What is Animation?
Norman McLaren, a Scottish animation pioneer once famously stated: "Animation is not the art of drawings that move, but rather the art of movements that are drawn." In other words, animation is not simply a moving drawing. Instead, it is an art that pieces hundreds or even thousands of stationary images together to achieve the appearance of movement and as a result, it creates masterpieces known today as movies, cartoons, and other related animations. It is a display of dedication, love, and artistry and has become a medium of its own from humble hand-drawn beginnings to modern-day computer-generated work.
An Influential Tool
Some would argue otherwise, but perhaps one of the greatest, most powerful, and influential tools in our day is animation. So, what makes animation so special and important? The answer? It plays a significant role in our lives and you’ll find that the evidence is everywhere.
Alongside bringing imagination to life, it is becoming increasingly clear that animation affects our daily lives. Movies are some of the most influential items that we frequently view, and the influential power within them is amazing. It is so powerful that:
Movies influence manners, attitudes and behavior. In the fifties, they told us how to dress for a rumble or a board meeting, how far to go on the first date, what to think about . . . Jews, blacks and homosexuals. They taught girls whether they should have husbands or careers, boys whether to pursue work or pleasure. They told us what was right and what was wrong, what was good and what was bad; they defined our problems and suggested solutions. And they still do.”
‐Patrick Drazen, Anime Explosion! The What? Why? And Wow! of Japanese Animation
Indeed, we influence the development of animation, but in reality, animation continues to influence us. It's becoming more and more wide-spread and is finding its way into more than just entertainment, including medical training, pilot training, product development, and more. The future holds unthinkable potential and animation is an amazing tool that is used fully to change our lives and to change and develop our world.
The Power Within
From telling inspiring stories to being an influential tool in our world, animation is truly an amazing medium that contains enormous potential. It creates an irreplaceable connection with one’s imagination, and with animation, we can turn imaginative thinking into reality, give characters life, go on epic adventures to places we’ve never been from the comfort of our own homes, and educate, inspire, and be a visually effective tool around the world. From simple beginnings, animation has become a force to be reckoned with and the power it contains in our world continues to change us.
Beginning with simple drawings to complex animation studios such as Disney and Dreamworks, animation has become a wide-spread and popular source of modern entertainment. With the power of animation, we can make a difference in the world and influence our future generations for the better. Animation can inspire the creativity of the soul, teach and educate us on moral lessons through the adventures of beloved characters, and change our lives and our world.