Animated Life

The Assistant Animator

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The Assistant Animator

The animation assistant often played a very important role in the creation of an animated film.

You've finally finished your animation apprenticeship, and you've learned the ropes as a fledgling inbetweener and breakdown artist. Now that the cartoon basics have been instilled, you're ready to take the next big step. No, don't get too anxious. You're not an animator yet. You've another important role to fill before continuing your climb up the ladder. It's time to become an assistant animator.

I was apprehensive when my boss, Andy Engman, informed me of my promotion. It was a mixture of delight and terror. Now I would be assuming responsibility for the animator's scene, and I wondered ...