Animation – from Latin “anima” – soul, animation means animation or animation.
Animation, animation, animated film, animated movie, animated film – a type of film art, the works of which are created by the method of frame-by-frame filming of consecutive phases of movement of drawn (graphic or drawn animation) or three-dimensional (three-dimensional or puppet animation) objects.
The first cartoons were very different from today. And not even so much technique, but the fact that they were an experiment, a test of strength. Because they look so unusual, but no less mesmerizing than modern ones. Today you can watch cartoons at home, but back then you had to go to movie theaters, where the orchestra played musical accompaniment to the video sequence right in the hall. And the audience was very impressed.
From the history of animation or cartooning
The first attempts to capture movement in drawings date back to Paleolithic cave drawings, where animals were depicted with multiple legs overlapping each other.
In Shahr-i Sokhta, Iran, a clay vessel was found that is estimated to be 5000 years old. On the walls of the vessel 5 images of a goat in motion were made.
Drawings have also been found, in Egypt (attributed to 2000 BC). There were statements that these drawings should be called the first examples of animation, however, it is not quite correct, as there was no equipment capable of showing these drawings in motion.
Praxinoscope and glowing pictures.
It is believed that the creation of cartoons became possible after Emile Reynaud, an inventor from France, received a patent for one of his best creations. It was a praxinoscope, and it happened in 1877. The apparatus allowed to show moving images.
On October 28, 1892 Emile Reynaud demonstrates in the Parisian Museum Greven the first graphic tape with the help of apparatuses “optical theater”, acting differently than a film projector.
Who was the first cartoonist?
The rapid development of animation began in the early 20th century. Immediately several people at about the same time and independently of each other began to work on the creation of animated films.
Most of all distinguished American artist, master cartoonist James Stewart Blackton. As many as three of his works appear among the nominees. In 1900 he created a short silent cartoon “Enchanted Drawing”. In 1906, he presented the work “Funny Transitions of Funny Faces” It showed a rapid change of grimaces, reflecting a variety of human emotions. In this picture combined the technique of cinema and the art of graphics. Interestingly, in American cinemas, the screening was accompanied by the playing of a pianist, and sometimes even a whole orchestra.
The following year Blackton released “Hotel with Ghosts”. This work was more perfect in technical and animation terms. But this cartoon was a puppet, so many experts dispute his right to the title of the first children’s animation.
A European cartoonist also claims the top spot. Emile Kohl, a cartoonist from France, created a work called “Phantasmagoria” (1908). The peculiarity of this black-and-white tape is the presence of a clear plot. Another difference was that the key character has vividly expressed individual character traits. To create this two-minute cartoon, Emil Kohl made just under 700 drawings.
George Mellis accidentally invented a filming technique called “stop-motion”. The essence of this technique was as follows: Mellis would shoot a frame, then change something in the scene being shot, then shoot the next frame, and so on. After that, quickly changing these frames, achieved an animated effect.
Winsor McCay created the first animated cartoon in 1906.
Walt Disney was the first to use sound in animation. Disney was also one of the pioneers in the use of color in animation. One of the most significant innovations of Disney’s studio was the invention of the multi-plane camera, which allowed for parallax effects, elongated figure shapes, depth, and blurring. His studio created many animations, the characters of which are known to this day (Mickey Mouse, Plutto, Goofy, etc.). The commercial success of the first wide-screen animators set the stage for the emergence of new animation studios.
By 1930, many such studios were already in operation, including Universal Pictures, Paramount, Warner Brothers, and others that are still in operation today.
The emergence of three-dimensional animation
The first work, made in the form of three-dimensional animation, was “Beautiful Lucanida, or the War of the Mustaches with the Horned Men”. Its creator was Vladislav Starevich, a Russian biologist. The author realized the work in 1910, the public was able to see the animation only in 1912.
Interestingly, the scientist originally planned to shoot a scientific picture about the fight between two beetles hornbills. But here he suffered a setback. Then he came up with the idea of using dissected insects. By attaching to them thin wires invisible to the eye, he shot hundreds of movements frame by frame. Thus, there was a cartoon, which had a logically constructed plot – the plot, development and climax.
Starevich deservedly secured the title of creator of the first three-dimensional cartoon, while also becoming the founder of this art form in Russia. The biologist himself began to work in puppet animation in the future.
Walt Disney cartoons
Walt Disney is probably the most famous person in the history of animation. Several generations of children have already grown up on his works, and will surely grow up again. Interesting plot, attractive characters, an abundance of bright colors truly mesmerize. Looking at the dynamic, colorful cartoons of Disney, it is hard to believe that his first works were monochrome – “Laughtergram” (1921), “Alice’s Day at Sea” (1924), “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit”.
But the world-famous hero of Walt Disney Mickey Mouse first glimpsed in the frame in the distant 1928 in “Crazy Airplane”, then he became the protagonist of “Steamboat Willie”, which was the first tape with a soundtrack.
First full-length cartoons
The emergence of “full meter” in animation is also a very significant event. The world’s first full-length cartoon is considered to be “The Apostle”, released in 1918. It was created by cartoonist and director from Argentina Quirini Cristiani.
Better known to the general public, full-length animation was Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. Released in 1977, it brought its author real fame.
The advent of color cartoons and 3D animation
The world’s first color cartoon was released in 1932 by the Walt Disney Studios Corporation. It was a short film “Flowers and Trees”. It is noteworthy that this animation was originally filmed in black and white. But then the genius animator took a risk and for the first time decided to add color, applying a three-color technology “Threecolor”.
In 1995, the first world animation format 3D – full-length “Toy Story” was released.
Development does not stand still. During its existence, animation has evolved from primitive, alternating drawings in full-color animated films in 3D, saturated with special effects and computer graphics. It is not excluded that in the near future cartoonists will surprise you again.