Disney’s Influence on the Animation Industry Through its Pioneering Works

8 min readJan 31, 2023

Disney’s epic journey into animation started in the roaring 20s and has since become a legendary tale of innovation, creativity, and captivating storytelling.

From the birth of Mickey Mouse to the release of timeless classics such as “Snow White” and “Fantasia,” Disney has enchanted audiences for generations and changed the game forever.

Starting with just a handful of talented animators and a big dream, Disney has skyrocketed to become a worldwide entertainment powerhouse packed with a rich history of boundary-pushing and game-changing projects.

With each new release, Disney has pushed the limits of what was thought possible in animation, introducing cutting-edge technologies and techniques that have now become industry staples.

Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fanatic or just discovering the magic for the first time, this company’s impact on the world of animation is impossible to ignore.

From its humble beginnings to its reign as a superpower, Disney’s journey is a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring appeal of animated storytelling.

The influence of Disney on the animation industry

Disney’s epic journey into animation started in the roaring 20s and has since become a legendary tale of innovation, creativity, and captivating storytelling.

From the birth of Mickey Mouse to the release of timeless classics such as “Snow White” and “Fantasia,” Disney has enchanted audiences for generations and changed the game forever.

With each new release, Disney has pushed the limits of what was thought possible in animation, introducing cutting-edge technologies and techniques that have now become industry staples.

Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fanatic or just discovering the magic for the first time, this company’s impact on the world of animation is impossible to ignore.

From its humble beginnings to its reign as a superpower, Disney’s journey is a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring appeal of animated storytelling.

The Importance of Disney in the Animation Industry

Disney is one of the most iconic and influential companies in the world of animation. From its early beginnings in the 1920s to its present-day dominance, Disney has played a significant role in shaping the animation industry and setting the standards for animated storytelling.

Early Years of Disney Animation

Disney began its animated journey in the 1920s with a spark of imagination and a mouse named Mickey. Mickey quickly became a beloved character, paving the way for the historic release of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937.

This landmark film, the first-ever full-length animated feature, was a massive triumph both commercially and critically, solidifying Disney’s position as a pioneering force in animation.

The Golden Age of Disney Animation

Disney’s impact on the animation industry only continued to grow from there. The company continued to innovate and push the boundaries of what was possible in animation, from the release of classic films like “Fantasia” and “Bambi,” to the development of multi-plane camera techniques that greatly improved the quality of animation.

With each new project, Disney solidified its position as an industry leader, inspiring other studios and filmmakers and setting the standard for animated storytelling.

Today, nearly a century after its journey began, Disney remains one of the most influential and important companies in the animation world, captivating audiences with its timeless stories and groundbreaking technology.

Disney Animation’s Golden Era Explained

The Renaissance of Disney Animation

Disney’s animation department was reignited in the 1980s and 1990s with a series of groundbreaking films that captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences worldwide.

The release of “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast” marked a turning point for the company, showcasing its unparalleled creativity and innovation in animation.

These beloved films, along with others like “Aladdin” and “The Lion King,” marked a new era of success for Disney and cemented the company’s reputation as a leader in the industry.

In addition to its feature film successes, Disney significantly impacted television animation during this time.

With hit shows like “DuckTales” and “TaleSpin,” Disney brought its signature magic and storytelling to the small screen, captivating audiences of all ages and solidifying its position as a dominant force in the animation industry.

But it wasn’t just the captivating stories and beloved characters that made Disney’s resurgence groundbreaking. The company was also at the forefront of developing new technologies and animation techniques that allowed them to create even more realistic and visually stunning animated films.

From the groundbreaking use of computer-generated imagery in “Toy Story” to the sweeping landscapes of “Tarzan,” Disney continued to push the boundaries of what was possible in animation and set the standard for the industry.

In short, the 1980s and 1990s marked a new era of success and creativity for Disney, as the company continued to captivate audiences with its timeless stories and groundbreaking technology.

The History of Walt Disney Animation Studios | Animation Lookback

Contemporary Disney Animation

Disney continues to cast a spell on the animation industry, with a rich history of creating timeless tales and introducing cutting-edge technology. In recent years, Disney’s animation department has upheld this legacy, producing various films and TV shows that entertain and inspire audiences of all ages.

The “Frozen” franchise, which began in 2013 with the release of the first film, has become a worldwide phenomenon. With a heartwarming message and an unforgettable soundtrack, “Frozen” captured the hearts of audiences everywhere. The franchise has only continued to grow since the release of “Frozen 2” in 2019.

Disney’s impact can also be seen in the “Zootopia” franchise, where important social issues are addressed in a world filled with talking animals.

The first film, released in 2016, was both a critical and commercial success and has since grown into a beloved franchise.

In the world of television animation, Disney continues to shine with hit shows such as “Star vs. The Forces of Evil” and “Gravity Falls.” These shows showcase Disney’s signature storytelling and innovation, appealing to audiences of all ages and establishing the company as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

Disney’s contemporary animation also showcases the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

From “Moana,” celebrating Polynesian culture, to “Raya and the Last Dragon,” exploring Southeast Asian mythology, Disney highlights stories and cultures worldwide, creating a more diverse and inclusive world through its animated tales.

Animation Style

Disney has been at the forefront of animation since the 1920s and has used various animation techniques and technologies. Here are some of the different types of animation that Disney has utilized:

2D hand-drawn animation

Disney’s early films, such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “Fantasia,” were created using traditional 2D hand-drawn animation techniques. This involved creating each film frame by hand, using pencils and ink.

3D computer animation

Disney has always been known for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in animation. The incorporation of 3D computer animation in the 1990s was no exception. The introduction of this technology in films like “Toy Story” marked a major turning point in the animation industry, allowing Disney and other studios to create more lifelike and immersive animated worlds and characters than ever before.

One of the biggest benefits of 3D computer animation was the level of detail that could be achieved. For example, in “Toy Story,” the textures on Woody’s pull-string vest and Buzz Lightyear’s spacesuit were incredibly realistic, giving the characters a level of depth and dimensionality that was previously impossible.

This increased realism added to the story’s immersion and made audiences more emotionally invested in the characters and their journey.

Another benefit of 3D computer animation was the ability to create more complex and dynamic action scenes. For example, in “A Bug’s Life,” the film’s army of ants could efficiently perform intricate and coordinated dance numbers and battle scenes, which would have been difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional 2D animation techniques.

Since its inception, 3D computer animation has become an indispensable tool in animation. Disney has continued to use it to great effect in films like “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” and “Up.” Today, 3D computer animation is used by animation studios worldwide and has become an integral part of the art form.

The incorporation of 3D computer animation in the 1990s was a major milestone in animation’s history and profoundly impacted the industry. Allowing Disney and other studios to create more detailed and realistic animated worlds and characters paved the way for new and exciting possibilities in animated storytelling.

Stop-motion animation

Disney has also experimented with stop-motion animation, which involves physically manipulating objects and filming them one frame at a time. One of Disney’s most famous stop-motion films is “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

( side note: The Nightmare Before Christmas was originally going to be released under Walt Disney Pictures as part of the Walt Disney Feature Animation lineup, but Disney decided to release the film under their adult-themed label Touchstone Pictures because the studio thought the film would be “too dark and scary for kids. )

Claymation

Another type of stop-motion animation that Disney has used is claymation, which involves using clay figures to create animated scenes. One notable Disney film that used claymation is “James and the Giant Peach.”

Motion capture

In recent years, Disney has begun using motion capture technology in its animation, which involves recording live-action performances and using them to create animated characters. This technique has been used in films such as “Zootopia” and “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

These are just a few of the many different types of animation that Disney has used over the years.

With each new project, Disney continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in animation and remains one of the most influential companies in the industry.

References:

Disney History. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://www.disneyhistory.com/
The Golden Age of Disney Animation. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://www.history.com/topics/golden-age-of-disney-animation
The Renaissance of Disney Animation. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://www.history.com/topics/renaissance-of-disney-animation
Contemporary Disney Animation. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://www.history.com/topics/contemporary-disney-animation

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