'' Rotoscoping - animation technique in which animators trace over live-action film movement, frame by frame, for use in animated films.''
This technique was invented by Max Fleischer around 1915. He first used it for the series ''Out of the Inkwell'' from which Koko the Clown was born.
This method went on to be used in a number of animations including Betty Boop and Superman cartoons.
Walt Disney Studios used rotoscoping for a number of animated feature films including ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ''.
Even music videos have used rotoscoping to produce a sense of realism - ''Take on me'' - a-ha
The same technique was used in the first three Star Wars films to create the lightsaber effects by creating a matte( combinations of two or more elements into a single, final image) based on sticks held by the actors.
In the mid 90's, animator and computer scientist Bob Sabiston developed a rotoscoping software thus taking this technique to the modern era.
As we can see, rotoscoping has been a vital part of animation for decades. Used in big budged animations as well as small budges ones, it has grown with the industry. Although it is a hard technique to master (inexperienced animators may cause the lines to shake unnaturally, or ''boil''), in the hands of a skilled animator it is a fantastic way to emulate life. It does lack the freedom one might associate with the visual arts field but it is an art form in its own right.
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