''Cassiopeia'' is a 1996 Brazilian animated
feature film
A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...
, produced and released by ''NDR Filmes'' in
Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
on April 1, 1996.
The film is an adventure about the invasion of planet Ateneia by intruders trying to steal their energy. This film claims to be the first entirely computer-generated feature film. The earlier ''
Toy Story'' employed clay models that were later scanned and digitized, while Cassiopeia used only software to create its visuals. The film was released soon after ''Toy Story''.
Plot
The planet Ateneia, located in the constellation of
Cassiopeia, is attacked by space invaders who begin to drain its vital energy. A
distress signal
A distress signal, also known as a distress call, is an internationally recognized means for obtaining help. Distress signals are communicated by transmitting radio signals, displaying a visually observable item or illumination, or making a soun ...
is sent into outer space by the local astronomer, Liza, and received by four heroes – Chip, Chop, Feel and Thot – who travel across the galaxy to the rescue. The heroes venture through the galaxy facing many dangers as they try to rescue Ateneia. Each has a specific function in their spaceship: Chop is the captain and pilot, Feel and Thot monitor space, and Chip is the gunman, working also as
comic relief throughout. Liza is an
astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist in the field of astronomy who focuses their studies on a specific question or field outside the scope of Earth. They observe astronomical objects such as stars, planets, natural satellite, moons, comets and galaxy, g ...
in Ateneia's main laboratory, working on all of the scientific details of the planet's life. On the way to defeat the evil forces of Shadowseat, the foursome meet Leonardo, a scientist from an undeveloped planet who creates crazy gadgets.
Development
Production began in 1992 with environment and character modelling and the creation of the script. Animation began in 1993, and the image-generation work was completed in 1995. The soundtrack was finished later that year, and the first copy was printed in early 1996.
The film was animated using
Crystal Graphics’ Topas Animator, running on seventeen
486 DX2–66 computers. The first character model was made on a 20 MHz
386 SX. ''Cassiopeia's'' animation team was composed of seven computer animators, three traditional animators (who served as consultants and directors of animation), and some freelancers. Mid-way through production some of the computers were stolen, requiring some scenes to be re-animated.
Voice cast
See also
* ''
Toy Story''
*
List of animated feature-length films
*
List of computer-animated films
References
External links
*
MCI - Museu da Computação e Informática
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cassiopeia
1996 computer-animated films
1996 films
Brazilian animated science fiction films
Brazilian children's films
1990s Portuguese-language films
Animated feature films
Animated films set on fictional planets
1990s Brazilian films