The spelling of "cell animation" is unique in that it includes both the "c" and "e" phonemes, but not the "ll" sound as one would expect. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /sɛl ˌænəˈmeɪʃən/. The "c" in "cell" is pronounced as "s," and the "e" is pronounced as "ɛ." Additionally, the stress is on the second syllable, indicated by the diacritic mark above the "e." The word "animation" is pronounced with the standard American English pronunciation.
Cell animation, also known as traditional or hand-drawn animation, refers to a technique used to create animation sequences by drawing each frame individually on transparent celluloid sheets, or cells. This painstaking process involves creating a series of static drawings, or frames, with slight variations in movement, which are then photographed in a sequence to create the illusion of motion.
In cell animation, artists typically sketch the keyframes or important poses in a sequence, while additional frames are filled in by assistant animators called inbetweeners. These frames serve as transitions between the key poses, providing smooth and fluid movement. Backgrounds are typically painted separately on separate sheets and are placed behind the cells to create a layered effect.
Cell animation was widely used in early animation production and is still utilized today for its distinct aesthetic charm. While modern digital animation techniques have become more prevalent, cell animation offers a unique organic quality and appeal that cannot be replicated by other methods. It requires the meticulous artistry and craftsmanship of skilled animators, who painstakingly render each frame by hand, resulting in a visually captivating and fluid animation style.
Overall, cell animation is a technique that involves drawing each frame of an animated sequence on transparent celluloid sheets, which are then photographed in a sequence to create the illusion of movement. It is a labor-intensive process that consists of keyframes and inbetween frames, and provides a distinct, hand-crafted aesthetic.
The word "cell animation" has its etymology rooted in the early days of animation, particularly in the use of transparent celluloid sheets called "cells". The term "cell" is an abbreviation of the word "celluloid".
In traditional hand-drawn animation, each character and background element was painstakingly created on separate transparent sheets known as cells. Artists would draw the characters or objects on these individual cells, which were then placed on top of each other on a background image or scenery. This technique allowed for more efficient animation, as the characters or objects could be easily manipulated while the background remained static.
Over time, the term "cell animation" became commonly used to describe any animation technique that uses transparent sheets, although the actual use of physical celluloid has diminished with the introduction of digital animation technologies.