Which comes first? Animation or voice over?

Have you ever wondered about the creative process behind your favorite animated films or explainer videos, specifically which comes first: the animation or the voice over? 

In this article

1. A Historical Look At Animation And Voice Over
2. Evolution Of Animation With Voice Over
3. Pivotal Moments In Animation And Voice Over
4. Understanding The Creative Process Of Animation And Voice Over
5. Conception And Design Of Characters
6. Script Writing And Voice Acting
7. Decoding The Sequence: Animation Or Voice Over First?
8. Explanation Of Typical Processes
9. Exceptions To The Rule And Unique Cases
10. Case Studies: Successful Examples Of Animation And Voice Over Processes
11. Examining Acclaimed Animations
12. Breaking Down Innovative Voice Over Work

In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the history and processes of these two art forms to answer that very question.

A Historical Look At Animation And Voice Over

Animation has been around for over a century, and voice over soon followed suit with the inclusion of synchronized sound in films during the late 1920s.

Evolution Of Animation With Voice Over

The evolution of animation has been a fascinating journey, with voice over techniques becoming pivotal in bringing these creations to life. Animation history can be traced back to the ancient Pygmalion mythology, which tells the story of a sculptor who created statues that came to life.

One iconic figure in the evolution of animation was Pinto Colvig, best known as the original voice behind Disney’s iconic character Goofy. As an animator and performer himself, Colvig played a crucial role in pioneering experimental animation methods that would later define modern cartoons.

Early animated films from Russia between 1906-1909 utilized various techniques such as puppet animation, drawn animation, and mixed media to deliver engaging stories on screen.

These forms eventually evolved into more intricate works incorporating sophisticated sound design and voice over performances over time.

Pivotal Moments In Animation And Voice Over

The evolution of animation and voice over has seen numerous pivotal moments that have shaped how we experience animated films today. One such moment was in 1928 when Walt Disney’s ‘Steamboat Willie’ introduced synchronization of music, sound effects, and character voice over to the realm of animation for the first time.

Another notable milestone occurred with the advent of television broadcasting in the 1950s, which paved the way for animated series like ‘The Flintstones’, featuring professional voice actors who would bring these beloved characters to life.

Innovative recording techniques also played a crucial role in enhancing artistic expression within animations; Mel Blanc, often referred to as “The Man of Thousand Voices,” demonstrated this exceptional talent by providing unique voices for iconic Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig.

Understanding The Creative Process Of Animation And Voice Over

The creative process of animation and voice over involves the design of characters, script writing, and voice acting. Understanding this process is key to creating successful animated videos that powerfully engage audiences.

Conception And Design Of Characters

The conception and design of characters play a crucial role in animation and voice over’s creative process. This initial step involves crafting appealing, distinctive, and memorable characters that resonate with the animation’s storyline and target audience.

An essential aspect of character creation is collaboration between animators, graphic designers, scriptwriters, and voice over artists. 

For instance, while an animator may sketch out a rough idea for a character’s appearance or movements based on their imagination or storyboard concepts provided by scriptwriters (e.g., Woody from ‘Toy Story’), they need to work closely with voice over artists who will breathe life into these creations through their expressive vocals (e.g., Tom Hanks’ warm portrayal).

The team ensures that every element,such as performance art aspects like facial expressions or gesture nuances,is aligned cohesively throughout all project stages.

Script Writing And Voice Acting

Scriptwriting and voice acting are crucial elements in animation and voice over production. The script sets the tone, establishes characters, and develops the plot, while the voice actors’ performances bring life to those characters.

Good quality writing is essential for engaging content that will resonate with viewers. Voice acting can make or break an animated video or game as it helps enhance character development and emotional appeal.

It’s common for scriptwriting and voice acting to be done simultaneously during production since both need to align seamlessly with one another to create a cohesive final product.

However, one may come before the other depending on the creative process of a particular project.

Decoding The Sequence: Animation Or Voice Over First?

Generally, the rule in animation filmmaking is that audio comes first, then animation.

Explanation Of Typical Processes

Understanding the creative process of animation and voice over is crucial in producing effective animated explainer videos. This typically involves a thorough approach to scriptwriting, character design, storyboard creation, graphics development, voice over recording, and animation style selection.

In most cases, audio comes first before animation during the production phase of a film or video project.

However, films like, ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ an American animated science-fiction adventure film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation deviates from the conventional order of audio-then-animation production rule.

Exceptions To The Rule And Unique Cases

While it is generally agreed that audio comes before animation in creating cartoons, this rule has a few exceptions. For example, some animators prefer to make the visuals first and then add sound effects and dialogue later.

This technique allows for greater creative control over timing and pacing. Another unique case is when an animator collaborates with a musician or sound designer to simultaneously create visual and auditory elements that complement each other seamlessly.

One notable example of successful animation with unconventional processes was Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’. In this film, music came before animation: animators were tasked with creating a visual interpretation of classical music pieces without any script or accompanying dialogue.

The result was an iconic piece of cinema with stunning visuals and unmatched musical accompaniment.

Case Studies: Successful Examples Of Animation And Voice Over Processes

There are many examples of successful animation and voice over processes. Here are some case studies showcasing acclaimed animations and innovative voice over work.

Examining Acclaimed Animations

Let’s focus on some of the most successful examples of using animation and voice over processes together. One great example is Pixar’s ‘Toy Story’ series, which revolutionized animated storytelling using cutting-edge visual effects and emotive voice overs from actors like Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.

Another standout is Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, which masterfully combines traditional Japanese artistry with cinematic storytelling and features an unforgettable vocal performance by actress Rumi Hiiragi.

Breaking Down Innovative Voice Over Work

We can’t forget about another aspect of innovative voice over work – sound design. Audio production teams have become particularly adept at creating new sound effects while paying close attention to lip-syncing and character movement to make the animation more organic.

Innovative voice over work involves pushing the boundaries of traditional voice acting. It means thinking outside the box and experimenting with vocal range and delivery to create engaging, memorable, impactful performances.