DIGITAL ANIMATION - HOW IT WORKS Rendering - Apply a surface to a digital object. - Requires a computer to use the data, which includes structure and surface information, to create an object. - Data will contain the information about what shapes are wanted and, using this information, the software can create a 'mesh' or 'wire-frame' showing the outlines of the objects required in the image. - Once the 'mesh' has been created, images can then be rendered onto its surface. - Now, the image can be filled in, allowing coloring, shading, and the effect an object can have on an adjacent object. The ability to apply different textures is also possible, allowing for more realistic objects to be created. Cell Animation- Similar to traditional animation techniques. - Animator can create single frames using a standard computer graphics tool, e.g. Photoshop, and then composite them. - These can then be saved as a movie file or output to video. - The introduction of computers to this way of creating animation has facilitated the process of creating both ‘cells’ and the animation 'reels'. Transition- This is a way of moving from one image to another, for example fading where one image fades out and the next fades in. - Other examples of transition include blending and morphing. - Morphing is when two images appear to diffuse into one another in a flowing motion. - Warping is the same as morphing, although a single image is distorted and no fade occurs.
COMPUTER ANIMATION AND PIXAR™
COMPANY TIMELINE 1984: John Lasseter joins George Lucas’ special effects computer group 1986: “Pixar” is named and founded 1989: Pixar makes its first commercial, “Wake Up” for Tropicana 1990: Pixar moves to a one story building 1991: Pixar and Walt Disney Studios team up to develop, produce, and distribute up to three feature length animated films 1993: Pixar makes IBM logo 1994: Pixar makes Paramount logo 1995: Toy Story is released, it is the first ever fully computer-animated feature film. And Pixar goes public (sells stock) 1997: Pixar and Disney sign a new agreement to jointly produce 5 movies 1998: A Bug’s Life is released 1999: Toy Story 2 is released 2000: Pixar moves into new deluxe headquarters 2001: Monsters Inc is released 2003: Finding Nemo is released 2004: The Incredibles is released 2006: Cars will be released
Currently Pixar is an award-winning team of people who are dedicated to creating, designing, and producing computer-animated feature films. They are in an agreement with Walt Disney Studios who handles the marketing and distribution of the films. But, Pixar certainly did not start out this way, and it sure doesn’t seem as if they are going to end this way. Over twenty years ago, in 1984, George Lucas put together a team of people, which included John Lasseter, to develop a computer graphics system. Just two years later, in 1986, Lucas sold this system to Steve Jobs who named it Pixar. In order to gain production experience, Pixar began producing TV commercials. It was in 1991 when Pixar and Walt Disney Studios teamed up to develop, produce, and distribute up to three feature-length animated films. That same year Lasseter began working on Toy Story which was released through Disney in 1995. Toy Story quickly became the highest grossing film of the year, making over $362 million dollars in box office receipts worldwide. Shortly after the release of Toy Story Pixar went public. Since then, through Disney and their 1997 agreement to co-produce five feature films, Pixar has released A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles. All box office hits, who are six of the top grossing animated films of all time, taking in a total of over $3 billion worldwide in box office receipts. Both Pixar and Disney are awaiting the release of their final co-produced film Cars which is set to hit the big screens in June of 2006. As of right now, it seems as if the relationship between Walt Disney Studios and Pixar will come to an end after the release of Cars. Presently the company finds itself in a deluxe office building complete with a health club, screening rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a brick pizza oven, and various other amenities. Having moved to this building in Emeryville, California in 2000 the company prides itself in it’s 750 happy, talented, and dedicated employees. The creative team at Pixar is led by the talented John Lasseter and is broken up into three different departments: the department of animators, a story department, and an art department. Together this team takes the responsibility of creating, writing, and animating all of Pixar’s amazing films. Since Pixar depends heavily upon their employees, they have gone as far as founding Pixar University which has courses for both new and existing employees. In addition to the creative team Pixar has a technical team. Together these teams have developed three software systems which have enabled Pixar to generate vibrant and life-like quality films. “Marionette” is their animation software system for modeling, animating, and lighting. “Ringmaster” is their production management software system for scheduling, coordinating, and tracking a computer animated project. Lastly, “RenderMan®” is their rendering software system for high-quality, photo-realistic image synthesis. Pixar both uses and licenses “RenderMan®” to other companies. Pixar’s devoted teams of people have led them to countless awards and nominations throughout the years. For now Pixar, Walt Disney Studios, and viewers all over the globe excitedly await the release of Cars. There are rumors of talks between the two companies, but as of now no agreements have been reached; and everyone must wait for what is in store.
CITATIONS Hoovers A D & B Company, (2004). Pixar animation studios. Retrieved April 25, 2005, from Hoovers Web site: http://premium.hoovers.com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/subscribe/co/factsheet.xhtml?ID Company info. (n.d.). Retrieved May. 10, 2005, from Pixar Web site: http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/index.html. Webb, C. L. (2004). Increddibes shows pixar's super powers. Washington Post, Retrieved May 19, 2005, from http://tinyurl.com/dv59u Images The Incredibles: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317705/ A Bug's Life: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120623/ Cars: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317219/ Monster's Inc: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0198781/ Toy Story: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114709/ Pixar: http://www.media-file.net/images/mi/pixar.jpg
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