The concept of Animation is quite new. Therefore, it causes ambiguity for those who do not really understand. TVC360 will help businesses easier to understand this concept.
In fact, the concept of Animation has existed for more than a century and has been expanded in many fields and industries. The definition of Animation is a comprehensive concept.
Basically, Animation is the art of creating movement using images. However, this is a limited outlook and not enough to fully convey the true artistic nature of animation. “Animation” originates from “anime”, which means creating movement in English. Thanks to Animation, inanimate objects are brought to life. Hand-drawn, digital, 3D images, clay models, or collages come alive.
In theory, Animation’s motion creation mechanism is quite similar to movies and TV series. This can be seen through the movements made of many different images and continually forming a series of images. The images will be sequenced over a certain period of time creating a visual illusion of movement.
In fact, the movements of Animation are not created by traditional cameras, which is also different from pure cinema. Animation images are created by using many different methods such as hand drawing, computer drawing (digital 2D), 3D images, paper cutting, models (stop motion), etc.
The concept of Animation has existed for a long time but it is quite new when entering Vietnam market. From the late 19th to early 20th centuries, it truly marked a milestone for the development of this film type.
During that period, Animation received a lot of attention through famous animated products such as Mickey Mouse by Walt Disney. All animation technology stories have shown the importance of using images to tell stories in any era. Just through animation, a movie with a unique storyline can be created.
Animation is essentially a part of cinema. The clearest difference is in the expression method, cinema uses photography as a storytelling method.
Making a movie process requires actors, costumes, locations, lighting, etc., to produce the best cinematic products. Creativity is also constrained by modern technology.
With Animation, products are completely built from creativity. Support tools include hand drawing, 3D rendering, and modeling… are not limited by space or time. With this type of cinema, creators are completely immersed in their world to write a good plot.
Animation is a comprehensive concept and develops with its growth, Animation is increasingly divided into many branches. Therefore, there is no single definition of Animation. The concept of this visual storytelling method gradually becomes comprehensive and not specific enough to describe each type within it.
TVC360 would like to introduce the animation styles that many businesses are interested in
Traditional Animation style helps animators create all images through their drawings. Hand-drawn images are made by drawing paper with different frames. There are about 12 – 24 paper frames that are connected together to create movement.
According to experts, the traditional form of hand drawing is highly artistic. Each line of the animation contains the “emotions” of the artist. Therefore, traditional animation often requires highly skilled and specialized artists to create perfect products. In addition, the production process of this type is arduous to edit.
In the “early days” of animation, there were a few products that were created and made an impression on viewers. However, the 20th century marked a turning point with some products like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” or “1001 Dalmatians” by Walt Disney Studios.
In recent decades, 2D Animation is becoming more and more popular. Due to the intervention of the digital technology industry, this type has come closer to many different professions and fields.
Unlike traditional animation styles, 2D Animation is flexible in production thanks to computer technology. Basically, there is not much difference between 2D Animation and traditional Animation.
Many people believe that 2D animation no longer has a position in modern society when 3D animation is more popular. In fact, 2D movies take the world by storm and they are well-received by many audiences. Especially, Japanese anime and many Western animated series are still using 2D animation.
Some popular software tools to support 2D Animation include Momo, Flash, ToonBoom Harmony, etc. These software are brought to the 2D animation production process to create fast-moving and flexible images.
Some famous 2D animation products can be named such as the series “Samurai Jack”, “Rick and Morty”, the movie “The Lion King” (1994 version), or typical Japanese animes are “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro”.
The 3D animation type has developed strongly in the past two decades. Thanks to CGI technology, 3D animation has become different and widely applied in the fields of engineering, medicine, research, etc.
Each image rendered from a 3D model on a computer is the advantage of this type. Yoshiaki Nishimura – producer of Studio Ghibli (Japan) said: “If 2D animation is the extension of painting, 3D animation is the development of sculpture (3D modeling). Therefore, what they can convey is completely different.”
To have beautiful, smooth, lively, and eye-catching images, 3D Animation needs to ensure a flexible production process and higher requirements than 2D Animation.
The 3D movie “Toy Story”, a Pixar product launched in 1995, has had a significant impact on the public because of its unique animation. In addition, we can mention some impressive and award-winning products such as “Frozen 2” or “Up”.
Essentially, motion graphics do not develop from the art of animation. This type originated from graphic design. To create motion, graphic images will be created on Adobe After Effects software.
Conceptually, motion graphics are clearly distinguished from Animation. The purpose of these types depends on the content that each film wants to convey.
Today, many businesses choose motion graphics for their communication, commercial, and advertising plans. Besides neat images and basic drawings, motion graphics also have “lighter” production costs than other animation types.
In the Industry 4.0, this type is becoming more and more popular. There are a lot of animation projects that use motion graphics’ style to make explainer videos and infographics. In addition, it is also used by TVC360 in videos introducing businesses, products, services, etc. However, this is not the animation type chosen to carry out projects that require artistry or image depth.
Stop motion animation is a type of animation using photographed objects, clay, etc. to create the illusion of movement. This concept covers smaller branches of this type such as clay-motion (using clay), cut-out (using collage images), puppet (using puppets), etc.
This type requires time and meticulousness in every detail. Some famous stop-motion products can be named such as “Shaun the Sheep” or “The Lego Movie”.
One of the biggest advantages of animation is the ability to create whatever you can imagine. With animation, there are no limits to what you can create. You can create characters, environments, and objects that don’t exist in the real world. This level of creative freedom allows you to tell stories in unique and imaginative ways.
Animation allows for consistency in visuals and design. In the live-action video, factors such as lighting, weather, and location can affect the final product, making it difficult to achieve a consistent look. With animation, you have complete control over every element, allowing you to maintain a consistent aesthetic throughout the entire project.
Animation can be more cost-effective than live-action video in certain situations. For example, creating a complex scene with special effects in live-action videos can be expensive, but the same effect can be achieved with animation at a lower cost. Additionally, animation can save time and money by eliminating the need for costly location shoots or expensive sets and equipment.
Animation can be timeless and ageless. The clearest proof is that the “Tom & Jerry” series is still enjoyed by audiences today, decades after its release. Unlike live-action videos that can become dated quickly, animation can remain relevant and entertaining for many years.
Animation allows flexibility in editing and changes. In the live-action video, changes made during the editing process can be difficult and costly. In animation, changes can be made quickly and easily to add scenes.
Animation places emphasis on the ideas being presented rather than the individuals presenting them. In live-action videos, the presenter’s appearance, voice, and mannerisms can affect the audience’s perception of the information being presented. The ideas take center stage in animation, making it easier to focus on the message being communicated.
Animation can simplify complex ideas or concepts. By using animation to illustrate complex ideas, you can make them easier to understand and digest. Animating abstract concepts or ideas can help make them more tangible and relatable.
Every element, from the lighting to the color palette, is completely controlled. Hence, the final product will meet exact specifications.
The imaginative characters and worlds created in animation can leave a lasting impression on audiences. Fairy tales produced by Disney can be named as a typical example. Audiences are more likely to remember the message being presented.
Animations can be translated into multiple languages and can be understood by people from different cultures and backgrounds. Therefore, Animation is more accessible than live-action videos.
So, what is Animation? Animation is the definition of many types and art forms that create movement. Animation is increasingly extended creating many new methods of expression. The more technology develops, the more this form is widely used in the production of introducing films, advertising TVCs, etc.