In-betweens are the drawings that create smooth movement in animation by filling in the action between key poses (called keyframes). Think of it like a flipbook - if you have a drawing of a ball at the top of a bounce and another at the bottom, the in-betweens are all the positions of the ball in between those two points. Artists who create these drawings are called in-betweeners or clean-up artists, and they play a crucial role in making animation look fluid and natural. This term is fundamental in both traditional hand-drawn animation and modern digital animation workflows.
Created in-betweens for character animation sequences in multiple episodes of an animated series
Produced over 200 in-between drawings per week while maintaining quality and consistency
Collaborated with senior animators to deliver in-betweens and clean-up work for feature film animation
Typical job title: "In-between Animators"
Also try searching for:
Q: How do you maintain consistency across multiple scenes when supervising in-between work?
Expected Answer: A senior artist should discuss their methods for creating style guides, maintaining model sheets, and ensuring quality control across a team of artists. They should mention techniques for tracking revisions and providing constructive feedback.
Q: How do you handle tight deadlines while maintaining quality in animation clean-up?
Expected Answer: The answer should cover workflow optimization, prioritization strategies, and team coordination. They should also discuss how to balance speed with quality and when to communicate timeline concerns.
Q: What's your process for maintaining character consistency in in-between drawings?
Expected Answer: They should explain how they use model sheets, reference key poses, and maintain proportions. Should discuss checking their work against established character designs.
Q: How do you approach timing in your in-between drawings?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of spacing charts, ease-in/ease-out concepts, and how to create natural movement between key poses.
Q: What basic tools and techniques do you use for creating in-betweens?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe their preferred animation software or traditional tools, basic understanding of frame spacing, and how they maintain clean lines.
Q: How do you ensure your in-betweens match the style of the key frames?
Expected Answer: Should mention referring to model sheets, checking with lead animators, and basic techniques for matching line quality and character proportions.