What is rotoscoping? Learn all about this animation technique (+ course guide)

Imagine yourself watching live-action footage, a movie sequence or character motion, and wondering:

“How can I do this in animation?”.

The answer to this question can be: using the art of rotoscoping.

Rotoscoping allows any subject to be recorded on video and used as the basis for an animated character.

In this process, keyframes from the video are traced by hand or computer to reproduce the subject’s natural motion.

But that’s not all. To address what rotoscoping is, you are invited to dive into this complete rotoscoping animation review guide to understand all about the technique.

So, let’s get started.

What is Rotoscoping?

As we said, rotoscoping is the technique used by animators to create realistic motion.

In essence, it helps add more life to animated actions, characters, and objects because they were designed from live-footage.

The technique goes back to the early days of cinema, when animators used to trace live-action footage projected frame-by-frame onto paper, either to use as motion reference or directly copy into their work.

Why is it so important?

For easy understanding, imagine tracing or drawing a shape around an object in a captured live frame, cutting it out and pasting in another frame, or adding to it to make the changes you need.

By tracing an object, moviemakers could create a silhouette they can use to extract the purpose from a scene for use on unique backgrounds.

In other words, it is possible to say that the rotoscope animation has allowed the improvement of visual effects in any process of recording using motion.

Over the years, computers and software replaced the manual process.

Nowadays, it involves the use of automated techniques and features from software like Matte, Mask, Paint, Motion Tracking, Roto, and Compositing, which are considered after-effects in Visual Effects (VFX).

Rotoscoping is a great way to get started in motion design, because you can incorporate movements quickly, without having to know all the principles of animation.

Who created the technique?

Photo: Max Fleischer, creator of the early animated cartoons

The animation technique of Rotoscoping was created by Max Fleischer – a Polish-American animator, director, and inventor of the rotoscoping technology, which he patented in 1915.

Back then, it was known as the “Fleischer Process” and was used exclusively by him. For you to have an idea, it took three years to make his invention a popular technique.

When was the first time the technique was used?

Max Fleischer has used the technique in his animated series Out of the Inkwell (1918-1927) – notable for being the first rotoscope animation.

The groundbreaking work was produced to demonstrate the invention of the rotoscope technique, featuring the famous “Koko the Clown” animated character modeled by his younger brother – Dave Fleischer.

Besides “Koko”, Fleischer Studios used the technique for other animated characters like Popeye (1933), and Gulliver in Gulliver’s Travel (1939).

How was rotoscoping used before the digital era?

The history of rotoscoping and huge film studios starts in the 1930s. More specifically, in 1934, when Fleischer’s patent and exclusivity to use rotoscoping expired, and other animators and studios started using rotoscoping freely.

Who was interested in the expiration of the rotoscoping patent?

Walter Elias Disney. Yes, Walt Disney.

Disney adopted the rotoscoping technique, but used it slightly differently.

Instead of tracing over footage that was already filmed, Disney filmed live-action footage as a reference for character movement.

This new technique was first used for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1938, and continued to be used for all of his following features.

For producing Alice in Wonderland, in 1951, Disney had to rotoscope body movement, mouth, and face motion.

Fun fact: Walt Disney and Max Fleischer became best friends.

Photo: Max Fleischer (center) visits Walt Disney. At right is Fleischer’s son Richard, a film producer.

Is rotoscoping still in use today?

As we said, before the digital era, Rotoscoping was more traditional and time-consuming as it was done manually.

It’s possible to imagine how complicated the rotoscoping process was today with the usage of automated software.

But, answering the question of the topic, yes, rotoscoping is still widely in use today and in some major blockbusters like Planet of Apes and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Curious to know about other famous movies that made use of this technique? Then, take a look at the next topic.

Which movies have used the rotoscoping technique?

The number of movies that have used the rotoscoping technique since it was first invented by Fleischer is countless. But here is a list of popular films you may have watched that utilized this revolutionary technique:

• Star Wars applied the technique to create a glow to the legendary lightsabers, which were just wooden sticks and swords held by the actors in live footage;
• Lord of the Rings used rotoscoping to bring to life the iconic character Gollum;
• Mary Poppins applied it to remove a bunch of objects from her flights on the stage
• Planet of Apes implemented it to create the apes’ movements;
• Guardians of the Galaxy put the technology into use to create the character Groot.

Why is rotoscoping the process that every VFX roto artist should learn?

As we can see, rotoscoping is an important process for image manipulation.

The animation profession has known the importance of adapting to new technologies and today it is crucial within the film studios, production companies or any company that makes film production.

For motion graphics, live-action, realistic visual graphics, rotoscoping is a relevant art of physical animation.

How long does rotoscoping take?

The time to rotoscope depends on several factors such as:

• The length of the project, e.g. a 6-minute part;
• The capability and suitability of the rotoscoping software used,
• The amount of object, characters, or things being rotoscoped

Good news: Rotoscoping isn’t as complicated as something like Blockchain. But, of course, you have to study to learn. In summary, rotoscoping takes some time. Needless to say, it requires a lot of effort and a level of perfection to achieve a realistic effect.

Conclusion

Every new visual artist ranging from Animators to YouTubers and new filmmakers, be it up and coming or professional, is embracing the art of Rotoscoping as a vital tool to VFX.

There are a variety of resources and software applications to get you started apart from the leading ones we highlighted above.