Research

What is animation?

Animation is the allusion of movement through the persistence of vision. For example, this is seen through the process of displaying still images in a rapid sequence to create this allusion. 
There are three main types of animation; traditional, stop motion, and computer generated, each can be used to make both 2D or 3D images. 

Traditional

Traditional animation involves drawing every frame of a film by hand. After all the drawings are completed and colored, they can be photographed or scanned into a computer and then combined with sound on film; a very lengthy process.

Stop Motion

In this process, animators manipulate and photograph objects one motion and frame at a time. The objects can be almost anything, ranging from clay figures to paper cut outs to household objects. Some stop motion films use actual people. After photographing the objects, the photos are then transferred to film and combined with sound.
Computer Generated
Animators can also use computer software to create films and models, which is generally faster than the traditional method. The characters and objects they make can be either two-dimensional or three-dimensional, but the process for creating each type is a little different. For 2D computer generated animation, the animator creates a series of images with each one very slightly different from the last, very similarly to the traditional method. To create 3D images, he or she has to make a model of the character or object, in which a live actor acts the part of the character and his or her motions are recorded and applied to the computer-created model.

Illusion of life- Flipbook animation

What type of animation is used in the book 'The illusion of life?' 

The type of animation of the illusion of life book uses is traditional animation. 

The book The Illusion of Life uses 'inbetweens'. Please explain what inbetweens are.

Inbetweens are frames that are inbetween the key moments, and when they are put together, they form a sequence. 

Why is the traditional form of animation (using inbetweens), so time consuming?
The traditional form of animation is so time consuming as the animator has to draw every individual frame in order to create a sequence or animation.

How many frames per second (fps) does a normal video have?

A normal video has 24 frames per second of animation, thus making it very time consuming. 
What is the most common form of animation?

The most common form of animation is CG or Computer Graphic animation, where the animator sets the key frames and the computer inbetweens them making it a lot easier than the traditional form. 

ABC Rollermache Animation Overview

ABC has put together a great website called Rollermache which covers animation in detail. Their following webpage has a great video at the top of the page on animation. Please click on the following link http://www.abc.net.au/rollercoaster/rollermache/create.htm and then answer the following questions;


1. What is exaggeration used for?

Exaggeration is us blowing something out fo proportion so the audience knows exactly what is happening, and is amusing.

2. What is anticipation used for?

Anticipation is a great way of building suspense to let the audience know what is coming next, and you build up to it. 

3. What is squash and stretch used for?

Showing objects or characters into form preposes; the volume stays more or less the same and is also extremely exaggerated. 

The Illusion of Movement

1. How many frames per second (fps) does a film have?

A film has 24 frame pers second.

2. Try your best to explain what is meant by the 'Persistence of vision'

“Persistence of Vision” refers to the phenomenon where the eye retains an image for a split-second after the image was actually seen, and lends itself to animation by fostering the illusion of motion.

3. Try your best to explain what is meant by the 'Illusion of Movement"

The illusion of movement is successive stimulation of neighbouring parts of the eye which causes the sensation of movement.