In-betweens

Term from Animation Storyboarding industry explained for recruiters

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.

Examples in Resumes

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:

Clean-up Artist Animation Assistant Junior Animator Inbetweener Animation Artist Character Clean-up Artist

Where to Find In-between Animators

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

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.

Mid Level Questions

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.

Junior Level Questions

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.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic drawing and clean-up techniques
  • Understanding of animation principles
  • Ability to follow model sheets
  • Basic digital animation software knowledge

Mid (2-4 years)

  • Efficient clean-up techniques
  • Strong understanding of timing and spacing
  • Character consistency maintenance
  • Multiple animation style adaptation

Senior (4+ years)

  • Team supervision and quality control
  • Complex animation problem-solving
  • Production pipeline management
  • Training and mentoring junior artists

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Inability to maintain consistent character proportions
  • Poor understanding of basic animation principles
  • Slow work speed without quality justification
  • Resistance to taking direction or making corrections