🎬History of Animation Unit 1 – Early Animation: Optical Toys & Silent Era

Key Concepts & Terminology

• Animation the rapid succession of images to create the illusion of movement
• Persistence of vision the phenomenon where an afterimage persists on the retina for a brief time, allowing for the perception of motion
• Phi phenomenon the illusion of motion created by rapidly presenting still images in succession
• Thaumatrope a disc with different images on each side that appears to combine the images when spun rapidly
• Zoetrope a cylinder with slits cut vertically and a series of images placed inside that create the illusion of motion when spun
• Praxinoscope an improvement on the zoetrope, using mirrors to create a clearer image and allowing for longer sequences
• Flipbook a book with slightly varying images on each page that create the illusion of motion when flipped rapidly
• Stop-motion animation a technique where objects are physically manipulated and photographed frame by frame to create the illusion of movement
• Rotoscoping a technique where animators trace over live-action footage to create more realistic movements

Early Optical Devices

• Thaumatrope invented by John Ayrton Paris in 1824, one of the earliest devices to demonstrate the persistence of vision
• Phenakistoscope developed by Joseph Plateau in 1832, a spinning disc with a series of images that created a looping animation when viewed through slits
• Zoetrope invented by William George Horner in 1834, a cylinder with slits and a series of images inside that created a looping animation when spun
  • Improved upon the phenakistoscope by allowing multiple viewers to experience the animation simultaneously
• Praxinoscope created by Charles-Émile Reynaud in 1877, used mirrors to improve the clarity of the zoetrope's images and allowed for longer sequences
• Flipbook patented by John Barnes Linnett in 1868, a simple book with slightly varying images on each page that created animation when flipped rapidly
• Mutoscope developed by Herman Casler in 1894, a mechanized flipbook that allowed for longer and more complex animations

Pioneers of Animation

• Émile Reynaud created the Théâtre Optique in 1892, which projected hand-drawn animations using a modified praxinoscope
  • Considered the first public performance of projected animation
• J. Stuart Blackton produced "Humorous Phases of Funny Faces" in 1906, one of the earliest examples of stop-motion animation
• Winsor McCay created "Gertie the Dinosaur" in 1914, a landmark in character animation and interactive performance
  • Demonstrated the potential for animation as a storytelling medium
• Otto Messmer created the iconic character Felix the Cat in 1919, which became one of the most popular early animated series
• Walt Disney founded the Walt Disney Company in 1923 and revolutionized the animation industry with his innovative techniques and storytelling

Animation Techniques in the Silent Era

• Hand-drawn animation the most common technique, where each frame is drawn by hand on paper or celluloid
  • Required a high level of skill and was time-consuming, but allowed for great artistic expression
• Stop-motion animation used to bring inanimate objects or puppets to life by photographing them frame by frame with slight changes in position
  • Allowed for the creation of unique and imaginative characters and worlds
• Cutout animation a variation of stop-motion using flat characters made from paper or other materials
  • Simplified the animation process and allowed for more graphic, stylized designs
• Rotoscoping invented by Max Fleischer in 1915, involved tracing over live-action footage to create more realistic movements
  • Used in the "Out of the Inkwell" series featuring Koko the Clown
• Cel animation developed by Earl Hurd in 1914, where characters are drawn on transparent celluloid sheets and layered over static backgrounds
  • Allowed for more efficient production and became the standard in the animation industry

Notable Works & Milestones

• "Fantasmagorie" (1908) by Émile Cohl, considered the first fully animated film
  • Featured a stick figure character and surreal, transformative imagery
• "Little Nemo" (1911) by Winsor McCay, a groundbreaking adaptation of McCay's comic strip that showcased his skill in character animation and backgrounds
• "Gertie the Dinosaur" (1914) by Winsor McCay, featured an interactive performance where McCay appeared to give commands to the animated dinosaur
• "The Adventures of Prince Achmed" (1926) by Lotte Reiniger, the oldest surviving feature-length animated film
  • Used intricate cutout animation inspired by Middle Eastern silhouette puppetry
• "Steamboat Willie" (1928) by Walt Disney, the first fully synchronized sound cartoon and the debut of Mickey Mouse
  • Marked the end of the silent era and ushered in a new age of animation

Cultural Impact & Reception

• Early animation was often viewed as a novelty or a form of entertainment for children
  • Gradually gained recognition as an art form and a powerful storytelling medium
• Animated characters like Felix the Cat and Mickey Mouse became cultural icons and helped to establish the medium's popularity
• Animation studios emerged as major players in the entertainment industry, with Disney leading the way
• Animated films began to tackle more mature themes and appeal to adult audiences, expanding the medium's cultural impact
• International animation styles and techniques developed, reflecting the cultural diversity of the medium (Japanese anime, Soviet animation)

Technological Advancements

• The introduction of cel animation in 1914 revolutionized the production process
  • Allowed for more efficient and cost-effective animation by separating characters from backgrounds
• The development of the rotoscope in 1915 enabled animators to create more realistic and fluid character movements
• The Fleischer brothers invented the rotograph in 1917, a device that allowed for more precise and consistent registration of cels
• The introduction of synchronized sound in 1928 with "Steamboat Willie" marked a major milestone in animation history
  • Opened up new possibilities for storytelling and character expression
• Advancements in camera technology, such as the multiplane camera used by Disney in the 1930s, allowed for greater depth and dimensionality in animated films

Legacy & Influence on Modern Animation

• The pioneering techniques and storytelling approaches developed during the silent era laid the foundation for the animation industry
• Early animators like Winsor McCay and Walt Disney set the standard for character animation and inspired generations of artists
• The use of cel animation, rotoscoping, and other techniques from the silent era continue to influence modern animation production
• The success of early animated characters demonstrated the potential for animation as a powerful marketing and merchandising tool
• The silent era's experimentation with surreal and imaginative imagery paved the way for more abstract and artistic animation styles
• Modern animated films continue to pay homage to the silent era through visual references, storytelling techniques, and the enduring appeal of classic characters