Knickknack was created by John Lasseter and the group at Pixar. Like the other Pixar animations before it, Knickknack utilizes a combination of keyframe animation and classical animation techniques.
This was the last of a series of animations created by John Lasseter et al., before embarking on a huge task: creating the first feature-length computer animation. (How huge? The movie is planned to be released around late 1995. You do the math...) Look for the movie, Toy Story this coming Thanksgiving!
It opens with a quick cartoonesque intro and the sounds of its original soundtrack by Bobby McFerrin. After scanning the shelf of vacation kitsch and memorobilia we are introduced to Knick, the star of a snowglobe from Nome ("..Sweet Nome"), Alaska.
Knick is normally content in his little aquatic hemisphere, but on this particular day, the other "open-air" souveneirs are having a particularly good time catching rays and boppin' to McFerrin's grooves. Of greatest importance though, is Betty, the sunbathing blonde from Miami, who motions for Knick to come join her.
Thus begins Knick's quest to break out of his two-thirds-pi-r-cubed world and join in all the souveneir games. Knick is at times enterprising, desperate, and even self-destructive. But his goal in sight is clear: helping Miss Miami put some suntan lotion in those "hard-to-reach" places.
Check out the snow! When it swirls around you realize why it would be cool to watch as a stereoscopic film. The snow, like the pebbles of the fish bowl are incredibly realistic. Not just because of the rendering of the individual flakes, but because of the various techniques applied to each flake as they swirl around: motion blur, depth of field. It's almost a bit too realistic, but it is certainly an interesting look.
Lastly, be sure to notice the non-animation aspects: the enjoyable Bobby McFerrin tune, the usual fabulous sound effects by Gary Rydstrom, and of course, the comedy of the work.
Credits : Knickknack