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.
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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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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