Editing an animated story: how three shots change the meaning

Editing an animated story determines the order in which viewers see shots and how long each stays on screen. The editor helps make the story understandable, rather than simply removing spare seconds. You can explore that difference without software: show three original picture cards in a different order and compare what a viewer understands from each version.

An animation editor does not only arrive at the end

ScreenSkills describes an animation editor as someone involved from script and storyboard discussions through to arranging finished material and incorporating sound. Responsibilities vary between productions. A published render therefore cannot tell you whether a whole episode or its final edit is complete.

Our explanation of an animatic introduces pictures played in time. The activity below is a separate, original TAMITOS example. It is not footage from an episode or a description of an internal production process. Its purpose is to make one editing decision tangible with simple materials.

Prepare three pictures with one clear change

Draw a ball on a table, a surprised child and the ball on the floor. Simple drawings are enough. An adult should handle scissors or small materials as appropriate for the children taking part. Three full sheets of paper work just as well as cut-out cards, so the activity does not depend on using tools.

Choose a question before arranging the pictures. Do you want to show that the ball moved and someone noticed? Or do you want the viewer to see a surprised face first and discover the reason afterwards? This is a comparison of information, rather than a drawing competition. A beautiful picture is not necessary to make the change visible.

Version A: show the change before the reaction

Show the ball on the table, then the ball on the floor, followed by the surprised character. Hold each picture up briefly and keep the others out of sight. Afterwards, ask what the viewer thinks happened, if they want to respond. A child can also just watch. The adult can describe what they noticed without turning the activity into a quiz.

In this imagined sequence, the viewer sees the change in the ball’s position before seeing a reaction. You can write an explanatory sentence separately, but try the pictures without reading it first. If the basic situation is unclear, adjust a visible detail, such as using the same colour for the ball in both drawings. That gives you a specific change to compare.

Version B: create a question before answering it

Start with the surprised character and then reveal the ball on the floor. You can put the table picture first or leave it out. Notice what changes when the viewer does not immediately know the reason for the expression. There is no single correct description of what every viewer must feel.

Compare the versions without labelling one professional and the other wrong. If you want a straightforward explanation, the first order may suit your purpose. If you want a brief question, try the second. A useful decision is: “What should be clear at this point?” Sometimes moving an existing picture is more useful than adding another one.

Change the duration separately

Keep the chosen order and vary only how long you show the pictures. Try giving each card similar time, then holding the reaction card for longer. You do not need to count exact seconds. Notice whether there is time to look at the image and whether repeating it still holds your interest.

Avoid changing the music, speed and narration all at once. You would then have several differences to explain. If you want a quiet sound for the ball landing, make that another comparison. Our guide to Foley sounds explores a separate way of thinking about sound alongside an image.

Write down one decision you can explain

After the activity, a note might say: “We show the ball on the floor before the face, so the change is visible first.” That is more specific than “make it more exciting”. If two arrangements interest you, keep both and return later. The exercise does not need to produce a finished film by the end of the afternoon.

One person can hold the cards while another watches. Swap roles if everyone wants to, but there is no need to ask a child to perform a surprised expression or appear in a recording. Original drawings are enough. A home activity can remain private rather than becoming a piece of content to post online.

Where TAMITOS fits into the explanation

When exploring the TAMITOS animated series, distinguish public previews from completed episodes. This article explains a filmmaking term. It does not announce a premiere or confirm that a particular scene has been finished. Our storyboard guide provides another starting point for understanding the work behind an animated story.

Common questions

Do we need editing software?

Not for this activity. Picture cards let you compare the order without a screen, a new account or an unfamiliar interface. You can stop after one comparison and keep the drawings for another day.

Does a faster edit make a better story?

In this exercise, compare clarity and the effect you intended. Speed alone is not a quality score. Change one thing, watch the result and decide whether that version communicates what you wanted.

Source for the professional role: ScreenSkills: Editor, Animation, checked 6 November 2026. The cards, sequences and comparison exercise are original TAMITOS examples.