Content:
1. How exactly Could You Define Animation?
2. Different Types of Animation
3. History Of Animation
4. Animation Today
5. Conclusion
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How Exactly Could You Define Animation?
Animation has many definitions, depending on the type of animation you are referring to. Traditional Animation, Computer Animation, Motion Graphics, Stop Motion/Clay Animation. But amongst all of these types, the most common, related and broad definition of animation is:
A method where Still Pictures are Manipulated , to create the effect of movement.
While this definition can apply to ANY type of Animation and its synonyms, they also have their own definitions, as they can be completely different in production and outcome.
Some can be Hand-Drawn or Computer Generated, some require different production techniques and objects to work with. Some are actually filmed with cameras and then edited! If you’re confused, don’t worry, because we’re going to present to you every type of Animation that the world knows of!
Different Types of Animation:
Traditional Animation:
Also known as Classical or Hand-Drawn Animation, this was one of the first Styles of Animation ever created. It was mostly used in the 20th century, but we could say It hadn’t left us yet.
Definition of Traditional Animation:
It is an Animation technique, where each frame of the Cartoon is Hand-Drawn and put on top of each other.
This was definitely the most Dominant Animation Technique, until Computer Animation came and made people’s work easier and outcomes more “modern”. Regardless, some people still absolutely love Traditional Cartoons (Including Myself).
Some people still use this technique, mostly for fun because It requires loads of good drawings. Nowadays (While it is preferred), it is not 100% necessary to be good at drawing if you want to be a successful Animator and Content Creator.
Computer Animation:
The big revolution in Animation came, when Computer Animation came around. Soon, people were making use of it in the first fully CGI-Made Cartoons.
Definition of Computer Animation:
It is an Animation Technique, where the movements are created and generated by a Computer.
We know 2 Different types of the Animation Technique:
1. 2D Animation:
This is the simpler version of the 2 types, but still a very strong competitor to its related type. It is the art of Animating movement in a 2-dimensional space.
All traditionally animated cartoons were 2D cartoons, but we’re talking about more modern techniques. 2D Animation is mostly used for TV Shows, Websites, Films, Video Games or Advertisement. It’s a very versatile style and can be used for almost any occasion. The process of making a random scene and making the pictures lifelike can be very fun and relaxing.
Nowadays, mostly every single animated feature film is made using Computer Animation. Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, 20th Century Fox etc. They all Love it and we all Love their Work.
History of Animation:
In the late 19th and early 20th century, several Animation techniques were invented, including Stop-Motion with different objects or Clay (Clay animation). The most dominant technique for animated films was, however Hand-Drawn Animation or as we call it now, Traditional Animation.
First Ever Animated films:
Humorous Phases of Funny Faces – J. Stuart Blackton, 1906:
Although full-length animated feature cartoons weren’t a thing for quite the time into the future, this was the first ever animated film. Being just 3 minutes long, it was made by using the Stop Motion and Cutout technique. The film is also shown at only 20 frames per second, but that was the peak of animation at the time.
At the beginning, the film shows white lines that eventually form into the title of the film. The next scene involves Blackton’s hands drawing a character on a chalkboard . After that, the Stop-Motion technique starts and live action footage ends. The characters suddenly appear to come to life by themselves and start doing all sorts of things, including a clown juggling.
Humpty Dumpty Circus – J. Stuart Blackton & Albert E. Smith, 1908:
Once again, a film brought to life by Blackton is kind of a controversial one, as there are no known copies of the film and it is considered lost.
The story of the animated video is about a circus, called “Humpty Dumpty Circus”. The performers and animals there are made of wood and are made to appear to move using Stop-Motion. The figures or performers are brought to life to show off their incredible acrobatic skills.
These animated films showed the world how to animate using Stop-Motion for the first time ever!
First full feature-length animated film:
Snow White and the 7 Dwarf’s – Disney, 1937:
Snow White was one of the first Walt Disney’s feature films and the first ever Full-Length Feature Cartoon. It was based on the Grimm Brothers story back from 1812 and was animated using the Hand-Drawn Traditional technique.
It first premiered on December 21, 1937 and inspired the world of animation while earning more than $8 Million shortly after its release.
It was also nominated for Best Musical Score at the Academy Awards in 1938 and a year after that, Walt Disney received an Oscar for the traditionally animated movie.
Conclusion:
Again, Animation is a video-making technique, that involves still figures being manipulated to appear to move. These figures and images can be Hand-Drawn, Computer Generated, or filmed using Stop-Motion techniques. Even though you may know about the definition of Animation, you were still a part of this article, that was really fun to write and look back at the very start of Animation.
Animation has been existing for longer than some people may think. The first animated short movie was created back in the 1930s, while today, they are coming out several times per year. They have really inspired storytellers and artists, to express their feelings or ideas in a very unique way. For people of all ages of course, so next time you can try it for yourself, even though you’ll probably have to practice first.
