Ted-Ed Lessons rely on animations

TED-ED is seeking animators, illustrators, artists.  Use YOUR animation talents to produce Ted-Ed originals.

From their website:

"TED-Ed’s mission is to spark and celebrate the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Everything we do supports learning — from producing a growing library of original animated videos, to providing an international platform for teachers..."

What are TED-Ed Lessons?

"TED-Ed Originals are our signature content: short, award-winning animated videos about ideas that spark the curiosity of learners everywhere. Every TED-Ed Original represents a creative collaboration between experts. Such experts may include TED Speakers and TED Fellows, as well as educators, designers, animators, screenwriters, directors, science writers, historians, journalists and editors. These original animated videos, paired with questions and resources, make up what we refer to as TED-Ed Lessons."

Check it out. A sample:

Persistence of Vision explained

Ted Ed shows historical pre-cinema devices and nice examples of animated movement from still images. Like magic.

"Explainer Videos": automated

Explainer Videos are, well, what they sound like they are.  A recent trend in web content, these animated, live action, motion graphic shorts (under 2 minutes) pack a quick punch for corporations and organizations, or even individuals trying to fund their projects (you can't do a Kickstarter without one)  It seems that everyone needs one these days (potentially good motion graphic work if you can get it) and this company promises to automate the creation of one with drag and drop animated elements. Why hire real artists when you can use clipart animations? :)



Examples of Explainer videos are here:

"The Story of Stuff" was probably one of the earlier "explainer" videos with real integrity. Here's their most recent one: "The Story of Change"--applicable to today's political climate.




And here's one that has NO voiceover.  Just images.  Refreshing.

Every Frame a Painting - great critiques of film techniques

Here's one about director, David Fincher (House of Cards), and his various rules for directing.

 

Terry Gilliam's Do it Yourself Animation Show

Cut outs GALORE! How to...from the Monty Python animator.

12 Principles of Animation

The 12 principles of animation were introduced by Disney's animators, Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, in their book 'The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation'. Published in 1981, it is widely considered to be the best animation book of all time.
Here are some great online videos that summarize and teach these principles:

1. Squash & stretch
2. Anticipation
3. Staging
4. Straight Ahead Action & Pose to Post
5. Follow Through & Overlapping Action
6. Slow In & Slow Out
7. Arcs
8. Secondary Action
9. Timing
10. Exaggeration
11. Solid Drawing
12. Appeal

 This guy has an entire series of videos, one for each principle.



 And from TED:

Audio LISTS!

Studio 4D's first assignment: The Audio List
Examples can be found here:

• Transom: A Showcase and Workshop for New Public Radio: Shortlists page 
• Third Coast International Audio Festival: The List Show

For more experimental audio and audio storytelling check out:
UBU Web;Transom.org; ThirdCoastFestival.org; Re:Sound are great places to start.
Cowbird - "a public library of human experience," they offer "storytelling tools, designed to encourage contemplation and depth — for free, and without ads"