Animation is not the art of drawings that move, but the art of movements that are drawn.
Norman McLaren
Animation began from humble beginnings. What we see as being simple today, began as an advanced concept. We are going to cover types of animations but first, we shall explore the origins of animation.
'Animation' is the art of making inanimate objects appear to move. It is an artistic impulse that helps us tell stories and communicate emotions in a unique way that both children and adults can understand.
Throughout the years, it has helped connect people around the world through sharing humour, sadness, excitement and love that written words can simply not do on their own.
Animation has also made a huge impact on the way we view films and interpret stories. For us to understand how it has evolved, we will take a trip down memory lane to explore its beginnings by watching the following video.
Invented by John Ayton Paris, a British physician, in 1824, the thaumatrope was the first instrument to exploit the persistence of vision.
The thaumatrope was used as a scientific toy that consisted of a disc attached to 2 pieces of string. On both sides of the disc, there are 2 images and, when twirled, the images on both sides form a picture. The thaumatrope fools the eye by switching images faster than the tenth-of-a-second limit, thus merging what are 2 separate images into 1 visual impression.
Persistence of vision
'Persistence of vision' refers to the optical illusion that occurs when visual perception of an object does not cease for some time after the rays of light proceeding from it have ceased to enter the eye.
Watch the following video to learn more about the persistence of vision and how the thaumatrope supports this.
Phénakistiscope
How about that for a name?
The Phenakistiscope was invented by Belgian physicist, Joseph Plateau, in 1841 and was believed to be the first widespread animation device that created a fluid illusion of motion.
The optical toy used the persistence of vision to create an illusion of motion. The Phénakistiscope consisted of 2 discs mounted on the same axis. The first disc had slots around the edge, and the second contained drawings of successive action, drawn around the disc in concentric circles and when spun created a moving image.
Are you noticing a constant theme here?
Let's have some fun and make a thaumatrope!
Material needed:
- Thick card
- Compass or jar lid
- Pencils and pens
- Scissors or craft knife
- Glue
- Hole punch
- String
-
Project preparations (cut circles)
Use a compass or jar lid to draw 2 circles on a piece of thick card. Use scissors or a craft knife to cut out the circles. -
Draw pictures, one on each side of the circle
Use your imagination and draw an image on each circle that, when combined will make an interesting new image. Tip: Use a tracing table or backlit window to position your images so they align correctly. -
Glue
Glue the circles together back-to-back. Tip: The images need to be the correct way up when flipped vertically so the image on the back should be upside down when you hold it up to a window or light. -
Punch holes
Create a hole on either side of the combined circle ready to thread the string through. -
Attach strings
Cut 2 lengths of string about 25cm long and thread one through each of the holes. Tie each string’s ends together to create 2 loops. -
Magical illusion
Spin the disk by twirling the strings between the thumbs and index fingers. Like magic, the images appear together.
See the video below for some thaumatropes which were 'prepared earlier'!
As touched on earlier, the first flip book appeared in 1868, thanks to John Barnes Linnet. He created the Kineograph which is Latin for 'moving picture'. His Kineograph was the first form of animation to use a linear sequence of images–like a booklet rather than circular drums.
We will learn more about how to create a flipbook animation in the following topic.
I made 10,000 cartoons, each one a little bit different from the one preceding it.Winsor McCay
Keyframe animation
In 1914, cartoonist and animator Winsor McCay created the first keyframe animation called Gertie the Dinosaur.
Keyframe animation is essentially another word used for frame-by-frame animation, which is where you draw each frame to create a motion.
After six months of hard work and 10,000 drawings inked on rice paper mounted on cardboard, he was able to create an animation that seemed to have a personality, a presence, and a life of her own.
This was an animation milestone--and the first cartoon star had been born! See a clip of Gertie's performance below.
Gertie was a dinosaur that he was able to bring alive through animating her in a naturalistic style. He was able to animate her to breathe rhythmically, move naturally and shift her weight as she moves to drink water.
McCay would walk onto the stage with a whip, calling out for Gertie. The cartoon started playing. McCay gave Gertie a series of commands, which she then performed on-screen and McCay would commentate her actions as if she was responding to his cues.
'Come out Gertie, and make a pretty bow', Winsor announced.
'Thanks! Now raise your right foot.'
'That’s good, now raise your left foot.'
'Ignore that sea merchant, raise your left foot.'
Although a silent film, friendly Gertie was able to demonstrate humour, rebellion and stubbornness throughout this animation that captured the audience into believing that animations can be created to have personalities and temperaments.
Gertie paved the way for future animated stars such as Mickey Mouse, who would not make his first appearance for another 14 years.
Check out more of Gertie the Dinosaur in the following video.
In 1928, American animator, writer, voice actor and film producer Walt Disney introduced a new aspect to animation that included synchronised sound. His film 'Steamboat Willie' demonstrated this.
The element of sound had been added, making the illusion of life that much more complete and that much more magical for viewers around the world.
Enjoy Steamboat Willie starring Mickey Mouse, in the video below.
The Steamboat Willie cartoon was considered to be the debut of Mickey Mouse and started what would become the Disney Empire.
In 1937, Walt Disney released what many considered to be the first full-lenth, cel-animated feature film in motion picture history, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Cel-animation
Cel-animation is the art of creating 2D animation by hand on sheets of transparent plastic called 'cels', with each cel featuring one drawing with an outline on one side of the plastic and colour being filled in on the other. They are then placed over a background and photographed in sequence.
The result of that technique is that when played back at a speed, the cels create the illusion of movement. (Another familiar thread here, yes?)
Walt Disney used this method to craft a story and make the vision of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs come to life.
This paved the way for Walt Disney to continue to revolutionise animation, becoming one of the most innovative animators and storytellers to change the entertainment industry.
