Animation in the Digital Age

In the late 1900s, after a long dry spell, theatre attendance suddenly spiked. Internet was flourishing and  the population had an even more intimate relationship with entertainment as it was constantly at their fingertips. The internet also provided an attractive new platform for distribution. Making a video Viral was a cheap and simple way of spreading information incredibly quickly and effectively.

This is the era during which traditional forms of animation began to slip to the backs of our minds with a budding interest in technology replacing it. Production had become the most affordable it had ever been with programs anybody could afford and learn to use. More and more people were experimenting with animation which meant a lot more talent potential.

In 1986, Steve Jobs bought LucasFilm studio from George Lucas and the legendary Pixar was born. Pixar’s professional and artistic goal was simply to develop a high standard of computer technology and use it to convey beautiful stories. And they have achieved just that. To quote John Lasseter, the man also known as the father of Pixar, The thing I wanted to do in Luxo Jr. was make the characters and story the most important thing, not the fact that it was done with computer graphics. – John Lasseter. John Lasseter is a master storyteller as well as a master animator which is why, even in the 80s and early 90s when computer graphics was not as sophisticated, his short stories were touching and relatable. Here are two examples of one old animation by Pixar and one new. The storytelling quality maintains it’s excellence while the technology catches up. Still, let us not forget how impressive and attractive 3D animation looked in the 80s when used by Pixar studios.

The difference in technology is quite drastic and no doubt an improvement, however the storytelling quality is just as brilliant in both short films. Pixar’s films, in my opinion are brilliant for many reasons, chief of them being that the characters are relatable and carry human characteristics and flaws many of us can find in ourselves.