GB929676A - Production of animated pictures - Google Patents

Abstract

929,676. Production of animated pictures. H. FREUDENHEIM, and J. D. CHAMBERS. Dec. 19, 1961 [Dec. 19, 1960; March 30, 1961], Nos. 43613/60 and 11839/61. Classes 97 (1) and 98 (2). In a process for producing animated pictures in recorded form, several identical sets of transfers are made from a set of original drawings comprising representations of a cycle of successive positions of the picture element in a movement which because of its recurrence in different contexts, for example in various positions and movements of other picture elements, can be treated as a unit in the animation process, and the sets of transfers are used to create the corresponding unit movement in the animated sequences by applying transfers of a set to individual supporting sheets to produce transferred images at desired locations onthe sheets. As an example, a number of drawings of a leg are made in all the positions necessary to produce an animated picture sequence of the walking of a leg. Several identical sets of transfers from these drawings are then produced and applied to individual supporting sheets in juxtaposition to other picture elements (e.g. a body portion and other limbs, transfers of which may be prepared in the same manner) to produce the desired animated picture sequences. A library of transparencies may be collected. Transparent support sheets, each with a part (e.g. a single character) of a complete picture formed thereon from transfers may be laid in superposition over a background sheet bearing a desired stationary background scene. Successive assemblies of sheets may be photographed to produce animated film strips or the sheets themselves may comprise parts of a continuous strip. For television applications, the pictures may be recorded on magnetic tape. The transfers may be coloured. Opaque transfers may be produced for use in the travelling matte process. Transfers may be applied directly to the pages of a " flicker book " or the sheets on which the transfers are supported may be bound to form such a book. Alternatively, successive pictures may be printed on to the pages of a flicker book using plates prepared photographically from assemblies of transparencies on transparent support sheets.