This particular form of animation in motion pictures is recognized as one of the most ancient and is occasionally referred to as cel animation. As previously stated, in the realm of traditional animation, objects are depicted on transparent celluloid paper. To produce the animation sequence, the animator is required to render each frame individually. It operates under a comparable principle to a flip book, albeit on a much larger scale.
While numerous animation companies capitalize on their creations beyond the realm of moving images, The Walt Disney Company stands out as the most renowned and extreme exemplar. Ever since receiving its first license for a children's writing tablet in 1929, Disney's iconic mascot, Mickey Mouse, along with various other characters, has adorned an extensive array of merchandise. While there may have been an impact on Mickey's reputation due to negative associations, it is worth noting that officially licensed Disney merchandise continues to have strong sales. Moreover, the realm of Disney memorabilia, known as Disneyana, boasts numerous enthusiastic collectors and even a dedicated fan club called Disneyana Fan Club, which has been in existence since 1984.
Animators fine-tune and modify the shapes and motions executed by their characters from Toy Story in 1995 up until the present-day film Coco. As a result, 3D animation has emerged as a prevailing form of animation.
Centuries prior to the inception of contemporary animation, individuals across the globe were enthralled by the enchantment of animated figures. Throughout history, skilled artisans and creators have breathed life into marionettes, mechanical creatures, silhouettes, and astonishing illuminated devices, evoking the sense of wonder through tangible manipulations.
In the realm of animation, full animation refers to the method of creating visually captivating films through the utilization of intricate illustrations and lifelike motion, resulting in seamless animation. This artistic approach allows for a range of styles, from the lifelike animations showcased by Walt Disney (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King) to the more exaggerated and whimsical aesthetics synonymous with Warner Bros. productions. An animation production company. A number of the Disney animated films serve as illustrations of complete animation, just like non-Disney productions such as The Secret of NIMH (US, 1982), The Iron Giant (US, 1999), and Nocturna (Spain, 2007). In the realm of fully animated films, it is common practice to animate them using either a two-frame or one-frame approach. This essentially implies that a minimum of 12 and up to 24 drawings are necessary to compose a single second of footage.
Limited animation is characterized by the utilization of simpler or stylized illustrations and techniques for motion, often resulting in an erratic or jerky animated effect. This style of animation employs a reduced number of drawings per second, intentionally restricting the smoothness of the animation. This technique is a cost-effective alternative. Originating from the creative minds at the American studio United Productions of America, limited animation can serve as a means of achieving stylized artistic representation, as seen in films like Gerald McBoing-Boing (US, 1951), Yellow Submarine (UK, 1968), and select anime productions from Japan. Nevertheless, its predominant application has been in generating economical animated material for television media (such as the creations of Hanna-Barbera, Filmation, and other studios dedicated to TV animation), and subsequently for the internet (web cartoons).
Animation can also encompass the motion of image components through basic machinery, such as the shifting of images in magic lantern presentations. The historical practice of manipulating three-dimensional puppets and objects to imitate living entities through mechanical means is closely tied to animation as well. Disney popularized the concept of electronic automata by introducing animatronics.
Various traditional animation mediums that depend on the swift presentation of consecutive visuals include the phénakisticope, zoetrope, flip book, praxinoscope, and film. Electronic animation media such as television and video, which were initially analog but have now transitioned into digital operation, are also widely favored. In order to be showcased on computers, various forms of technology were created, such as animated GIFs and Flash animation.
To achieve the illusion of seamless movement in these rendered, painted, or digitally-created visuals, careful consideration is given to the frame rate - that is, the frequency at which consecutive images are displayed per second. Typically, animated characters are captured at a "two-frame" rate, wherein a single image is exhibited for two frames, resulting in a total of 12 illustrations per second. A frame rate of 12 frames per second permits the presence of movement, although it might appear fragmented. In cinematography, a frame rate of 24 frames per second is frequently employed to achieve seamless motion.
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.
In addition to their accomplishments in cinemas and TV shows, numerous animated characters can also generate significant financial gains through licensing for various merchandise and different forms of media.
Animation was widely utilized as a means of propaganda during the time of World War II, with several American studios such as Warner Bros. taking advantage of its capabilities. Disney and other animation studios lent their skills and iconic animated characters to effectively communicate specific war-related ideals to the public. Several nations, such as China, Japan, and the United Kingdom, even created their inaugural full-length animated films to support their wartime endeavors.
In 1955, Disneyland was established, showcasing a multitude of attractions inspired by Disney's animated characters. Its remarkable triumph led to the development of numerous additional Disney theme parks and resorts. Disney has frequently experienced higher earnings from their theme parks in comparison to their film ventures.
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.
During the 1990s, the majority of cel animation studios made a transition towards predominantly creating computer-animated films due to its cost-effectiveness and higher profitability. This shift not only led to the emergence of the widely popular 3D animation style generated through computers, but also facilitated the production of films and series with a traditional hand-crafted aesthetic. By utilizing software, these productions could replicate the appealing qualities of cel animation, while simultaneously incorporating new digital tools to explore innovative styles and visual effects.
In addition to receiving Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film (since 1932) and Best Animated Feature (since 2002), animated films have been frequently recognized and honored in various other categories, notably including Best Original Song and Best Original Score.
Television animation gained significant popularity during the 1950s, coinciding with the widespread adoption of television sets in most advanced nations. Primarily targeted towards children, animated cartoons were conveniently scheduled and Saturday mornings often saw American youngsters devoting numerous hours to watching these shows. Numerous timeless animated shows experienced a revival on television, with the production of new animated cartoons transitioning from theatrical releases to television series by the late 1950s. Hanna-Barbera Productions stood out as a remarkably productive studio during this period, achieving immense success with notable series including The Flintstones (1960-1966), which became the first ever animated prime time series, Scooby-Doo (since 1969), and the Belgian co-production The Smurfs (1981-1989). The limitations imposed by American television programming, combined with the need to produce a large volume of content, led to the adoption of cost-effective and expedited techniques for limited animation, paired with increasingly formulaic scripts. As a result, the overall quality declined until the emergence of more audacious animation in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This revitalization of American animation was characterized by successful shows like the pioneering cartoon series, The Simpsons (1987), along with subsequent animated television programs such as The Simpsons (since 1989) and SpongeBob SquarePants (since 1999).
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