What Makes a Great Animation?

teddy content adorable x pot animation
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professional animator 2d drawing skills

The Magic of animation, including the increasingly popular realm of 3d animation, allows imaginations to run wild by generating moving images that seem to have a life of their own. This illusion of motion emerges from displaying a sequence of incremental drawings or posed objects rapidly to the viewer. From historic hand-drawn classics to modern 3D wonders, animation leverages this visual phenomenon to transport us into inspirational worlds. But not all animated films affect us equally. So, what makes a great animation? What fuses together to form truly exceptional animations that stand the test of time? While technical mastery plays a crucial role, the most beloved animated stories prioritize compelling characters and narratives over visual spectacle alone. In this piece, we dive into the key ingredients that allow the best animations to go straight for our hearts:

  1. Complex Characters We Connect With
  2. Emotional Storytelling With Meaning
  3. Pioneering Artistic Vision
  4. Technical Innovation
  5. Transportive Worldbuilding

By spotlighting the masterworks that push the medium forward through their poignant storytelling, we can better appreciate the creators who breathe life into the characters and worlds that delight us. Let’s explore what animation’s greatest achievements can teach us about capturing magic on the screen.

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Scene from Spirited Away
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Balto the dog and Balto the animation from the 1995 film

Complex Characters We Connect With

In exploring what makes a great animation, the heart of any outstanding animated film can be found in characters that captivate us. These characters, whether charming, infuriating, hilarious, or emotionally complex, are central to the film’s appeal. Take Remy, the aspiring chef rat from “Ratatouille.” His tenacious ambition shines as he uses his extraordinary sense of smell and taste to create culinary wonders, overcoming his family’s skepticism. Similarly, in “Finding Nemo,” we meet Marlin: a neurotic yet devoted father. His overprotectiveness, while anxiety-inducing, propels him on an unyielding journey across the ocean to find his lost son.

While their fantastic settings dwarf them, these pint-sized heroes exhibit depth and motivation that captures our imagination. From the sweet-natured curiosity of WALL-E to the fiery independence of Merida in Brave, memorable protagonists draw us in through their quirks as much as their bigger-than-life plight, be it combatting post-apocalyptic isolation or archaic traditions. Skillful writing and conception empower these characters to overcome unlikely adversity with humor and heart.

Emotional Storytelling With Meaning

Another aspect of what makes a great animation is the ability to balance dazzling worlds and lovable characters with emotional storytelling that has meaning. Timeless animated tales stand out through their blend of spectacle with emotional depth and resonance. As protagonists embark on journeys filled with courage, loss, and redemption, they undergo subtle yet significant personal growth. Plots that could easily slip into the absurd are instead grounded by themes exploring universal struggles.

For example, Up centers around Carl Fredricksen processing his grief over losing the love of his life as a childless widower. Yet it allows whimsy and uplifting adventure into this empathetic premise through the inclusion of a stowaway Wilderness Explorer and a talking dog. The fantastical elements keep the tone from becoming too somber, while the core emotional arc builds investment in Carl’s ultimate personal transformation.

Comedic levity keeps the tone uplifting without sacrificing compelling messaging in the greatest animated works. Their fantasy backdrops only help these very human stories feel more approachable rather than distracting.

Pioneering Artistic Vision

Integral to what makes a great animation is a pioneering artistic vision that dares to innovate and captivate. While technical mastery lays the foundation, it’s the visually striking films that push boundaries with stylistic innovation that leave a lasting impression. A prime example from 2022, ‘Arcane,’ redefined video game adaptations with its painterly, almost fine art-like quality. By blending 2D and 3D elements, it brought to life the dystopian cities of Piltover and Zaun with a level of immersion that challenged the traditional confines of animation. This achievement by the independent French studio Fortiche, after a six-year creative journey, exemplifies how thematic richness and cinematic beauty are pivotal in what makes a great animation.

Tracing back to early Disney films, which advanced character animation, to contemporary experiments like ‘Spiderverse’s’ unique hand-drawn/CG hybrid style, mainstream animation has continually redefined itself through radical creativity. Iconic creators like Tim Burton and Studio Ghibli have crafted styles so unique that they’ve altered genre expectations, masterfully blending surreal fantasy worlds and emotive coming-of-age narratives. Their work demonstrates that at the heart of what makes a great animation lies not just technical skill, but a bold artistic vision that dares to explore and redefine the limits of storytelling.

Transportive Worldbuilding

In the realm of creating truly great animations, transportive worldbuilding plays a pivotal role, elevating the most captivating films above others. Such immersive environments do more than fill a scene; they resonate with the depth and emotions of the characters themselves. Take the intricate underwater world of ‘Finding Nemo’ or the vast African savannas in ‘The Lion King,’ where every detail contributes to creating ecosystems that are both fantastical and utterly believable.

‘The Spiderverse’ presents New York City as a vibrant tapestry of artistic interpretations, each blending to mirror the converging realities in its story. The city’s postmodern, Picasso-esque dimensionality is not just a visual feast but deeply interwoven with the narrative’s complexities. Similarly, Studio Ghibli’s ‘Spirited Away’ anchors its enchantment in settings like mystical bathhouses and enigmatic forests, crafting spaces that tantalize our senses and evoke the nostalgia of childhood wonder. It’s this meticulous attention to environmental detail that contributes significantly to making an animation great, drawing us into worlds that are as memorable as the stories they unfold.

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Scene from UP
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Stop Motion Animation Process for Wallace and Gromit

Looking Ahead: The Future of Animation

Considering the vital components that contribute to the greatness of animation, including complex characters, emotional storytelling, pioneering artistic vision, technical innovation, and immersive worldbuilding, it’s both exciting and essential to contemplate the future directions of this dynamic field. The horizon of animation is illuminated with transformative possibilities, propelled by technological advancements such as AI and VR, a deeper global connectedness, and a rising focus on sustainability and diverse storytelling. These evolving elements are poised to not just redefine how animated narratives are crafted and experienced but also to push the creative boundaries, potentially setting new standards for what elevates an animation to greatness.

With ongoing technological and societal breakthroughs, the animation industry stands at the cusp of a significant evolution. This progress heralds the arrival of richer, more varied stories and innovative artistic expressions, promising a future where animations do more than entertain; they resonate deeply and inspire across generations. As we look forward to this promising future, it becomes clear that the industry’s continuous adaptation and growth will play a crucial role in maintaining the magic and relevance of great animations in the years to come.

So, What Makes a Good Animation To You?

As we’ve delved into the aspects that form the backbone of great animation – from compelling characters and authentic narratives to pioneering artistry and innovative technical prowess – it becomes clear what elevates an animation from good to truly great. These facets not only captivate audiences in the moment but also leave an enduring impression, marking the signature of exceptional animation. As the industry progresses, embracing novel formats, broader representation, and sustainable approaches, it’s the visionaries who merge creativity with insight and artisanship with emotional resonance that will steer the future of this art form. Their creations exemplify animation’s unique power to entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

At Lumen and Forge, our passion is fueled by the endless possibilities of new narratives waiting to unfold. Our mission is to transform these imaginative ideas into tangible experiences through our specialized animation services. Contact us to explore how our studio can partner with you to bring the essential qualities of great animation into your project, making your visionary concept a vivid reality.