ANIMATION

Saturday Morning Animation History: The Birth Of Animation (1900s–1930s)

Name: Saturday Morning Animation History: The Birth Of Animation (1900s–1930s)
Brand: Brennan Bova
Price: 45.0 CAD
Availability: InStock

Spend a morning exploring the birth of animation through a curated screening of landmark works from the 1900s through the 1930s. Trace the creative breakthroughs, rivalries and technical innovations that shaped the medium, from Winsor McCay and Max Fleischer to Disney and early Looney Tunes. Along the way, you’ll see how rotoscoping, synchronized sound, cel animation and the multiplane camera changed visual storytelling, then wrap up with an informal Q&A and conversation with other animation and film fans.

All Materials Included

Curated screening materials and presentation content are provided.

ART HUB

Screening and discussion at the Urban Art Collective Art Hub.

Small Class Size

6 minimum · 12 maximum

SKILL LEVEL

All Levels

WORKSHOP RUNDOWN

Phase 1: Silent Origins & Vaudeville Breakthroughs

Explore early works including Fantasmagorie, How a Mosquito Operates and Gertie the Dinosaur. Look at how early animators began developing character personality, performance timing and some of the foundational principles that would shape the medium.

Phase 2: The Fleischer Genius & Sound Revolution

Explore Max Fleischer’s rotoscope, Out of the Inkwell, Betty Boop and Popeye while tracing the transition into synchronized sound and music. See how new technical approaches expanded what animated characters and environments could do on screen.

Phase 3: Disney, Mickey & Looney Tunes

Trace Walt Disney’s path from Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Mickey Mouse and Steamboat Willie, then compare that approach with the emerging Warner Bros. style associated with Tex Avery, Friz Freleng and Bob Clampett.

Phase 4: Depth, Cels & Feature Animation

Examine the multiplane camera through The Old Mill and the transition toward feature-length cel animation with Snow White. Finish with an open Q&A and informal conversation about the films, artists and ideas explored during the session.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

By The End Of This Session, You Will:

Understand the foundational history of animation from the early 1900s through the 1930s.
Recognize key figures including Winsor McCay, Max Fleischer, Walt Disney and Tex Avery.
Understand how rotoscoping, synchronized sound, cel animation and the multiplane camera changed the medium.
See connections between early animation techniques and the visual storytelling approaches that followed.
Leave with a stronger historical context for the films, studios and creative breakthroughs that shaped modern animation.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Brennan Bova

Brennan Bova is an animator, designer and educator with 16 years in the industry and a long history of getting characters into motion. You could say he’s pretty animated about it.

VIEW FULL BIO →

Just Bring Yourself: No experience or equipment is required. Bring your curiosity and an interest in animation, film or visual storytelling.
Optional: Bring a notebook if you want to jot down film references, artists or historical notes during the screening.

Have a question about the course or need to discuss accessibility or accommodations before class? Contact us at learn@urbanartcollective.ca.

Parking is available at 1088 Somerset St W at the UAC Art Gallery, as well as at 50 Bayswater Ave. The parking area at 50 Bayswater is accessed from Somerset St W, not from Bayswater Avenue.

Cancellation Policy

14+ days before the first class: Full refund to your original payment method.
7–13 days before: Full-value UAC LAB credit.
Less than 7 days before: No refund or credit.

Registrations can be transferred to another person at no charge before the class begins. Missed classes or sessions are not eligible for refunds, credits or individual make-up classes.

If UAC LAB cancels a class, you can choose a full refund or full-value UAC LAB credit. If we reschedule and the new date does not work for you, you may also request a refund or credit.

UAC LAB Class Registration, Cancellation & Refund Policy