— ARTICLE RESPONSE: SECONDARY ACTION

                      — SECONDARY ACTION by Kevin Koch

                                    Stiff movements and sitting still is never fun. In animation, the same thing
                           applies of course! Movement and action is what makes animation so special, and
                           defines character traits and creates a story. However, just stiff movements like
                           simple conversation, raising objects up and down, and running, doesn't make for
                           an interesting, definitive animation. Secondary action is the behavioral animation 
                           that gives crucial lifelike qualities to your work and characters. Kevin Koch,
                           mentor who wrote "Secondary Action: The 12 Basic Principles of Animation" 
                           breaks down what this principle is, and provides vivid examples and tips on how to                              apply it into your own work- be it 3D animation, 2D animation, or even film!

                                    Koch begins his in depth analysis by covering one basic misconception about
                           about Secondary-Action, the confusion of it's close cousin who came into town; 
                           Follow-through and overlapping action. This is another principle that holds 
                           importance, but is much different than Secondary-Action. The difference between 
                           the two principles is that Follow-through and overlapping action are more actions 
                           that are dependent upon another action, while Secondary-Actions are merely 
                           behavioral movements that are fluid, and are not reliant upon another action. 
                           Follow-through would be a tail following a falling ball, while Secondary-Action
                           would be the character holding it's tail in it's arms while speaking. With that cleared
                           out of the way, Koch puts on display more vivid examples and tips of this principle.

                                     "Good secondary action energizes your shots," (Koch) and brings to life 

                           your artwork, giving the characters in depth personality traits through simple motion
                           of their bodies. However, Koch warns in his article to not overdo the action, or make
                           it a primary action. "The primary action of a scene is the thing the scene is about," 
                           while secondary action is "something else the character is doing," (Koch).
                           A character flailing their arms while talking, or tilting their head up and down are
                           much different from the character punching another in the face over an argument.
                           The tilts aren't the primary source of movement, but they aid in showing the traits
                           of that character, while the punch is their main motion. If you striped the secondary 
                           action out of the shot, it should still clearly show the primary action. Koch warns the
                           reader to avoid "generic secondary action," and explore the character and their 
                           surroundings in order to get a good grasp on what they would be doing while 
                           preforming the main action. If your character is nervous, they could rub their fingers,
                           or look around shakily, or perhaps shuffle their feet slightly. It isn't a main action, yet
                           still shows the characters personality. The use of props may help this as well! 
                           Fiddling with glasses, moving a water bottle, adjusting their tie, these are secondary
                           actions that can help show a move vivid, interesting plot and art piece. Using 3D, 2D
                           and film examples to showcase these tips and explanations up above, Koch clearly 
                           defines a solid understanding of Secondary-Action, and how to perfect it.

                                    As always, I agree with Koch's thinking and mindset about Secondary-Action.

                           These little movements can define a character, and make for a less still, stiff product.
                           I found it interesting that a film example was used, as it did not occur to me how
                           much Secondary-action is used in everyday films and movies, and how much of a 
                           difference it makes in such production! I appreciated his lively 3D examples as well,
                           the varied types of audio and scenarios really set down a concrete demonstration of 
                           what he was describing up in his paragraphs. The cooking analogy he used as well, 
                           "the spices are the secondary action, and the ingredients are the primary action", was
                           an incredible and accurate example that helped 'spice' up his article. I was somewhat
                           uncertain before reading this article (as my animations contain a lot of primary
                           action, yet little secondary action) on the difference between Follow-through and 
                           overlapping action, and Secondary-action, but after taking a quick read through 
                           this, I've got a much better grip and understanding on what Secondary-Action 
                           entails.

                                    Secondary-Action is a very vital source of motion in any piece of animation,

                           be it 3D, 2D, or film. The little tics and behavioral movements to compliment a
                           clear primary motion help solidify a character's personality traits, and set a clear 
                           tone and mood of an animation. Kevin Koch in his article, "Secondary Action:
                           The 12 Basic Principles of Animation" explains with detailed videos and examples
                           of different medias and their use of Secondary-Action, and defines a difference 
                           between the idea of "Secondary animation/motion" and "Secondary Action."