The Art of Visibility: How Older Hand-Drawn Animated Films Distinguish Moving Objects

In the golden era of hand-drawn animation, animators relied on a combination of artistic and technical skills to make the moving elements of a shot stand out. This article explores the techniques used in older animated films to create a visual hierarchy that guides the viewer's attention and enhances the storytelling.

Line Weight and Color

One of the primary ways animators made moving objects stand out was through the use of line weight and color. Moving objects often had bolder outlines or brighter colors, making them more prominent and easier to track. For static elements, the outlines were comparatively lighter, and the colors were often more subdued. This contrast helped to direct the viewer's gaze to the action and emphasize the intended movement within the shot.

Animation Techniques

Another key technique was the use of animation techniques like squash and stretch. These techniques made moving objects appear more dynamic and exaggerated, thereby enhancing their visibility. By employing such methods, animators could create a sense of energy and vitality that was essential to maintaining the viewer's interest and engagement with the scene.

Background Design

The background design in older animations often contrasted with the moving characters. Backgrounds were typically painted in a more subdued or detailed style, while moving characters were kept simpler or more vibrant. This contrast served to make the characters pop against the scenery, effectively drawing attention to the action and creating a visual hierarchy that guided the viewer's attention.

Focus and Depth

Manipulating the depth of field was another technique used to enhance the visibility of moving objects. In animation, moving objects could be drawn with sharper details, while the background was softened. This created a sense of focus on the action, making it the primary point of interest in the scene. Such techniques were particularly useful in directing the viewer’s attention and ensuring that the story remained clear and engaging.

Frame Rate and Timing

The timing of movement also played a crucial role in emphasizing the movement. Quick, snappy movements would stand out more compared to slower, lingering backgrounds. By controlling the frame rate and timing, animators could create a visual rhythm that drew the viewer's attention to the most critical moments of the scene, making the story more impactful and engaging.

Artistic Style

Many older animations adopted a specific artistic style that emphasized contrast and clarity. This made it easier for audiences to follow the story and understand the action. By using a clear and distinct artistic style, animators could ensure that the viewer’s attention was focused on the important elements of the scene, enhancing the overall impact and coherence of the film.

When it came to the production process, moving objects were drawn on cells, which were clear sheets of plastic. Backgrounds, on the other hand, were often painted using full shading, similar to typical oil paintings or watercolors. However, to make the moving objects more dynamic and less jarring, animators would use flat colors with black linework. The backdrops were typically painted first, then the moving elements were added, a process that involved an entire "ink and paint" crew. This mass production process involved spending only a few minutes per cell and tracing the pencil drawings done by keyframe animators and 'tweeners'. This was a very different task from painting backgrounds, which required more time and attention to detail.

While some animated shorts experimented with full shading on moving elements to create a visually rich experience, these approaches often resulted in a "wiggly" effect that could be distracting. For instance, an animated short that tried to animate in a Van Gogh style was interesting but generally not a practical approach for a full-length feature film. The practical realities and economics of the medium meant that creating smooth, fluid movement was always preferable.

With the advent of digital animation, even the original animation is now often done on computers. However, the moving objects often look a bit better due to the ability to make smoother, more refined movements. While the moving and static elements still maintain a distinct look in hand-drawn animation, this is a result of the practical realities and economics of the medium, which have influenced the techniques and styles that animators have used over the years.

Conclusion

From line weight and color to animation techniques and artistic style, the visual hierarchy in older hand-drawn animated films was meticulously crafted to guide the viewer's attention and enhance the storytelling. These techniques not only made the action more prominent but also created a cohesive and engaging visual experience that remains timeless in the world of animation.