EARLY ANIMATION

Introduction

Artists have always been interested in reproducing life. Well-known artists like Leonardo da Vinci have tried to show how living things move. Others have tried to show a sequence of motions.

The animation we are most familiar with today began with the newspaper comic strip. However, comic strip-like art has a long history. Similar drawings have been found in ancient Egyptian wall decorations.

The discovery of persistence of vision (POV) led inventors to create devices like the zoetrope. When Thomas A. Edison invented the motion picture projector, animation took a giant leap forward.

Drawings were made on acetate cels and then photographed. At first, animations were simple, and people enjoyed them for their novelty. By the early 1920s, however, audiences were bored with them and wanted something new. Animations like Felix the Cat and Gertie the Dinosaur added personalities to the characters. Stories began to emerge.

Walt Disney, perhaps the most famous animator, became fascinated with the new medium. He created several successful short films, and one character, Mickey Mouse, became extremely popular. In 1932, he won the first of many Academy awards. In 1937, he created Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated film.

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Your Task

For this WebQuest, your job is to investigate early animation. To demonstrate what you have learned, you will answer the questions included here. You will also complete one of the activities described at the end of this WebQuest.

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Process

Read through the following questions. Then research the Internet resources that are provided for you. As you explore the sites, look for answers to the questions. Keep a record of any sites where you find answers by noting the title and URL (Internet address). For example:

            (title) Technology Student Association
            (URL) www.tsaweb.org

1. Egyptian comic book-like drawings were made at about what time in history?
   
   
2. Who first demonstrated persistence of vision? When?
   
   
3. When were the first motion pictures made?
   
   
4. Who is often considered to be the first true animator?
   
   
5. Who patented the cel animation process? When?
   
   
6. What was the first film to use computer-generated imagery as a major component? When?
   
   
7. When was Mickey Mouse “born”? In what film did he make his screen debut?
   
   

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Internet Resources

Visit the Web sites listed here to find information that will enable you to answer the questions. You may use additional sites if you wish. Be sure to keep a record of any sites you use.

• Just Disney is all about the father of American animation, Walt Disney. This site includes an interesting section about the cel animation process used at Disney’s studio.
  
  
• History of Animation: The Early Years: Before Disney is a short overview of animation’s history, including important inventors.
  
  
• The History of Animation provides an overview.
  
  
• Laura Hayes and John Howard Wileman Exhibit of Optical Toys is a collection of early optical toys that preceded animated films, such as the zoetrope and thaumatrope. The site provides downloadable video demonstrations, as well as instructions for building your own devices.
  
  
• MSN Encarta: Animation is an encyclopedia article that covers the history of animation.
  
  

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Activities

Several activities are described below. Complete one of these activities (your choice) to demonstrate the understandings you’ve gained by going on this WebQuest.

• Create a storyboard for a short animated film.
  
  
• Research one of the early optical toys, such as the thaumatrope, make a model or poster, and explain how it works to the class.
  
  
• Research the history of video games and create a time line showing major events.
  
  

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