I'm trying my first lip-sync today! However, I don't know how many frames I have to hold the face on for?

Does anybody know?

sorry i dont know,maybe one frame good luck

Thanks Chesee!

Dunno. Sorry.

Do you have Cracking Animation book, please reply if yes.

Harry! How are you! No, I don't.

Ok, im fine thankyou, In Cracking Animation theres a whole section on Lip Sync.

My Mum said she'd think about getting it for me! Thanks Harry!

I've got Cracking Animation. I can help if you like.

Mark go to page 155.

the duration will be the duration the animation lasts for?

Huh?

i dident get that jordan

you didnt understand me first, then we dont understand
you.

i asked jordan.

the lip synch will only last for the duration of the word lasts for.

huh?

OK, Harry. Joshy, do you want me to say anything about what's in the book?

I think a little lesson is needed....

(which I will give hopefully well, soon, as I'm a bit busy right now....)

Cracking Animation says... (im typing this so there may be some things wrong)

Lip Sync
We match voices to lip movements by a somewhat ancient method which has been come traditional in the company. First, an editor marks all the syllables on the magnetic tape of the diaogue recording. Then he or she transfers all this to a bar chart, in which each bar covers a second of film (or 1ft of 35mm) so the animator can see exactly where each syllable starts and finishes. With the word 'Me', for example, the chart will show the 'M'-sound lasting for two frames, or whatever, and the longer 'eeeee' sound lasting for nine frames . If there is pre-recorded music, as there might be for a film which is set round a tune or song, this will also be sketched in, to show where the beats fall, or a particular run of notes which are important for the animator's timing.

The chart goes to the animator, who then copies the infromation on to a tradition animation dope sheet. There are 96 lines to a page, one line for each frame covering 4 seconds, and the lines run vertically down the sheet. On the dope shet you have more space to put other information, and that is the essential difference. Instead of having just a tiny gap per frame, as one the bar chart, here the animator has a whole line.

Now you have your own personal map of the sounds, and the gaps between them, and can begin to devise a performance for your character. From listening to the sound, you know when the voice goes up higher - which might indicate a questioning expression, with raised eyebrows.

Well, there you go. Just one clear thing to add. You animate each mouth to each syllable and change it when a new syllable is needed. So for 'hello' you would use the mouth for 'he' then take a frame. Then you would use the mouth for 'o' and take a frame. You do not need the mouth shape of the middle l ('s)because it would add an unwanted change between the mouth transitions. It would make the mouth open twice which you don't want. Look here......

Chart......

And heres another reference....


Hope that our posts helped...they went together quite nicely

Great Pics Nofby. Well done.

Thanks Harry.

Thanks Nofby!

NOVEL!!!

No problem Joshy! Mark- I've done longer....

i used the animation book when i tried to do lip sync at home and its a great book. when i was at aardman the animator said that theyre are sounds which will need more shoots than others because of how quick the sound is when you speak it like b's and p's for example, it was a great help and helped me smooth out my animation better

True...my recource for lipsync and animation info is the famous 'The Animator's Survival Kit' which no animator should be without! Link to the book.......

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Animators-Survival-Kit-Principles-Stop-motion/dp/0571202284

"If you're a newcomer to animation, this book is utterly essential.
If you're an experienced amateur or professional, this book has no other purpose than to enrich your life and extend your talents.
If you're just interested in animation, this book will have you reaching for a pencil in double-quick time. "

This IS the ultimate book/guide for us! They have even introduced an Animated Animators Survival Kit on video, a reincarnation of his old 1950/60's animation classes, that cost alot of ££££. Look here.....

http://www.theanimatorssurvivalkit.com/index.html

This is a brilliant resource for me.