Drawn animation
This is the technique in which each individual frame is drawn by hand and each frame replaces its predecessor to create a seamless sequence. This method is used in various different ways and to have different effects.
Flick books are comprised of a series of pages each with the same picture as the last yet slightly altered so that when the pages are quickly flicked through it gives the illusion that you're watching an animation as apposed to lots of pictures one after the other. It's a fairly primitive method of animation and very time consuming, though if done properly it is still incredibly impressive
Rotoscoping is a method in which the animation is acted out and filmed first before projecting it through a light box and tracing over it, capturing each frame. This method is good for making sure that each frame is accurately drawn and as a result looks incredibly lifelike.
The main drawbacks of the hand drawn animation techniques are the time that needs to be invested in them. As you have to painstakingly draw each individual frame and make sure that it follows on correctly from the previous it would take you considerably longer than if you were to computer generate them. With the increased cost of time comes the more literal cost of money also as in order to create good scenes, frame by frame, you need a large team of artists working for a very large amount of time. This can be seen easily if you compare the price of each respective movie. A reported $45million was spent on The Lion King as apposed to Toy Story's reported budget of $30million.
Cut out animation
Cut out animation refers to any form of animation where shapes have been cut-out and moved around or replaced by other cut-outs. These animations are considered to be the easiest form of animation and as a result the earliest known examples of animation are using this technique. There are drawbacks, however, as it does become difficult to move multiple objects at the same time whilst still maintaining fluidity. Modern examples of cut out animation are shows such as South Park, where initial episodes used the traditional cut out animation method and new episodes use computers alongside scanned in objects to simulate a cut out animation.
Stop-motion animation
Stop-motion animation is the technique in which 3D models are created, be it out of plasticine or clay etc., placed in a scene, and moved slightly for every scene, similarly to cut out animation, to simulate fluid movement. The advantages of this method of animation is that the models hold their shape so keeping track of what the exact pose of a previous frame was can be easily done. Due to the requirements of the models (having to be moved thousands of times), it's easy to reuse individual models time after time which once again helps with continuity in that the model will remain the same throughout not only the movie but also any resulting sequels as long as the model is well taken care of. With the advantages, however, do come certain problems. As each individual scene needs to be set up and characters have to be moved on a frame to frame basis there needs to be a large time investment in any stop-motion animation. Also, if models are lost or damaged you run the risk of not being able to fully replicate your previous model and gaining possible inconsistencies as a result. Examples of well known stop-motion animations include anything done by Aardman animations - the people behind Wallace and Gromit, and Creature Comforts.
Computer Generated Imagery
CGI animation is the newest of the 4 categories and on the whole is the general technique of choice for animators. Computer generated imagery refers to creating and rendering 3D models and sets on the computer. Through the convenience of the computer you can also scan in images of scenery as well as 3D models for rendering on the computer at a later point. With the price of powerful computers becoming ever cheaper CGI is becoming an easier and easier method to use to create an animation. Through this method there's no need to create thousands of individual stills, be it by drawing them or taking shots of models, you can create and move a model of a character with just the click of a mouse to accommodate for any sequence at a possible fraction of the cost. If you imagine these examples of what can be done with CGI as a benchmark then there is also a top end for this method, which I would consider the extensive use of green-screens and similar technology. It's amazing to think of what can be done through computers and how quickly the techniques are advancing. If you consider the differences between films that prided themselves on their use of computer generated imagery just 15 years ago to their current day counterparts the difference is incredible. With all these pros there are also a few cons. Mainly being that to remain at the cutting edge of technology and produce the most spectacular looking films you have to be willing to invest a huge amount of money. Examples of this required cost include Spiderman 3 at $258million and Avatar at a similar $250million
Above - Antz(1998)
Right - Monsters University(2013)
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