Secondary Action
Secondary Action is a key animation concept that adds life-like details to character movement. Think of it as the little extra movements that happen alongside the main action - like hair bouncing while someone walks, clothes flowing in the wind, or a character's ears wiggling when they laugh. These subtle details make animated characters feel more natural and believable, rather than stiff or robotic. In job descriptions, it might also be called "overlapping action" or "follow-through animation." It's one of the fundamental principles that both traditional and computer animators use to create engaging characters.
Examples in Resumes
Created detailed Secondary Action elements for main character's clothing and accessories in feature film
Implemented Secondary Actions and Overlapping Action to enhance character believability in game cinematics
Specialized in Follow-through Animation and Secondary Action for character hair and cloth dynamics
Typical job title: "Character Animators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Character Animators
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach teaching junior animators about secondary action?
Expected Answer: A senior animator should explain their mentoring approach, using simple examples like a cape moving after a superhero lands, and how they help others identify opportunities to add natural-looking extra movement to their scenes.
Q: How do you balance secondary action so it doesn't overshadow the main animation?
Expected Answer: They should discuss how they ensure additional movements enhance rather than distract from the main action, giving examples of successful and unsuccessful uses of secondary action in animation.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Can you describe a scene where you implemented secondary action effectively?
Expected Answer: Should be able to provide specific examples from their work, explaining how they added subtle movements to enhance the main animation and make it more believable.
Q: How do you approach secondary action differently in stylized versus realistic animation?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they adjust the amount and style of secondary movement based on whether they're working on a cartoon-style or realistic project.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is secondary action and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that secondary action involves supporting movements that make animation more realistic, like clothes moving while walking or hair swaying in the wind.
Q: Can you give an example of secondary action in a simple walking animation?
Expected Answer: Should identify basic secondary actions like arm swing, hair bounce, or clothing movement that accompany a walking cycle.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of secondary action principles
- Simple hair and cloth movement
- Basic character animation
- Understanding timing and spacing
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex secondary movement creation
- Multiple overlapping actions
- Character performance enhancement
- Detailed cloth and hair animation
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced character animation direction
- Complex scene choreography
- Team leadership and mentoring
- Animation style development
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic animation principles
- No demo reel or portfolio showing secondary action
- Lack of understanding about timing and weight in animation
- No experience with industry-standard animation software
Related Terms
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