Undone

Some information including quotes originated from the Sept./Oct. ‘19 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 293).

Today we take a look at a beautiful contemporary animation series “Undone,” which if you’ve seen the series, has a distinct style that’s both fluid and realistic. The animation was created using the rotoscope technique, which traces the movements of real actors.

Rotoscoping was invented by Max Fleischer, who had a vision to bring a sense of realism and fluidity to animated characters. He believed that by tracing the movements of live actors frame by frame, he could achieve more lifelike animation. This vision led him to develop the rotoscope, a device that projected live-action footage onto a drawing board, allowing artists to trace over each frame and capture the subtle movements and nuances of human actors.

A notable example of Fleischer's use of rotoscoping include the 1933 short film, "Snow-White," where the character Koko the clown was created by tracing the movements of actor Cab Calloway. If you didn’t know it, you may be surprised and impressed by the smooth and lifelike movements of the animated character. Rotoscoping was not limited to tracing over live actors. For instance, Fleischer and his team rotoscoped animals to achieve more accurate and naturalistic movements in films such as "Gulliver's Travels" (1939) and "Mr. Bug Goes to Town" (1941). Fleischer's commitment to detail and authenticity through rotoscoping pushed the boundaries of animation during that era.

Traditionally, rotoscoping was done manually, which was a labor-intensive and tedious process. The technique has evolved significantly with the advance of digital technology. Digital rotoscoping has enabled artists to save time and improve the quality of the animation process. Artists can use rotoscoping to capture the motion of real actors or objects, and then digitally enhance and combine them with computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create visually stunning and realistic animations, such as the fantastic motion imagery exhibited in “Undone.”

The story of Undone revolves around Alma, a woman in her twenties, voiced by Rosa Salazar, who starts seeing visions of her deceased father, voiced by Bob Odenkirk, after surviving a near-fatal car accident. She soon discovers that she possesses the ability to travel through space and time. The show's visually stunning aesthetic owes much to acclaimed director Hisko Hulsing, a Dutch animator renowned for his award-winning shorts such as Junkyard and Seventeen. "Hisko is absolutely amazing," says Bob-Waksberg, the show’s cocreator along with Kate Purdy. "He suggested using rotoscopy to capture the subtle expressions of the animated characters' faces, and we all loved the idea." Purdy adds, "We aimed for a style that felt grounded and realistic, yet still animated enough to seamlessly accommodate the show's surreal elements. We wanted a smooth transition between the real and the unreal."

The production process of the show sets it apart from other animated series. Purdy humorously remarks, "It's like making the show three times." First, they shoot the show in live action in Hollywood. The footage is then sent to Minnow Mountain Studio in Austin, known for their work on films like A Scanner Darkly and Waking Life. Here, the footage is meticulously rotoscoped, with specific lines chosen for animation to convey the characters' emotions. Finally, the material heads to Submarine Studio in Amsterdam, where Hisko oversees the animation and the backgrounds are hand-painted with oil, complemented by the addition of various elements during the compositing process.

The beautiful visuals of the show are buttressed by a captivating storyline filled with characters who are connected to the show’s backdrop, and emotes true feelings through personal stories. The central character is strong and captivating Latinx woman. Purdy emphasizes the importance of diversity on screen and the desire to authentically represent the culture, heritage, and demographics of San Antonio, where she has personal connections. Having spent time in both Austin and San Antonio, as well as living with her family in Mexico for a few years, Purdy wanted to provide a realistic portrayal of the city's makeup.

Undone is a testament to the dedication and creativity of its collaborators, showcasing the power of their collective efforts in delivering a thought-provoking and visually striking animated series, created through innovative and impressive use of rotoscoping. It is one of our favorites, and we recommend anyone with an interest in animation to check it out.