Jim Morin has been an editorial cartoonist for The Miami Herald since 1978. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1996 and in 1983 with other members of the Herald’s editorial board. He also won the 2007 Herblock Prize, 1999 Thomas Nast Society award, and the 1996 National Press Foundation award amongst others. His cartoons are syndicated internationally by MorinToons syndicate.
How long have you been in this profession?35 years
Continuing to explore and develop my work, experimenting with new techniques and new tools, and expanding editorial cartooning into the world of animation.
Yes. Animate 2.
I do use Photoshop to draw or augment my watercolor backgrounds. I also use Soundtrack Pro and/or Adobe Soundbooth for sound editing.
These programs can achieve some results Toon Boom is not equipped to do.
This process starts with reading, watching and listening to information about the issues of the day. I am usually drawn to what angers or upsets me most, especially gross examples of politicians' hypocrisy or egregious social injustice. I will then consider what concept works best using animation or is better suited to a single panel print cartoon. I've learned that simply animating a panel cartoon very rarely works well. Since I work on animations in my spare time - evenings and weekends - I also have to take into account the time factor, whether or not the cartoon will be relevant after a week or two. I started animating cartoons about two years ago and I am truly learning as I go through experience what works and what doesn't. When I've worked out the cartoon in my mind, I block out how much time and how many frames should be allotted to each scene. I then start sketching a few roughs, just to give me a feel for the characters. Occasionally I will scan and vectorize a drawing into Toon Boom Animate to use as reference but mostly I tend to work direct-to-digital. The Wacom Cintiq is a fantastic tool and has cut my drawing time in half (not to mention sparing my neck of shooting pains). I also assemble reference photographs, sound effects, sound clips and music if needed. While frequently using the actual voices of newsmakers, I will also record voiceovers myself, using Soundtrack Pro for EQ or voice modulation. I then proceed to draw. I prefer using 24 fps, especially for lip syncing segments, but for the most part I'll use two frames per drawing. Toon Boom's timeline allows me great flexibility to edit as I go. In order to make my deadline, it is necessary to take advantage of shortcuts, mainly copying and pasting portions of drawings from frame to frame but I try to maintain the looseness by drawing each frame as much as possible. When finished, I'll watch the finished cartoon and edit it down or add additional frames if need be. Finally, I send a copy to The Miami Herald's website, www.miamiherald.com/opinon and to other newspapers that subscribe to my cartoons through my syndicate. I also post my cartoons on Facebook and Twitter - @morintoon - when completed.
Click the play button to watch Sarah Palin & the Moose
Hand-drawn animation
Traditional.
My favorite features include copy, paste, lasso tool, easy editing within the timeline, camera pegs. I also love the 3D layer option for backgrounds.
The unlimited choice of colors and versatile brush tool. The lasso and copy and paste tools allow me to use shortcuts yet achieving a natural result where the shortcuts are not apparent.
Yes. I can’t recall the details but using Animate was a huge difference from Studio. I could do more and do it faster.
I have no desire to use any other animation product.
Love it!
The user guide is fairly well. The information itself is clear and helpful. The video tutorials are a big help as well.
Animate 2, AKG Precision mic, Soundtrack Pro, Adobe Soundbooth, Photoshop, scanner.
