Rotoscoping isn’t a novel technique. It’s been around since 1915, but like many other pieces of technology, it’s evolved a lot since then. Once you know what it is, it’s likely that you’ll be able to catch when rotoscoping is being used—but before we get to examples of rotoscope animation:
What is Rotoscoping?
Rotoscoping is an animation technique where live-action footage would be traced over. These silhouettes are usually drawn or painted over to give the model new life, since the aim of the process was for movements to appear as seamless and realistic as possible.
Max Fleischer patented the rotoscope technique, back in 1917. The fruit of his work was the silent film series “Out of the Inkwell”, where his invention was demonstrated by Koko the Clown—an animated character that was the rotoscope of Max’s brother.
His now antiquated rotoscope method was to project film onto the back of a glass panel, to which animators would place a sheet of paper atop to draw on. The process was meticulous—each second consists of multiple frames, so it was less than easy to successfully string together a coherent animated piece. Yet, rotoscope animation was, and still is shunned. Some argue that the technique is lazy, or that using it was “cheating” since tracing was involved.
However, its critiques didn’t stop rotoscoping methods from blooming. It was still used in famed live-action movies like “Star Wars’” lightsabers —or in “Tron” (1982) for certain segments of the movie. The fully animated “Snow White” (1937) movie was rotoscoped as well—the human characters were the result of this technique, which proved to be especially helpful for dance scenes.
In modern day media, rotoscoping has become slightly easier. It’s been digitised, so there’s no need for glass and projectors. Besides that, modern software allows rotoscope artists to use vector shapes and interpolation. This means that modern programs would copy and use basic forms that an animator provides, to form other movements.
Why Rotoscope?
What advantages does rotoscoping have over other methods of animation? Like any other technique, it does have its faults. If done either poorly or by inexperienced rotoscope artists, rotoscoped animation of humans can seem uncanny valley. Briefly, it’s the unsettled emotional response evoked when humanoids closely resemble humans in numerous aspects, but aren't quite persuasively natural. Typically, this phenomenon does have negative connotations attached to it.
However, there are situations where its downsides can be leveraged and exaggerated to the benefit of the media. Rotoscope animations shine the most under the genres of horror and comedy, arguably so.
The Rotoscope Animation Technique in Action
We’ve established that titles like Star Wars and Tron did implement rotoscope in their movies, but this section will mostly focus on fully rotoscoped characters, sequences, or other larger bodies of rotoscoping.
Horror and Thrillers:
Rotoscope animation has found its place in genres made to evoke fear in its audiences. When the movements of the creatures or other antagonistic figures are horrifyingly humanoid, yet not completely accurate to real life, it creates tension. Here are a few examples of how rotoscope artists cleverly employ the former.
1. Faith: The Unholy Trinity
Faith is a three chaptered, 8-bit survival horror game, where players assume control of a priest who has been tasked with the completion of a failed exorcism.
In an isometric view, the priest would roam around the world of Faith with next to nothing, besides a crucifix. Rotoscope animation would come in the form of cutscenes—this includes scenes of enemy encounters, attacks and other miscellaneous horror cinematics. Airdorf, the developer and rotoscope artist, had acted out the references for the animation himself. This can be found in local game files but has then been uploaded to YouTube titled, “Reference video | Faith: the unholy trinity”.
Undoubtedly, its storytelling and gameplay had heavily influenced the success of the trilogy—but the emotions elicited from the game’s rotoscoping had solidified its standout place in modern gaming’s horror genre.
2. The Flowers of Evil
The Flowers of Evil surrounds three school students from a small prefecture of Japan. Takao steals his muse’s clothes—and is caught and blackmailed by a classmate.
It’s an adaptation of the first 20 chapters of a popular manga of the same name, however, rotoscope animation’s poor reputation had followed this adaptation’s reception. Fans were torn—some hated the use of rotoscoping, while some believed it only added to the psychological thriller elements of the anime. The characters resembled the rotoscoped actors more than their original manga forms. This was a point of contention for diehard fans, but arguably, the uncanniness of realistic human figures over the distinctive art style of modern anime only exacerbated the show’s unsettling atmosphere.
3. Kowabon
Kowabon plays on the “found footage” trope, a format popularised by movies like “Blair Witch” or ARGs like “Marble Hornets”. This particular rotoscoped series is made up of 13 episodes, each with differing plots, but all taking place through the lens of a camera.
Essentially, the series is based around the idea of the unknown, despite technological advancements. Rotoscope animation aids the show in numerous ways. We’ve established how the obscured human movements can be eerily otherworldly, so to skim past that, this show definitely uses that quirk to its advantage. More notably so, the rotoscoped characters are befit of the show’s concept, seeing as how we watch each episode through a camera’s point of view.
Comedy:
Happiness and fear may lie on opposite ends of a spectrum, yet rotoscoping is a technique that is versatile enough to cover the expanses between the two emotions. The way rotoscope animation can be used to rouse laughter is typically through abhorrently smooth frames and awkward movements.
1. Smiling Friends
This series is a surreal adult comedy that centres around the small, titular hotline company. Employees are tasked to ensure the public’s happiness, which eventually, proves itself to be no easy feat. Calls received leads the main cast through humorously convoluted misadventures, each praised for its bizarre humour.
Unique to this list, only a few characters are consistently rotoscoped—Doug and Party Bro. Therefore, the rotoscoping in this series sticks out like a sore thumb, its clashing contrasts the main four characters, comedically.
2. Betty Boop
Betty Boop is a classic comedy film series, and it was produced by Dave Fleischer—the older brother of Max Fleischer. Dave was heavily involved in the development of rotoscoping, so it was only natural for him to come up with a rotoscope series of his own. Similar to Snow White, Betty Boop’s dance sequences were animated using this very technique. The uncannily fluid movements contribute to the slapstick comedic directions of the show.
Overview
Rotoscoping has an extensive history, and its adaptations haven’t been limited to just cinema, but can be commonly found in commercials or music videos. Judging from the animated we’ve covered thus far; it is evident that rotoscope artists will continue to have a place in the industry for the foreseeable future. It does have its faults, but if used cleverly, it could fit right into the genre a rotoscope artist is going for.
Commonly Asked Questions:
1. What are the best rotoscoping programs?
Blender, Daz 3D and Silhouette are highly praised for its functions, within the circle of rotoscope artists. Each software has its own benefits, so it is best to choose what fits your rotoscope animation needs.
2. Rotoscoping vs Motion Capture – What are the differences?
Rotoscope artists trace over live-action footage, while in motion capture, records action in real time with specialised equipment.
Rotoscoping, although not easily pulled off, can be done at home. Mocap requires heavier technology, that professionals are privy to.
3. What skills does rotoscoping require?
Patience and artistry. These two practices can easily be applied to any form of creation, but this is especially true for rotoscoping. Despite having modern programs that interpolate frames for you, tracing keyframes is still a meticulous process. Besides that, it’s important to have a good sense of artistic direction and creativity, to get a good reference to rotoscope—and to turn the reference into a new piece.
4. Is rotoscoping still used nowadays?
Rotoscoping is definitely still used in the present day—technology is continuously adapting to cater to rotoscope artists’ needs!
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR, and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
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