Computer Animation vs. Traditional Animation
When asked whether I prefer traditional hand drawn animation or computer animation, it is hard to come up with a justified answer. Although I respect computer animation and think that it is very visually pleasing, I ultimately prefer traditional hand animation.
I know that while traditional animation is considered too time-consuming and labour-intensive, computer animation is also a lot of work, taking considerable time, effort and most importantly talent. It is not a simple task to illustrate characters using just a tabloid or mouse and a computer screen.
However, I believe that with computer animation, animated films have lost some of its "magic." It is clear to see that the most popular animated Disney films such as the Disney Princess movies, like Cinderella and The Little Mermaid for example, were made during a time when computer animation had not yet been introduced. Many of the Disney films that have been created using traditional hand animation are now considered "classics," and I don’t think that this is something that can be achieved through computer animation.
As technology continues to revolutionize the world, it does not look like animators will be moving backward towards computer animation and therefore the classic animated picture will become a thing of the past. A few years ago, the film "Final Fantasy: The Spirit Within" was created based on the popular video game. Yet, this film was unsuccessful. It is said that this lack of success stems from the highly realistic animation of the characters. People do not want to watch animated films to see images that mirror life perfectly – that’s what actors are for.
Computer animation is useful and visually pleasing, but being someone who has a difficult time drawing, I have a great deal of respect for traditional hand animators. The process is long and time-consuming, but I think the final product, with all the little details that can only be achieved through hand animation is more satisfying and long-lasting.
posted by maeganfidelino @ 19.2.07
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