We tend to think of Pixar and Studio Ghibli when we talk about great animation, but there’s a whole world out there. And with technology catching up to artistic ambition, animation is only getting better. This new Disney Blu-ray release includes a range of shorts and features that highlight the talent of artists and directors across a wide array of animated styles. The Animated Film Collection is a selection of shorts and features from the Warner Bros. Animation library. This collection includes items from such well-known animation companies as MGM, Fleischer, and DePatie-Freleng studios. The collection also includes shorts from smaller studios, such as Golden Films and Screen Gems. The Animated Film Collection was created in 1984 by then-president of Warner Bros., Harry Cohn. The collection contains over 100 short films, making it one of the largest ever compiled in one place. This is a great collection for fans and beginners alike.
The Adventures of Andre and Wally B.
In this early Pixar short, a strange-looking blue creature wakes up in the woods and is faced with a wide-eyed bumblebee named Wally. Andre tries to distract the bee by pointing at something else, but Wally has other plans.
This was the first Pixar film to feature computer animation and was groundbreaking for its time. It also pioneered the use of motion blur, which was a major advancement at the time.
Luxo Jr.
Animated desk lamps have long been a staple of animation, but it was Pixar who made them seem real. Their short Luxo Jr. demonstrates how to make an inanimate object appear to have emotions, while also showing off the new computer animation technology.
It was produced in time to premiere at the SIGGRAPH conference. John Lasseter, who co-directed the film, says he would take a sleeping bag into his office and sleep under his desk in order to get it finished.
Red’s Dream
Red’s Dream is one of the first computer-animated films to explore nighttime scenes. The short, directed by John Lasseter, stars Red, a unicycle propped up in a bike shop.
When a clown rides into the store, Red dreams of becoming a circus star. It’s a delightful scene, but also an experiment in digital animation at the time.
Tin Toy
When a mechanical one-man band player (Tinny) discovers that he can play with a baby (Billy), he is delighted. However, Tinny soon learns that Billy can be destructive.
This 1988 film was the first animated film to use photorealistic RenderMan software, the first to feature a lifelike infant, and the most challenging of all of Pixar’s early computer animation projects. With its Academy Award win, Tin Toy set the stage for what would become Toy Story.
Knick Knack
Knick Knack is a 1989 animated short film produced by Pixar. It tells the story of a snowman named Knick in a snow globe who tries to break out.
He tries various methods, including ramming the dome with an igloo in the base, using his carrot nose as a chisel, jackhammering, and cutting the glass with a blowtorch and igniter.
“The Animated Film Collection – AVDs Shorts and Features” is a must-see for any animation enthusiast, showcasing some of the best and most innovative animated films of all time. For those interested in learning more about the technology behind these masterpieces, “Breaking Down the Magic – How Special Effects Are Used in Movies and Animation” is an informative and engaging read. This article explores the various techniques used in special effects, from practical effects to computer-generated imagery (CGI), and how they are used to create the stunning visuals we see on screen. Understanding the art of special effects can deepen one’s appreciation for the technical aspects of animated films. Check out “Breaking Down the Magic” to learn more about this fascinating topic.
