Motion Graphic Design, Jon Krasner

Rhythm

This chapter focuses on the notion of 'rhythm,' both in animated visuals and in sounds.

In music, listening to the beats and accents in a song can identify its rhythm. It is directly related to pace. A rhythm with a consistent pace can be recognized easily. One with a variable pace breaks predictability, so the choice depends what purpose the producer wants the piece to serve. Rhythmic editing is used when subordinating narrative concerns in the editing process to instead establish rhythmic patterns. It began with French Impressionist and Soviet Avant-Garde filmmakers. It can also been seen in Hollywood productions to a lesser extent in dance sequences and musical dramas/comedies.

Timing differs from 'tempo.' Indicates the number of beats in a measure.Timing of beats and accents helps to determine the underlying visual rhythm.

Frame Duration is the length that a composition's segments remain onscreen. You govern the amount of time viewers can see the content. can be as short as a single frame, or as long as a thousand. To create a consistent rhythm, one should make the segments approximately the same duration.

Repetition of Image and Action recurring elements that have matching or similar images or actions can create a uniform rhythm. In music, notes and patterns of notes that repeat at regular intervals create the same effect.

Variable Rhythm changes over time to vary a composition's mood. Breaks predictability and allows new material to be introduced.

Emphasis marks an interruption in the fundamental pattern of events. Can break predictability and define a focal point. Is achieved by providing accents, or exaggerating character movements. In motion design, it is used to contribute towards a visual hierarchy.

Varying Event Frequency and Tempo for example interrupting regular motion with slow motion. The purpose is to block a viewers normal expectation of a narrative.

Varying Frame Duration combining sequences consisting of different frame lengths creates irregular rhythms. Shortening each consecutive sequence can produce a notion of acceleration. Serves to refresh the audience's interest.

Pause varies a composition's rhythm. Can be a series of black frames, or an interval of frozen action. Gives viewers time to rest, to emphasize a point, to create tension.