Here is a brief description of the step-by-step process that I use when creating animations.
1) Write a script
This is the simplest step. All you need is a creative mind and a version of Microsoft Word, or you could do it on paper, or whatever is easiest.
2) Record the soundtrack
I use Goldwave 4.25 to record my soundtracks. You also need a microphone, a few pieces of music, and sound effects. To get Goldwave, go to www.Goldwave.com for a demo. To start, plug in your microphone into your computer, enter Goldwave, select file, then click new, and then choose the sample rate you want (I recommend 22050HZ for best performance and smaller file size OR choose a lower sample rate depending on your computer’s capabilities). When you are ready, hit the record button and away you go!
You might need to do some editing when you finish. To edit out a bit that you don’t like, click on the wave where the bit starts and move the cursor to the end of the section that is a problem, and then click edit and delete. When you have done that, open up your music/SFX files that you want and copy one at a time to mix them into the sound file that you are working on.
3) Animate
First draw the backgrounds on paper (things look best this way), then take pictures of them using a digital camera (I use a Logitech Pro 4000) and put it in the folder of your animation. I use JASC Animation Shop Pro Load it, select new, and then select on the ‘new picture’ screen “transparent.” Draw animated objects without the moving parts. Start an AVI file, paste the backgrounds, put in the cells, and draw in the moving objects, like the arms, legs, etc. [TIP1: To make sure the animation is smooth select VIEW-ONIONSKIN-ENABLE and then you can see what you did on the last frame on the current frame. TIP2: If you are doing a sound cartoon, make sure that everything is in sync when you save. I select 10 frames a second for the easiest calculation for sound and pictureà one frame = 1/10th of a second.]
4) Mixing sound and Picture
I use Roxio’s Videoimpression for this step. Load the movie and sound into the album, then select the sound and movie files and press add. To add a neat title, press the button marked with a T. When you are finished adding the title, press the play button, and then press save.