The period from the 1870s and the late 1890s is regarded as the time when contemporary animation and film technologies started to develop. It originated when photographer Eadweard Muybridge discovered a method to capture the movement of a horse. Muybridge’s creative approach was tightly connected to Phenakistoscope technology. His innovation became the model for the film projectors utilized by Thomas Edison to present the first motion pictures in 1896. Additionally, a photographer Jules Marey, in the 1880s, invented an archetype of 3D animation. The use of rotoscoping changed, as most contemporary animators prefer to implement excessive or unrealistic movements while animating their characters.
There are multiple ways animators can apply the rotoscope techniques in video or film footage, including the choices of such elements as the accuracy of trace, drawing style, and color. The specialist can decide whether their animation needs a photographic or abstract quality of the stills. Moreover, various drawing styles can be implemented to traces, including the figure composition by points, lines, shaper, or all three. Lastly, the colors can be changed based on the animator’s preferences. For Module 1 Rotoscope Projects, I am planning to consider all three elements with significant attention. I want to reach consistency with trace accuracy, style, and color, so the project looks coherent.
At 0:38 in the Sia music video rotoscope, for 7 seconds, the animation technique changed the colors of the frame to vibrant yellow and blue (Doujinshi, 2015). Another unique feature in Sia’s music video is presented at 2:02, where the girl on the video moves closer to the camera for 4 seconds (Doujinshi, 2015). Two of these styles use rotoscoping to develop creative and interesting images. For example, the constant change of colors in the video captures the attention of the audience. Lastly, the method of bringing the character closer to the audience makes the image look more dynamic.
References
Doujinshi, H. (2015). Rotoscopía chandelier – SIA FAD 6607 2015 _04_ 07 [Video]. YouTube. Web.