Integration: Overlapping Animation

Overlapping animation was discussed in a previous study on blocking HERE, but I’d like to look into how it can help sell better effects by strengthening integration.

For the first part of this study, we’re going to look at a comparison of an X-Men show to an X-Men movie. Let’s look at two takes on portal effects from the character Blink.

Let’s focus on how the portal vanishes. When it vanishes, there is no overlap animation, it turns off at once.

Where the X-Men movie adds better integration is by layering how the portal turns off: After the portal shrinks inward and linger smoke disperses outward a few frames later for overlap. This is what can make an effect feel more integrated in the scene since it feels less like one effect layer being turned on and off.

Overlapping animation can also be applied with depth in mind to show volume of 3D subjects and effects. By delaying the vanishing effect on the nose (in the closer depth layer) with overlapping animation, the effect is given depth and better integration. Without it, the effect would feel like a 2D wipe.