Paperman: When CGI Meets Hand-drawn Animation
The days are long over when Disney rested on its animation laurels and for some years now it has been successful in releasing a stream of movies that for the most part have been well received at the box office. This has been thanks to the firm continuing to surprise audiences with its technical prowess, while sticking to its tried and true formula of banal, feel-good plotlines.
A recent short displays this winning combo to perfection. I missed Wreck-It Ralph in the theaters but apparently the Paperman animation preceded it. Now up for an Academy Award, Disney has posted this online to build momentum and it has aleady been viewed 8 million times, so you could say it is a hit. While the storyline is the classic boy-gets-girl, more interesting is its animation technique, which involved Disney artists drawing over a stylized CGI layer. The effect is pleasing and it's one we'll no doubt encounter in future full-length movies. Along with similarly forgettable storylines.
Chris Dickman
Editor, Graphics.com
As years progress, we can expect more improvements to the processes used in making animation films. What I saw with Paperman though is so heartwarming because it is in its simplicity that I found beauty. There are times when it is the simple things that tug at our heartstrings and that is what's happening with this short film.
Thanks for sharing.