This was a very educational documentary. John Lasseter said something in particular that resonated with me. In response to why computer animation was ignored at first, he said, “Back then, all of the computer animations were done by the people who created the software. So that’s like a world where all of the paintings are done by the chemists who made the paint.” Here, he is basically saying that technological advancement in animation has no value without the principles of art and storytelling. These principles combine to make the character seem real. Mark Goldberg makes this point when he says, “Animators are actors with pencils.” They’re ultra-talented because not only can they create visual art, they understand motion and all the other technicalities that animation encompasses.

3D animation requires almost as much artistic ability as 2D, but not quite as much. That is why I think 2D animation will never fully die, because the amount of work that goes into a 2D animation is truly amazing. There are many things that a computer can do for you, so in a way, it is a cop-out to drawing the animation by hand. In my opinion, the best artists are able to produce an animation by hand. McKay’s, “The Sinking of the Lusitania,” for instance, is a prime example of this. The pencil drawings are very realistic and create the perfect mood for such a grim historical event.

Even so, 3D animation provides a vividness that 2D simply cannot. “Find Nemo,” for instance, exemplifies this. While watching “The Little Mermaid,” one does not get the same visual experience of being underwater. However, “Finding Nemo” wouldn’t have been a box-office hit if it didnt apply the basic principles of 2D animatino. Nemo’s swimming wouldn’t have looked realistic, nor would any of his movements for that matter. It is important to go back and look at how even the earliest animations provided convincing movement and emotion. John Lasseter stressed this point when he said Woody’s emotions were not convincing until the animator made his eyes move from side to side.

Unfortunately, the animation business is still a business. Whatever method is the most popular and brings in the most money will prevail. At the moment, 3D seems to be more popular…but I know sometime in the future people will demand to see another amazing 2D animation!

I found this documentary both fascinating and entertaining. I really liked how it was a documentary that went over both 2D animation and the transition into 3D animation and how much 2D animation has influenced 3D animation. I extremely liked John Lasseter’s interviews. It was very interesting when he comments on how no matter how advanced or realistic a animation can be, it is in actuality the characters and story that make an animation work or not.

Honestly, I would love to see a more updated version of pencils to pixels. It seemed that this one was released shortly after the release of Finding Nemo. I wonder what the animators would have to say about the success of Toy Story 3, it being the first animation to pass the one billion dollar mark.