How Animator Richard Williams Simulated Fluid Camera Movement Using One Drawing Per Frame

In a very illustrative video essay, Andrew Saladino of The Royal Ocean Film Society takes a look at legendary animator Richard Williams and his incredible ability to simulate fluid, three-dimensional camera movements just by decreasing the ratio to one drawing per frame. Most animation at the time was usually created with a 1:2 ratio, 1:4 ration or even a 1:6 ratio, but in using his 1:1 ratio, Williams was able to give his characters smooth and dynamic movement, particularly across a checkerboard floors.

In a world where live-action and animation are growing closer and closer to one another, Richard Williams was and still is one of the last remaining members of the old guard who wanted to push animation in the exact opposite direction, to do what no other medium can, and that’s perhaps most evident in the masterful way in which his films move.

First #RoyalOcean of 2018 dives into the animated world of RICHARD WILLIAMS to explore how animation can move in a way that live-action can't.https://t.co/TJCl6E2AEG

— Andrew Saladino (@andymsaladino) January 10, 2018