Lecture Notes: Animation in Filmmaking

Introduction

• Films are composed of sequences, scenes, and shots.
• Previous topics included close-ups, lighting, and composition.
• Current topic: Animation

Origins of Animation

• Definition: From Latin 'animatio' meaning 'bestowing of life'.
• Process: Capturing a still object in multiple positions to create an illusion of movement.
• Types of Objects: Drawings, puppets, computer-generated images.
• History:
  • Pre-dated filmmaking with magic lanterns and format tropes.
  • Techniques like kineographs or flip books created illusions of fluid motion.

Key Historical Developments

• Edward Mybridge: Introduced moving images with chronophotography (e.g., "Horse in Motion").
• Persistence of Vision: Phenomenon where multiple images create fluid motion.

Forms of Animation

Traditional Animation

• Early Works:
  • J. Stuart Blackton's "The Enchanted Drawing" (1900).
  • Emile Cole’s "Phantasmagorie" (1908).
• Techniques:
  • Cell animation (Earl Hurd and John Bray, 1915): Drawing moving subjects on transparent sheets.
  • Rubber hose style: Bouncy, looping limb animations.
• Walt Disney's Influence:
  • Established animation studios and streamlined production.
  • Developed assembly line production, leading to Snow White (1937).

The 12 Principles of Animation

• Codified by Disney animators to ensure realistic and fluid animations.
• Includes principles like squash and stretch, follow-through, overlapping action, and anticipation.

Rotoscoping

• Definition: Drawing over live-action footage frame by frame.
• Developed by: Max Fleischer.
• Applications: In films like Star Wars (lightsabers) and "A Scanner Darkly".

Anime

• Definition: Any animation from Japan.
• Characteristics:
  • Emphasis on detailed visuals over movement.
  • Variable frame rates (often on threes for detail).
• Influence: Expanded animation audiences with adult themes.

Stop Motion

• Process: Animating objects by taking photos in altered positions (puppet work, claymation).
• Historical Roots: Used in early cinema for special effects.
• Modern Use: Directors like Tim Burton and Wes Anderson use enhanced methods.

Cutout Animation

• Technique: 2D stop-motion using objects like paper.
• Historical Use: Early animations like Lotte Reiniger’s "The Adventures of Prince Achmed".
• Modern Adaptations: Used in TV shows like South Park.

3D Computer Animation

• Dominance: The prevalent form of animation today.
• Historical Developments:
  • Early work in the 1960s and 80s (e.g., "Tron").
  • Pixar’s "Toy Story" (1995) revolutionized the industry.
• Process:
  • Includes modeling, skeletal animation, keyframing, and motion capture.

Conclusion

• Animation is marked by continuous experimentation and technological advances.
• Storyboards are integral across all forms of animation.