(Go ahead and review the clip, if you need to...I'll wait...Okay, you're back.)
I then asked how you thought they created such incredible 3-dimensional backgrounds, that change and shift as if existing in real space, while only using 1930s technology. Caleb and Will got pretty close.
Well, here's the complete answer...
That's right. They filmed the animation cels in front of a 3D model, then shift the model slightly one direction each time they photographed a new animation cel. That's why you can see shadows shift across the mountains in the background - the model was being rotated, thus changing the angle of the light in relation to the set.
This process was invented by Fleischer Studios, and they used in quite a few of their Popeye cartoons. It was a pretty expensive process, however, so the shots were usally limited to one or two short scenes in the cartoons in which the process was utilized.
I know computer animation has re-defined the way cartoons are made and viewed, but tell me you wouldn't like seeing Spongebob walking around in a 3D Fleisherized model background. I honestly think that if they brought this kind of hands-on craft to animation, it would invigorate modern cartoons as much as computer animation did a decade ago.
Yes or no?
This is kind of what I had predicted that they used for those older cartoons and I think it was really affective. I agree that this would definitely make the newer cartoons so much better and so much really looking too. I really thought it was cool when you would watch the character walking around and you could actually see the sides of objects and see more depth in the animation film. So many new cartoons look so flat and not really lifelike and alive. That is why If they added these older techniques back to the animation films it would make the film look so much more alive and exciting to watch. t would definitely grab ahold of the audiences attention and make us pay more close attention to the cartoon. Also sense they could also add vibrant light to the films like when popeye was in the cave in the Sinbad the sailor cartoon the shot looked so mystical and vibrant and made me really interested in the cartoon. This would add so much to new cartoons if they just decided to go back to the more hands-on approach.
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