Xerox Animation: How It Revolutionized Disney and Changed the Course of Animation

by Jasmine April 6, 2024

written by Jasmine April 6, 2024

How Xerox Technology Revolutionized Disney Animation

The Birth of a New Era

In the mid-20th century, the animation industry was facing a crisis. Traditional animation methods were becoming increasingly expensive, tedious, and time-consuming. This put a strain on Disney’s beloved animation department, threatening its very existence.

In a stroke of innovation, Ken Anderson, art director for the upcoming film “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” proposed using Xerox technology to streamline the animation process. Xeroxing allowed animators to copy their sketches directly onto transparent celluloid sheets, eliminating the need for artists and assistants to hand-trace them.

The Impact of Xerox Animation

This new technique had a profound impact on Disney’s animation style. The dark outlines created by Xeroxing gave characters and backgrounds a more modern, graphic look. While some criticized this harsher aesthetic, it also allowed for a greater freedom of expression and spontaneity in the sketches.

The Benefits of Xeroxing

Xerox animation offered several key advantages over traditional methods:

Reduced Costs: Xeroxing eliminated the need for time-consuming and expensive tracing and clean-up steps.
Increased Efficiency: Animators could now create polished sketches that could be directly transferred to cels, saving significant time and effort.
Preservation of Original Sketches: Animators’ sketches were no longer altered through the tracing process, preserving their original intent and vitality.

The Challenges of Xeroxing

Despite its benefits, Xerox animation also presented some challenges:

Harsh Lines: The dark outlines created by Xeroxing could sometimes appear harsh and distracting, especially compared to the more subtle lines of traditional animation.
Limited Color Options: Xeroxing initially limited the color options for outlines, which could affect the visual appeal of the characters.
Preservation Issues: The delicate toner used in Xeroxing could flake off over time, compromising the integrity of the original cels.

The Legacy of Xerox Animation

Disney used Xerox animation for the next 30 years, producing classic films such as “The Sword in the Stone,” “The Jungle Book,” and “The Little Mermaid.” In the 1990s, computer animation technology replaced Xeroxing, offering even greater flexibility and artistic control.

The Preservation of Disney’s Heritage

Today, Disney is committed to preserving the original appearance of its classic Xeroxed films. Artists carefully repaint the lines on the cels to restore the films’ visual integrity. However, some fans prefer the nostalgic charm of the original, untouched Xeroxed versions.

Conclusion

Xerox technology played a pivotal role in revolutionizing Disney animation. It allowed the studio to create iconic films with a unique and distinctive visual style. While computer animation has since become the dominant technology, Xerox animation remains a testament to the enduring power of innovation and the creativity of Disney’s legendary animators.

Jasmine

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