Shiryaev animator. History of Soviet animation

In Russia, the first steps in creating animation were taken at the beginning of the 20th century, just like in the West. There was no celluloid in our country, so two methods were used: “landscape” - drawing on plain paper, and puppet animation. The process was quite labor-intensive because the scenery and characters had to be manually redrawn from one sheet of paper to another.

One of the discoverers Russian animation Vladislav Starevich was a beetle lover. He quite clearly and naturally managed to convey the details and individual features of his characters, which were insects.

The arrival of socialist ideology in Russia affected literally everything, including cinema and even animation. If in all other countries animation developed as an entertaining art, in the USSR the first cartoons immediately acquired a political connotation. V. Mayakovsky was one of the first to express ideology in animation. He tried to revive the scenes from his “Windows of GROWTH”.

The first attempts at creating cartoons did not bring much fame to their authors. The formation of this type of creativity occurred in the 30s. At the same time, in 1936, not without the participation of the Komsomol Central Committee, the first and most famous animation studio, Soyuzmultfilm, appeared in Moscow.

Animation courses were opened at the studio. Their graduates included such famous cartoon creators as F. Khitruk, B. Dezhkin, R. Davydov, G. Kozlov and others.

During the period from 40 to 60 years in history Soviet animation many bright names appeared and their famous works. These are the cartoons “Puck, Puck” by B. Dezhkin, “ golden antelope" And " The Snow Queen"L. Atamanov, and the later appeared "Who Said "Meow" by N. Degtyarev. All these works can rightfully be called classics of Soviet animation.

Soviet cartoons, as before, could hardly be called entertaining creativity, or special art for children. All of them had a kind of satirical and philosophical overtones. Separately, we can highlight the director Yu. Norshtein, whose works “Hedgehog in the Fog” and “Tale of Tales” received worldwide recognition over time.

Yuri Norshtein

Subsequently, Russian animation acquired many original and effective techniques. Cartoons were not only drawn, but also sculpted from plasticine, bent from wire, and sprinkled with sand and coffee.
IN Soviet years prevented the global recognition of Russian animation " iron curtain“However, today we can be proud of the work of our animators; their work is appreciated both in Russia and abroad.

There is not a single Russian person who at one time did not watch soviet cartoons. With what trepidation I empathized with the Hare, who was hunted by an insidious, but such naive wolf! And Sadalsky’s voice? Plasticine cartoon “Carrion” last year's snow”, and his charismatic hero, who cannot pronounce “some letters and numbers”, are incomparable. I still enjoy watching it to this day.

Soviet animation has legitimately gone down in history. Not just because it existed, but deservedly so: the masterpieces of Russian directors and artists are still admired by the whole world, they are set as an example for young talents, and are shown to the younger generation. To put it simply modern language, Soviet cartoons have not lost their relevance, and the films created at that time are happily watched by children of the present century.

Classic never goes out of style - everyone has heard this phrase. Well, at least the majority. Soviet animation has become the classic that people look up to. Dear ones, light characters, which with young nails instill humanity, sincerity, introduce the concepts of “good” and “bad”, and very quickly supplanted the gurus of that time in the field of animation on the world stage - the heroes of the Walt Disney studio.

Precursor beetles

First domestic cartoon was published in 1906. There were still more than ten years left before the revolution, life went on as usual, and Disney characters have not yet been heard in the West. The simplest composition of a dozen doll figures that danced against the backdrop of static scenery was not created by an artist, much less a director. Its author was the choreographer who at that time served at the Mariinsky Theater - Alexander Shiryaev. While in London, he purchased a “Biokam” camera; upon arriving home, he asked for permission to photograph ballerinas, but the Directorate imperial theaters She not only refused, but also forbade further attempts to make such attempts. Therefore, his cartoon was shot on 17.5 mm film, on which Shiryaev worked for three whole months. Moreover, the work was incredible - during this period the author literally rubbed a hole in the parquet while running from the set to the camera and in the opposite direction. Both this and several other Shiryaev cartoons were discovered in 2009, but modern masters cartoons just can’t unravel the secrets of the choreographer: the characters in his cartoons didn’t just walk on the “ground,” they also jumped, and flew, and twirled in the air! But the most interesting thing is that Alexander Shiryaev did not even think about creating any new type of art. He tried to reproduce human movement and choreography, and therefore approached the entire filming process very seriously: in order to film the short cartoon ballet “Pierrot and Columbine,” Shiryaev needed more than 7.5 thousand drawings, and for the animated ballet “Harlequin’s Joke” you can even restore variations of past ballets, everything was filmed so accurately and meticulously.

In 1910, an animated documentary film about stag beetles was made. Its creator, Vladislav Starevich, is a biologist by training. Having once intended to show the general public the battle of two male stags for a female, he encountered an unexpected difficulty: when the necessary lighting was organized, the beetles became lethargic and inactive, and were not going to not only fight, but even simply move. Starevich found a way out, not the most humane, but apparently did not see another. And who will take care of preserving the life of the insect? The beetles were dissected, the thinnest wires were attached to their legs, all this obscenity was stuck to the body with wax, and Starevich filmed everything he needed, frame by frame. He used the same technique in the animated parody film “Beautiful Lyukanida, or the War of the Barbels with the Horned Horns,” filmed in 1912. Starevich ridiculed the dominance of pseudo-historical subjects from the life of the aristocracy in his film. Until the mid-20s, the film had incredible success, because the technique of time-lapse filming was not yet widespread (moreover, it was not even really known), and the audience was sincerely amazed at the incredible things that the director managed to achieve from insects... by training! Before the revolution, Starevich made several more films using the same technique, and after that he emigrated to Italy with his family. As a result, animation was paralyzed in the early Soviet space - there was no time for it in a country choking with blood.

However, the new direction recovered from the blow, and already in 1924-1925, Soviet animation was born. It was for its development that “Kultkino” appeared in Moscow. They gathered there pretty quickly talented people who sincerely wanted to develop this type of cinematography. In just one year, the team of cartoonists released as many as five cartoons, including “The Story of a Disappointment” (Boris Savinkov), “ Soviet toys”(dir. D. Vertov, animation by A. Bushkin and A. Ivanov), “German affairs and affairs” (Boris Savinkov). Of course, all the films were political - no one canceled propaganda; and it was impossible to do otherwise, because in the Soviet space it was propaganda that “ruled the roost.” Another circumstance that needs to be noted: the technology that was at the disposal of “Kultkino” and used by the masters to create cartoons was several times different from that which Walt Disney had used by that time. His equipment was much more modern and convenient, and therefore disney cartoons created faster and easier.

But the hand of the Soviet leadership did not hang over Disney, and he could work calmly, without being distracted by propaganda. “Kultkino” had a different task: to release as soon as possible big number propaganda cartoons. The artists fulfilled the management’s requirement with honor, but in order to invest in the schedule set by him, the craftsmen had to significantly simplify the creation technology animated films. Now they used flat puppets - if desired, any child can try to create a cartoon using this technique without leaving home. The principle is simple: draw on cardboard or thick paper future hero cartoon, and is cut out so that the joints are not solid - they are later fastened with hinges. The filming process required a set: the puppet was placed either directly on it or on the glass of the filming table, behind which the directors placed a panoramic image or a simple painted background.

It should be noted that before Soviet animators there was not a single example of how the technology could be improved. Maybe they could use Walt Disney cartoons, but the fact is that they simply weren’t on site Soviet Russia- and every little detail that seems obvious, the masters had to figure out with their own minds. There is something to be proud of - the whole thorny road from beetles on a wire to hand-drawn cartoons was passed independently, every achievement was washed with sweat and blood, and no one can blame domestic animators for plagiarism.

Imagine how much time the artists spent in the studio, if already in 1925 they created the first hand-drawn cartoon! To be fair, I will say that he was not the most best quality- the execution, the direction, and the idea itself were lame (another political propaganda, and that says it all). But “China on Fire,” more like a pamphlet, nevertheless marked with its appearance an incredible breakthrough in the history of Soviet animation.

First cartoon in modern interpretation this word, that is, an animated film made for children, appeared in 1927, and was called “Senka the African.” The basis for its creation was taken from the fairy tales of Korney Ivanovich Chukovsky. His same work, in the same 1927, was again drawn into a cartoon, and “Cockroach” was born. But these were all flowers - the berries were just beginning to ripen.

Birth of a Colossus

In 1934, at the Moscow Film Festival, domestic figures became acquainted with short cartoons about Mickey Mouse. At that time, Fyodor Khitruk was not a director, but a simple animator, and later shared his impressions of what he saw. He was fascinated by the fluidity of frame changes and amazed at the scope and possibilities that animation had to offer when using technology like Disney's. That is why the first works of the legendary “Soyuzmultfilm”, conceived in 1935, were aimed not so much at pleasing the public, but at introducing Western progress and mastering its achievements.

All the studio little things, ready to work for the benefit of domestic animation, merged into one colossus, “born” on June 10, 1936. Initially, the studio was called “Soyuzdetmultfilm”, and only in 1937 it was renamed, taking the name familiar to our ears. The order to create a film studio for animated films was signed by the head of the Main Directorate of the Film and Photo Industry of the USSR, but, according to unconfirmed reports, this same order came directly from Joseph Vissarionovich.

“Soyuzmultfilm” chose not to improve the mechanical movements of the character, but to create his artistic and psychological image. A good example: two Winnie the Pooh, ours and Disney's. The storyline has something in common, the characters are almost completely the same, but how alive it turned out soviet bear cub! The cartoon was stolen for quotes, and even adults, not to mention children, still sing songs from it! When Khitruk’s picture came out, a kind of poll was conducted in favor of the Soviet or Disney cartoons. So, even Wolfgang Reitherman, director of the Disney film studio, admitted that our Winnie the Pooh is much better!

The war interrupted creative process studios. “Soyuzmultfilm” was evacuated to Samarkand, where instead of children’s films, it filmed instructions for soldiers. The lack of funds and strength unsettled him, but he recovered: since 1946, thanks to the same propaganda, ideological campaigns and dedicated work of artists, Soyuzmultfilm has stopped borrowing techniques from the Western multi-industry: in domestic creativity shows its own unique character.

Just look at the famous Soviet Carlson, a man in the prime of his life, drawing brilliant paintings and adoring jam and fresh buns, true friend and an irreplaceable companion in children's games! Soviet children became acquainted with its animated incarnation in 1968. In 1970, the second part, “Carlson is back,” was released. The completion of the trilogy was also planned, but apparently the stars did not align in the right way, and the project could not be implemented.

"Guys let's be friends!" - the kind cat Leopold did not seek to eat the unlucky pests who, with enviable regularity, interfered with his life. The kids learned about him in 1975 - on Creative association“Screen” began filming an animated series about Leopold and the hooligan mice, which lasted until 1987. True, as mine used to say good friend, the first two episodes were filmed “on the boot of a murdered comrade” - “Ekran” did not yet have its own workshop, so they were not drawn, but created using the transfer technique.

The world-famous orange lover and the crocodile, in dire need of friends, met people in 1969, when the book by Eduard Uspensky was filmed. Let at least someone try to convince me that the Soviet Cheburashka has “lost its relevance” or is not interesting modern children! In the same year, another masterpiece, “Well, wait a minute!” comes out. A few years ago I accidentally saw a TV program in which Vyacheslav Kotenochkin talked about his brainchild and shared letters sent by fans of the cartoon. According to the director, one day he received a letter - one sheet of paper, on which was written the only phrase: “Well, Kotenochkin, wait!” For some reason I remember it, just like the cartoon itself. In the 90s, as a little girl, I sat decorously in front of the TV and begged my mother for Once again rewind the tape to the beginning. By the way, “Well, wait a minute!” - government order. It was our leadership that decided to give an answer to Disney animated series, in honor of which a rather large budget was allocated. “Soyuzmultfilm” was not limited in anything: the only wish expressed was to do something funny. Time has shown that the request was fulfilled, and the serial cartoon itself turned into an immortal creation.

It is impossible to list them all. Last year marked exactly 80 years since the founding of Soyuzmultfilm, and during this time more than one and a half thousand cartoons were filmed within its walls! Many of the studio’s works were included in the “Golden Fund” of world animation classics, and more than 400 international prizes and awards from various festivals indicate that the whole world fell in love with Soviet cartoons.

The Soviet Union spared no expense on cinema, including children's animation. Filming was financed from the country's budget, and since this type of art was the most loved and accessible, with its help they tried to give the population an aesthetic and ideological education.

But alas, every fairy tale ends sooner or later. It's over and golden era Soviet animation: since the 90s, very difficult times have come for it. In order to somehow support its existence, Soyuzmultfilm was forced to sell the rights to most Soviet classics foreign buyers, and only in the 2000s, with government help, were these same rights managed to be returned.

The studio gradually began to breathe. The management has changed, and new employees have replaced those who left. Slowly “Soyuzmultfilm” began to return to its usual (and frantic - for me) rhythm. New cartoons continue the glorious tradition of their predecessors, collecting awards at international festivals, and the shooting of the next masterpieces, now Russian animation, is underway.

Cartoons, both Russian and foreign, are loved by people of all ages, not just children. But we don’t think much about how the cartoon appeared, who invented it, what was the first cartoon created in Russia, and more. If you already want to choose an interesting cartoon story for you or your child, enjoy the fabulous storyline and just relax, you can do this on the portal, where a huge selection of cartoons is presented.

The history of Russian animation is very rich, and it can be divided into several main periods. In any case, the largest period occurs in Soviet time, when the creators were mainly Soyuzmultfilm and Ekran.

Alexander Shiryaev became the first animator in Russia, this happened in 1960. It is he who is the father of the first puppet cartoon, where the story talks about twelve dancing little figures, while the scenery of the picture remained unchanged and motionless. The unique first cartoon was shot on 15.5 millimeter film; the author spent three months to release it.

Graphic animation was born between 1924 and 1925. During this period of time, the Kultkino studio, together with a small staff, was able to show the country a huge range of animated films, which includes such works as “The Story of a Disappointment”, “Humoresques”, “An Incident in Tokyo”, “German Affairs and Deeds” and much more other. At this time, the first technologies appeared that help speed up the process of creating cartoons.

Back in 1934, the famous corporation from the United States of America, Walt Disney, sent a roll of film to the Moscow Film Festival. This tape contained everyone's favorite cartoon with Mickey Mouse. Fyodor Khitruk talks about the moment when he saw how quickly personnel was changing, it was amazing that such new opportunities were closed to Russians. Based on this interest, the famous Soyuzmultfilm studio appeared in 1935, whose employees carefully studied Western technologies and capabilities.

But it was only in 1952 that Soviet animators and directors were able to create a complete analogue of Disney's multi-plane camera. In 1953, the cartoon “Naughty Kitten”, Kashtanka, was released. All these cartoons carried both artistic and educational value. This period was marked by a large number of masterpieces, one of which is “The Snow Queen”.

If we talk about the seventies, then the adaptation of animated films was carried out by such studios as the Ekran studio, the Sverdlovsk film studio and many other regional studios. The most famous film at this time was “Polygon”, authored by Anatoly Petrov. In the eighties, the first film was released that was completely drawn - this is “The Secret of the Third Planet”.

Today in Russia there are three largest and most significant studios: Pilot, Melnitsa and the Master Film Film Company. In 2006, Soyuzmultfilm began to regain one of the leading positions.

Not only for little ones, but also for adult viewers. Drawn fairy-tale heroes come to life on the screens, luring you into a world of exciting adventures. In life, moving things do not occur. But animations allow you to turn a set of static pictures into a moving image.

The art of cartoonists gives the viewer the opportunity to temporarily forget that he is not dealing with reality, but with a fairy tale.

Since ancient times, animators have used a variety of images to obtain the desired effects, with the help of which puppet or painted images came to life. Technology is definitely important. But the artist’s intention, script and idea have much more to do with it. Ultimate character animated film is born when animators endow it with individuality and character. These principles, which originated at the dawn of hand-drawn cinema, are also characteristic of modern animation.

Animation masters see their task as conveying to the audience eternal concepts that, unlike technology, do not change over time. Heroes whose behavior is driven by the desire for justice and goodness still look at the viewer from television screens. Evil must be defeated, and love and friendship will surely triumph.

Features of modern animation

Today, almost every creation in the world of animation is the result of using computer technology. Very rarely are characters now sculpted from or drawn on transparent film. The use of computer animation allows us to create characters with extremely high image clarity. Such heroes are able to move like a person. Plastic movements and special effects bring animated films closer to reality.

One of the strongest trends in animated films is the desire for extreme naturalization. But some animation masters believe that the desire to give the film the utmost verisimilitude is a dead end, because the viewer perceives not so much the realism of the details of the picture, but artistic image, created on the screen. It is the fairy-tale, unreal world that attracts the attention of young viewers.

Over the past two decades, three-dimensional animation has emerged and developed. The use of 3D technologies in the production of cartoons became possible only after the release computer equipment to a new level.

Images that create the illusion of a three-dimensional world allow you to create a holistic image that strives for extreme realism.

And yet today's animation masters very often strive to deliberately stylize 3D graphics under hand-drawn. This can be explained by the confrontation of two trends, one of which represents the old school of animation, and the second expresses

They can’t come to a common opinion, what was the very first cartoon in the world? Three cartoons at once can claim the palm. These are "Phantasmagoria" by Emile Cohl, as well as "The Humorous Phases of Funny Faces" and "The Haunted Hotel" by James Stuart Blackton. Even before 1900, J. Stewart Blackton, along with Thomas Edison, made "moving drawings" and filmed them, thereby combining film techniques with graphics. The resulting film was called " Humorous phases funny faces" and presented to the French public on April 6, 1906.

Using the same dynamic animation technique, Blackton created another film in 1907, The Haunted Hotel. But in our understanding, these cartoons were still very imperfect, and only demonstrated some of the capabilities of the animation technique, which was then called the “American Movement.”

Later, these possibilities were used by the French cartoonist Emile Colas in the cartoon Phantasmagoria, shown by Gaumont in August 1908. Although “Phantasmagoria” lasts only one and a half minutes, many experts consider it to be the first full-fledged cartoon in the world. It was drawn on white paper and filmed in negative, with light lines on dark background created an unusual effect.

The first cartoons of Russia and the USSR

By the way, the very first cartoon was made in Russia in 1912, and first soviet cartoon published in 1924. It was called “Soviet Toys” and, of course, promoted the Soviet system.

It came out in 1928 and was called Plane Crazy. Premiere of the very first full-length cartoon Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (original title: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) took place on December 21, 1937. It was a cinematic sensation. In the same year, for his first cartoon, Walt Disney received one full-length and seven small (according to the number of gnomes) Oscar statuettes. Since February 4, 1938, this cartoon has been widely released and to this day occupies a high place among the best animated films.