Firsts in animation

Last updated

This list provides an overview of animated productions that can be considered as milestones in the development of animation techniques or in artistic or commercial success.

YearMilestoneFilmNotes
1878praxinoscope animationLe singe musicien
1900Animation on standard celluloid film The Enchanted Drawing
1917 Feature film El Apóstol Created with cutout animation; now considered lost
1926 The Adventures of Prince Achmed Oldest surviving animated feature film, cutout silhouette animation
1919Filmed in Rotoscope The Clown's Pup Short film
1924Synchronized sound on film Oh Mabel Short film; used Lee de Forest's Phonofilm sound on film process, though none of the characters "speak" on screen
1926Synchronized sound on film with animated dialogue My Old Kentucky Home [1] Short film; used Lee de Forest's Phonofilm sound on film process; a dog character mouths the words, "Follow the ball, and join in, everybody!"
1930Filmed in Two-color Technicolor King of Jazz [2] Premiering in April 1930, a three-minute cartoon sequence produced by Walter Lantz appears in this full-length, live-action Technicolor feature film.
1930 Two-color Technicolor in a stand-alone cartoon Fiddlesticks Released in August 1930, this Ub Iwerks-produced short is the first standalone color cartoon.
1930Feature-length puppet animated (stop-motion) film The Tale of the Fox Only animation finished in 1930; not released with a soundtrack until 1937
1935 The New Gulliver The first released puppet-animated feature. Includes scenes of animation combined with live-action footage
1931Feature-length sound film Peludópolis Now considered lost
1932Filmed in three-strip Technicolor Flowers and Trees Short film
1937First film using Disney's multiplane camera The Old Mill Short film. A predecessor of the multiplane technique had already been used for The Adventures of Prince Achmed. Ub Iwerks had developed an early version of the multiplane camera in 1934 for his The Headless Horseman Comicolor Cartoon. [3]
Feature filmed in three-strip Technicolor Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
1940Stereophonic sound Fantasia Recorded in Fantasound with 33 microphones on eight channels, but the reproduction of multi-channel Fantasound in theaters was eventually more limited than intended
1942First film applying limited animation The Dover Boys at Pimento University Short film
1951First animated 3-D filmNow is the Time
Around is Around
Abstract dual-strip stereoscopic short films by Norman McLaren for the Festival of Britain [4]
1953First cartoon presented in widescreen format Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom Short film
1955First animated feature in widescreen format Lady and the Tramp
First stop-motion television series The Gumby Show [5]
1956First US animated primetime TV series CBS Cartoon Theatre Compilation television series
1957First animated TV series broadcast in color Colonel Bleep Television series
1959 Syncro-Vox Clutch Cargo Television series
1960 Xerography process (replacing hand inking) Goliath II Short film
First primetime animated sitcom The Flintstones Television series
1961Feature film using xerography process One Hundred and One Dalmatians
1962The First animated TV Christmas Special Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol Television special
1964First feature film based on a television show Hey There, It's Yogi Bear!
1969First animated feature deemed to be X-rated A Thousand and One Nights Japanese anime hit. Pornographic animations had already been made for the phénakisticope and the short film The Virgin with the Hot Pants (circa 1924)
1978Animated feature to be presented in Dolby sound Watership Down
1983 3D feature film - stereoscopic technique Abra Cadabra
Animated feature containing computer-generated imagery Rock and Rule
Animated TV series to be recorded in Stereo sound Inspector Gadget
1985Feature-length clay-animated film The Adventures of Mark Twain
1988First feature film to have live-action and cartoon animation share the screen for the entire film Who Framed Roger Rabbit
1989TV cartoon to be broadcast in Dolby Surround sound. Hanna-Barbera's 50th: A Yabba Dabba Doo Celebration
1990First computer-animated feature (produced without a camera)
Feature film using digital ink and paint
The Rescuers Down Under First feature film completely produced with Disney's Computer Animation Production System
1991First animated film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture Beauty and the Beast As of 2022, no animated film has won the Best Picture Oscar yet.
1992First animated feature to earn $500 million worldwide [6] Aladdin
1993CGI-animated series VeggieTales Christian animated series released on home video
1994CGI-animated series for television Insektors
First animated feature to earn $750 million worldwide [7] The Lion King
1995First "3D" style (wire-frame) computer-animated feature
First CGI and G-rated Pixar CGI feature film
Toy Story
Animated television series to be broadcast in Dolby Surround Pinky and the Brain
1996First entirely CGI feature film (without using rotoscopy) Cassiopéia Released 3 months after Toy Story, this brazilian film does not use anything that was not created within CGI software
1997First animated series produced for the Internet [8]
Flash-animated series
The Goddamn George Liquor Program
1998PG-rated CGI animated film Antz
1999First animated IMAX feature Fantasia 2000
2001Motion-capture animation
PG-13-rated CGI animated film
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
First Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Shrek Monsters, Inc. and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius were also nominated.
2002Flash-animated television series ¡Mucha Lucha!
2003First Flash-animated film Wizards and Giants
2004 Cel-shaded animation Appleseed
First motion capture animated movie. The Polar Express
2005Feature shot with digital still cameras Corpse Bride
2007Feature digitally animated by one person Flatland
Presented in 7.1 surround sound Ultimate Avengers Blu-ray release
2008Feature film designed, created and released exclusively in 3D Fly Me to the Moon
2009Stop-motion character animated using rapid prototyping Coraline
First feature film directly produced in stereoscopic 3D rather than converted in 3D after completion using InTru3D Monsters vs. Aliens
2010First animated feature to earn $1 billion worldwide [9]
Feature film released theatrically in 7.1 surround sound
Toy Story 3
2012Stop-motion film to use color 3-D printing technology for models ParaNorman
2016The first R-rated 3D computer-animated film Sausage Party
2022Animated feature film to aspect ratio opened up in IMAX Lightyear It opened up from 2.39:1 to 1.43:1 for select sequences of the film. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animation</span> Method of creating moving pictures

Animation is a filmmaking technique by which still images are manipulated to create moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets (cels) to be photographed and exhibited on film. Animation has been recognized as an artistic medium, specifically within the entertainment industry. Many animations are computer animations made with computer-generated imagery (CGI). Stop motion animation, in particular claymation, has continued to exist alongside these other forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Walt Disney Company</span> American multinational mass media company

The Walt Disney Company is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate that is headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was founded on October 16, 1923, by brothers Walt Disney and Roy Disney as Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio; it also operated under the names Walt Disney Studio and Walt Disney Productions before changing its name to The Walt Disney Company in 1986. In 1928, Disney established itself as a leader in the animation industry with the short film Steamboat Willie. The film used synchronized sound to become the first post-produced sound cartoon, and popularized Mickey Mouse, who became Disney's mascot and corporate icon.

<i>Aladdin</i> (1992 Disney film) American animated musical fantasy film

Aladdin is a 1992 American animated musical fantasy comedy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is based on the Arabic folktale "Aladdin" from One Thousand and One Nights. The film was produced and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements from a screenplay they co-wrote with the writing team of Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. Featuring the voices of Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman, Frank Welker, Gilbert Gottfried and Douglas Seale, the film follows the titular Aladdin, an Arabian street urchin who finds a magic lamp containing a genie. With the genie's help, Aladdin disguises as a wealthy prince and tries to impress the Sultan of Agrabah to win the heart of his free-spirited daughter, Princess Jasmine, as the Sultan's evil vizier, Jafar, plots to steal the magic lamp.

<i>Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs</i> (1937 film) Animated Disney film

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. Based on the 1812 German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, the production was supervised by David Hand, and was directed by a team of sequence directors, including Perce Pearce, William Cottrell, Larry Morey, Wilfred Jackson, and Ben Sharpsteen. It is the first animated feature film produced in the United States and the first cel animated feature film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pixar</span> American computer animation studio (founded 1986)

Pixar Animation Studios is an American animation studio based in Emeryville, California, known for its critically and commercially successful computer-animated feature films. Since 2006, Pixar has been a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, a division of Disney Entertainment, a segment of the Walt Disney Company.

Modern animation in the United States from the late 1980s to the early 2000s is frequently referred to as the renaissance age of American animation. During this period, many large American entertainment companies reformed and reinvigorated their animation departments, following the dark age, and the United States had an overall profound effect on animation globally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walt Disney Pictures</span> American film studio and a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios

Walt Disney Pictures is an American film production company and subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, a division of Disney Entertainment, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company. The studio is the flagship producer of live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Studios unit, and is based at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Animated films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios are also released under the studio banner. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures distributes and markets the films produced by Walt Disney Pictures.

<i>Cinderella</i> (1950 film) 1950 Disney animated feature film

Cinderella is a 1950 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. Based on Charles Perrault's 1697 fairy tale, it features supervision by Ben Sharpsteen. The film was directed by Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, and Clyde Geronimi. The film features the voices of Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Rhoda Williams, James MacDonald, and Luis van Rooten.

<i>Tangled</i> 2010 animated musical fantasy-comedy film by Disney

Tangled is a 2010 American animated musical adventure fantasy comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Loosely based on the German fairy tale "Rapunzel" in the collection of folktales published by the Brothers Grimm, the film was directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, and produced by Roy Conli, from a screenplay written by Dan Fogelman. Featuring the voices of Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, and Donna Murphy, Tangled tells the story of Rapunzel, a lost young princess with magical long blonde hair who yearns to leave her secluded tower. She accepts the aid of an intruder, the outlaw Flynn Rider, to take her out into the world which she has never seen.

<i>Bambi</i> 1942 animated Disney film

Bambi is a 1942 American animated drama film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. Based on Felix Salten's 1923 novel Bambi, a Life in the Woods, the production was supervised by David D. Hand, and was directed by a team of sequence directors, including James Algar, Bill Roberts, Norman Wright, Sam Armstrong, Paul Satterfield, and Graham Heid.

<i>Toy Story 3</i> 2010 Pixar film

Toy Story 3 is a 2010 American animated comedy-drama film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. It is the third installment in the Toy Story series and the sequel to Toy Story 2 (1999). It was directed by Lee Unkrich, the editor of the first two films and the co-director of Toy Story 2, produced by Darla K. Anderson, and written by Michael Arndt, while Unkrich wrote the story along with John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton, respectively, director and co-writer of the first two films. The film's ensemble voice cast includes Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, Jeff Pidgeon, Jodi Benson, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf and R. Lee Ermey, reprising their roles from previous films. Jim Varney, who voiced Slinky Dog in the first two films, died in 2000, 10 years before the release of the third film, so the role of Slinky was passed down to Blake Clark. The returning cast is joined by Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Whoopi Goldberg, Timothy Dalton, Kristen Schaal, Bonnie Hunt, and Jeff Garlin, who voice the new characters introduced in this film. In Toy Story 3, Andy Davis (Morris), now 17 years old, is going to college. Woody (Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Allen), and the other toys are accidentally donated to Sunnyside Daycare, a daycare center, by Andy's mother (Metcalf), and the toys must decide where their loyalties lie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walt Disney Animation Studios</span> American animation studio

Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS), sometimes shortened to Disney Animation, is an American animation studio that creates animated features and short films for The Walt Disney Company. The studio's current production logo features a scene from its first synchronized sound cartoon, Steamboat Willie (1928). Founded on October 16, 1923, by brothers Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney, it is the oldest-running animation studio in the world. It is currently organized as a division of Walt Disney Studios and is headquartered at the Roy E. Disney Animation Building at the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California. Since its foundation, the studio has produced 62 feature films, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) to Wish (2023), and hundreds of short films.

<i>The Princess and the Frog</i> 2009 Disney animated film

The Princess and the Frog is a 2009 American animated musical romantic fantasy comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is inspired in part by the 2002 novel The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker, which in turn is based on the German folk tale "The Frog Prince" as collected by the Brothers Grimm. The film was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements and produced by Peter Del Vecho, from a screenplay that Clements and Musker co-wrote with Rob Edwards. The directors also co-wrote the story with the writing team of Greg Erb and Jason Oremland. The film stars the voices of Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Cody, John Goodman, Keith David, Peter Bartlett, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, and Terrence Howard. Set in New Orleans during the 1920s, the film tells the story of a hardworking waitress named Tiana who dreams of opening her own restaurant. After kissing prince Naveen, who has been turned into a frog by the evil voodoo witch doctor Facilier, Tiana becomes a frog as well and must find a way to turn Naveen and herself back into humans before it is too late.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disney Renaissance</span> Period of Disney animated films, 1989–1999

The Disney Renaissance was a period from 1989 to 1999 during which Walt Disney Feature Animation returned to producing critically and commercially successful animated films. These were mostly musical adaptations of well-known stories, similar to the films produced during the era of Walt Disney from the 1930s to 1960s. The resurgence allowed Disney's animated films to become a powerhouse of successes at the domestic and foreign box office, earning much greater profits than most of the Disney films of previous eras.

<i>Toy Story</i> (franchise) Disney media franchise created by Pixar

Toy Story is an American media franchise owned by The Walt Disney Company. It centers on toys that, unknown to humans, are secretly living, sentient creatures. It began in 1995 with the release of the animated feature film of the same name, which focuses on a diverse group of toys featuring a classic cowboy doll named Sheriff Woody and a modern spaceman action figure named Buzz Lightyear.

<i>Frozen</i> (2013 film) Disney animated film

Frozen is a 2013 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's 1844 fairy tale "The Snow Queen", it was directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee and produced by Peter Del Vecho, from a screenplay by Lee, who also conceived the film's story with Buck and Shane Morris.

<i>Zootopia</i> 2016 film by Byron Howard & Rich Moore

Zootopia is a 2016 American animated buddy cop action comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, co-directed by Jared Bush, and produced by Clark Spencer, from a screenplay written by Bush and Phil Johnston, and a story by Howard, Moore, Bush, Johnston, Jim Reardon, Josie Trinidad, and Jennifer Lee. The film stars the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Tommy Chong, J. K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer, Alan Tudyk, and Shakira. Taking place in the titular city where anthropomorphic mammals coexist, it tells a story of an unlikely partnership between a rabbit police officer and a fox con artist as they uncover a criminal conspiracy involving the disappearance of some of its predatory citizens.

References

  1. Maltin, Leonard; Beck, Jerry (1980). Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons. New York: McGraw-Hill. p. 89. ISBN   978-0-0703-9835-1.
  2. "Whiteman Film Due Tomorrow." Los Angeles Times 18 Apr. 1930: A9. Print.
  3. Pat Williams and Jim Denney (2004). How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life. HCI. p. 133. ISBN   978-0-7573-0231-2.
  4. "Around Is Around (1951)". BFI. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018.
  5. Solomon, Charles (1989). Enchanted Drawings: The History of Animation. New York: Random House, Inc. pp. 231–232. ISBN   978-0-394-54684-1.
  6. "Aladdin (1992)". Box Office Mojo . Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved March 17, 2009.
  7. Brevert, Brad (May 29, 2016). "'X-Men' & 'Alice' Lead Soft Memorial Day Weekend; Disney Tops $4 Billion Worldwide". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  8. "27th Annual Annie Award Nominee Showcase: Goddamn George Liquor Program". AWM.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  9. Subers, Ray (August 29, 2010). "'Toy Story 3' Reaches $1 Billion". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  10. Har-Even, Benny (March 29, 2022). "Lightyear In IMAX Will Feature 1.43:1 Aspect Ratio Scenes". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.