In the early days of animation, everything was done by hand. Animators would draw each frame of the animation on paper, which would then be photographed and put together to create the illusion of movement. This process was time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it produced some of the most iconic animated films of all time, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Fantasia.
In the 1990s, animation began to shift towards computer-generated imagery (CGI). This technique allowed animators to create more realistic and detailed animation, and it opened up new possibilities for storytelling. Pixar's Toy Story, released in 1995, was the first feature-length film to be entirely computer-animated, and it revolutionized the animation industry. The film's success led to the creation of other computer-animated films such as Shrek, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles.
Today, animation continues to evolve with the introduction of new technologies such as motion capture and virtual reality. These technologies allow animators to create even more realistic and immersive animation, and they are being used in movies and TV shows to create new and exciting storytelling experiences. For example, the 2016 live-action/CGI hybrid film The Jungle Book used motion capture technology to create realistic animal characters, while the 2019 film The Lion King used CGI to create photorealistic animals.
Animation has also expanded beyond traditional movies and TV shows. Animated shorts and web series have become increasingly popular on platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo. These platforms have allowed independent animators to showcase their work and reach a wider audience.
The evolution of animation in movies and TV shows has been a remarkable journey. From hand-drawn animation to CGI and beyond, animation has become a powerful storytelling tool that has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. As technology continues to evolve, we can only imagine what the future of animation holds.