Basic body mechanics for animators.

In this video I demonstrate some very simple physical principles, showing how forces act on our bodies and how we can animate them

In dynamic movement the body is aligned so that forces are applied in the most effective direction ( like a sprinter on a starting block ).

Our legs are the biggest muscles in our bodies. But we know that it’s hard work to change direction quickly ( unless you run into something ). With big changes in speed the body needs to be co-ordinated, its structure aligned properly and its movement synchronized (like a karate punch, or a cartwheel). If this alignment or synchronization is off then we simply fall over (like a gymnast teetering off balance at the end of a difficult move).