attachments_06-04-2012_23-41-26 / 10 animation

10

Read the following text and answer the questions to it.

Animation

Animation film is a motion picture created by recording a series of still images—drawings, objects, or people in various positions of movement—that when played back produce the illusion of unbroken motion. The term animation applies to creations on film, video, or computers, and even to motion toys, which usually consist of a series of drawings or photographs on paper that are viewed with a mechanical device or by flipping through a hand-held sequence of images. The term cartoon is sometimes used to describe short animated works (under ten minutes) that are humorous in nature.

There are many ways to create animation, depending on whether the materials used are two-dimensional (flat, such as drawings, paintings, or cut-out pieces of paper) or three-dimensional (having volume, such as clay, puppets, household objects, or even people). In each case, an animator must keep in mind the basic principle of frames per second – the number of images needed to produce one second of film. A film animator must make 24 images for each second of animation.

If an animator is basing the animation project on drawings, one of the most common animation techniques, he or she will first create a series of rough sketches that often will be filmed in a pencil test to determine whether the desired motion has been achieved.

Puppet animation uses three-dimensional figures that are moved for each frame of film. Animation using wooden puppets has been associated principally with Eastern Europe, which has a strong tradition of toy making.

Computer-generated animation has made a significant impact on animation industry. It is unlikely, however, that other animation techniques will fade completely. As in the past, independent animators will continue to create innovative personal expressions using a variety of approaches, developing new methods and expanding the definition of animation as an art form.

1. What is animation?

2. Name the types of animation?

3. What opportunities does computer-generated animation give?