Squigglevision is a mode of computer animation in which the outlines of shapes are made to wiggle and undulate. Tom Snyder of Tom Snyder Productions invented the technique, which his animation production company Soup2Nuts subsequently popularized in several successful animated series.

Compared with traditional animation, Squigglevision is relatively fast and easy to produce. The non-stop motion of the "squiggling" outlines reduces the need for more complex animations in order to make a scene feel dynamic; however, some may find the technique irritating. Tom Snyder describes the result as "economy of motion". "There are almost no disadvantages," Snyder asserts. "It costs just as much to do a helicopter scene as it does to do a living room scene."

In order to create the line oscillation effects that characterize Squigglevision, Tom Snyder Productions' animators loop five slightly different drawings in a sequence called a flick. The animators then operate software from Avid Technology to merge the flicks into the scene, and synchronize them with the soundtrack.

Animated series produced in Squigglevision

Dick and Paula Celebrity Special
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
Home Movies (cartoon series) (first season only)
Science Court

Sources

• Wagner, Keith. "Funny and Good for You: 'Squigglevision' Makes Learning a Laughing Matter." NewEnglandFilm.com, 1998.

External links

• Tom Snyder Productions: Meet Tom Snyder