I've been wondering for a while now, are some people BORN with the ability to animate better than others? I'm aware that some people are just better than others in some aspects from the start but when it comes to animating does everyone have to practice at it in order to get better or do some people just KNOW how to animate from the start?

So what's your guys opinions?

Edit: Of course people have to practice but to some people does it just come naturally?

Animating doesn't really come as something you're born with, as far as I know.
Most of the more skilled animators have a lot more experience with Flash or any other programmes.

Certain people pick certain things up faster than others.
You arent "born" talented at anything.

I suppose that's another way to put it.

No lol, you're not born with a better talent to animate. You can be born with a more creative mind. But honestly who you become is based off of what you're surrounded with as you grow up.

Not one is born talented. Birth accounts to nothing, it's the way you grew up and what you did, what experience you have that means anything in how fast you pick up anything, but it's hard work more than anything. For a few this hard work is enjoyable and isn't seen as work at all.
I, for one, when told I am talented at anything, have mixed feelings, I've worked hard to, say, draw well.

Animation is a learned skill, nobody is born with it.

However, the ability to learn skills is related to your cognitive ability. And I'd say that cognitive ability is partly genetic. Some people are born smarter than others, some people are born dumber than others. It's the old nature vs nurture debate.

So yes, some people learn to animate and improve faster than others and this is partially genetic.

Nature vs nurture, there's supporting evidence for both sides.

What I will say is that when we looked at nature vs nurture in both GCSE Sociology and A level Psychology, we found that the answer is not simply "nature" or "nurture", it's a combination of the two. I would say that it can be possible for someone to be genetically superior to someone in terms of creativity and, more importantly, willfulness to put in hard work and practice. However, someone that was raised in a strict environment that encouraged rigorous practicing of such things could likely match, or beat, someone that had those genes. It's extremely context dependent.

I'd say it more comes down to if you like to do it, I think they will end up being a whole lot more successful in their animation. People that enjoy animating become better because naturally they will want to become better. I wouldn't say it goes anywhere near genetics.

Animation as a technical skill is pretty simple, there are only a few basic concepts you need to learn and none of them are very complicated. People learn new skills at different rates, but beyond that there's no genetic component to being "better" at understanding something like easing or momentum.

That said, animating is a lot more than the technical process behind it. Some people are more creative than others, making it easier to come up with unique, interesting ideas. Some are better at thinking visually, which helps with animating different angles, perspectives and movements. Creating a 10 second movement by breaking it down into 180+ individual drawings that are consistent with each other requires a shitload of micromanagement, while focusing on the animation as a whole requires macromanagement at the same time, and focusing on both is a skill that will widely vary between people.


So your technical ability as an animator depends on your understanding of its concepts, which are easy enough. What really varies between people is their proficiency in using it as a creative outlet, and that depends on a lot of different talents that aren't mutually inclusive. Talents that depend more on your upbringing rather than anything genetic.

People get better at animation through practice. Sure some people are naturally more talented than others at certain tasks but that doesn't mean that certain people are just BORN with the ability to animate like a champ. Someone that practices will definitely be a much better animator.

it not only the animating, it anything, some born with talent, some have to train hard work hard to become great, but if you born which it then it still not enought, you still need practice too

Quote from Ahmad9383

everyone can draw stick figures lol.

not everyone...it still needs smooth hands... which doesnt exist at everyone !

Some peoples brains understand things faster and better at others. Like in math class, or Calculus(i spelled that wrong) some people are just lost, and others, its just a wiz by.
I have never touched a keyboard in my life yet i play it better than others in my class.Everybody is different, so are your talents. Animation is no different. Some people are not
thinking like we do.They dont see the solution better animators do. For example, shock. Terkoiz, when he was drawing ANY frame in shock 3, thought that "this" way would be best.But if that were me, hell, shock 3 would have been the worst animation out there.Creativity, some people just cant find "theirs"

i am christian, so i am not some crazy scientist in a Hilter bunker or watever.