Channel Frederator Blog

“As a young animation buff of sixteen years, it’s nice to look back at the classics and see how progressively cartoons have evolved. Since the days of Popeye, Betty Boop, and Felix the Cat, (which I have been acquainted with through the “ReFrederator” podcast), the way in which animation is made and viewed has changed drastically. From stop motion to computer generated, the method in which animation is being created might make the actual process easier for the animator, but the story remains the key. As John Lasseter, creative officer for Pixar Animations Studios and Walt Disney Studios once said, “Technology doesn’t make the motion picture, people do. You’re not an animator just because you can move an object from point A to point B. [You’re] someone who breathes life into a character, which is something the software and technology can’t give you.” And this proves true, for we see that many older forms of animation are still in existence today. I remember reading an article that predicted CG animation will eventually make traditional animation obsolete. But this couldn’t be more wrong. In turn, the advances in computer graphics are actually bettering all forms of animation. It can be used to help “clean up” stop motion and claymation, and even helps out with certain aspects of traditional animation as well.

I’m not expecting animation to be completely handled by computer rendering, and certainly hoping it won’t be. But how can animation be further advanced? One way I see is more exploration in 3D animation; and I mean the 3D that pops out and requires those funny looking-glasses. This past Halloween I found it a pleasant surprise that the IMAX Theater brought back Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in stunning 3D. As interesting as it was in 3D, it didn’t really add to the story, but made for a nice effect. What I’m looking forward to the most in the future of cartoons is overall clarity in the quality. One can only imagine a future time when HDTVs equipped with surround sound become mainstream in the average household’s living room. Even watching traditional animation with such clarity could almost match the switch from black and white to color T.V. sets.

Whatever the future might have in store for animation, one thing had better remain top priority; the story. As long as the story is kept as the most important element of cartoons, animation will not die.”

Anthony DeLuca is a young Channel Frederator enthusiast that wow-ed us with his terrific and spot on commentary on all of our short films. Some of his work can be found here. Thanks Anthony! Keep up the great work.

For our upcoming Channel Frederator awards party, we asked a bunch of animation folks to contribute to our program by answering the question, “Why Are You Excited About the Future of Cartoons?” And Anthony’s essay was born.