The Multiplane Camera

Me, being able to use a multiplane camera is in a way a fine example of the wonders of home computers. In real life, they are expensive, huge and takes advanced mathematics to operate. But so much has changed since I was in school. Then and there we waited our turn to get access to everything. Cameras ... the 16mm Bolex ... I think I held less than a dozen times in my last two years at USF. You signed up for hours at the editing bay. And you never saw what you shot until it was far too late. It amazes me that one can import film and sound and literally be done in a days time. That animation technically does not require a camera and that the availability of special effects are readily available. That a mutiplane camera is not only within this small box on my desk but is only a side function of the program being used blows my mind. It is amazing when you think of it.

No matter what Uncle Walt says Disney did not invent the multiplane camera. That honor most likely belongs to German animator, Lottie Reiniger. She is responsible for not only this, but for the first animated feature with "Prince Achmed" in 1926.  Her work was done with shadow puppets that moved frame by frame on a glass panel inserted in a kitchen table. A second plate fastened underneath was used for backgrounds. 

Her assistant, Berthold Bartosch branched out on his own pushing the multiplane process a bit further.

It was Ub Iwerks who brought the multiplane to Hollywood in 1933. He built his with spare parts from a Chevy. His unlike the physical ones of today but interestingly enough live the digital models, ran horizontal instead of vertical.

The Fleischer Brothers had their Stereopitcal or Setback Camera a year later in 1934. Their device consisted of a turn table with model backgrounds behind an animation press plate. 

Disney used the multiplane for the first time in "The Old Mill" in 1937 and later that year in "Snow White." The last movie to use the physical multiplane by Disney was "The Little Mermaid" in 1989. It has since been replaced by the CAPS digital system.   

  

The multiplane that Disney used was a giant. The one I am going to try and incorporate into my work is virtual. The calculations needed are done for me. Two disclaimers ... The first is that these aren't my artwork. My friend, Walt, turned on to the Cartoon Network mini series, "Over the Garden Wall." (This available on Amazon streaming and on YouTube.) I love the backgrounds and modified them to have something "pretty" use. The second is that this is a process and what is bellow is a few baby steps.