Cels Forum

So U want 2 know what cels are, huh? I'm not sure that I'm
the one that can explain it best, but I'll try:)

Did you ever wonder how cartoons are animated? When you watch
something animated, you're actually watching 24 cels flash
past your eyes each second. There are different jobs for
each animator. In order for an animated series/movie to be
made, animators must draw a series of drawings, where each 
picture is slightly different than the other. Just like if
you'd flip a consecutive series of pictures quickly, it creates
an illusion of movement. Each of the drawings made are then
transferred to a piece of plastic known as acetate. The 
animators outline the character on the top of the acetate, 
and paint the back of the acetate to color in the character.
That piece of plastic with a drawn character or object is 
basically a cel. Those cels are then placed on top of a painted
background, where each of the cels are exposed and filmed still.

Hmmm, I guess I wasn't too clear about that. If you need more
info...I'm sure someone else out there wil be able to clear
things up. I'm afraid that I might have confused you more....

--Carol :)