What to learn in flash???

In my experience good concept artists/illustrators are actually seen as more valuable than just Flash animators who are seen as the grunts doing the donkey work. But that might just be here in London.

Storyboarding seems to be the absolute most valuable thing you can do around Flash.

If you want to be a character animator, animate "character"--its just that plain and simple.
Don't just move things, EMOTE with movement.
Display personality, cognitive thought, quirks and specific traits with the characters you are animating.
Surest ticket: make someone laugh, or cry with your animation.

You'd be amazed at the numbers of "animators" that cannot figure out the order and sequence to get a character to the point where you have empathy for them.
Find a bit of voice work from an actor, with a REALLY distinctive voice and animate to that--trying to build on the character present in the voice.

A good example in a cartoon: Vincent Price as Ratigan from Disney's The Great Mouse Detective.
Use old radio plays rather than watching TV--because the radio doesn't have visuals to influence your work--you'll have to make it all up in your head.
Animate a George Burns and Gracie Allen skit for example.

I've seen a lot.....a LOT of demo reels from aspiring "character" animators ( mostly students) that has junk in them like walk cycles and rotations. That kind of thing is utterly useless, if there's no personality to it.
Just showing someone walking doesn't reveal their thoughts, nor does a turning head animated in a cycle---so dump that kind of crap from the demo reel.
Show something that could be funny, like a fat kid with a lisp at a spelling bee. Or something a bit over the top like someone mailing off a love-letter to their sweetie.
Or something heart-felt like someone hearing about the death of a loved one--make the viewer really FEEL for that character.

That kinda stuff, done well, will you a job in just about any studio you care to name.

Hey there.
Look, it depends on where you are. Where do you live, actually?
See, here's the thing. Employers, directors, ad agencies, producers... they hire Flash animators the same way they hire illustrators or anyone else. They have a lot of work they need done, and are forever grateful to anyone who can take the load off their backs.
So really, it depends on where you live and what kind of jobs are available out there. You say there are Flash jobs in your area... ok. Is it internet ads & flying logos? Or is it internet short cartoons? TV ads? Are the clients ad agencies or animation studios? Makes a difference.

As for tutorials.... from my experience Flash is not a hard program, you dont need profesional training. The internet tutorial that comes with Flash itself is enough to become familiar with the program.

Trouble is... tutorials dont tell you anything about Squash & Stretch, overshoot & settle, staging, acting... for that you need to learn ANIMATION, not programs. Takes a lifetime to master animation... but there are books you can buy to help. The PRESTON BLAIRE books are great for beginners. THE ANIMATOR's SURVIVAL KIT is intense, deep and detailed, but if you really want to become a good animator, that's what you should study.

I always think the best way to learn is to start by copying artists you like. Learn the program (I really doubt it'll take longer than a couple of weeks), then study Flash Cartoons you like and try to figure out how they got it done... really, Flash aside, the animation principles themselves are the same no matter what the medium Flash, 3D or traditional 2D.

How much experience with Animation (not flash, just animation) do you have? Are you familiar with the basics?

Well, I'm from and work out of Vancouver, so the advice I've supplied applies directly to the studios there.

To reiterate: you will need to offer "something" in terms of your talent to them. The studios there see a LOT of kids coming out of the various schools in the area, and they have their picks of the best of them.
Mediocre talents usually do not get picked up for work, and unfortunately, there's a lot of mediocre talent out there applying for jobs.
Just make sure the work you do is solid, appealing and stands apart in some way.

Use some sense in this. I've seen all kinds of half-hearted applications for all kinds of animation positions.
People presenting their painted canvases of potted plants..........for a storyboarding job, or applying for animation work and having only fashion illustration to show.
Be realistic and discriminating regarding your own abilities. If you need to develop your skills more, do so.

Good luck.

I've created an extensive Flash animation course and a Flash drawing course that I sell on my site: Cartoon Solutions.

The emphasis in the Drawing course is on improving drawing skills and then applying those skills to creating a character that is builtcorrectly for easy animation within flash.

The Animation course focusing on incorporating a lot of traditional animation principles: squash and stretch, arcs, following through/secondary animation, timing, settling as well as cycled animation. It also takes you through putting together a multi-scene animation and incorporating camera moves.

Here is a link to more information and screen shots:
http://www.cartoonsolutions.com/flash_video_animation_training.html

This link shows you what is taught in lessons 4-8 in the animation course demonstrating the different steps you'll go through:
http://www.cartoonsolutions.com/anim_course_demo.html

You can definitely learn flash, it does take some time, but the more projects and animations you do it, the more you will see your skills improve!

Ken: You're from Vancouver as well? That's mighty cool!

Yes, there are a lot of game design and animation schools in Vancouver and I hear a lot of people saying how the schools only teach you about the technical side of art and how to use a certain software, ignoring what's most important. How to tell a story. I've read a lot of articles and posts similar to this to know how true it is.

I noticed that you were an instructor at one time, Ken. If I were to send you a link to my portfolio, would you be able to give me some feedbacks on it?

bluehickey: It's so funny that you should post here because I actually found your site when I was googling for "animation tutorials". Lol. Small world! I actually checked out your site and even downloaded a few video tutorials. I really like what I am seeing so far. Might have to pick up a tutorial from there soon. :D

Post a link here, I'll do what I can.

Bear in mind, I will not pull any punches.

Wow, how did I missed this thread?

First of all, welcome to the AWN Forums PSguy.

I'll have to echo what Ken and Blue said. Animating is Flash is just that, ANIMATING. Sure there are a few tips, tricks and shortcuts that can be applied, but for the most part, it uses all the same principles as any other good animation out there. Study the 12 animation principles. Get those down pat, then apply them to your animation in Flash.

To learn Flash, I'd just pick up one of those basic Flash books, like one of those Quick Start books. They will teach you all the basics of the program that you will really need to learn. I have yet to see a Flash ANIMATION book out there that is worth the price. Buy a Flash tutorial book, and a seperate book on animation.

If you have any questions, you can do a search here in the AWN Forums. Bluehickey, myself and others have posted quite a bit about Flash animation tips and things.

Also feel free to post animation tests, shorts or any other art you do in the "Show and Tell" forum. People are usually pretty good at leaving comments. I, like Ken, try to be pretty honest and straight forward with my critiques. I've always felt that a "looks good," critique helps no one.

Welcome to the vast murky world of animation PSguy.

Aloha,
the Ape