Timing for Animation, 40th Anniversary Edition, 3rd Edition
by Harold Whitaker, Tom Sito, John Halas
Timing a Walk
What are the main features of a “normal” human walk? There can be as many walks as there are people. Does the character walk leaning forward or laid back? With slumped shoulders or a posture that is ramrod erect? Does the character walk on tiptoes or on the balls of their feet or heels? Nose in the air, or head down, deep in thought? What are the arms doing?
The Walk is the first step to finding the key to the character’s personality.
To begin, walking has been described by the old animators as “controlled falling”—a skilled manipulation of balance and weight. Most animators begin by animating their own personal walk, since the motion is instinctual in their minds.
The only point in a walk when the figure is in balance is at the ...
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