The History of Animation — Types of Animation Styles Explained [Shot List Ep. 14]

The History of Animation — a guide to the evolution of animation styles, techniques, technologies, and how filmmakers bring their subjects to life.

─────────────────────

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro to Animation
00:52 - History of Animation
03:05 - Traditional Animation
08:39 - Rotoscoping
11:09 - Anime
14:08 - Stop Motion
16:29 - Cutout
19:20 - 3D Computer
22:33 - Takeaways

─────────────────────

Special thanks to:

─────────────────────

THE HISTORY OF ANIMATION & EVOLUTION OF ANIMATION STYLES

From the beginning of film history, filmmakers have experimented with animation in many forms and techniques. In this video, we will lay out a brief history of animation and the evolution of animation styles. Including the techniques, the technologies, the differences, and the various mediums animators use to give their inanimate subjects the illusion of life.

The word animation comes from Latin "animatio" and means “a bestowing of life.” Like film, animation is the illusion of movement through the rapid succession of images created by a process called “persistence of vision.” This works because when we see one image, it is retained on our retina for a fraction of a second, just long enough for a second image to appear — and thus, we see a single moving image instead of a series of flashing static images.

Traditional animation was the dominant type of animation in the 20th century. Basically, this involves drawing images, frame-by-frame. As the years went on, new techniques were developed to turn animation into more of an assembly line process. Animators like Walt Disney and his studio helped turn animation into a viable commercial and artistic medium.

Rotoscoping is a technique that uses live-action footage as a reference to create animation with more realistic movement. Today, we can see variations of this process in films like Richard Linklater’s Waking Life and A Scanner Darkly. Anime is an umbrella term used to describe Japanese animation, which tends to share many of the same styles and techniques as Western animation, along with some key deviations.

Stop-motion animation is also similar to traditional animation, except the subjects are often physical objects instead of drawings, like puppets or figurines. Claymation is a sub-type of stop-motion animation that uses plasticine clay. Cut-out animation uses shapes or characters cut out of paper or fabric and moved frame-by-frame. More recently, 3D animation has replaced 2D animation as the most common animation style. And, yet, it follows the same general principles.

#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

─────────────────────

♬ SONGS USED:

"Caution (Instrumental)" - Skrxlla
"Origin" - David A. Molina
"A Battle in the East" - Rhythm Scott
"1986" - Angel Salazar
"Animatio" - Mike Steele
"Colors of the Wind (From Pocahontas)" - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
"The Entertainer" - E's Jammy Jams
"Still Need Syndrome" - Yarin Primak
"By the Dear Old River Rhine" - Burr and Campbell
"Can't Help It" - Shtriker Big Band
"Ripples" - Tamuz Dekel
"Blue Beings"
"Echo" - Twin Signals
"In Love with Emi" - Fabien Fustinoni
"Take On Me" - a-ha
"O Come Let Us Adore Him (Instrumental)" - Salt of the Sound
"From a Distance (Theme from Hit TV)" - Makeup And Vanity Set
"Dojo Tradition (Instrumental)" - In This World
"The Path Of The Wind (Instrumental)" - Joe Hisaishi
"Visit to Hida" - RADWIMPS
"Kaneda" - Geinoh Yamashirogumi
"A Town with an Ocean View" - Joe Hisaishi
"Flare" - Theatre of Delays
"Merge"
"Story Time" - Dario Marianelli
"Action Drums" - Rhythm Scott
"Time Warp" - Notize
"Yes I Am " - Zach Sorgen
"South Park Theme" - Primus
"Theme Song Ending Credits"
"Stuck Behind a Train (Instrumental)" - Makeup And Vanity Set
"Double Espresso" - Francesco D'Andrea
"New World" - Ian Post
"Wistful (Instrumental)" - Falls
"You've Got a Friend in Me" - Randy Newman
"A New Morning" - Portl
"To Burn" - Man With Roses
"State Lines (Instrumental)" - Aaron Kellim

─────────────────────

— Join us on Social Media! —

[StudioBinder]

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro to Animation
00:52 - History of Animation
03:05 - Traditional Animation
08:39 - Rotoscoping
11:09 - Anime
14:08 - Stop Motion
16:29 - Cutout
19:20 - 3D Computer
22:33 - Takeaways

[thebookofdaniel]

Yes! I’m so happy they’re covering Animation! Such an important medium that needs to be respected as much as live action :)

[Tacomster]

This shows alot more respect to animation than the Oscars, tastefully done Studio Binder

[toptrends]

This is like a documentary on animation. Summarized everything I need to know. Thank you so much for delivering quality content!

[samuelsmith]

I'm so glad animation is sort of going through a renaissance. A very important and inspiring artistic medium

[JAProductions]

This was one of the best videos on the animation medium I’ve seen. Not only did you cover the history but you covered the techniques in a very interesting way which was simple for someone like me to grasp

I’ve wondered for a while what my favourite form of animation is and I honestly love them all but my favourite has to be stop motion. Not only can they look absolutely gorgeous at many point like with Coraline for example but I also love how imperfect they are. They aren’t as smooth of clean as other animation styles but it makes them feel more personal and human which adds to their charm. However, I’ve recently been watching through a lot of Japanese animation like from Studio Ghibli and their hand drawn style is a very close second to stop motion. American hand drawn is still amazing though especially the Disney Renaissance films and the Prince of Egypt. I do still really like CG animation though. It’s definitely the animation style which ages the worst over time but they can still look really good with recent, more stylised CG movies like Into the Spider-Verse, The Mitchells vs the Machines and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish all looking absolutely phenomenal

Either way, that’s just what I think

[jeromealday]

This deserves more views. A must watch for animation enthusiasts

[metafuel]

For a bunch of beautiful people that create software I really appreciate the love and care you put into these perfect pieces of cinematic exploration.
You all rock.
Thank you for your work.

[joshlopez]

My animation teacher once told me, "The difference between western and eastern animation is that here in the states we draw movement. In Japan, they move drawings."

[drewo.]

HECK TO THE YES

I’ve been studying all your videos (or as many as I can) as I’m working on my animated short film, and while pretty much all your vids have been applicable to both live action AND animation, I’M GLAD YOU MADE A DEDICATED ANIMATION EPISODE!!!
I’m absolutely geeking out right now!!!😄😄😄😄😄

[HimanshuinSearchOfSomethingNew]

Studio binder is a jem of a channel for all the aspiring filmakers across globe..Thanks brother for helping all. Lots of Love and support from India 🇮🇳❤

[afilmbee]

stop motion is my favorite medium/style of animation! closely followed by traditionally hand-drawn. every day i am thankful for the existence of this wonderful, magical medium 💓🌟

[joaquinhernandez]

Blue Sky Studios is one of my favorite animation studios. Despite it being shut down, I am happy that their final film, "Nimona", is coming this summer.

[huangjun_art]

Love this video, and I'm happy you guys included anime in this video in a way that wasn't judgmental or based on superficial understandings of Japanese culture, like most channels tend to do.
Would love to see an entire breakdown video of something like Akira or Miyazaki's movies.

[shilstone_arts]

So happy to see animation get some attention on this channel! Coincidentally, I released my first animated short film today here on YouTube! Looking to contribute to the minimalist UPA style in my own way.

[Kalamoren]

@Studiobinder 's best video yet?
Amazing insight in the world of animation, very thorough yet explained beautifully.
Incredible work! So thankful for this channel.

[MarianaRekka]

I don't know who is the voice in this videos, but I need you to know sir that I find it very soothing, I love your voice and the pace in what you explain these subjetcs. Every new Studio Binder video makes me really happy. Cheers from Argentina.

[atulkrishna]

Being an animation student, this video has me hyped up so much, and I have gained an even higher level of respect for the animators from the past.

[pixels_per_minute]

The videos from you guys just consistently keeps getting better. Although I may not be an animator myself, animation has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. Till this day, some of my most loved films and shows are animated.

[Yungbeck]

Also I wanna shoutout "The Thief and the Cobbler" from '93 by Richard Williams. Oh my goodness what a project, and the crushing story behind its production. Highly recommend if you're into animation, or heck, cinema in general.
(make sure to find the right version, closer to Richards original vision, not the obnoxious ruined one!)