While Fantasmagorie (1908) is credited as the first traditional animation, animation made today goes back much further. We give thanks to early animation techniques that can be traced back about 5,200 years.
Early on, people realized that flipping through pictures in quick succession could create the illusion of movement. As mentioned, one of the earliest examples of this is a 5,200-year-old piece of pottery that depicts a moving goat through a series of pictures. Another early example can be traced to an old Egyptian mural that depicts a wrestling match through yet another series of images.
We’ve come a long way in the world of animation. While two-dimensional animation can still be found in cartoons and online videos, modern techniques and technology have given way to new forms of animation, which have found their way into Hollywood, contemporary advertising, and the video game industry.
This blog will talk about how animation is made today and how it compares to traditional animation.
The Rise of CGI
Two-dimensional animation is still wildly popular today. You’ll still find this type of animation everywhere, from online videos, cartoons, and especially in anime, which has garnered a massive audience across the globe. While it’s still prevalent, there’s no avoiding the elephant in the room: CGI has taken the world by storm in the 21st century; just look at the list of the top-grossing films of all time, and you’ll find that the top two (Avatar and Avengers: Endgame) heavily rely on CGI elements.
A World of 3D Animation
Apart from CGI, 3D animation is the most prominent animation made today. The animation industry was revolutionized by 3D animation, and it all started in 1995 with a little film by the name of Toy Story. This type of animation wasn’t entirely new at the time, with commercials and the video game industry utilizing 3D animation techniques for their projects, but Toy Story set the bar by being the first feature-length computer-animated film.
3D animation paved the way for studios trying to achieve photo-realistic animations via the combination of high-level computer processing and advanced motion-capture technology. In other words, 3D animation accelerated the further development of CGI found in Avatar, Planet of the Apes, and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
How is Modern Animation Created?
Today, animators use computer programs to create these high-level animations. This is primarily because, well, you can’t make something like Toy Story with a pad and pencil, aside from the storyboard, of course. CGI also requires the use of advanced software and powerful computers that can run these programs and the technology used in motion tracking and mapping. As you can see, modern animation is heavily reliant on modern technology. If you want to work in the animation industry in this day and age, you’re probably going to have to learn how to harness these technologies if you’re going to be successful.
Harness the Power of Animation with Revity Marketing Agency
Technological advancements and the rise of new techniques are what made animation made today what it is. At Revity Marketing Agency, we don’t take any of it for granted. Give us a call today and see how we can use animation to elevate your brand.
