The 4K restored version of the cartoon "Haunting Heavenly Palace" was launched on watermelon video a few days ago! This is the first time that AI technology has been used to restore this classic animation level in 4K resolution, and the former "pinnacle of national comics" can meet with the majority of fans with a new and clear look. Users can watch watermelon videos and fresh time for free.
It has been 61 years since the birth of "The Haunting of heavenly palaces". In the early 1960s, the older generation of animation workers at the Shanghai Fine Arts Film Studio spent four years drawing more than 100,000 manuscripts by hand. The original film was adapted from the first seven episodes of Journey to the West and is divided into upper and lower episodes, completed in 1961 and 1964 respectively. This color animated feature film brings together traditional Chinese culture and art works such as ink painting, Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, classical literature and architecture, and has deeply influenced generations. The artistic attraction knows no borders, and "The Haunting of the Heavenly Palace" has also attracted many overseas film fans.
In the past, hand-drawn animation was mostly stored in the form of film, and it was inevitable that there would be quality problems such as low definition, color distortion, and imperfections, and the same was true for "The Haunting of the Heavenly Palace".
What the repair does is to brush away the dust that time brings. Over the years, numerous professionals and film lovers have been following and participating in the restoration of this classic. In 2008, some overseas film fans spontaneously organized the restoration project of "The Haunting of the Heavenly Palace" at the film forum. In 2011, Shanghai Fine Arts Film Studio put the 3D version of "The Haunting of Tiangong" on the big screen through editing and adjustment. In the restoration of "Haunting the Heavenly Palace", the Volcano Engine Multimedia Laboratory uses AI technologies such as deep learning, supplemented by manual labeling, which ensures the artistic effect of the original film while efficiently improving the clarity.
Not only "The Haunting of the Heavenly Palace", many of the creations of early Chinese animation have condensed the essence of traditional culture. Starting in October last year, Watermelon Video and Volcano Engine announced the launch of a 4K restoration project for classic video, which will restore 100 classic animations in one year. "The Legend of Nezha", "Hulu Brothers", "Black Cat Sheriff", "Big Head Son and Little Head Daddy", "Little Carp Adventure", "Little Tadpole Finds Mother" Six classic animations were first launched.
Fixing is not an easy task. Ren Lifeng, president of Watermelon Video, introduced that in the repair process, the biggest investment is still the noise and scratch problems caused by time. Every playback of the film brings irreversible damage. Even animations like "Hulu Brothers", which has been digitalized twice, will have a lot of bad spots and noise due to film damage.
These problems cannot be fixed purely through technology, and need to be manually labeled frame by frame, and then repaired twice. Generally, one-second animation has 24 frames, which is 24 still pictures. Repairing a "Hulu Brothers" requires about 200,000 manual figures, which is a very large workload.
"But in the era of pure handmade animation, the old artists also came frame by frame." Ren Lifeng said, "Such a work is worth our efforts to repair." ”
Intelligent processing technology must also take into account the artistic effect of the work. Also take "Hulu Brothers", which combines elements such as ink painting and paper cutting. While using AI algorithms to repair paper-cut images, it is necessary to maintain the soft effect of ink landscapes and find a balance between clarity and artistry.
The emergence of 4K restoration technology has enabled these sound and picture creations to be more directly and clearly felt and appreciated by people. Excellent traditional culture can pass through the cycle and shine again through the communication methods that are more suitable for the digital age, and realize the inheritance.
At present, a total of 36 classic animation works have completed 4K restorations and are online in watermelon videos and fresh time. Next, 10 classic animation 4K restored versions such as "Ginseng Kingdom", "I Am Crazy for Song", and "Rubik's Cube Mansion" will meet with the audience one after another.
Photo courtesy of Watermelon Video
Author: Tong Weijing
Edit: Jiang Fang
Editor-in-Charge: Shao Ling
*Wenhui exclusive manuscript, please indicate the source when reprinting.