🖌️2D Animation Unit 2 – History of Animation

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Animation involves creating the illusion of movement by displaying a series of static images in rapid succession
• Frame rate refers to the number of individual frames shown per second (fps) in an animated work
• Keyframes are the important frames that define the start and end points of a smooth transition, while in-betweens are the intermediate frames that create the illusion of motion
  • Keyframes establish the critical poses or positions in an animation sequence
  • In-betweens fill the gaps between keyframes to create fluid motion
• Cel animation is a traditional technique where each frame is hand-drawn on transparent celluloid sheets (cels) and layered over a static background
• Limited animation is a cost-saving technique that reuses frames and simplifies movements, commonly used in TV productions
• Squash and stretch is a fundamental principle of animation that exaggerates the deformation of an object to convey weight, flexibility, and movement
• Timing and spacing refer to the speed and rhythm of an animation, determining how objects move and interact within a scene
• Anticipation is a technique used to prepare the audience for an upcoming action by having a character perform a preliminary movement (wind-up before a pitch)

Early Animation Techniques

• Thaumatrope is an early optical toy that creates the illusion of motion by spinning a disc with images on both sides (bird on one side, cage on the other)
• Phenakistoscope is a spinning disc with a series of images that create the illusion of movement when viewed through slits
• Zoetrope is a cylinder with a series of images on the inner surface that appear to move when the device is spun and viewed through slits
• Flip books are a series of sequential drawings that create the illusion of motion when the pages are flipped rapidly
• Rotoscoping is a technique where animators trace over live-action footage frame by frame to create realistic movements
• Stop-motion animation involves physically manipulating objects and capturing each frame to create the illusion of movement (clay, puppets, or cut-outs)
• Drawn-on-film animation is a technique where artists draw or paint directly onto the film stock, creating abstract and experimental animations

Pioneers of Animation

• Eadweard Muybridge conducted early experiments in motion photography, capturing sequences of a galloping horse to study its movement
• J. Stuart Blackton created early stop-motion and drawn animations, including "The Enchanted Drawing" (1900) and "Humorous Phases of Funny Faces" (1906)
• Winsor McCay pioneered character-driven narratives and realistic animation with works like "Little Nemo" (1911) and "Gertie the Dinosaur" (1914)
• Otto Messmer created the iconic character Felix the Cat, one of the first popular animated characters with a distinct personality
• Walt Disney revolutionized animation with synchronized sound in "Steamboat Willie" (1928) and the first feature-length animated film, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937)
  • Disney's "Silly Symphony" series explored new techniques and storytelling approaches
  • Disney's "Nine Old Men" were a group of influential animators who defined the studio's style and mentored future generations
• Max Fleischer invented the rotoscope and created popular characters like Betty Boop and Popeye

The Golden Age of Animation

• The Golden Age of Animation spans from the late 1920s to the early 1960s, marked by the rise of studio-driven animated shorts and features
• The era saw the emergence of iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, and Daffy Duck
• Warner Bros. Cartoons, led by directors like Tex Avery and Chuck Jones, introduced irreverent humor and fast-paced slapstick in their "Looney Tunes" and "Merrie Melodies" series
• MGM Studios produced lavishly animated shorts featuring characters like Tom and Jerry and Droopy
• The UPA (United Productions of America) studio pioneered a more stylized and design-oriented approach to animation, as seen in "Gerald McBoing-Boing" (1950) and "Rooty Toot Toot" (1951)
• Disney's feature films during this period, such as "Pinocchio" (1940), "Fantasia" (1940), and "Bambi" (1942), set new standards for animation quality and storytelling
• The Golden Age declined with the rise of television, which favored limited animation techniques for faster and more cost-effective production

Technological Advancements

• The introduction of cel animation in the early 1900s allowed for more efficient production and the creation of more complex scenes
• The development of the multiplane camera in the 1930s enabled animators to create depth and parallax effects by layering cels at different distances
• Xerography, a process of transferring drawings directly onto cels, replaced hand-inking in the 1960s, as seen in Disney's "One Hundred and One Dalmatians" (1961)
• Computer animation began to emerge in the 1970s and 1980s, with early examples like "Westworld" (1973) and "Tron" (1982) blending hand-drawn and computer-generated elements
• The advent of digital ink and paint in the 1990s streamlined the coloring process and allowed for more vibrant and consistent colors
• Adobe Flash, released in 1996, became a popular tool for creating vector-based web animations and interactive content
• Digital compositing software like Adobe After Effects has enabled animators to seamlessly integrate various elements and create more dynamic visual effects
• Toon Boom Harmony and TVPaint have emerged as industry-standard software for digital 2D animation production

Influential Studios and Animators

• Walt Disney Animation Studios has been a driving force in the industry, known for its high-quality feature films and innovative techniques
  • Notable Disney animators include the "Nine Old Men," such as Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and Milt Kahl
• Warner Bros. Cartoons created a distinct style of irreverent humor and fast-paced animation, with directors like Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, and Bob Clampett
• Hanna-Barbera Productions, founded by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, dominated television animation with shows like "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," and "Scooby-Doo"
• Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have produced critically acclaimed anime films known for their imaginative worlds and compelling storytelling ("Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke")
• Don Bluth, a former Disney animator, created memorable films like "The Secret of NIMH" (1982), "An American Tail" (1986), and "The Land Before Time" (1988)
• John Lasseter, a key figure at Pixar Animation Studios, directed groundbreaking computer-animated films like "Toy Story" (1995) and "A Bug's Life" (1998)
• Glen Keane, known for his work at Disney, animated iconic characters like Ariel, Beast, and Tarzan

Global Animation Styles

• Japanese anime has a distinct aesthetic characterized by large eyes, exaggerated expressions, and dynamic action scenes
  • Anime encompasses various genres, from action-adventure series like "Dragon Ball Z" to slice-of-life dramas like "Neon Genesis Evangelion"
• French animation often features artistic and experimental styles, as seen in films like "The Triplets of Belleville" (2003) and "Persepolis" (2007)
• Canadian animation has a reputation for quirky humor and adult-oriented content, exemplified by shows like "South Park" and "Rick and Morty"
• British animation has a tradition of stop-motion and claymation, with studios like Aardman Animations producing films like "Wallace and Gromit" and "Chicken Run"
• Soviet and Eastern European animation, particularly during the Cold War era, often used allegory and satire to comment on political and social issues
• Indian animation has grown in recent years, with a focus on mythological and historical stories, as well as outsourced production for international studios

Modern 2D Animation Trends

• 2D animation has experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in television and streaming services
• Limited animation techniques have been embraced for stylistic purposes, as seen in shows like "Adventure Time," "The Amazing World of Gumball," and "Rick and Morty"
• Adult-oriented animated series have gained prominence, tackling mature themes and dark humor ("BoJack Horseman," "Archer," "Big Mouth")
• Animated documentaries and biographical films have used 2D animation to visualize historical events and personal stories ("Waltz with Bashir," "Persepolis," "Tower")
• 2D animation software advancements have made the production process more efficient and accessible to independent creators
• Hybrid productions that combine 2D and 3D animation techniques have become more common, allowing for greater creative flexibility
• Online platforms like YouTube and Vimeo have provided new avenues for independent animators to showcase their work and build audiences
• Crowdfunding has enabled smaller studios and individual animators to finance projects outside of traditional funding models