Similar to other types of media, animation has established accolades to recognize outstanding achievements in the industry. Several of these awards are integrated within broader or localized film award ceremonies, such as China's Golden Rooster Award for Best Animation which has been presented since 1981. ASIFA-Hollywood's Annie Awards, the Emile Awards in Europe, and the Anima Mundi awards in Brazil are among the numerous awards programs that focus on animation and feature a wide range of categories.
While Disney's films remained unparalleled in terms of success, various nations established their own animation industries which produced a diverse range of short and full-length theatrical animations, often incorporating stop motion and cutout animation techniques. For instance, Russia's Soyuzmultfilm animation studio, established in 1936, maintained an average production rate of 20 films per year, including shorts, and by the year 2018 had amassed a total of 1,582 titles. Besides Japan, other countries such as China, Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic, Italy, France, and Belgium also occasionally released feature films. Japan, on the other hand, emerged as a dominant force in animation production, developing its own distinctive and influential anime style characterized by effective limited animation.
After the triumph of Pixar's Toy Story (1995), which marked the debut of computer animation in this style, the widely known 3D technique, frequently linked to computer animation, emerged as the prevailing method.
The emergence of substantial animated works (i.e., those exceeding a few seconds in length) has evolved into a distinct form of filmmaking, characterized by its own set of distinctive features. Both live-action and animated feature-length films share the traits of being labor-intensive endeavors and entailing significant production expenses.
Pixel images, such as JPG, GIF, and BMP, which have familiar formats, are unable to be resized without impacting the quality of the image. Resolution is not a concern when it comes to vector graphics. Vectors are defined by paths that include different starting and ending points, as well as lines connecting these points to construct the graphic. Shapes have the ability to be arranged in order to construct a character or any other visual representation. Presented below is an illustration for reference.
In classical animation, illustrations are meticulously sketched or painted on transparent sheets of celluloid for the purpose of being captured through photography. This technique was commonly employed in early animated films; however, contemporary animated movies predominantly rely on computer-generated imagery or CGI.
Within the realm of traditional animation, examples of 2D animation can be found in early Disney films such as Pinocchio and Beauty and the Beast. However, an alternative form known as Vector-based animation exists that allows for a 2D aesthetic without adhering to traditional methods.
A cartoon refers to a form of animated movie, typically of brief duration, characterized by an exaggerated visual presentation. Drawing influence from comic strips, cartoons often showcase anthropomorphic creatures, superheroes, or the thrilling escapades of human main characters. Particularly in cases involving animals that have a natural predator/prey dynamic (such as cats and mice, coyotes and birds), the focus of their actions frequently revolves around exaggerated comedic mishaps, including falls, collisions, and explosions that would be fatal in actuality.
Animation has gained significant popularity in television advertisements, primarily attributed to its visual allure and ability to inject humor. Certain animated characters, like Snap, Crackle, and Pop from Kellogg's cereal commercials, have managed to sustain their presence for several decades. Tex Avery, the individual responsible for producing the inaugural Raid Kills Bugs Dead advertisements in 1966, played a pivotal role in the company's remarkable success.
During the 1890s, cinematography emerged as a ground-breaking development, with its remarkable portrayal of realistic elements being hailed as its primary achievement. However, it took a significant amount of time before animation made its way into theaters. The renowned film The Haunted Hotel (1907) directed by J. Stuart Blackton brought widespread attention to stop-motion animation and is said to have served as inspiration for Émile Cohl in the creation of Fantasmagorie (1908), which is widely recognized as the earliest existing example of a full traditional animation created by hand on standard cinematic film. Ladislas Starevich's puppet animations, dating back to 1910, and Winsor McCay's meticulous hand-drawn animations in films like Little Nemo (1911) and Gertie the Dinosaur (1914), stand out as noteworthy artistic endeavors that have exerted considerable influence in the realm of short films.
The Rescuers Down Under holds the distinction of being the inaugural full-length movie to be entirely generated digitally, devoid of any camera involvement. This accomplishment was achieved through the utilization of the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS), a collaborative creation by Pixar and The Walt Disney Company during the late 1980s. The film's aesthetic closely mimicked the traditional technique of cel animation.
In 1991, Beauty and the Beast became the inaugural animated film to receive a nomination for the esteemed Best Picture category. Subsequently, Up (2009) and Toy Story 3 (2010) also earned nominations in this category when the academy increased the number of nominees from five to ten.
By the onset of the 21st century, the conventional cel animation procedure had become outdated. Presently, animators either scan their drawings and backgrounds into a computer system or create them directly within it. Different software applications are employed to add color to the illustrations and replicate camera motion and visual enhancements. The ultimate animated creation is then exported onto numerous delivery platforms, ranging from conventional 35 mm film to contemporary mediums utilizing digital video. The original appearance of traditional cel animation has been maintained, and the core tasks of character animators have stayed consistent for almost a century. Certain animation creators have coined the term "tradigital" (a fusion of traditional and digital) to depict cel animation that incorporates substantial computer technology.
Animation is the representation of motion achieved through a sequence of images, but the intricacies of its functionality extend beyond mere simplicity. Prior to discussing the different forms of animated films, let us commence by providing an explanation of what animation entails.
Animators breathe life into the narrative by positioning characters to perform actions in every scene. They begin by deconstructing an action into a sequence of significant poses known as key frames, which delineate crucial positions. Afterwards, a computer program is employed to depict the object's motion between those key frames in order to effectively communicate the intended emotions through the resulting animation.
Stop motion refers to the technique of animation wherein physical objects are manipulated in the real world and captured in single frames of film, thereby giving the impression of motion when played back. There exist various forms of stop-motion animation, typically named after the materials employed in crafting the animation. There is a wide availability of computer software that enables the creation of this particular form of animation. On the other hand, traditional stop-motion animation tends to be less costly but more time-intensive to produce compared to modern computer animation.
Feel free to delve further into the possibilities offered by Pixar in a Box, a series of educational materials created jointly by Pixar and Khan Academy. To access a lesson specifically focused on Animation, simply click on the provided link.
The process of 3D animation entails the digital creation and manipulation of models by an animator. Typically, the initial step involves the development of a 3D polygon mesh by the model maker, which is later modified by the animator. In general, a mesh consists of numerous vertices that are joined together by edges and faces, thereby providing a tangible shape to a three-dimensional object or environment. Occasionally, an internal digital skeletal structure known as an armature is incorporated into the mesh, enabling control over the mesh by assigning weight to its vertices. This procedure is referred to as rigging and can be utilized alongside key frames to generate motion.
In 1926, Lotte Reiniger unveiled the German silhouette animation titled "Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed," which holds the distinction of being the earliest surviving full-length animated feature after three years of dedicated work.
Animation has provided storytellers with the opportunity to narrate tales in novel manners. The vivid and imaginative realms depicted in animated movies have the power to rekindle inspiration and the enchantment of storytelling, irrespective of one's age. For individuals who consider themselves storytellers, or aspire to be, animation serves as an excellent starting point. But what exactly does the term "animation" encompass? Now, let's delve into the various forms of animation that cartoonists and artists employ.
The term animation derives from the Latin word animātiōn, which is derived from animātiō, denoting the act of imparting life. The original interpretation of the English term pertains to vivacity and has existed for a significantly longer period compared to its association with the medium of moving images.
LawFX is a division of Industrial3D, specializing in creating scientifically accurate legal animations and litigation graphics. They provide visual aids like motion graphics and 3D simulations for legal proceedings, including trials, mediations, and appellate proceedings.
LawFX offers a range of services including forensic animations, trial graphics, accident reconstruction, industrial case animations, medical malpractice media, work injury cases, oil & gas legal animations, and more.
LawFX focuses on creating scientifically accurate and detailed animations. However, the admissibility of animations in court depends on the specific legal standards and requirements of the jurisdiction.