Match cuts! ✂️✂️✂️
Such a great way to create a very visually satisfying and powerful transitions in no time. This small project was inspired by Ben Marriot's animation course, where entire chapter was dedicated to this funny transition techinqe.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/85f314f1-d8a5-4423-ab47-49d5cd1aa732/be7fcbd5-2a35-4a76-a0d2-52e2250c7943_rw_1200.gif?h=5248ec571fb7451343130d316a7a50ac)
Let's take a look at the process!
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/85f314f1-d8a5-4423-ab47-49d5cd1aa732/244ccb31-3a2c-499c-872b-9f1e11110623_rw_3840.jpg?h=6966f967e89164b401b0767ae2f5824a)
Let's start with the character designs. My imagination went in the direction of martial arts, because match cut is a very dynamic and powerful technique, just like the swift kicks and punches of karatekas! I designed two characters based on similar shapes and proportions because I wanted the match cut to come out as smooth and fluid as possible.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/85f314f1-d8a5-4423-ab47-49d5cd1aa732/3371605f-5402-44f3-aae7-782c08397d6f_rw_1200.gif?h=2c06ab0296b07f04e0d9dde115b339da)
I knew that the movement would be quite complicated, so I decided to use a self-shot reference. Fortunately, my partner used to train karate 😂!
I tweaked the footage a bit to fit my preferred timing.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/85f314f1-d8a5-4423-ab47-49d5cd1aa732/aab342bd-6f76-4328-9074-baf02824b8db_rw_1200.gif?h=20a9a5fde21a3de6c56af8cbd026a8a1)
Then I very sketchily outlined the keyframes and main elements of the movement.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/85f314f1-d8a5-4423-ab47-49d5cd1aa732/66818632-dcba-412b-b4e7-9d122eb64fec_rw_600.gif?h=cde039dd39cc274cee50602acb214db5)
A long and trial-and-error-filled process of getting my characters into motion began. I wanted the loop to be seamless. After a while, I noticed that I was satisfied with the movement but lacked impact when changing characters. It all seemed quite flat.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/85f314f1-d8a5-4423-ab47-49d5cd1aa732/aacad805-233c-4ad7-b2a5-59cf7a071ed6_rw_1200.gif?h=6422ac80331ff7025ffe6fe26f555a31)
That's when I came up with the idea of highlighting the movement with a dynamic background that would make the impact more noticeable.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/85f314f1-d8a5-4423-ab47-49d5cd1aa732/399bebe1-5c9f-448e-b6ba-a60158ded777_rw_600.gif?h=46e5d9fa729ce4cf738aed14b24f08a4)
All put together, a subtle texture on top aaaaand... there we got it!