Thursday, October 1, 2009

Walt Disney and Animation

The word Animation has some magnetic power. Starting from a child of hardly three years to a mature man - all fall in love with the mesmerizing effect of animation. Animation is nothing but the display of a 3-D or 2-D images on the screen and that too done in a serial order. It had been said that the invention of animation film is a much earlier invention than the feature films. People always love to get entertainment in any way and in any form.

From the Victorian Age the experiments were carried on the animation. In those times these were the most popular form of entertainment. Belgian Joseph Plateau, William George Horner, Reynaud tried to make out different method to provide entertainment to the common masses. J. Stuart Black ton presented the first film based on animation--Humorous Phases of Funny Faces 1906. Humorous Phases of Funny Faces in 1906 got huge success in New York.

Different types of cartoon character born in the hands of their creator. They had born many years back. But still they retain their popularity. Who can forget the characters like Mickey Mouse. A small mouse but very intelligent. A very good boyfriend of Minnie Mouse and a good master of Pluto. The maker of these popular characters is Walt Disney. A man who took the world into storm. His company Walt Disney Corporation produces a large number of animated films. The animated films of Disney have the power and full control over the audiences of a large range. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Pluto are very much well known and popular characters all over the world. Mickey Mouse was first introduced with us in the Steamboat Willie (1928). And it is the first animated cartoon with sound. Disney gave his voice for Mickey.

The audience is very much interested in watching the action and reaction of the little characters. Along with Mickey and Minnie other characters like Goofy, Donald Fuck and Pluto receives full attention and interest. The Three Little Pigs is another important animated film. It portrays the hard work of the three pigs against a wolf. The wolf needs courage and guts at the face of economic disaster in 1930's. Disney conveyed the socio-economic problems through which the whole world is facing. Flowers and Trees (1932), The Grasshopper and the Ants (1934) and The Tortoise and the Hare (1935) were produced in colors.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), was the first full length animated cartoon film. The film was produced by the Walt Disney Corporation. Dumbo (1940), Fantasia (1940), and Cinderella (1950) are the other animated film that came into the screen one after another. Besides full length animated series the company started documentaries based on nature, short cartoon films, and programs for television. The Little Mermaid (1989) and Toy Story (1995) are the other important works of the company. Toy Story the first full-length computer-animated cartoon.

Later the Company opened Disneyland amusement park in 1955 in Anaheim, Calif. The park well known for its amusement. And a must see place for the visitors. In 1971 the company opened second and larger complex in Orlando. Walt Disney Corporation is the well known company in the 20th Century that produces a number cartoon films, cartoon characters, amusement parks in many places, hotels and other fun filled activities.

But after death of the leader Walt Disney in 1966 the company got a set back for some time. As we time makes us forget every thing in the same way the company returned with all glory and royalty with new ventures and plans. In 1992 the company owned Euro Disneyland at Marne-la-Vallée. At present the company owned even an entertainment channel Disney Channel in the television.

No one can ever forget the enormous contribution of Walt Disney in the field of animation.

His work is the inspiration of the present day's animators. Walt Disney received Honorary Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the creation of Mickey Mouse. Besides the awards he receives love and well wishes from millions and millions audience through out the globe. He created a history in such a time when the art of animation is really a miracle. He added sound, music and dialogue that too full of fun. It is really fun and wonders to see the small characters are performing and pointing out the social problems at the same time.


Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Walt-Disney-and-Animation&id=2356701