Yes, transparent sheets of film on which objects are drawn are called cels (short for celluloid), and they form the cornerstone of traditional animation techniques. These sheets allowed animators to create the illusion of movement by layering individually drawn elements over a static background, reducing the workload and enabling complex scenes to be produced efficiently.
The Legacy of Cel Animation
Cel animation, also known as traditional animation, was the dominant animation technique for much of the 20th century. It’s a process where each frame of an animated sequence is drawn or painted on transparent celluloid acetate sheets, or “cels.” These cels are then placed over a painted background, photographed, and compiled into a sequence of images to create the illusion of movement. This method, while labor-intensive, paved the way for countless iconic animated films and television shows that continue to resonate with audiences today.
The brilliance of cel animation lies in its efficiency. Instead of redrawing the entire scene for each frame, only the moving parts needed to be redrawn on separate cels. For example, a character might be drawn on one cel while their mouth, eyes, and limbs are drawn on different cels. These cels are then layered together to create a complete character, and the various cels are moved slightly between frames to create the illusion of movement.
This process allowed animators to focus their efforts on creating expressive characters and dynamic stories, rather than getting bogged down in the tedious task of redrawing entire scenes repeatedly. Think of Disney classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, and Fantasia – all masterful examples of cel animation at its finest. These films showcased the artistic potential of the medium and set the standard for animation for decades to come.
The Cel Production Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a cel animation film was a complex and highly collaborative process involving numerous artists and technicians. The main steps included:
-
Storyboarding: This crucial first step involved creating a visual representation of the film’s narrative, including key scenes, character poses, and camera angles. The storyboard served as a blueprint for the entire production.
-
Character Design: Artists meticulously designed the characters, ensuring they were visually appealing and consistent with the story’s tone and style. Character sheets were created as references for all animators to maintain consistency.
-
Animation (Pencil Tests): Animators drew the key poses and in-between frames for each character’s movements. These drawings were initially done in pencil and then photographed as “pencil tests” to ensure the animation flowed smoothly before the cels were inked and painted.
-
Inking and Painting: After the pencil tests were approved, the animators traced the drawings onto the cels using black ink. Then, the cels were meticulously painted on the reverse side with vibrant colors.
-
Background Painting: While the characters were animated on cels, the backgrounds were typically painted on large sheets of paper or board. These backgrounds remained static throughout the scene, providing a consistent setting for the animated characters.
-
Photography (Compositing): The finished cels were carefully layered over the painted background and photographed, one frame at a time, using a specialized animation camera.
-
Editing and Post-Production: Once all the frames were photographed, they were compiled into a sequence, edited, and synchronized with sound effects and music to create the final animated film.
The Transition to Digital Animation
While cel animation reigned supreme for many years, the rise of digital animation has largely replaced it. Computer-generated imagery (CGI) and digital drawing tools offer animators greater flexibility, efficiency, and control over the animation process. However, the artistic principles and techniques developed during the era of cel animation continue to influence modern animation, and there is a renewed appreciation for the unique look and feel of hand-drawn animation.
Even in digital animation, concepts similar to cel layering are used. Software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony allows animators to create separate layers for different parts of a character or object, mirroring the cel animation process. This approach facilitates efficient animation by allowing animators to modify specific elements without redrawing the entire scene.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cel Animation
Here are some frequently asked questions to further explore the world of cel animation:
1. What material were cels originally made from?
Originally, cels were made from celluloid, a transparent plastic material. However, celluloid was highly flammable and prone to deterioration, so it was later replaced by cellulose acetate, a more stable and safer material.
2. Why were cels painted on the back?
Painting the cels on the back, or the reverse side, protected the paint from scratches and damage during handling. It also gave the finished animation a smoother, more consistent appearance.
3. How many cels were typically used per second of animation?
Traditional animation typically used 24 frames per second to create the illusion of smooth motion. Therefore, a single second of animation could require 24 separate cels. In some cases, multiple elements could be drawn on the same cel, reducing the total number of cels needed.
4. What is a “Limited Animation” style?
Limited animation is a style that utilizes fewer drawings per second than traditional animation, resulting in a more stylized and often more economical production. Popularized by studios like UPA and Hanna-Barbera, it relies on techniques like cycling animation loops and holding certain elements static to reduce the workload.
5. What is the difference between “in-betweening” and “keyframing”?
Keyframing refers to drawing the most important poses or frames in a character’s movement. In-betweening is the process of filling in the frames between the keyframes to create a smooth and believable animation.
6. What are “cycles” in animation?
Cycles are animation loops that repeat continuously. For example, a character’s walk cycle might consist of a sequence of frames that loop seamlessly, allowing the character to walk across the screen without requiring new drawings for each step.
7. How was the background painted in a cel animation film?
Backgrounds were typically painted on large sheets of paper or board using gouache or acrylic paints. The backgrounds were often highly detailed and provided a static setting for the animated characters.
8. What tools and equipment were essential for cel animation?
Key tools and equipment included: light tables for tracing drawings, animation desks, specialized paints and inks, animation cameras with single-frame capabilities, and various tools for creating and manipulating cels.
9. Are original animation cels valuable?
Yes, original animation cels from classic films and television shows can be highly valuable, particularly if they feature iconic characters or scenes. They are often sought after by collectors and animation enthusiasts.
10. How has digital technology impacted the process of animation production?
Digital technology has revolutionized animation, providing artists with greater flexibility, efficiency, and control. Digital tools allow animators to create and manipulate images directly on computers, eliminating the need for physical cels and reducing the time and cost of production.
11. What are some modern examples of animation that incorporate techniques inspired by cel animation?
While largely replaced by digital methods, many modern animation styles are inspired by the aesthetic and techniques of cel animation. Series like Castlevania on Netflix, or Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, deliberately incorporate visual styles evocative of traditional hand-drawn animation, utilizing textures and imperfections to achieve a unique visual flair.
12. Where can I learn more about traditional animation techniques?
Many online resources, books, and workshops are available for those interested in learning more about traditional animation techniques. Animation schools and online learning platforms often offer courses that cover the fundamentals of cel animation. Researching influential animators and studios from the golden age of animation can also provide valuable insights into the art and craft of cel animation.