12 Principles of Animation: Staging

Staging is all about the way in which the scene is set up, from the relative location of the characters, to the environmental elements of background and foreground in relation to the camera angle. This technique is used in order to present an idea and communicate with the audience so that the purpose of the animation is unmistakably clear to the viewer. In other words, staging is all about "how": how the scene looks like, how the angle of the shot improves communication with the audience, how the position of the characters diminishes confusion about what's going on. Furthermore, ideas are presented one at a time through staging so that the viewers do not get perplexed over the situation, for it's difficult to follow several ideas simultaneously. In terms of staging, animators also use what is called an "establishing shot", where the scene is presented in a timely manner as to give the audience enough time to perceive what is going on.

Pink Panther: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi_oHn31LL4

For example, there is an establishing shot at the beginning of the episode, which elaborates on the location and scenery. Plus, while the horse and Pink Panther are chasing each other around the hen-house, the scenery differentiates the objects that are further away, while the house is given a 3D perspective as the characters are going in and out of it.