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.
Karmatoons Incorporated Small studio site with drawing for animation lessons. http://www.karmatoons.com/
Animation Meat Offering notes from professional animators, downloadable dope and model sheets, opinions, animation facts, recommended books and links. [Best viewed with Netscape Navagator] http://www.animationmeat.com/
Animation Bureau Studio page with tutorials, including how to build an animation desk. http://www.animationbureau.com/
Animation World Network: Student Corner Resources for animation students. News, job-hunting advice, tutorials, interviews, events schedule, school database, and home to Larry's Toon Institute. http://www2.awn.com/studentcorner/
Lightfoot Ltd Providing products for self teaching or classroom instruction for animation and cartooning. http://www.zyworld.com/drkatie/lightfootltd/index.html
Animation Foundation Professional training and development for 2D and 3D animators. Home of "Simplified Drawing for Planning Animation." http://www.animfound.com/
Acting For Animators Acting For Animators, by Ed Hooks, is the first book about acting theory that is written specifically for animators. Site contains information about classes, resources, and news. http://www.actingforanimators.com
Karl Gnass' Spirit of the Pose Gallery and information about classes and tips on life drawing by instructor for Disney and Nickeodeon, among others. http://spirit-of-the-pose.com
The Animation Learner's Site Dedicated to teaching traditional (cel) animation and solid life drawing and layout skills. Also includes technical resources, books, links, schools and interviews with professional animators. http://www.hwcn.org/~ab323/als/index.htm
The Character Animator How PDI-DreamWorks and Pixar create living virtual characters. Resource for professional character animators. Seminars, lectures, articles, coaching in Europe and North America by international specialists. http://www.the-character-animator.com/
Animation Arena A Resource that offers advise for students in the animation field and for those who are considering entering the field of animation. http://www.animationarena.com/
Simply Maya A massive resource for Maya users offering tutorials, forums and interviews with industry professional's tutorials http://www.simplymaya.com/
Voiceover Training - Voicetrax SF SF Bay Area voiceover training school and casting agency with courses for the beginner and voice professional http://www.voiceover-training.com/
Make Movies Free film scriptwriting and animation lessons for schools, covering materials, equipment, and techniques for traditional and computer animation. http://www.makemovies.co.uk
Brian Lemay's Animated Cartoon Factory Website Original books on character design, layout, and writing for animation, as well as inside portfolio tips from the coordinator of Sheridan's Animation program. http://www.brianlemay.com
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