Theory of Animation

The Wells reading on the “Theory of Animation” was an interesting read comparing both traditional animation and experimental animation. What I found most interesting about the article was Wells’ thoughts on the absence/presence of the artist. Prior to reading the article I had never really given much thought to the idea that the presence of the artist in traditional animation was gone. I assumed that of course the artist was involved. However, after reading the article I definitely agree with Wells. The animation, as Wells explains, touches so many hands that it loses the connection with its creator. Wells expands on this loss of connection through his responses to each step of the process of development for orthodox animation.

Wells goes on to explain that for experimental animation “sometimes these ‘visions’ are impenetrable and resist easy interpretation, being merely the absolutely individual expression of the artist” (Pg. 45). In thinking about what this quote, and what Wells said about experimental animation, I have a new found respect for experimental animation. All that, sometimes craziness, which appears on screen, is the artist directly communicating their vision with me. This connection between the artist and the viewer is lost through traditional animation.

I think Wells presents a insightful argument on orthodox vs. experimental animation, and one that has made me think differently about animation in general.