Contributors to Animation

Contributors to Animation. Presented by: Bernadette Falloon The Mico University College 1 A Marescaux Rd, Kingston 5 bernadette@stu.themico.edu.jm.

What is Animation?. Animation is a process which creates the illusion of movement (Masterclass, 2021). It brings inanimate objects to life through motion pictures. Now animation didn’t just appear out of no where, its existence can be dated as far as 30,000 BCE when cave paintings were being discovered. The evolution of animation is far beyond what our forefathers could have ever imagined. As such, we will look at some of the pioneers who contributed significantly to animation and what it is today..

Focal Points. In this presentation we will capture Six (6) contributors. Each from a different era. Namely: Early animation The Silent Age Era The Golden Era The Television Era The Renaissance Era The Millennium Era.

The Early Animation Era and Les Clark. . With a distinctive need to communicate, humans were able to crack the animation code hello the use of visual language by depicting objects in motion. The Shahr -e Sukhteh Is a prime example of early animation..

Les Clark. American animator Leslie James “Les” Clark, was born into the era of early animation. He is coveted as the First of the Nine Old Men who have been inducted into the Disney legends Hall of Fame for their work in the animation industry. Born in 1907, Clark didn't get his start as an animator until 1927 when he finished high school. He worked his way up to title of animator at the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studios owned by world renowned Walt Disney..

Contributions. Les Clark with an animation career that spans almost 50 years, utilized his craft to the best of his ability and is well known for his contributions to the following: Mickey Mouse (1928) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_APxNm5pCw Steamboat Willie (1928) Silly Symphony, The Skeleton Dance (1929) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOGhAV-84iI The Seven Dwarfs (1938) Animated beloved characters such as Pinocchio, Cinderella, Alice, and Tinker Bell. He also directed the famous Sleeping Beauty animation He boasts over 152 credits to his name. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/115754-les-clark.

Influence on the Animation Industry. Les Clark and the remaining members of the Nine Old Men worked to refine the 12 principles of animation in the 1981 book "The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation," by Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas. He demonstrated a talent for emotional acting, and more specifically timing, in all his projects. Timing is a key element of animation because it builds suspense, which adds interest and appeal. This principle, when combined with music, may produce a powerful animation. His work inspired the industry to produce narratives that can elicit powerful emotions in their viewers by giving a character distinct qualities that appeal to audiences all around the world. For contemporary animators to stand on, he built a strong foundation..

The Skeleton Dance.

The Silent Era. Australian cartoonist, animator, and film producer Pat Sullivan was born in 1885. He later became a pioneer film maker of the silent movie era. Credited as the Godfather of cartoons, Pat Sullivan began his animation career in 1910 where he worked as an assistant to newspaper cartoonist William Marriner . As an animator he had his struggles moving from one studio to the next until he created his own studio- Sullivan Studios (1916). Here he was able to create his biggest masterpiece..

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Contributions. Felix the Cat (disputed) (1919) Great Idea Jerry (1912) Old Pop Perkins (1914) Johnny Boston Beans (1914) Obliging Oliver (1913-1914) Ally Sloper Willing Waldo Sammy Johnsin’ The tail of Thomas Kat and Feline Follies Laura(1926-1935).

Influence on the Animation Industry. The first cartoon character to be commercially successful around the world was "Felix," who became as well-known as any live-action Hollywood celebrity of the 1920s. He therefore paved the way for all the famous cartoon characters who came after him. Despite being almost a century old, "Felix the Cat" is still widely recognized today. Many animators and cartoonists, including Walt Disney, Ub Iwerks , Paul Terry, Bob Clampett , Raoul Servais, Sally Cruikshank, Bjorn Frank Jensen, John Kricfalusi , and Matt Groening, were influenced by him. He might be regarded as the father of all cartoon stars. Felix is still utilized on merchandise today, in contrast to older cartoon characters, and is still instantly identifiable to anyone with even a passing interest in animation..

The Golden Era and Hugh Harman. American animator Hugh Harman lived from August 31, 1903, through November 25, 1982. He was well-known for working with Rudolf Ising to produce works for the Warner Bros. and MGM Cartoons during the height of the Golden Era of American animation. Hugh Harman began his animating career with Walt Disney in 1922 and is well known for creating studios more than he did animations. Harman has an undisputable 135 credits to his name all for production and animation within the film industry. Throughout his career he produced various films for the army and for educational purposes. All of which won him a Windsor McCay Award, Nobel Peace Prize and Oscar nomination..

Contributions. Bosko the Talk-Ink Kid Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoon Happy Harmonies Peace on Earth The Field Mouse The Littlest Angel Tom Thumb in King Arthur’s Court Rudy’s Little Goldfish Goldilocks and the Three Bears The Calico Dragon Laugh-O-gram.

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Influence on the Animation Industry. The Warner Brothers Production Studio owes its existence to the work of animator Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising. As they were the ones who wrote and produced animations for release by the small company at the time. Today, Warner Bros. is one of the most well-known production companies in the world. Capable of producing box office success movies with thrilling plots and character development..

The Television Era and Iwao Takamata. Iwao Takamoto a World War II survivor, born in 1925, was a Japanese-American animator, television producer, and director. After the war, Takamoto made his debut in the realm of cartoons. He made a journal of, in his own words, "everything I saw" without the benefit of a formal portfolio of his work, and it was based on this sketchbook that he sought to work at the Disney studios. In 1945, Walt Disney Animation Studios employed him as an assistant animator. As Milt Kahl's assistant, Takamoto finally rose to a position where he created characters and animated films. Later, Takamoto relocated to Hanna-Barbera Productions, where he finally rose to the positions of director and producer. Windsor McCay Award for lifetime achievement and contributions to the animation field (1996). Golden Award from the Animation Guild to honor his more than 50 years of service in the animation field (2005)..

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The Renaissance Era and Hayao Miyazaki. Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, also dons the hat of producer, screenwriter, animator and manga artist. Miyazaki has garnered recognition for his skill as a master storyteller, for creating anime feature films, and for co-founding Studio Ghibli, a production and animation company, with Isao Takahata. Miyazaki received an Honorary Academy Award in November 2014 for his contributions to animation and film. After Akira Kurosawa in 1990, he is the second Japanese director to get this honor..

Contributions. Sherlock Hound (1981) Castle in the Sky (1986) My Neighbor Totoro (1988) Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) Porco Rosso (1992) Princess Mononoke (1997) Spirited Away (2001) The Wind Rises (2013) Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind(manga from 1982-1994).

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Influence on the Animation Industry. Hayao Miyazaki has learned to master the art of silence in all his works. He describes it as “Ma” which in Japanese means emptiness. His use of those moments where the plot is put on hold is simply extraordinary. In those instances, he provides his audience with stillness, tranquility, balance and peace. Each of which gives a sense of time and place in a character’s life. He utilize time and the plot in such a unique manner to underline his themes, create an immersive experience and pace his productions. Miyazaki was able to provide the world with action, spectacle, war and thrilling chases with compelling moments in most of his pieces and that is how his contributions to animation and film continues to influence the world. Miyazaki has been described as combining elements of Walt Disney, Steven Spielberg and Orson Welles. According to American film reviewer Roger Ebert, who praised the complexity and artistry of Miyazaki's work, he is and may be the greatest and most accomplished animator of all time in 2002..

The Millennium Era and Trey Parker. Born in 1969, American animator, actor, composer, director, producer, and playwright Trey Parker started his career in 1992. He launched his professional career by establishing the Avenging Conscience production business alongside Stone, McHugh, and Ian Hardin. Randolph Severn "Trey" Parker III, attended the University of Colorado where he studied music and Japanese which he tries to incorporate in all his works. It was here that he met Matt Stone, his best friend and business partner with whom he manages to build a successful career as an animator and producer. In 2013, Trey Parker and Matt Stone was able to establish Their own Studio named Important Studios. Mr. Parker has 21 major awards to his name..

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Influence on the Animation Industry. As an animator doing business in the millennial era, Trey Parker was able to learn from his predecessors and create masterpieces that withstood the test of time. Capturing the world through the eyes of those around him and turning said plot into award winning pieces. The creative partnership of Matt Stone and Trey Parker has had a significant impact on the world of animation, and they couldn't have achieved what they have without each other. It is the rawness and un-cut feel of their works that have and continues to inspire young animators..

Files in folders. References.

Academy Award-winning cartoon animator Hugh Harman, the co-creator of. . . (1982, November 27). UPI. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/11/27/Academy-Award-winning-cartoon-animator-Hugh-Harman-the-co-creator-of/9420407221200/ Aviram, A. (2022, July 28). 15 Famous Animators Everyone Should Know . Vectornator Blog. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.vectornator.io/blog/the-most-famous-animators/ Barrier, M. (n.d.). MichaelBarrier.com -- Interviews: Hugh Harman . Retrieved September 30, 2022, from http://www.michaelbarrier.com/Interviews/Harman/interview_hugh_harman.htm The Birth of a Mouse | The Walt Disney Family Museum . (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2022, from https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/birth-mouse#:%7E:text=The%20cartoon%20premiered%20in%20Hollywood,met%20with%20the%20same%20fate ..

The First of the Nine: Les Clark | The Walt Disney Family Museum . (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2022, from https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/first-nine-les-clark Galvan, M. (2021, December 16). A brief history of graphic design - UX Collective . Medium. Retrieved September 24, 2022, from https://uxdesign.cc/a-brief-history-of-graphic-design-90eb5e1b5632 Hayao Miyazaki . (1941, January 5). IMDb. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0594503/ history of animation . (n.d.). Retrieved September 25, 2022, from https://history-of-animation.webflow.io/ Iwao Takamoto - Illustration History . (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.illustrationhistory.org/artists/iwao-takamoto JSTOR: Access Check . (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt2tvj26.

Kehr , D. (2022, September 12). animation | History, Movies, Television, & Facts . Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved September 26, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/art/animation Monnier, M. N. (2009, October 21). A Great American Life . Discover Nikkei. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2009/10/21/iwao-takamoto/ Parker, T., & Stone, M. (2015). Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and South Park (Contemporary Cartoon Creators) . Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Stone-Contemporary-Cartoon-Creators/dp/160152868X/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Trey+Parker&qid=1557743928&s=books&sr=1-6 Pat Sullivan . (1970, January 1). lambiek.net. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/sullivan_p.htm Peace On Earth . (2008, December 11). Blah Blah Blah. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://cacb.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/peace-on-earth/.

Studio Binder. (2022, August 29). Hayao Miyazaki & The Art of Silence — How to Direct Powerful Scenes Where Nothing Happens . YouTube. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHon6doQ750 Widmar , A. (2021, October 28). 5 Facts About Disney Legend Les Clark . WDW Magazine. Retrieved September 24, 2022, from https://www.wdw-magazine.com/5-facts-about-disney-legend-les-clark/ Young, J. (2005, January 1). Sullivan, Patrick Peter (Pat) (1885–1933) . Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/sullivan-patrick-peter-pat-13209.