def save_gif(self, filename):
        """Saves the animation to a gif

        A convience function. Provided to let the user avoid dealing
        with writers.

        Parameters
        ----------
        filename : str
            the name of the file to be created without the file extension
        """
        self.timeline.index -= 1  # required for proper starting point for save
        self.animation.save(filename+'.gif', writer=PillowWriter(fps=self.timeline.fps))
Saves the animation to a gif

        A convience function. Provided to let the user avoid dealing
        with writers.

        Parameters
        ----------
        filename : str
            the name of the file to be created without the file extension