Exaggeration

When watching an animated feature, such as a cartoon or movies, it is hard not to notice that many of the things done in the cartoon are impossible in the real world. Maybe a character's eyes are too big, or the characters would never actually be in that situation, or a character couldn't actually move a certain way. Without all of these extremes, the animation would be dead, stiff, and boring [2].

What is Exaggeration?

This principle refers to the act of amplifying elements of story, character design, or actions within an animated work. Exaggeration makes things larger than life, entertaining, and works very closely with Squash and Stretch [1]. Exaggeration is found in just about every part of an animated feature. The less Exaggeration, the more realistic the film will become. Edmond will  help explain. 

Here, Edmond is at a Fancy party, drinking wine and eating fancy cheese. How is this Exaggerated?

• Story: Of course llamas don't go to fancy parties, drink wine, or eat cheese. This story goes beyond what can actually happen in reality. This setting goes with Edmond's personality and makes the situation amusing. 

• Character: Llamas do not actually wear clothes, glasses, or bow ties. This was done to give Edmond personality and to separate him from other characters.

• Actions: Llamas can not bend their elbows or hold wine glasses with their hooves. They also do not go to parties. However, how could Edmond be at a fancy party without holding a wine glass?

Take a look at this next example in Disney's Aladdin:

Meeting Genie

What am I looking at?

• One of the largest Exaggerations of this film is the story itself. In real life, a boy could never go into a magical cave, or find a magic lamp with a genie inside that gives him whatever he desires.

• Watch as the Genie is introduced into the story (0:40). 
• The actual size of the Genie is larger than life. He grows and shrinks depending on what he is feeling.
• The movements he makes extend beyond what is physically possible.

• Watch the Genie, who is very Exaggerated, compared to Aladdin, who is more realistic. Aladdin seems more calm, and almost boring when he is next to the Genie.

How can I use this in my work?

• Don't be afraid to literally make your characters larger than life. 
• Focus on key parts of your character and make them bigger or smaller.
• Add things to your character, even if they could not actually have them, such as a sweater, a bow tie, and glasses. 

• Make the movements of the character similar to their personality. If you want your character to be a huge personality with a big voice, he or she must have large movements to go with it, and the opposite with a quiet personality.

• Put your character in interesting situations, even if they are beyond reality. Even "reality shows" on television are beyond what normally happens in life, and that's why people find them interesting. 

Sources:

[1] Atkinson, David. Animation Notes #5 Principles of Animation.  Retrieved from http://minyos.its.rmit.edu.au/aim/a_notes/anim_principles.html.

[2] Sager. July, 2010. 12 Basic Principles Of Animation – Exaggeration, Solid Drawing And Appeal. Animation. Retrieved from http://www.animation.in/12-basic-principles-of-animation-exaggeration-solid-drawing-and-appeal.html