Zoetrope Research

Zoetropes are an old fashioned animation device that works to create the illusion that something is moving due to the strobing effect of the slots in the side as it spins.

PIXAR ZOETROPE

This video demonstrates the amazing complexity that zoetrope animations can become but also how simple they can be. As mine will be 2D and my first attempt, it will be best to keep things simple to first understand how the process works. The 3D zoetropes that have been made such as these pixar and studio ghibli ones are beautiful representations of how a simple device can create a magical feeling life into a drawing or sculpture.

Flickbook Animation

Flickbook animation works in the same way as zoetrope animation, where frame speed is created by the image quickly changing. However with flickbooks the animation can have an end and go on for as long as the book you make it in, where zoetropes are most effective on a continuous loop. Here is an example of how awesome flickbook animations can be that i found on youtube:

Vintage Mickey Mouse - Walt Disney

Vintage Mickey mouse cartoons such as this show how the concept of flickbook/zoetrope animation was adapted for television, the same concepts are used to create the imagery. Note the simple, repetitive animations such as the steamboats steam vents and backdrop. Traditional animation is a very time consuming process without digital software, so being simple and efficient was the best way to add length and substance without slaving too much. An interesting feature is how mickeys ears always retain their 2d form, even when his head turns.

Old Videogames

Old videogames such as Sonic the Hedgehog on SEGA used the same forms of animation, using sequential images, to make their characters move and animate on the screen at the hands of the player. A sheet of 'Sprites' is created with each stage of a characters movement laid out in a zoetrope like manner. The brightly coloured background works like green-screen and becomes invisible.

Here is an example of the animation frames in motion:

All these examples show how the concept of the long standing zoetrope was the starting point for a beautiful array of animated artwork and characters across an array of media for the last century. Modern 3d animation is slowly taking over and 2d animation tools are leading to a world with less of the traditional animation styles, but can never take away the magic that is created from something as simple as a zoetrope.

COMIX ZONE

Comix zone was an old SEGA game that had an interesting medley of sequential art and comic book stuff. The game uses the same sprite based animation that sonic used but what i find particularly compelling is that the game is an adventure through a comic book that has trapped its creator inside. This means that not only are the games characters animated in traditional way, but the backdrop is a secondary form of sequential story telling that uses traditional graphic novel/ comic book methodology to tell its stories. 

Here is a video of the game in action found on youtube: