Which option is NOT a characteristic of animation?

The correct answer is that "disciplines" is not a characteristic of animation in the same way that the other options are. Animation primarily centers around visual storytelling, movement, and expressiveness.

Visual storytelling is fundamental to animation as it conveys narratives and emotions through images and sequences. Movement is a defining feature of animation, as it distinguishes it from static forms of art, facilitating the creation of dynamic scenes that capture the audience's attention. Expressiveness relates to the ability of animation to portray a range of emotions and character dynamics, enhancing the audience's connection to the story.

While "disciplines" might refer to different methods or fields within animation (like 2D, 3D, stop-motion, etc.), it does not fundamentally define the nature of animation itself in the same way the other attributes do. Thus, it stands apart from the core characteristics that describe the animated medium, which is centered around its visual and dynamic storytelling capabilities.