The History of Animation — Types of Animation Styles Explained [Shot List Ep. 14]

Summary

This episode of 'Shot List' explores the art of animation, tracing its history from early techniques like thaumatropes and flip books to modern forms. It covers traditional cell animation, the evolution of Disney's animation process, and the 12 Principles of Animation. The script also delves into various animation styles, including anime, stop motion, cutout animation, and 3D computer animation, highlighting technological advancements and their impact on the industry.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Films are structured in sequences, scenes, and shots, which form the foundation of storytelling in cinema.
• 🌟 The term 'animation' originates from 'animatio', Latin for 'bestowing of life', reflecting the art of bringing still objects to life through rapid image projection.
• 📚 Animation techniques have ancient roots, with early artists using devices like thaumatropes and flip books to simulate motion.
• 🏇 Eadweard Muybridge's 'Horse in Motion' is a landmark in motion pictures, pioneering the use of rapid photography to capture movement.
• 👀 The 'Persistence of Vision' phenomenon is crucial to animation, allowing a series of images to be perceived as continuous motion by the human eye.
• 🎨 Traditional animation, also known as cell animation, was the dominant form in the 20th century, involving hand-drawn frames on translucent paper.
• 📽️ The development of cell animation by Earl Hurd and John Bray in 1915 revolutionized the industry by separating moving subjects on transparent sheets over static backgrounds.
• 👸 Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' marked a milestone in feature animation, with a refined process including storyboarding, animatics, and keyframe animation.
• 🤹‍♂️ The '12 Principles of Animation', codified by Disney animators, are fundamental guidelines for creating realistic and fluid animation.
• 🎭 Anime, originating from Japan, is distinguished by its emphasis on detailed visuals and often animates on threes, allowing for more detailed images at the cost of smoothness.
• 🧩 Stop motion is an animation technique using objects in physical space, moved slightly between each frame to create the illusion of movement, with a rich history in both special effects and independent films.
• 🖼️ Cutout animation is an early form of stop-motion, using two-dimensional objects like paper or fabric, which can be adjusted frame by frame for cost-effective animation.
• 🖥️ 3D computer animation has become the dominant form in the 21st century, offering a sense of depth and utilizing digital tools for modeling, keyframing, and tweening.
• 📝 Storyboarding is a consistent element across all forms of animation, essential for visualizing the sequence of actions and scenes in a film.

Q & A

What is the origin of the word 'animation'?

The word 'animation' comes from the Latin word 'animatio', which means a bestowing of life.

How does animation create the illusion of movement?

Animation creates the illusion of movement by capturing a still object in multiple positions and projecting these images in rapid succession.

What is the historical significance of the Thaumatrope in animation?

The Thaumatrope used the rapid movement of two pictures to create the illusion of one cohesive image, simulating movement for audiences in the 17th century.

Who is Eadweard Muybridge, and what is his contribution to animation?

Eadweard Muybridge pioneered the moving image with his rapid photography system called 'chronophotography'. His 'Horse in Motion' is considered one of the earliest motion pictures.

What is the 'Persistence of Vision' phenomenon, and how is it used in animation?

The 'Persistence of Vision' refers to the phenomenon where a person continues to see an object for a moment after the light has entered the eye. It allows a succession of images to be interpreted as one fluid motion in animation.

What is traditional animation, and how was it developed in the early 20th century?

Traditional animation, also known as cell animation, was the dominant type of animation in the 20th century. It involves animators drawing each frame by hand onto translucent paper, with techniques evolving to include cell animation processes for efficiency.

Who were Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, and what did they contribute to animation?

Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas were Disney animators who codified the '12 Principles of Animation'. These principles aim to make animation realistic and fluid and have become guiding rules for animators worldwide.

What is rotoscoping, and how did it influence animation?

Rotoscoping is a technique where animators draw over live-action footage frame by frame. It allowed animators to create more realistic movement in their characters and has been used in various films, including 'Star Wars' and 'A Scanner Darkly'.

What distinguishes anime from other forms of animation?

Anime, which refers to animation from Japan, often emphasizes detailed visuals and may use a different production process, such as recording voices after animation. It also often features more active camera work and has been influential in creating animation with adult themes.

What is the history of stop motion animation, and how is it created?

Stop motion animation involves taking pictures of objects in slightly altered positions to create the illusion of movement. It has roots in the early days of cinema and has evolved to include techniques like claymation. Today, it often uses computers to assist with the process.

How has 3D computer animation evolved to become the dominant form of animation today?

3D computer animation has evolved from early experiments in the 1960s to become the industry standard, with films like 'Toy Story' marking significant milestones. Advances in technology have allowed for more realistic textures, hair movement, and the automation of some traditional animation roles.