Certified Animation Professional (CAP) Practice Test

Which of the following defines overlapping action?

1. Action looking more extreme than in real life

2. Gives a clue to what action will come next

3. Movement occurring due to the primary action

4. Two actions happening to a character

The correct answer is: Two actions happening to a character

Overlapping action is defined as two actions happening to a character, which adds depth and realism to animation. This principle illustrates how different parts of a character's body or different elements in a scene move in response to one another. For instance, when a character runs, their arms, legs, and even facial expressions move, but with a slight delay between these movements. This delay helps to convey a more natural look, suggesting that not all parts move at the same time. By showing how these separate actions occur together, overlapping action enhances the believability of a character's motions and the overall flow of the scene. It is a key technique that animators use to convey fluidity and life, making animations more engaging and authentic. The other options describe different aspects of animation but do not capture the essence of overlapping action. For instance, one option may relate to exaggeration, which is a different principle, while another might highlight predictability in action that doesn't align with the timing and layering involved in overlapping action.