Skip to content
Learn MikuMikuDance – MMD Tutorials – Free 3D Animation Software

Learn MikuMikuDance – MMD Tutorials – Free 3D Animation Software

Download Free Animation Software – Let's Learn How to Do Everything!

  • Step-by-Step MMD instructions
  • DOWNLOADS
  • Troubleshoot, Fix MMD
  • Site Contents
  • Reggie Replies Q&A
  • Homework!
  • What IS MMD?
    • Download MikuMikuDance Newest Latest Version of MMD
  • “HOW TO”
    • Raycast RAY-MMD Effect Tutorials
  • BONUS PAGES
    • Why convert PMD models to PMX?
  • HALL of CHAMPIONS
  • Tutorial Categories
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Toggle search form
  • Arrow MMD Animation Video Finished in only Six Weeks! "the making of" my video
  • MMD Credit Helper and PMMLookupper File Management / Organization
  • Pose characters in PMX Editor and export as OBJs for Poser .OBJ Object Files
  • Making a Long Video Animation in MMD 7.39 Can Be Done! CONTESTS
  • Hatsune Miku “LIVE” on David Letterman’s ‘The Late Show’ Random Thoughts & Visions
  • Ray-MMD environment controls create MMD dreamscape MMD Tutorials
  • MMD Models with a Mother Bone are easy to move on your stage.
    MMD Mother Bones Allow Easy Dancer Model Movement From Stage Center ARIZONA
  • MMD Cell Phone Screen Video
    MMD Cell Phone Screen Video Creation… just for that vertical screen! Cell-Phone Video

Staging and the 12 Principles of Animation.

Posted on December 15, 2015December 31, 2015 By Arizona 1 Comment on Staging and the 12 Principles of Animation.

How do you use staging in MMD? What is the role of staging in the 12 Principles of A Feature Article by contributor ARIZONA on LearnMMD.comanimation? How can you use staging in MikuMikuDance?

Using Staging with the 12 Principles of Animation.

In writing about the 12 Principles of animation, explaining staging is the hardest principle to discuss. It encompasses so many factors. The goal of staging is always going to be same: lead your viewer to where you want them to focus their attention so that your idea presented clearly. Good use of staging will help tell your story in a way that is distinct and apparent, so your audience won’t miss any important details. The techniques for staging are varied. You can use character placement; camera angles; lighting; motion; costuming; color; expression and the list goes on. This alone, is what makes staging so difficult to explain.

The real trap in staging is trying to do too much at one time. Remember the audience can only see what you show them. Let’s imagine an example of bad staging, your scene shows someone in the foreground of a living room. Another character walks in, so you change the camera angle to show them walking into the room. Off camera, another person has brought a tray of food and drinks and sat next to the first character. If you cut to a wide angle shot the audience now sees three people and food. You have created an incongruity, your audience is now perplexed.

Setting the Stage

Meiko's StagingIn order to make the afore-mentioned example better staged. You could cut to a wider shot showing all the action happening in one shot. If you want to get more elaborate with this, you could use a split-screen shot showing both actions simultaneously. Another option would be a POV shot from our seated reader and pan between the two people entering. There are all kinds of staging solutions that can be utilized.

I used camera motion to show an example of staging. This demonstrates using dynamic motion on a stationary subject. “Every shot must count.” is one of those mantras that directors will tell you. It’s true. You have a limited amount of time to tell your story so make the time count.

Staging can also be done with music and sound. Two examples: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFBrIVCasE4 ) or sound effect can also stage your character. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIID_TGwhM ). Lighting can also focus your audience. You could literally put your subject in a spot light. Motion (or lack thereof) could guide everyone’s attention. If everyone is still, but your protagonist is the only one moving (or vice versa). That will draw the audience’s attention to where you want them.

Another facet of staging to keep in mind is “what is the purpose of your shot, or character placement?” Just because you can do something, doesn’t make it a good idea. For example, I can shoot a scene where two people are having a serious heart-to-heart discussion and then turn the camera angle upside-down. Not only does this distract your viewers, but something worse could happen. You would get an unintentional laugh! You’ve now lost purpose and the audience.

One of the greatest aspects of staging is there are so many ways to show off your creativity. One of the hardest aspects of staging is that there are so number of ways to show off you creativity. You are only limited by your resources and imagination. Yet, you have to make a decision. Once you do that, you are ready to move on to the next stage.

Have fun with this.

Sources:

Models: Default MMD Meiko
Meiko’s pose data by Tehrainbowllama
Cardboard Boxes Donburiroom

Effects: AdultShader


– SEE BELOW for MORE MMD TUTORIALS…


— — —


– _ — –


Visit the LearnMMD.com Homepage! Plenty of Mikumikudance instruction and info!

More MMD Tutorials...

Reader asks how to create MMD artwork... stuff like posing, camerawork?

A reader asks... Is there a tutorial on how to create MMD artwork, like those you ...read more

Learn MikuMikuDance in Small Steps! New LearnMMD Video Series

Learn MikuMikuDance in Small Steps. Where can I find easy-to-follow MMD instructions on YouTube? How ...read more

Apply Multiple Effects on an Entire MMD Model Using M4Layer Effect

How can I apply multiple effects to an MMD model? Can I use more than ...read more

MMD Plugin Manager... I Found a Treasure!

What sorts of MMD Plugins are there? MMD Plugin Manager? MMD Plugins. Plugin MMD. More ...read more

2023: Hatsune Miku is 16 Years Old by design and in reality!

Finally, in 2023, Hatsune Miku is 16 years old! When did Miku make her first ...read more

SEARCH LearnMMD.com... it's Easy!

Search LearnMMD.com to find your answers! With the posting of this article, LearnMMD.com has 758 tutorials ...read more

Accessory Manipulation/Adjust, ARIZONA, MMD Tutorials, Staging

Post navigation

Previous Post: Passion VS Work – Making Videos for your Fanbase
Next Post: Motion Reference Videos Available FREE Online

Related Posts

  • Posing MMD Models Using Reference Images Animation Shortcuts
  • Understanding MME Render Targets for Miku Miku Dance Effects Adult Shader effect
  • Adjust the Shadows in MikuMikuDance KillerBeer
  • MMD Outside Parent Setting Enables Bone Connecting Animation Shortcuts
  • Quick-Start Basics of MMD to get you started! GloriaTheAnimator
  • Shading China Dresses
    Shading China Dresses Using Advanced Shader Techniques Advanced Shader Technique

More Related Articles

When you add background AVI files, you can motion trace! Loading Background AVI Files into MMD (2021 Edition) Add Background Pictures and AVI
Position stage near MMD coordinate axis center-line Accessory Manipulation/Adjust
Cycles materials for textures model and nodes Cycles Materials For Textures in Blender: Nice Textures for MMD Fast! Blender
Build your own stage for MMD using Blender 2.69 Blender
Motion is LOCAL, per the Model's orientation, or GOBAL, per the Program's Grid. (Meiko Sakine from MMD 7.39) Local and Global Mode Bone Movement MMD: Miku’s Mode Swings ARIZONA
Creating Black Model Silhouettes in MikuMikuDance ARIZONA

Comment (1) on “Staging and the 12 Principles of Animation.”

  1. Susubarata says:
    March 21, 2016 at 5:53 am

    Yea, staging is one of the most difficult to teach and learned from those 12. The only way to master it is by nothing else but to try and actually MAKE those scenes. Experience is the best teacher. It may looked weird the first time but as time progress you’ll start to do it instinctively and looked more natural.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the latest version of MikuMikuDance!
See the MMD Step-by-Step instructions page!
Learn how to make your own MMD motions!
LearnMMD.com
  • MME PowerShader effect rivals Ray-MMD Raycast image enhancements MMD Tutorials
  • ColorShift Effect Dances using VMDSpectrum Analyzer ColorShift 3D Effect
  • MikuMikuDance Unbridled Creativity Starts with an Empty GUI MMD Basics
  • 3D printing MMD models on a desktop 3D printer! 3D Printing MMD Models
  • Luka with Body Pane with Vignette
    Hair Falling through the Body in MMD Models and How to Fix It Fixing Broken Models
  • Make an effect start at a certain frame Kazuki Matsuoka
  • MMPlus has many safeguards that will save you time as you work with MMD.
    MMPlus, a New MMD Plugin! Animation Resource
  • Formatting Captions With MMM MikuMikuMoving Bullwood

Copyright © 2022 Learn MikuMikuDance – MMD Tutorials – Free 3D Animation Software and Instructions..

Powered by PressBook Premium theme

Go to mobile version