It’s important to keep in mind, though, animation is just an umbrella term for the viewing of stills in sequence. For those looking to learn more or get into the industry, it’s crucial to get to know the two main disciplines: 2D and 3D animation. Respectively complex and in-demand in their own ways, there are a plethora of similarities and differences between the two. And there’s no doubt that differentiating between them might bring about some head-scratching questions. Which one should you choose? What is better? Is one easier or harder?

 

Well, we’re here to boil it down for you. We’ll dissect the ins and outs of both 2D and 3D animation, from the concepts behind the work to the day-to-day processes of animators. From there, we’ll discuss difficulty and suitability, and finish off with top-of-the-line softwares and platforms for animators of every level. 

What is Animation?

Despite all the technological advancements, the concepts at the heart of animation have never changed. Animation involves rapidly displaying still images in sequence. Each image differs slightly from the one before, and when they appear quickly in succession, it creates movement. Most often, the frames go by at a rate of 24 frames per second, closely mirroring the speed of movement that we perceive in real life.

 

The most basic form is the classic stop-motion animation, in which objects are moved in small increments and photographed between each change. These days, animation is digitized, spanning a variety of techniques from keyframing to simulation.

What are the Differences Between 2D and 3D Animation?

2D animation is vector-based, and as its name suggests, characters and environments are created only in a two-dimensional space. Width and height are the only qualities a 2D animator needs to draw. Rather than pixels, 2D animation uses vectors—pathways with start and end points that are connected by lines.

 

In 3D animation, characters and environments are three-dimensional. Animators use pixels and work to give objects weight and timing. Sometimes, blueprints are created from scanning real-world physical objects. For the most part, 3D animation tends to overlap with the VFX pipeline as well.

What are the Similarities Between 2D and 3D Animation?

The core concepts of 2D and 3D animation are the same: they both place characters and objects into a space and manipulate them to create the illusion of motion. Both disciplines are often computerized and require a great deal of detail-oriented work. All animators working in 2D and 3D must study the principles of motion to convincingly fabricate realistic-looking movements.

 

Beneath the surface, there are even further similarities. 

2D animation is broken down into the 3 stages of pre-production, production, and post-production: 

Pre-production builds the foundational pieces. Making storyboards, designing characters, and recording voice-overs make up most of this process.

Production is the central stage, when 2D animators gather the materials they have prepared and make the rough animations. This includes inbetweening, colouring, painting, and tracing.

Post-production simply enhances what’s already been done, adding sound effects and score, before finally rendering the animations.

 

3D animation is also composed of 3 main phases: modeling, layout and animation, and rendering:

Modeling is the preliminary mapping of an object, using points, lines, and curves to create an approximation of the final shape. Just like in 2D animation pre-production, this stage assembles the foundational pieces of characters, scenes, and objects. 

Layout and animation is likewise the central stage of the 3D animation process, and is exactly what it sounds like. Models are positioned and animated into scenes, followed by keyframing or motion capture.

Rendering, just like in 2D animation post-production, creates the finished images.

These are all skills that are needed for working at a 3D animation studio. Learn more about how to get hired at a 3D animation studio and the top 10 entry-level 3d animation jobs.

Which Is Harder, 2D or 3D Animation?

Neither is definitively harder or easier — it simply depends on an animator’s strengths and interests! 3D animation typically requires rigging, demanding a slightly more interdisciplinary set of skills. Animating an additional dimension and maintaining realism on all fronts are some of the considerations to attend to as well. This is why sometimes having an instructor lead you in your 3D animation journey is helpful when getting started. 

 

On the other hand, 2D animators must familiarize themselves with a variety of strategies too. Losing one dimension means that it can be trickier to achieve natural-looking motion, and as a result, it often demands a closer understanding of anatomy and physics. Inbetweening, which means creating additional drawings between each frame, is another such method commonly used in 2D animation.

 

Should I Learn 2D or 3D Animation? Which is Better?

As art forms, neither one is better than the other. There are, however, differences in where and how each is used, an important consideration interest-wise. 2D animations are used in social media content creation, such as short-form videos, infotainment, online advertising, and explainer videos. In the pre-Internet days, 2d animations were predominantly used in cartoons and that still continues today.

 

On the flip side, 3D animators work is most often seen in movies, TV, and video games. From an industry stance, though jobs are plentiful in both fields, 3D animation is on the rise more so than 2D. Nevertheless, 2D animation boasts a few distinct advantages too. Its biggest plus is that it’s cost-effective, demanding fewer platforms and with more manual, artistic work.

Why is 3D Animation More Popular?

For many, it’s simply a matter of the heightened realism that can be created with 3D animation. This enhances its versatility, enabling 3D animators to work in a variety of media. For instance, live-action movies can be smoothly combined with elements of 3D animation. Its overlap with VFX, another burgeoning field, boosts its popularity as well. In our increasingly complex digital landscape, 3D animation might be the better option if you are wanting to work in film and television. At this 3D animation school, you will learn everything there is to know about 3D animation for film and television. 

 

If I Want to Learn Both, Should I Learn 2D Animation or 3D Animation First?

Some say that more artistic minds choose 2D animation, while more technical minds choose 3D animation. It’s short and sweet, but when it really comes down to it, there are a myriad more factors in play. Both disciplines involve a wide-ranging set of skills, and your interests could pull you in many directions. So the best advice? Try them both.

 

Firsthand experience — and even just working on a couple animations — effortlessly guides you through the tasks. It’s the best replica of a day in the life of an animator there is! From there, take note of what draws your eye, what spurs your imagination, and what makes the time slip, slip away.

 

Check out our step by step guide for beginners on how to learn 3D animation to see how you can get started!

What 2D and 3D Animation Resources Are Out There?

Before you go out there, we assembled a handy list of animation software and platforms to help you dip your toe into the field. If you want to learn quickly, 3D animation schools are another excellent launching pad. They give you the resources you need always at your disposal. This means the sooner you can break into the industry and get animating!

 

2D Animation Software & Resources

Toon Boom Harmony is the industry-leading software. It has all the features a 2D animator will ever need, from compositing to deformers, but is on the pricier side.

 

Adobe After Effects is part of Adobe Creative Cloud. It’s the industry-standard visual effects and graphics software, with high-quality 2D animating functions.

 

Pencil 2D is an open-source, free software with a minimalistic user design. It works with both raster and vector, and hails as one of the most commonly used softwares.

 

The Animation Magazine is an online publication, featuring news, technology, events, and business pertaining to the animation industry.

 

OpenToonz is another open-source and free software great for both student and professional animators. This software was also used in some Studio Ghibli cuts!

 

3D Animation Software & Resources

Autodesk Maya is the industry-leading software. It boasts functionality from explosions to cloth simulation — but be sure to note that it is one of the priciest platforms out there.

 

The Animator’s Resource Kit is a site focusing on 3D animation that includes anything from a job spreadsheet to an animator’s survival kit, all free to access!

 

Animate, also in Adobe Creative Cloud, allows animation of just about anything. It supports multimedia interests and enables users to publish to any platform.

 

Blender is an open-source, free software offering a 3D graphics creation suite. It includes animation and rigging tools, as well as an array of modelling tools.

 

Animation World Network is a journalistic culmination of all things animation, with both digital and print options. Commercial releases and advice from industry experts are just a few of the headlines.

 

Forums & Networks

Animators’ Reddit is an online forum that keeps users anonymous and features discussions from animators of all disciplines around the world.

 

Unity Forum: Animation is an accessible hub of online discussion. Its format is question-answer based, with anonymity for users as well.

 

The Internet Animation Database is an animator-specific compendium that focuses on gathering animation information and research, along with a frequented discussion channel.

 

The Animation Cafe is a safe space for questions and debate on aspects of the animation industry. Many experienced professionals pitch in, making it a valuable destination for insight into the art and business of animation.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, 2D and 3D animation each have their particular processes and demands, with differing pros and cons depending on who you are! Some might take pleasure in the fine-grain work of inbetweening in 2D, while others are ready to mix in some motion capture with their days at the drawing board.

 

So, the name of the game is to follow your interests. Dip you toes into 3D animation courses. Try both 2D and 3D animation, and take a stab at each of the phases along the way. In short, explore, explore, explore! Then you’ll know when you’ve found the one.

 

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