#Unit 34: GC1

[noirkleinneko]

History of Animation

 35,000 years ago - The first known attempt at depicting moving images was first seen many milennia ago as cave paintings with several pairs of legs. This is because at the time, there was no way to create actual motion, so early humanity simply drew several poses and sets of limbs to represent movement.

1600 bc - The Egyptian godess Isis had 110 columns covered in her image, with slight tweaks in between each picture. This gave the effect of movement to anyone riding by. Similarly, ancient greeks had a method of painting pottery with sequences, so that when it spun it could suggest movement.

1640 - The magic lantern was invented. Similar to a film projector it would project images onto a flat surface (usually a white wall). The only light source available at the time; oil and candles, were used. This meant the images were usually of a poor quality and flickered.

1824 - The Thuamatrope was invented. It proved animation was possible due to our eyes and mind retaining the last image we saw for a fraction of a second. It was a disc, whith two images on each side e.g a bird and a cage. When spun rapidly it would merge the images together, eg. a bird in a cage.

1841 - Joseph Plateau invented the Phenakistoscope, it combined two discs, one with imagesand one with slits to look through. It gave the illusion of motion when spun. This proved to be a popular form of entertainment among many people.

1867 - the Zoetrope was created. In principle it was fairly similar to the Phenakistoscope, however now multiple people could enjoy it at the same time, due to it being a circular contraption in nature. These devices were sold as toys for children and adults alike as entertainment.

1868 - shortly after the Zoetrope was created, the flipbook appeared. Unlike the Zoetrope and similar ideas before it, its images were in a linear sequence as opposed to circular and could tell a story instead of looping a motion. The flipbook was a book that you could flip through the pages to create the illusion of motion. regardless of it being an old invention, flipbboks still exist today both as young childrens toys, and sometimes used by industry professionals to quickly create an animation without it being digital (often for short ideas later translated to more detailed animation).

1877 - The Praxinoscope came into use as the successor to the Zoetrope. Like the Zoetrope, it was a circular device with images painted on the inner wall. The difference was that instead of narrow slits, mirrors were used to reflect the images. This proved to help with the clarity of the animations, and with more modern lighting eventually being used, the whole experience became easier to view.

Late 1890s to early 1900s -  photographs of drawings were played in succession to create the first moving pictures. The most famous of these are matches arranged to convince people to send matches to the troops in the boer war. Another popular early stop motion film was the ‘Humourous Phases of Funny Faces’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGh6maN4l2I  which contained similar techniques, but also the first ever seen frame by frame animation.

1911 - winsor mcCay  created 'little nemo' and 'how a mosquito operates' which were the first colour truly frame by frame animation, an amazing feat considering it was the first of it’s kind, ‘little nemo’ itself was 4000 frames long and a huge milestone for animation.

1914 - 'gertie the dinosaur' McCay invites the dinosaur to eat a real apple, the first time an audience could identify with animation as real life and animation intertwine. This could also be seen as the first time animation was used as special effects.

1920s - felix the cat showcasing real personality that a camera cannot capture was a massive hit, and a milestone in creating an animated character with definate personality and memorability. People today still know or remember Felix as a step forward in technology and ability.

1928 - 'steamboat willie' was yet another large milestone as the first animation with synchronised sound. It is mostly reknowned for the first appearance of mickey mouse, a character who later became arguably the most well known cartoon around. It was just the beginning for the golden age of film and animation created by disney.

1932 - 'flowers and trees' was the first fully animated colour cartoon. Created by Disney, it had plenty of charm and well designed characters.

1937 - 'snow white' is premiered as the first fully animated feature length film, paving the way for countless cel animated feature length films, yet again created by Disney, who was nearly talked out of creating it by his family. The cost of this film ran so high he had to remortgage his house to pay for it.

1995 - ‘Toy Story’ was the first feature length film to be made by computer generated 3D models. It was created by Pixar, who were approached by Disney to create a film about a tin toy, later the script was re-written to be how Pixar wanted it to be.

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The history of 2D animation time line

When people think of ‘2D’ animation, most of them only think of the current films that utilize modern forms of animation. Many of them do not know that 2D animation has been in the perfecting process, for the last four hundred years. Of coerce there have been appearances long, long before that. An example of this would be cave man drawings.

Some of these drawings depicted the different stages/frames of a hunt, and so telling stories with different pictures, from the same scene was born.

Not much changed after that. The pictures moved from cave wall paintings to objects like clay pottery, but otherwise did not advance. That was until the 1650s.

The magic Lantern (1650s)

No one person is thought to have invented this device. It is suspected that many had inputs into it’s creation. However the identities of those people are lost in time. It is thought by some as the ‘forerunner of the modern slide projector’ and has been entertaining, educating and ‘mystifying’ audiences for hundreds of years.

Personal thoughts

I see this as the first stage of the mass audience 2D entertainer, which leads onto more advanced devices and inventions that the public could own.

Information found on: http://www.magiclantern.org.uk/history/history01.php

Thaumatrope (1825)

Invented by an English physician called John Ayrton Paris, this device was a Victorian toy. It is made very simply from a disk or 4 sided piece of card, with two different images, one on either side. With two bit of string, one at either end. When the images are drawn on one must be upsi-down other wise the finished illusion will look wrong. When the string is turned quickly the two images appear combined.

Personal thoughts

This was the first invention that was easily accessible for the public. A toy that revolutionized and helped to develop the following inventions.

Information found on: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/exhibits/fancy-names-and-fun-toys/thaumatropes/

Phenakistiscope  (1833)

The phenakistiscope was invented by a Belgian physicist, Joseph Plateau. Used with the utilization of a mirror, when spun the reflection would show a solid moving image. The device was then taken to a market in France and sold, however one of the most famous designs for the device originated in London. Created by Rudolph Ackermann, known simply as The Dancer. 

Personal thoughts

I believe that the idea behind this invention, really effected the next big stage of 2D animation. Very similar in nature and design the invention only happening one year after this one. It also was one of the first to utilize the fact that the human eye can only process 12 frames a second hence the 12 subjects. 

Information found on: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/exhibits/fancy-names-and-fun-toys/phenakistiscopes/

Zoetrope (1834)

Created from a cylinder with the top removed and small slits put in all around it. The device is then mounted on a turntable or a rotatable base and spun with a strip inside, that has a drawing at different stages on it. The viewer will experience a steady motion created once again with the use of the 12 frame rule. The device was originally named the Doedaleum when it was invented by the English mathematician William George Horner. The design was improved by adding concave lenses, to eliminate distortion. However when sold in shops these days the design retains it’s original form. 

Personal thoughts

I believe that both of these last two inventions really influenced the creation of one, that utilised the same technique but in a far more basic fashion. 

Information found on: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/exhibits/fancy-names-and-fun-toys/zoetrope/

Flip Book (1868)

A form of animation that was invented by Pierre-Hubert Desvigners, is used even to this day in primary schools, to teach children a very basic yet effective form of animation. The human eye processes 12 frames per second and the movement of the pages in a flick book gives the illusion of motion.

The flick book became one of the best selling toys/ forms of entertainment in the late 19th century and the earlier 20th century. 

Personal thoughts

I believe that this was one of the final stages that lead onto the animation that we know today. The only thing left to was to perfect one of the previous inventions. Using mirrors. 

Information found on: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/exhibits/fancy-names-and-fun-toys/kinora/

Praxinoscope (1876)

This is an optical toy that is a more advanced version of the Zoetrope. Instead of using slits to view the image, this device uses stationary mirrors to produce a solid motion. It was invented by Charles-E’mile Reynaud and was awarded with recognition at the great exhibitions of the period.

Personal thoughts

One of the final public available inventions this devise is a great example of improving the old as well as creating the new.

Information found on: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/exhibits/fancy-names-and-fun-toys/praxinoscope/

Kinetoscope (Development started in 1888)

It’s creation was inspired by the desire to create a device, that would advance the viewing of photographs. However had one of the designers, Edison’s original designs prevailed it would have turned out very different. The change was most likely due to the employment of Edison’s assistant in 1883. The device could also be converted into a projector as well as a viewing box.

Personal thoughts

I see this as being the big changed between a simple toy to the cinematic home of 2D animation today.

Information found on: http://www.earlycinema.com/technology/kinetoscope.html

Cel animation (1910)

The definition of Cel animation is the use of a transparent cellulose acetate. It is used mainly because of it’s transparent properties, so it can be placed over other cells, possibly with an additional background. 

Personal thoughts

I see this as a more hands on version of the layer system in programs like photoshop, it could have also helped to lead up to that on computer programs. 

Information found on: http://animatedtv.about.com/od/thesimpsonsfaq/a/celanimation.htm

Rotoscoping (1919-1929)

In a way this is very similar to ‘drawing onto film’,rotoscoping was the process of drawing around an object or character in film, to in some way enhance it or change it. The lightsabers in star wars would be a good example. Shot with either reflective or plastic fencing swords, and then drawn around to add their effect. Invented by the Fleischer brothers.

Information found on:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/724884/rotoscoping

Drawing onto film (1945)

This is exactly what it sounds like. It is where after a scene has been filmed, of real life subjects with a camera, an artist/animator will draw a 2 dimensional subject or object on every frame. More often than not the actors will have been choreographed to react to these non-existent 2 dimensional creations, to make the combustion of live action and 2D animation look more natural. One of the best examples of this would be ‘who framed roger rabbit’.

Personal thoughts 

Both rotoscoping and drawing onto film, were some of the first main examples of combining live action with 2D animation and how effective it can be.

Some of this information was found on this site: http://animation.about.com/od/faqs/f/Reader-Question-What-Is-Drawn-On-Film-Animation.htm

The modern day of 2D animation

Despite originating from very primitive means, 2D animation has seen a dramatic growth in development. Now having a presents in over half of today’s media. Not only with completely 2D films but also with logos for big companies and small alike. Not just those though. 2D animation has also made appearances in advertising, credits, 2D CGI, company designs, typography and titles.

Computer animation (Present day) 

This is the most common way to create a 2D animation in the 20th century; it is also the one that is most accessible to the public. Thanks to the advancements in technology, and all of the forms of 2D animation in the past. The public can easily create a 2 dimensional animation for a very small amount of money. There are many different animation programs to choose from, some of which belonging to the Adobe collection. After effects became available to the public in 2006 and is one of the most commonly used. 

The names of the different types of 2D animation came from the ‘Time toast’ site: http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/2d-animation-history

Overall observation

Weather it is by mistake or was planned this way. The devises used to create and advance 2D animation have followed a very clear path and target audience. It started with a purpose built device, to explore the possibilities of 2D animation at the time. Then it moved onto a series of inventions, that were available to the public to try and to create their own. Once that hit it’s hight with the Praxinoscope it then moved back to industry developments and the advancement of creating motion pictured with animation. Finally with the present day, animation returns to the public with easy to perchance and use 2D animation programs. What I wonder is what is the next advancement that will take animation back out of the hands of the public. 

I believe the stage of 2D animation that was the most important is a combination of ‘drawing onto film and rotoscoping’, because it was the first time that production companies dared to combine the computer generated 2D characters and objects with live action footage. 

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History of Animation Timeline - How Developments Have Influenced Industry Today

The time before Christ was the start of animation, they don’t really have any influence it’s the foundation, the idea of moving images to create a sequence. After death is when the machines and instruments were invented it began to develop animation. People started to draw and project them through the magic lantern also known as a projector. However other techniques of animation was being developed like the thaumatrope and zoetrope, in my opinion these have not influenced animation today. Animation techniques such as stop motion animation influence industry today. Stop motion animation was used to create the John Lewis advert - Somewhere only we know, Wallis and Gromit and Nightmare before Christmas. 

A recent development is computing softwares, they have a big impact on today’s animation industry, you can scan drawings, import photos, add effects, draw digitally (if you're doing frame by frame copy and paste becomes useful and saves some time) Photoshop is like the digital version of cel animation you have a layers for background and for as many characters as you like, etc etc as well as not having to animate frame by frame for example in flash. 

I quite like the John Lewis advert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mer6X7nOY_o

However my favourite 2D animated film has to be either Disney’s Lilo and Stitch or Tarzan.

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History of Animation Timeline

BC: Stone age - Caveman Paintings

Back in the stone ages, cavemen would paint/draw poses with motion of men, bison and horses on the walls of the caves, this is known as frames and that’s where it all started.

In the images below you can see an eight legged boar because on animals they would draw several poses over to create an effect of motion. You can see this effect on the horse lifting his head.

Also during stone ages there was understanding of pinhole imagery, the camera obscura (not invented yet) started having ides like roots leading to its creation, cavemen (in a dark cave) would see out of a crack or hole at animals and that artist would draw horses upside down. (Scroll to  for Camera Obscura explanation).

3000 BC: Egyptians

Animation is images that communicate something to the viewer and Egyptians did that very well with their hieroglyphics. 

Also, Egyptian artwork whether it be on pottery or walls, had animation - frames as you can see below of Egyptian Wrestlers you can see different poses, frames linking to create motion.

500 BC: Ancient Greeks and China - Mohists

Looking into optics (light behaviour) China established hand shadows, that they mimic animal motions well.

http://camera-obscura.co.uk/camera_obscura/camera_history.asp http://www.precinemahistory.net/900.htm

AD: 1066 - Bayeux Tapestry

The famous Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most famous pieces of animation in history. It is the animated recording of “The Battle Of Hastings”, women at that time embroided the events onto a massive piece of material which would resemble a timeline current days digitally.

Bayeux Tapestry sourced from me, I learnt about it at school.

16th Century (1500s) - Camera Obscura and Pin Hole Imagery

Below is what a Camera obscura looks like.

Below shows diagram of how it works. Light travels in straight lines, when the light reflects through the hole/pinhole/aperature, it reflects on the wall in the darkened room upside down.

Below shows how artists used them, they would trace/draw the image in the darkened room. It became a vital aiding device to artists.

http://www.amazingcameraobscura.co.uk/howitworks.htm http://camera-obscura.co.uk/camera_obscura/camera_history.asp

1600s - Magic Lantern

Below is what a magic lantern looks like.

The magic lantern was one of the first projectors, works similar to how projectors work nower days, it has a lens to magnify, a lamp to produce light so the slides can be seen and has a place to put slides in, each slide contains a frame.  If you’ve watched Disney’s Tarzan, during the song ‘Strangers Like Me’ you see a magic lantern being used. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc3MnoSS5Hw

http://courses.ncssm.edu/gallery/collections/toys/html/exhibit02.htm http://animationhistory.blogspot.co.uk/2006/05/magic-lantern.html

1824 - Thaumatrope 

The thaumatrope was invented by John Ayrton Paris. This is where you have a circle with string on either end and you have a drawing on either side for example a bird and cage and when you twist the strings, your eyes can’t see the difference so merges them.

1832 - Phenakistoscope 

Phenakistoscope created by Joseph Plateau is a disk with drawings on, you spin the disk looking through the back of one disk in a mirror or get 2 disks with slits so you can watch.

1834 - Zoetrope

A zoetrope is you have poses drawn on a a rectangle/banner and you have slits at the top like in the images below, the slits serve two purposes, one as a guide where to draw each frame and second to look through when you round it and spin it. 

Pixar created a zoetrope of toy story, but as you can see doesn’t look like the old fashioned ones as this is for 3D Animation but the technique is the same.

1866 - Flipbook

A flip book is where you have a book with frames drawn towards the right edge of the paper and you flick the book quick, your eyes won’t notice the difference between frames it will just flow as one sequence. The first flip book was “Kineograph” by John Barnes.

1877 - Phaxinoscope

The phaxinoscope was created by Charles-Émile Reynaud, as you can see below it combines a phenakistoscope and a zoetrope, it has the structure of a zoetrope however no slits but has mirrors like in the phenakistoscope in the centre, easier for the viewer to watch the animation.

20th Century - Live Action and Animation

Disney established this animation technique of having live footage and animation interact with one another, he used this in Mary Poppins 1964 and Bed Knobs and Broomsticks 1971.

1900s - Beginning of Stop Motion Animation

One of the animation techniques developed in this time period is whiteboard animation where you draw on the whiteboard take a picture, change the drawing, take another picture and then put them together in a sequence. In the ‘Enchanted Drawing, James Stuart Blackton attempts the illusion of interacting with his drawings live action and animation.

1908 Blackton inspired Emile Cohl to produce first animated film, “Fantasmogorie”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moBeQfJ7MBU

1913 - Cel Animation

With the creation of celluloid, artists were now able to do more complex backgrounds, instead of having simple backgrounds and having to re draw and re draw, you could have a more complex background and draw characters moving on the celluloid this old fashioned animation technique is called Cel animation.

1915 - Rotoscoping

Rotoscoping is the animation technique created by Max Fleischer, where animators trace over footage frame by frame. Images from films would be projected and the animator can traced as seen in the image below.

http://languages.oberlin.edu/courses/2011/spring/cine270/olevine/2011/04/10/a-brief-history-of-rotoscoping/

1928 - Mickey Mouse

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was created in 1927 but Mickey Mouse was the start of Disney, Mickey Mouse began to get his own short films, the first one Steamboat Willie also in 1928 was one of the first cartoons to have sound.

1937 - Snow White

In 1937 Disney created his first feature length film in colour with sound and voices - Snow White and The Seven Dwarves.

1982 - Adobe is born.

This is the main software used in industry today to create animations: Photoshop, After Effects, Flash, Premiere Pro etc. Other softwares other than adobe are used also.

https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/history/timeline/

1980s - Morphing

Morphing is the animation technique where you can change one thing into another by going over frame by frame changing it slightly and in some frames merging e.g. human and animal.

1995 - CGI (Computer Generated Imagery)

Toy Story was Disney’s first CGI film.