Prof. Jenna Spevack | Teaching Site

2D Animation: AD540

COURSE CALENDAR | WEEK 01 CLASS OUTLINE | Homework

Topics Covered in Class:

  1. Introductions and Overview (1/2 Hour)
    1. Assessment of student goals and expectations
    2. Syllabus, course overview, goals, syllabus, grading policy, course materials, and labs.
  2. History of Animation (1/2 hour)
    1. Historical Timeline
    2. Chronological Title List - Library of Congress (watch online)
    3. Thaumatrope - John Paris 1826
    4. Phenakistiscope / Phantascope - Joseph Plateau 1832
    5. Praxinoscope - Emile Reynaud 1877
    6. Humorous Faces - J. Stuart Blackton/ Edison – 1906
    7. How a Mosquito Operates - Winsor McKay 1912
    8. Krazy Kat Goes A-Wooing - Leon Searl 1916
    9. The Centaurs - Winsor McKay 1921
    10. Gertie on Tour - Winsor McKay 1921
    11. Steamboat Willie - Ub Iwerks/Disney 1928
    12. Flowers and Trees - Disney 1932
    13. Billy’s Balloon - Don Hertzfeldt 1998
  3. Theories related to the Illusion of Motion (1/2 hour)
    1. Apparent Motion: The motion represented in television, films, computer, games, multimedia presentations etc. is known as apparent motion. Displaying a series of consecutive still images in quick succession creates apparent motion. This illusion of motion depends on two things; persistence of vision or beta movement (related to the Phi Phenomenon), or both, depending on whom you ask.
    2. Persistence of Vision: This theory refers to the length of time the retina (the "screen" at the back of our eyes which is sensitive to light) retains an image. If we see a light flash every tenth of a second or less, we perceive it as continuous. The impression of each flash of light remains, or persists, in the retina for at least one-tenth of a second. Because of this persistence, we can't tell where one flash ends and the next begins. Instead, we perceive a continuous light. Persistence of vision is a stroboscopic effect. The images you see must be interrupted by moments of darkness in order for the illusion to work.
    3. Beta Movement: The Beta Movement theory claims that apparent motion is a result of human instinct. Our brains strive to make meaning from what we perceive. When we see different images close together our brains quickly create a relationship between them. This theory explains why the brain creates apparent movement between images when they succeed one another at least 1/10 per second.
    4. Frame Rate is very important to the creation of apparent motion. If the rate at which we view the images moves too quickly, the images blur, if they move too slowly the movement appears jerky and we end up seeing the individual images instead of the illusion of motion.
      1. For example, the zoetrope's speed is variable. The faster it turns, the smoother the motion appears. When the zoetrope slows down so that each image is seen for a tenth of a second or more, the illusion of movement begins to break down and the strobe is more obvious.
      2. Film projectors usually run at a rate of 24 frames, or pictures, per second. VCR and DVD players play and/or record at a rate of 30 frames per second. Old silent movie projectors run at 16 or 18 frames per second. They are so slow they seem to flicker.
      3. On the surface, modern media technologies look different from the optical toys of the 1800s, but they share common properties. The zoetrope has slots that create a stroboscopic effect. If, when you spin the zoetrope, you look over the top of the drum at the drawings instead of looking through the slots all you will see is a blur. The illusion of motion is gone. The slots of the zoetrope simulate flashes of light, creating a strobe. Movie projectors have a shutter that interrupts the light from the projector bulb as the film advances through the gate. The strobe of the projector shutter keeps the film from blurring. Video images are scanned onto your television by a beam, which zigzags across the screen from top to bottom twice for each frame. In between each frame is a little black, which you may see as a roll-bar when your television's vertical hold needs adjustment.
  4. Experiment #1 - Make a Thaumatrope (1 hour)
    • To make a simple thaumatrope using the circle provided, draw an object on one side of the cardboard; then flip your circle (away from you) face down and draw another on the other side.
    • Use a hole punch to punch a hole on either side of the circle. Make sure your two holes line up. Tie the ends of about 6” of string together in a knot. Thread the other end through the hole in one side of your thaumatrope and loop it back through' itself. Do the same thing with more string on the other side.
    • Hold the strings about two or three inches from the cardboard and twist them between your fingers to cause the disc to spin. Look at the disc. When the speed is right and the spinning is steady the object on one side will appear to be one with the other.
  5. Experiment #2 - Make a Zoetrope Strip (1 hour)
    • Take the prepared strip. Notice the notches along the top. Use these as a guide for each frame in your animation.
    • Draw a large circle (or any object) on frame 6 and 7. On frames 1 and 12 draw a small circle. On the frames in between 1 and 6 draw the circle getting larger. On the frames in between 7 and 12 draw the circle getting smaller.
    • If you like, create another Zoetrope Strip to animate a metamorphosis (one thing transforming into something else). Keep in mind that your animated sequence is a cycle; it repeats itself. The drawing in the 1st frame follows the one in the 12th frame, so the difference between these frames should be small.
    • When you’ve completed your Zoetrope Strips, ink them using a black pen.
    • To make it work, place one strip of animation into the Zoetrope. Make sure it’s right side up, with the images facing the center of the drum. View the Zoetrope in bright light. Shine a lamp into the center of it. Spin the Zoetrope clockwise.

Homework

Please have the following supplies and finished work for the next class:

    1. Purchase a pack of 100 plain, white 3x5 index cards (without lines) and a metal clip that fits snuggly around the end of all 100 cards. You can find both items at the Court Street Office Supply, across from Borough Hall.
    2. Bring in a hard pencil, eraser, and one or more black pens for inking your drawings. I suggest Pigma graphic or micron pens, between .25mm-1mm, depending on the detail of your drawings.
    3. Complete the Thaumatrope and Zoetrope strip and add color using markers or colored pencils. Make sure it’s bold and bright.
    4. Order the required textbook online or pick it up from the bookstore.
    5. See the movie "Persepolis"!! It's playing at BAM.