Hand-Drawn Animation Dead at Disney

[Sotiris]

While admittedly the visuals in The Princess and the Frog are not up to the level of artistry and sophistication of the films in the mid and late nineties (possibly because of the smaller budget), the animation of the principal characters looks great to me.

The problem I have with the film, animation-wise, lies with the background characters. Some lack definition while others are plainly poorly drawn and animated. The film is filled with characters like these:

[SWillie!]

Yeah, some of the background characters are pretty...

I think that's mostly to do with the fact that they were getting their hand drawn department back together, and so the main characters were assigned to the pros, while I assume the background characters were given to newer, younger, even first time Disney animators.

[Disney's Divinity]

@enigmawing: I'm personally thinking more of the backgrounds in TP&TF, which to me are generally pretty awful. They were digitally painted/created, weren't they? I said I didn't mind the character animation, for the most part.

[cms382]

While the major character animation is wonderful, some of the less noticeable details in TPatF are DisneyToonesque. And I was never a fan of Toon Boom's shading, it's too glowy. Those things don't take too much away from the (great) film, but they're there if you're looking for it.

[PatrickvD]

I think TPatF's problems animation-wise aren't greater than those of Beauty and the Beast or The Little Mermaid.

I agree with enigmawing mostly. ToonBoom has allowed for some really gorgeous and innovative shots in The Princess and the Frog. Any scene with Dr. Facilier was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. And the shadow demons? How anyone could associate that film with a DTV feature needs their eyes checked I think.

The backgrounds are also in a class of their own. But I guess to each their own. I didn't think they looked more or less digital than say Tarzan.

[Lnds500]

I will probably wait for it to drop at around $10 and then get it. I saw it once, never felt an impulse to watch it again.

[cms382]

Almost all of the vfx shots in TPatF are amazing and beautiful.

But a shot like
http://images4.static-bluray.com/review ... _1080p.jpg

has no place in feature animation.

Absolutely zero dimensionality or connection to the background.

[Marky_198]

I think TPatF's problems animation-wise aren't greater than those of Beauty and the Beast or The Little Mermaid.

Please compare these links and think again.

What is more sophisticated, attractive animation to you?:

The Little Mermaid:

http://fuckyeahthelittlemermaid.tumblr. ... /234230887
http://fuckyeahthelittlemermaid.tumblr. ... /276833354
http://fuckyeahthelittlemermaid.tumblr. ... /278277914
http://fuckyeahthelittlemermaid.tumblr. ... /276848227
http://fuckyeahthelittlemermaid.tumblr. ... /166820685

Ariel's Beginning:
http://fuckyeahthelittlemermaid.tumblr. ... /242093661
http://s259.photobucket.com/user/gohana ... 8403172573

The Princess and the Frog:
http://www.listal.com/viewimage/1315659h
http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/9697/gxfhcjvkb.jpg
http://yify-torrents.com/movie/The_Prin ... 2009_1080p
http://yify-torrents.com/movie/The_Prin ... _Frog_2009

[cms382]

It's less to do with the actual quality of the animation and more about the framing, layout, and compositing of the elements.

[SWillie!]

No you guys. Marky is right. Everyone else is wrong. This isn't a matter of opinion. It's a matter of fact. Some of us just don't understand.

Edit: you're using the word "animation" when you should be using the term compositing. Keep in mind that PatF was their first time with Toon Boom instead of CAPS. I think by the time Winnie the Pooh came around they've fixed the issues you don't like.

[Sotiris]

I think by the time Winnie the Pooh came around they've fixed the issues you don't like.

True. Winnie the Pooh was much more consistent and refined in that area.

[cms382]

Definitely. Pooh looked great from start to finish, at least within its own style.
I think they just borrowed a few DTS people to help with Frog and they applied some of the techniques that they had been using for the DTV stuff, Pooh gave them the chance to find out how to get a certain style.

[UmbrellaFish]

I've always thought there was something DTV about TPATF's background characters, but I never said anything because I don't consider myself knowledgeable enough in that area to be a good judge, but it's good to know that I actually picked on to something.

[Disney's Divinity]

I've always thought there was something DTV about TPATF's background characters, but I never said anything because I don't consider myself knowledgeable enough in that area to be a good judge, but it's good to know that I actually picked on to something.

This is how I am as well. I really just comment on what doesn't look good (to me).

TP&TF has never been a gorgeous movie to me outside of the character animation for the main characters (and the "Almost There" scene). B&tB and TLM already aren't on the level of older films themselves, but TP&TF is no comparison to them at all.

[DisneyFan09]

While admittedly the visuals in The Princess and the Frog are not up to the level of artistry and sophistication of the films in the mid and late nineties (possibly because of the smaller budget), the animation of the principal characters looks great to me.

The problem I have with the film, animation-wise, lies with the background characters. Some lack definition while others are plainly poorly drawn and animated. The film is filled with characters like these:

Agreed.

[pinkrenata]

Whoa whoa whoa. What's the deal with the hairy red guy??!!

[DancingCrab]

Those background characters in The Princess and the Frog look no worse than the townsfolk in Beauty and the Beast or some of the sailors in The Little Mermaid. In fact I'd say they look a little better. At least they have a stylized look (similar to Hercules) as to where most of the townsfolk in BatB just look downright AWFUL. This is the first I've ever heard of anyone complaining about the animation quality of TPatF.

[Old Fish Tale]

Those background characters in The Princess and the Frog look no worse than the townsfolk in Beauty and the Beast or some of the sailors in The Little Mermaid. In fact I'd say they look a little better. At least they have a stylized look (similar to Hercules) as to where most of the townsfolk in BatB just look downright AWFUL. This is the first I've ever heard of anyone complaining about the animation quality of TPatF.

I agree! And I actually think it's okay. Not every film can look as good as 'Sleeping Beauty'.

[cms382]

The townspeople in BatB may look worse but at least they look like a crowd and not cel layers on a background.

[PatrickvD]

The townspeople in BatB may look worse but at least they look like a crowd and not cel layers on a background.

They kinda do in the awful restoration actually.