MovieChat Forums > Space Jam (1996) Discussion > How much of the animation was hand drawn...

How much of the animation was hand drawn vs. CGI?

posted 11 years ago by Crustacean_Predation
4 replies | jump to latest

Were the LT characters themselves all hand drawn? On some of the aliens it's kind of hard to tell, it looks like they might've been touched up with CGI a bit, but maybe because they had to blend it with the live action? Obviously effects done to Jordan were by computers, and some of the areas and backgrounds looked like it too.

[–] Catgurl22 11 years ago

As far as I know, all the LT characters and the Mon-Stars were hand-drawn but on the computer. They were then also colored on the computer.

These days nobody uses traditional cel animation. Everything is done on the computer but they didn't create computerized models of the cartoon characters (like Pixar do). The characters and their animation was all hand drawn.

I recall vaguely seeing a "making of" video of Space Jam and it showed actors dressed in green suits playing with Jordan in the basketball scenes and then the animators drew the Mon-Stars on the actors, using their movements as a guide.

Mr McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!

[–] Crustacean_Predation 11 years ago

They were then also colored on the computer.

Ah, I think that's what it is. I looked at it again today for a few minutes since it's re-airing and now it is much more clear. There is a lot of shading and shadow gradients on the characters, giving them a semi-3D look. That must be why I was confused. Thanks.

[–] Catgurl22 11 years ago

You are most welcome! I'm glad I could help.

There is a lot of shading and shadow gradients on the characters, giving them a semi-3D look.

Exactly. Even Disney, when they were still doing traditional hand-drawn animation (still using pencil and paper instead of computer tablets), used to scan the pencil drawings into the computer and then color them using the computer. This saved costs and also gave the drawings a softer gradient shadow. Examples of Disney movies which have used this technique include "The Lion King", "Aladdin" and "Tarzan" just to name a few.

In comparison, if you look at any of the old Disney movies like "Pinocchio" or "Dumbo" etc., you will notice that they have a sharp, crisp shadow outline. Also the old Looney Tunes cartoons have this same appearance since back then there were no computers and all coloring was done by hand.

Mr McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!

[–] 11 years ago

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