A secondary action is an action that results directly from another action.
Secondary actions are important in heightening interest and adding a realistic
complexity to the animation. A secondary actions is always kept
subordinate to the primary action. If it conflicts, becomes more interesting,
or dominates in any way, it is either the wrong choice or is staged
improperly. [26]
Wally B.'s feet dragging behind the main action of his body is a secondary
action because the movement of the feet is a direct result of the movement
of the body. (fi~ure 5) The rippling movement of Luxo Jr.'s cord results
directly from the hopping action of his base. (figure 1)
The facial expression of a character will sometimes be a secondary action.
When the main idea of an action is being told in the movement of the body,
the facial expression become subordinate to the main idea. If this
expression is going to animate or change, the danger is not that the
expression will dominate the scene, but that it will never be seen. The
change must come before, or after, the move. A change in the middle of a
major move will go unnoticed, and value intended will be lost. It must
also be staged to be obvious, though secondary. [26]