Research - Rotoscoping and Digital Animation

Definition of Rotoscoping - Rotoscoping is basically when something is filmed in live action and then using animation software, each frame gets drawn over to make the finished piece look animated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3cFRVqP07E - a short Rotoscope tutorial.

Examples of Rotoscoping:

1) The Lord of the Rings (1978 Animated)

uses live action footage with traditional cell animation and Rotoscoping -

The style of the film is cartoon but it's very neat and advanced, it's not sketchy or jumpy like some rotoscoping. I think for me, this might be a little difficult to achieve as I'm not as experienced but I really like how they've made it.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZpmZyTK2dI (3 minute short clip of the film)
• Image from animation, sourced from - cinematicfrontier.wordpress.com (below)

2) Thumper by Enter Shikari (music video)

The video starts with actual live footage of the band playing in his black and white aged footage, the rotoscoping is then added on top of the footage and transfers between fully rotoscoped and specific parts which I think is really effecting. The features have been exaggerated at points and the moments have been emphasized making it look really energetic and lively which reflects the band. I also admire Joseph Pierce's style of rotoscoping, the raw sketchy lines work really well with the music and emotions.

It's made up of 2500 hand drawn frames.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAVne8dOzEA&feature=kp




3) A Family Portrait

This is another rotoscope by Joseph Pierce, you can see the similarities of his style of drawing. I really like the use of adding objects to convey attitudes for example, the use of the lemon in the young boy's mouth when he's being told to tuck his shirt in and when the mother's nose suffocates the father's head when she's smelling another scent on him really emphasizes the story of the lies and issues of adultery and misbehaving. I also like the dark shadowing under the eyes when the video takes a dark turn as it really conveys the pain and depression of the characters. Joseph's style is really effective and I could use this style for my footage.


 http://vimeo.com/24697169

4) Breaking the habit by Linkin Park (music video)

This video was animated by Joe Hahn. I really admire the attention to detail, it looks really advanced and effective. It's like comic book, anime style and you can tell a lot of work has gone into it. Like Enter Shakari's video there is still a lot of movement and it works well with the music but the style is much more advanced, the lines are less sketchy and more precise. I think rotoscoping over music videos works really well as there's a lot of movement in rotoscoping and there's so much you can achieve and convey by using it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H4l9RpkwM&feature=kp