An Animated History of Animation - 17th and 18th Centuries

The Magic Lantern

The Magic Lantern is a device that was invented in the 1700's, and quickly became highly popular. However, half a century would pass before this machine started to be used to give the illusion of motion.

The lantern worked by projecting light through hand-painted or photographed glass plates onto a wall; much like projectors now a days work.

As mentioned above, the lantern was first used for the sole purpose of showing still images. However, as the device developed, it became possible to show a sequence of images, creating the illusion of motion.

These are examples of glass plates. It is evident that some of these were used in sequence, while others, possible older images, were projected on their own:

This drawings provide an insight into the way the Magic Lantern was used for mass entertainment in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The video below helped me understand how the machine works and why it was so popular, not only for the higher classes, but also the masses.

An Animated History of Animation - Classical Civilisations

ANIMATION BEFORE FILM

Earliest known approaches to the 'drawn moving image'

The Palaeolithic wall paintings in caves are the first known evidence of an interest in moving images. Some of the paintings depicted have several sets of horns, or legs. This could be as a result of the artist deciding to draw the animal in a different position and having no means of erasing the drawn lines. However, it is believed that the pictures are meant to convey motion.

Another example of an early interest in animation is a sequence of drawings on a vase. This vase was  found in the city of Shahr-e Sukhteh, Iran. It dates back to the 3rd millenium BC.
The vase depicts a goat reaching for some leafs:

These are the images put together into an animation:




This is an egyptian burial chamber mural. It shows two wrestlers fighting:

Lyrics timing

Wicked Game - London Grammar (cover)

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you                       0:18-0:24
It's strange what desire can make foolish people do                               0:27-0:32
I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you                                  0:36-0:42
I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you                                   0:44-0:50

No, I don't want to fall in love                                                              0:52-0:58
No, I don't want to fall in love                                                              1:01-1:08

With you                                                                                             1:10-1:12

What a wicked thing to do                                                                   1:29-1:32
To make me dream of you                                                                   1:34-1:36
What a wicked thing to say                                                                  1:37-1:41
To make me feel this way                                                                     1:42-1:45

What a wicked thing to do                                                                   1:46-1:50
To make me dream of you                                                                   1:50-1:54
What a wicked thing to say                                                                  1:55-1:59
To make me feel this way                                                                     1:59-2:01

And I don't want to fall in love                                                              2:02-2:10
No, I don't want to fall in love                                                              2:11-2:19

With you                                                                                             2:20-2:27

And I don't want to fall in love                                                             2:40-2:47
I don't want to fall in love                                                                     2:47-2:54
Don't want to fall in love, I don't want to fall in love                              2:54-3:02
Don't want to fall in love, I don't want to fall in love                              3:03-3:11

With you                                                                                             3:12-3:16

Tuesday's rehearsal

On Tuesday I got together with two of the dancers. The dancers had some very nice ideas for the choreography and I gave them feedback. We exchanged ideas and opinions.

I booked a video camera and tripod in order to be able to film the practice.
However, I had some difficulty getting the SD card working, and I ended up using my phone to record.

Clips of the rehearsal will soon be posted.

THE FIRST ANIMATED SEQUENCE (1900)

This animated sequence is considered to be the first ever and was directed by J.Stuart Blackton in 1900.

Lyrics

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you

It's strange what desire will make foolish people do

I'd never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you

I'd never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

No I want to fall in love

No I want to fall in love

With you

With you

What a wicked game you played to make me feel this way

what a wicked thing to do to let me dream of you

what a wicked thing to say you never felt this way

what a wicked thing to do to make me dream of you

And I want to fall in love

No I want to fall in love

With you

                                    

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you

It's strange what desire will make foolish people do

I'd never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you

I'd never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

No I want to fall in love

No I want to fall in love

With you

With you

Chosen Song For My Music Video

London Grammar - Wicked Game (cover)

Research into animation history

I have been looking at different types of animation and how these styles have developed throughout the years.

This playlist of videos helped me gain a basic understanding of the trajectory animated film has taken.

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

First thoughts (A2 advanced portfolio)

I want my A2 media product to be a hand drawn animation, and I want the animation to be an interpretative contemporary dance piece.

My main objective is to create something that will move the spectator; something that will be remembered. This is why it's so important for me to make my animation so that most people can relate to it.

Because the animation will be based on an interpretative contemporary dance piece, it will be easier for the audience to relate to it how they want to: "that's me and my boyfriend/girlfriend", "that's my best friend and her spouse", etc.

I thought a good storyline to use as a base for the choreography would be the story of an emotionally destructive relationship; the kind of relationship where we can't live with a person but we can't live without them.
I chose this topic because I believe most of us have experienced (directly or indirectly) a relationship that we class as destructive, and it's something very powerful, emotionally speaking.

To achieve this, I have the privilege of working with Roni Dunleavy (contemporary dance teacher) and three A2 dancers from Wyke to create a choreography and perform the piece.


Clips that have helped me get inspired and develop my ideas:

Thought of you - Ryan Woodward:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBk3ynRbtsw

Apologize - Dance Precisions:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe4-ZNcP14E

Chandelier - Sia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vjPBrBU-TM

Jar of Hearts - Billy & Kathryn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToDZ9Q2hIBk

Wicked Game - London Grammar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-_kp50gzIc