Illustration: This animation moves at 10 frames per second. Illustration: This animation moves at 2 frames per second. At this rate, the individual frames should be discernable.
Animation refers to the process in which each frame of a film or movie is produced individually, whether generated as a computer graphic, or by photographing a drawn image, or by repeatedly making small changes to a model (see claymation and stop motion), and then photographing the result. When the frames are strung together and the resulting film is viewed at a speed of 16 or more frames per second, there is an illusion of continuous movement (due to the persistence of vision). Generating such a film is very labour intensive and tedious, though the development of computer animation has greatly sped up the process.
GIF is a graphics file format that allows animation to be viewed on a computer. Another format called Flash, created by Macromedia, allows for animation to be viewed over the Internet.
Limited animation is a way of increasing production and decreasing costs of animation by using "short cuts" in the animation process. This method was pioneered by UPA, then adapted by other studios as cartoons moved from movie theaters to television.
Because animation is very time-consuming and often very expensive to produce, the majority of animation for TV and movies comes from professional animation studios. However, the field of independent animation has existed at least since the 1950s, with animation being produced by independent studios (and sometimes by a single person). Several independent animation producers have gone on to enter the professional animation industry.
Illustration: The animations shown before consist of these 6 frames.
The history of film animation begins with the earliest days of silent film and continues through the present day.
The first animated cartoon was from Frenchman Émile Reynaud, who created praxynoscope, animation system of 12 pictures, and films of about 500~600 pictures, projected on its own théatre optique, system near from modern film projector, at Musée Grévin in Paris, France, the october 28, 1892.
The first animated cartoon on modern picture film projector was Fantasmagorie by the French director Émile Courtet (also called Émile Cohl), projected for the first time August 17, 1908 at 'Théâtre du Gymnase', in Paris. Émile Courtet went to Fort Lee, New York near New York City in 1912, where he worked for French studio Éclair and spread its technique in the US.
The first animated feature-length film was El Apóstol (1917) from Argentine Quirino Cristiani, shown in Argentina.
Because the history of animation as an art form has undergone many changes in its hundred-year history, it is examined in detail in the History of animation series.
Animation World Network Provides information resources to the international animation community. Features include searchable database archives, monthly magazine, web animation guide, the Animation Village, discussion forums and other useful resources. http://www.awn.com
Animation Books News and information on books about cartoons. http://www.animation-books.com
Keyframe - The Animation Resource Features sections for animated shorts, series and films, as well as studio information and news. http://www.keyframeonline.com
Toonhound British cartoon, animation and comic strip creations - links, reviews and news from the UK. http://www.toonhound.com
Cartoon Research Animation historian Jerry Beck offers news, commentary, personal biography, booklist, FAQs, animated features and original title cards list, and recommended links. http://www.cartoonresearch.com/
Animation Artist Magazine Industry news, features, articles and interviews, forums, tutorials, online store, and listing of upcoming animated films. http://www.animationartist.com/
Animation Journal Peer-reviewed scholarly journal devoted to animation history and theory. Edited by Maureen Furniss. http://www.animationjournal.com/
Animation Guide Keep up with developments in online animation for all skill levels. Download tools, and seek inspiration from brilliant online work. From About.com. http://animation.about.com/index.htm
Cartoon World A worldwide focal point for professional and aspiring cartoonists, publishers, collectors and enthusiasts interested in comics, cartoons, and animation to access information about all aspects of the cartoon art form. http://www.cartoonworld.org
Chronology of Animation Timeline of animated films and related events. http://www.public.iastate.edu/~rllew/chronst.html
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