History of Animation

"Spirit, The Stallion of the Cimmaron"

2005-11-17T19:37:00.000-08:00

"Spirit," with its lacking accuracy of history still captured my attention through the craftsmanship of art and animation. I am completly impressed with the scene of Spirit and his lady friend trotting into the lillypad pond. The cienematograhy throughout the entire film displays inccredible reallistic images, very movie-like.

I think the missed opportunity to explore true history in the way that they could have was by far the worst flaw in the film. Other than that I really enjoyed it. I actually never saw this animation until this class.

The horse animation blew me away, I can only imagine the time and dedication it took the artists to create such detail and believable gestures. With out a dought "Spirit" contained a great deal more detail in it's characters than "Pocahantas."

I did not recognize the Japanese Anime until mentioned in class. I found that to be rather interesting even though I am not a huge fan of Japanese Anime it worked nicely for this animation. Especially considering the eyes needed to express so many different gestures and emotions with the Horses.

Article on Pocahontas

2005-11-09T21:10:00.000-08:00

http://www.apva.org/history/pocahont.html

History of Animation #10

2005-11-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

Having seen Pocahontas many times before, I never realized the history of it. I was completely unaware of the connection to Virginia History. I found todays class to be very interesting and educational. I pulled up an article on Pochontas from the internet and she really is not just a fairytale animation butchered by Disney. I do have to say it's definitly not Disney's best work. However, I do agree that they did do some things right. Yes, the animals of course were fantastic and Meko really was the best part of the movie. I also thought the scenery and use of lighting was done quite nicely. I even thought it really captured the true historical picture of our way to always want to infect our beliefs and way of life onto other cultures. We have always been a nation of MINE! We think that everything belongs to us or we have the right to it. The best word for me to use is "Hegemony". All in all I think despite everything that is wrong with this Disney animation I still think there are things to be learned from it.

History of Animation #9

2005-11-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

How can you not fall in love with Fivel Moskowitz? "An American Tale" takes us on a journey to the history of imagration in the United States. Watching "An American Tale" as a kid I did not pay much attention to the history that was being told. However, I understood what was going on and enjoyed the film like any other 7 year old would. "An American Tale" has always been one of my favorite animations. It's the only animation that I can honestly say brings tears to my eyes everytime I see it, and inspires me with hope. Fivel's personality is that of heroic courage and curiosity, which he displays over and over through out the film.
I Think Bluth did an amazing job conveying such historical events through the animation of Cats and Mice. Every character's personality is distinct in a way that we can recognize or place them against the sterotypes we have of different cultures.
I felt the history in "An American Tale" was displayed with great accuracy. Starting from the beginning with the Kasiks, to the arrival in America where thier names had been changed and how many families in fact were seperated from each other.
I also thought the way the Statue Of Liberty was incomplete in the beginning and finished in the end paralleled with the determination and hope Fivel had to find his family and the hope of imigrants to find Freedom. I interpreted the line "The streets are paved with cheese" to symbolize the opportunity and freedom you can find in America, "The American Dream."
I have always loved "An American Tale" and now having the chance to study it at an older age I can have an even great respect for it. I learned alot today that I had not known before about our actual history in addition to the use of animation as to tool to communicate our history to the generations to come.

History of Animation #8

2005-11-02T06:09:00.000-08:00

I unfrotunately missed class today due to some minor car trouble. I spoke to one of our classmates about what I missed and I was even more disappointed that I missed class. I have many fond memories of "Rocky and Bullwinkle" growing up with a dad who absolutely loved that Moose and little squirrell. I personally don't remember much about the animation, but I do remember the cartoon having some educational value to it. I think for me it was most important because it gave me and my dad a time to hang out and laugh together. Animation just like many events that occur through the media of television can create memories and experiences that in some cases are unforgetable. Animation has this amazing power to communicate history and education through the tool of Television. For example the animations we watched that were influenced by War. This shows how we use animation to make people aware of the things going on in the world. I think using animation to do this is A: more fun to watch than the news and B: when we watch a cartoon it in some way relaxes the issue and exposes you to it in a more positive way if the issue is a negitive one. I am really looking forward to "An American Tale" I watched this amaziing animation over and over again growing up. This was one animation that really aesthetically touch my senses in happiness, laughter, and tears.

Comments

2005-11-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

comment on Tom Hedblum #8
http://histanimation.blogspot.com/

comment on Scott Bush #8
http://blogobush.blogspot.com/

My comment links

2005-10-24T05:33:00.000-07:00

I think I finally figured out how I can do this link thing.
Here they are:
I commented on Tom Hedblum's Post #7
http://histanimation.blogspot.com/

I commented on Sarah Henry's Post #7
http://voltaria.blogspot.com/

I commented on Charla Downard's Post #7
http://cdownard.blogspot.com/

I commented on Scott Bush's Post #7
http://blogobush.blogspot.com/

Hopefully this works.

Thanks

Joshua Miller

Todays Class! Post #7

2005-10-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

I have to admitt that I was very interested in the History of German film Animation, however, I am not a big fan of reading subtitles. So I had a hard time keeping up and understanding the information. When we got to the Disney and "Private Nafu" animations I really enjoyed those and in turn learned things I didn't about animation during "World War II." I remember seeing some of these cartoons when I was younger but never thought or realized what they meant or that they had such a significant connection to the war. Watching the Donald Duck cartoons really brought me back to a place I haven't visited in awhile, my childhood. I do have one question though. How come Donald Duck covers himself up after his shirt is removed when he doesn't even wear any pants to begin with? The same is true when he gets out of the shower, he goes in wearing nothing, but when he comes out he puts a towel around his waste?

Joshua

"Snow White" Not so Sexy! Post #6

2005-10-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

How can you not appreciate the first Disney full length animated movie, but what is up, with the flat unattractive human charactors? I really enjoyed viewing "Snow White" on Wednesday and it definitly serves the purpose for History of Animation, however, I have to say I found Snow White alot sexier when I was younger. I never really paid much attention to how unexciting the human faces and figures are in early Disney animation, and I don't really think it's getting any better. It's true that the animators obviously enjoyed and focused more on the movements and emotions of the animals than they did on the human charactors. I do agree with the Excellent job Disney did with the Seven Dwarves and their individual personalities.

I'm extremely excited for "The Nightmare Before Christmas." It's one of my favorites and I really don't know why, but something about it just appeals to me. Tim Burton's unique style and creativity have always interested me. I still haven't had the opportunity to see "Corpse Bride" which I intend to do very soon.

Joshua

History of Animation Post #5

2005-10-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

Warner Brothers VS Walt Disney, Although Disney has many great and classic animated films; I have to admitt that my loyalties lie with WB considering my fascination with "Bugs Bunny". I have been a fan of that "Wascally Wabbitt" since I was 3 years old. His smooth, intellegent ways of outwitting the other characters and cool laidback attitude are classic and hilarious qualities of his personality. "Bugs Bunny" animated cartoons in my opinion were by far the best animations ever made. I beleive for many reasons such as: excellent use of color, shadows, and story. These vintage works of animation contain so much depth and originality that I find myself lost in entertainment when watching them. Studying the history of Warner Brothers and the characters that make it what it is was a real treat on Wednesday for me. It always amazes me to see how simple yet complex early animation was and the impact that certain charactors have had on the world and will continue to have until the end of time.

"Funny Stuff"

2005-10-02T11:13:00.000-07:00

If you want a good laugh and to see some pretty clever animation Check these sites out www.bloatedyak.com and www.toonswithguts.com

People I commented on

2005-10-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

John Barber Post#3
Tom Hedblum Post#3 and Post#4
Sarah Henery Post#4
Michele Brady Post#4
Lauren Lyga Post#3
Lauren Vessy Post#3

History of Animation Post #4

2005-09-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

Thumb Wars is not your most sophisticated animation, and yes it's a little cheesy, but still demonstrates a unique and creative style of bring ing characters to life. If you have not had the privalage of witnessing this clever parody to the epic film "Star Wars," I highly recommend checking it out. I would post it on here but the file is too large. There are other Thumb animations available on DVD also, such as "Bat Thumb" a parody to, yes you guessed it, "Batman," and many more.

As for the animations we viewed and discussed on Wednesday "Popeye" is by far my favorite cartoon, having grown up watching it everyday after school. I particularly enjoy the adult humor that can be found in Friesher's Popeye animations and the macho tough guy personality that Popeye possess. I find it very interesting how you can see through these early animations and relate them to what was going on in the world at that time. "Betty Boop," "Popeye," and "Superman" all played a huge role in our culture during the 1920s to the 1940s. At the time of "Great Depression" and pre "World War II." They were used to take the nations minds off of the horrible things that were happening in the world. All making incredible break throughs for future animators.

Joshua

History of Animation Post #3

2005-09-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

I havn't wrote or commented in awhile. I beleive that I am finally feeling more comfortable with the whole blogging thing. Took me a a bit to get used to, but I think by simplifying things that are new and finding the realaiton to things that are familar to you really helps, anyway.

I missed yesterdays class I am in Chicago for a funeral untill Friday afternoon. An experience in many ways that has been very surreal for me almost like an animation in some exaggerated way. One of my very best friends from highschool who I just spoke to last week and was extremely excited about his upcoming wedding with another close friend of mine passed away at the young age of 27. I for some reason feel compelled to talk about this because between this and the natural disasters that are happening around the world and in the United States today we need to realize just how precious each day we get is and life can in fact be very short sometimes. Like a short animation telling a story in some form that will speak emotions to you. I particularly enjoy the animations that force you to cry, laugh, get mad, or even confuse. My experience this week has opened my eyes and taught me that animation is all around us in so many different ways. I beleive everything is animation if you look at, whether it is brought to life by motion or not. Color, sound, smell and experiences can bring things to life in much the same way.

I was really interested in class when we were talking about animation that has no story and can sometimes be just good animation. I saw the animations we were viewing more clearly through the twelve "Princeples of Animation" that we talked about, and they gave me the confidence to critique an animation with a more knowledgable perspective. It's true sometimes we are always looking for the meaning to things or purpose in a story, but the real truth is that everything doesn't have to have a meaning, reason, or story. An animation or anything in life for that matter can exsist simply because it does, and most likely it will instill in you some sort of emotion.

Joshua Miller

History of Animation Post #2

2005-09-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

I took a History of Animation class at the Art Institute in Chicago a few years ago. We didn't really go into much of the European/French side of animation. So I too find it incredible the huge technological breakthroughs that have occurred over all these years. The time that it took back then to create one animation just a few minutes long to now being able to create 2 hour full length films so realistic you almost can't tell their animations; all in the matter of pushing some computer keys and some high tech software. This all a long way from the kinetoscope, zoetrope, zoopraxiscope, praxinoscope. However, all great inventions that for certain aided in the future of animation. How is it though that america has seemed to have monoponalized on the animation world when it origanated in Euorpe?

History of Animation Post #1

2005-09-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of class, so we covered the basic introductions and examined the syllabus.
I have to say that I am extremely excited about this course for several reasons. First, how many classes can you go to and watch animated cartoons. Being an AVT major with a focus in computer animation I have always been fascinated with the Topic. I am hoping to acheive a greater understanding from this class on how animation really began and to see the technological advances that have been made through the years. I am looking forward to more conversation throughout the semester and reading the thoughts that the other students have on animation. Thanks.

Joshua