Rotoscoping is an animation technique in which animators trace over footage, frame-by-frame. Early pioneers (such as the Fleischer brothers) used this technique to animate their characters. Disney used the technique on “Snow White”: They shot an actress dancing and traced over the footage to create life-like movement. However, the studio soon dismissed this technique, judging its effect uncanny.
Digital software has made the rotoscoping process more streamlined and a few recent films have made interesting use of the technique’s unique style.
“Waltz with Bashir” uses rotoscoping to evoke the hazy memory and nightmarish visions of its protagonist.
