Why Lipsync Should Be "Two Frames Ahead"

Cliff Nordberg

Why should your lipsync always be at least two frames ahead of the audio? Because there is a very slight time delay between our mouths making a shape, and the sound being expelled from our lips.

For your audience to be able to read the lip sync clearly you'll want to offset the jaw opening at least two frames before the audio is actually heard. 

If you have the jaw opening and closing exactly on the frame that the audio is heard, your lip sync will feel slightly "off sync", ie a little late. 

Two Frames Ahead of the Audio

The idea is that, as we speak, it takes us a little time to make a shape with our mouth, and then breathe out the air to make the sound.  Hence the mouth shape should be just slightly ahead of the audio. This might be two frames or even, in the case of a heavily emphasised vowel or consonant, six to eight frames ahead.  

Lipsync & Dialogue Resources

Lipsync from "Marmaduke"

To find more resources on animating dialogue and lipsync, follow the links below:

• Why Lipsync Needs Wide and Narrow Mouth Shapes
• The Secret to Animating Dialogue and Lipsync
• Speed Lipsync - How to Animate Dialogue Fast
• Why Animators Should Open Wide on the Big Vowels
• Dialogue and Lipsync Tutorial
• Animating Lipsync - Avoid Famous Lines of Dialogue
• How to Block Out and Animate a Dialogue Shot
• Why Animators Leave Lipsync Until Last
• Lipsync Resource - The Sesame St Sound Archive
• Why Animators Need to "Hit The Accent"

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