THE EVOLUTION OF ANIMATION

ANIMATION
The art of making inanimate objects appear to move, an artistic impulse that predates the movies.
Pygmalion, a sculptor, created a figure of a woman so perfect that he begged Venus to bring her to life.
This sense of magic, mystery, and transgression still permeates contemporary film animation, which has
made it a primary vehicle for exploring the emotions of childhood.

The theory of the animated cartoon preceded the invention of the cinema by half a century, as early
experimenters discovered the principle of persistence of vision.

ZOETROPE- “THEN”
The earliest form of animation was the Zoetrope, which was invented in 1834 by William George Horner.
The device consists of a drum-shaped container with vertical slits cut into the sides. When the device is
spun, the images inside appear to move. This was the start of what would soon become a powerful tool
in the world of entertainment.

The evolution of animation has been influenced by technological advancements, cultural shifts, and
artistic innovations. It has gone from simple black and white drawings to visually stunning animated
movies that take your breath away.

In the early 1900s, the first animated films started appearing. Winsor McCay's "Little Nemo" was the first
animated film to use frames, and it opened the door for other animators to explore the possibilities of
animation as a medium. Early animations were simple and relied heavily on black and white drawings.
However, as time passed, technology began to improve, and filmmakers began to experiment with color
and sound to make their animations more immersive.

The 1930s saw the rise of Walt Disney Studios and the introduction of full-length animated feature films.
The first full-length animated film, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," was released in 1937 and was a
massive success. Disney's films introduced new techniques, like cell animation, which allowed animators
to create more fluid movements for their characters.

As animation began to mature as an art form, new styles and techniques emerged. In the 1960s and
1970s, the counterculture movement in America influenced animators to experiment with bizarre,
psychedelic imagery. Examples of these styles include the works of Ralph Bakshi, who created films like
"Fritz the Cat" and "Heavy Traffic."

GOLDEN AGE ANIMATION TO HYPER REALISTIC ANIMATION - “NOW”

This evolution from hand-drawn animation to computer-generated animation is most evident in hyper-
realistic animation. Hyper-realistic animation involves creating 3D images and characters that are so
realistic that they almost appear to be alive. These animations are incredibly detailed, with life-like
textures, lighting, and facial expressions that make them seem real.

The evolution from Golden Age animation to hyper-realistic animation has not been a simple linear
process but has gone through several stages. One of the first steps towards hyper-realistic animation was
 THE EVOLUTION OF ANIMATION

the introduction of rotoscoping in the 1970s. Rotoscoping involves tracing over live-action footage to
create animations that are more fluid and natural. This process was used in films like Disney's "101
Dalmatians" and "Robin Hood" to make the movements of animals and humans look more lifelike.

As computer technology advanced, so did the use of CGI (computer-generated imagery) in animation.
The first fully computer-generated animated feature film was Pixar's "Toy Story" (1995). Pixar's animation
studios have since become synonymous with hyper-realistic animation. With films like "Finding Nemo,"
"The Incredibles," and "Up," Pixar has set the standard for hyper-realistic animation. The studio's
attention to detail is second to none, and the characters they create are both engaging and incredibly
life-like.

The 1980s and 1990s saw the emergence of computer-generated animation, which allowed animators to
create complex, three-dimensional images. Pixar, founded in 1979, was one of the first companies to use
computer-generated graphics in their animations, resulting in films like "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo."

Today, animation has reached new heights of artistic and technical achievement. Animators can create
lifelike characters with detailed facial expressions, intricate background designs, and stunning visual
effects that immerse audiences in entirely new worlds. Animation is no longer considered just a medium
for children's entertainment but is now appreciated as a legitimate form of art.