Motion Artistry: Exploring the World of Animation
From the ancient Paleolithic cave paintings that subtly depicted animals in motion, to the cutting-edge computer-generated imagery (CGI) used by studios like Pixar today, animation has come a long way. This fascinating journey through the history of animation is set to be explored in a series of instructional videos, available between May and June 2020, for both children and families with no prior experience.
The series, led by Los Angeles-based illustrator and animator MinoMiyabi, promises to delve into various aspects of animation, from understanding emotions through simple smiley faces, to creating your own characters, mastering animals, and drawing characters in perspective.
The roots of animation on film can be traced back to the early 20th century, with J. Stuart Blackton's groundbreaking work "Humorous Phases of Funny Faces," released in 1906. This pioneering film, credited as the first animated clip on film, marked the beginning of a successful series of animated films for New York's Vitagraph Company.
Georges Méliès and J. Stuart Blackton were among the pioneers in cinema who experimented with animation techniques in the early 20th century. Their innovative work paved the way for the development of the animation industry as we know it today.
The history of animation also includes the use of optical toys like the phenakistiscope, invented in the 19th century, which introduced new ways of animating drawings. These inventions laid the foundations for "moving pictures" as mass entertainment in the 18th century, with shadow puppetry playing a significant role.
As we move into the mid-20th century, animation found a home on television, often adapting characters and stories from other formats like comic books. It was during this time that Walt Disney revolutionised the art form of animation, known for creating Mickey Mouse, original characters, and innovative technologies. His work on "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937 remains one of the very first animated features of all time.
In the latter half of the 20th century, animation studios started using CGI to make animation more efficient and less expensive. This technological advancement is demonstrated by Pixar Studios' success, with films like "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo" becoming cultural phenomena.
Yet, despite these digital advancements, many animators and fans, including Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli, have expressed a desire for hand-drawn animation to continue or remain part of the digital process. Miyazaki's studio, for instance, prioritises hand drawing as the foundation of their projects.
The "Katsudō Shashin" (aka "the Matsumoto Fragment"), a three-second-long celluloid film strip, is one of the oldest animated clips on film, dating at least to 1907. This piece of history serves as a reminder of the humble beginnings of animation and the wonder that still exists in transforming a simple line into a face, a face into a character, and stillness into motion.
For those eager to learn more about this fascinating art form, the instructional videos offered by MinoMiyabi promise to be an exciting and enlightening journey. Whether you're a seasoned animator or a curious beginner, these videos are sure to inspire and educate, reminding us of the endless possibilities that lie within the realm of animation.
[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Humorous-Phases-of-Funny-Faces [3] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Georges-Melies-the-Younger
- The series, led by MinoMiyabi, will explore various aspects of animation, from creating simple smiley faces to mastering animals and using artistic perspective.
- "Humorous Phases of Funny Faces" was a groundbreaking film by J. Stuart Blackton in 1906, credited as the first animated clip on film.
- Georges Méliès, along with Blackton, were pioneers who experimented with animation techniques in the early 20th century.
- In the 19th century, the phenakistiscope, an optical toy, introduced new ways of animating drawings, paving the way for mass entertainment like shadow puppetry.
- As digital advancements took over, animation studios like Pixar started using computer-generated imagery (CGI) for greater efficiency, but many animators continue to advocate for the inclusion of hand-drawn animation in the digital process.
