What is Animation?

What is Animation?

Animation above anything is an illusion. Whether we stop and think about Disney classics or Pixar productions, animation is only the process by which we see still pictures move (What is animation, accessed 2015). By displaying a series of still images that change over time to create an illusion of a moving image.

The reason our eyes are tricked into seeing movement can be explained by the 'Persistence of Vision' theory. 

“Our eyes see what they want to see; our ears hear what it’s nice to hear; and the worst type of deaf person is the one who only wants to hear one thing.” 

—Luc de Brabandere, The Forgotten Half of Change

Our brain holds onto an image for a fraction of a second after the image has passed. Due to our eyes inability to cope with fast moving images, when a series of still images are shown very quickly they appear to us to be moving.


To explain animation in more detail, see below video where a number of moving images have been changed to appear that the object is moving. By capturing a number of frames and gradually changing the sizing will create the illusion that the object is growing or shrinking. Changing the positioning of images creates the tricks the mind into thinking the object is moving. A change in speed will create the impression that the object is moving faster than it is thus generating seamless transition between frames. Illusions can be created with change in colour and shape to trick the mind into thinking features are changing when in fact it’s a sequence of separate frames. (What is animation, accessed 2015)




Animation Basics- Bouncing Ball

 

Incorporating moving imagery into the classroom

Movement

By drawing different positions, create a moving imagery by taking a sequence of frames at different stages of movement. Working in groups or individually

Individually- more time consuming when taking frames and moving objects.

• Hammering a nail (three positions)


• Walking (four positions) Putting on a hat (four positions)


• A cowboy with a lasso trying to catch cattle (four positions)


• A dog scratching his ear (four positions)


• Diving off a diving board (four positions)


• Someone jumping with fear (four positions)

References

Film Education. What is Animation?, http://www.filmeducation.org/resources/primary/teaching_with_film/primary_animation/what_is_animation/ [Accessed 2015]

Luc de Brabandere, cited in McKinney, M. Philosophy and Ideas-The Persistence of Vision, (2008)