Rotoscoping is an animation technique that involves tracing live-action film footage, frame by frame, to create fluid animated sequences. The process was first developed by Max Fleischer in 1915, and later popularized by his brother Dave Fleischer. In the early days of filmmaking, it was used to achieve more lifelike and accurate movements. More recently, it has been used in innovative ways for stylistic, emotional, and storytelling purposes. Below are some of the more important and/or iconic examples of rotoscoping.
1932: Minnie the Moocher
Betty Boop, the star of Fleisher Studios’ (Max & Dave Fleischer’s) was the vehicle for the brothers to experiment with new techniques. In this example, they scripted a moral tale where Betty is “scared straight” by ghosts and goblins. The rotoscoped dance sequence below highlights the amazing Cab Calloway singing “Minnie the Moocher”. Compare the ghost’s natural movements to the more cartoonish skeletons.
Also, if you rewind and view the beginning of the episode, you can see the film footage that was used for the rotoscope!
1937: Snow White
“Snow White” is widely considered to be the first full-length cel-animated feature film. Walt Disney frequently used rotoscoping for his main characters; in this case Snow White. He would film his actors, then carefully trace each frame, giving a natural movement. Compare the look to the doves at around 35 seconds; they are stylized, imaginative Disney creatures. Using both techniques creates the popular look of early Disney movies.
1985: Take On Me
The music video of the rock classic “Take on Me” by AHA, directed by Steve Barron, features an interesting blend of comic book sketches with live action. It won several awards, including six MTV Video Music Awards in 1986, and is widely recognized as a classic in the music video genre.
2001: Waking Life
“Waking Life” is a 2001 rotoscoped film directed by Richard Linklater. It is unique aesthetically as it allows multiple unique styles of the animators. Known for its exploration of philosophical and existential concepts, it uses the thread of lucid dreaming to tie together the very different looks throughout the film.
2006: A Scanner Darkly
In 2006, Warner Brothers produced a full-length rotoscoped motion picture called “A Scanner Darkly”.
It starred Keanu Reaves, Winona Ryder, and Robert Downey Jr., so it was fairly mainstream. Many of the artists/animators and the director, Richard Linklater, worked on Waking Life (above). Enjoy the trailer!
2017: Loving Vincent
A unique example of using rotoscoping is “Loving Vincent”. The entire film is hand-painted in the style of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings, creating a visually stunning experience.
If you have enjoyed these rotoscoped videos, here are links to others that you might like:
- The title sequence to “Mad Men”
- “Girl Talk – Bounce” – A collaborative rotoscoped animation, animated by the students of Professor Matthew Soar at Concordia University in Montréal, as a contribution to the Open Source Cinema Project
- “Oneironaut” – Erica Kobren’s beautiful master thesis about dreaming
- “The Art of Drowning” – Diego Maclean’s rotoscoped animation of a poem by Billy Collins (U.S. Poet Laureate 2001 – 2003)
- “No Time” – Another poem by Billy Collins, animated by Jeff Scher
- Breakbot’s “Baby I’m Yours” – Irina Dakeva – is composed of approx 2000 watercolor paintings. Music from Ed Banger Records
