Reviews (2)

Disney's Sketchbooks - Great Resource for Artists!
This fine addition to the Disney Sketchbook series has many of the wonderful sketches done by Disney's animation department for Peter Pan, including many pieces from the storyboards, and several sketches of scenes that never made it into the final film.

Artists that would like to study the Disney style of drawing and animation should find this volume a terrific addition to their collection despite its rather high price. As a student of art, and a fan of the Disney style, I highly recommend any of these books for your library.

A Beautiful Book
This is an exquisitely made book and if you are at all interested in animation or disney art, this or any of the sketchbook series books are a must. Each character has it's section where various sketch drawings are shown. There are also some background pictures. No text, but a delight to flip through. Beautifully designed and packaged. ... Read more

Book Description

"The Animator?s Reference Book" is designed to assist animators with the complex challenge of creating accurate human animation. It contains synchronized photos showing a wide range of common human motion, photographed from the front, side, back, and top to provide a complete view of the action and offer a clear, frame-by-frame reference of human movement. Learn how to compare the nuances of various types of motion and discover how motion affects the creation of accurate clothing deformation in animated characters. Cover techniques that allow you to accurately reflect the effect of weight and gravity on your animated characters. Whether you create 2D or 3D animation, this book serves as a valuable reference for realistically duplicating human motion. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Mickey Mouse : The Best Cartoon ever
I love the book it really tells how Mickey Mouse becomes a figure of American Icon and All around the world. Great Pictures, Great Story of a Great Mouse

Underdog Hero Creates Mouse Mania!
Mickey Mouse is one of the best recognized and well regarded symbols in the world. Children are even more willing to get inoculations if Mickey's face is on hand. Due to an aggressive merchandising bent, this Disney character has been transformed into almost every possible physical expression. The only things that I haven't seen done with Mickey are to turn him into buildings. Perhaps that will be next.

This book provides a primarily pictorial presentation of that history, from the original drawing by Ub Iwerks back in the 1920s through to the latest fashion in Mickey Mouse watches today. In between, you will see Mickey during his cartoon career (including a list of his appearances) beginning with his speaking role in Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928, through the three different versions of the Mickey Mouse Club (I was disappointed that there were no large photographs of Annette!), his role as a greeter as the Disney theme parks (you'll be fascinated by how the costume evolved), to his evolution as a drawn figure (pupils within pupils made him more appealing).

The book is loosely themed around Mickey's initial appeal as a brainy, underdog hero . . . a sort of mouse David versus Goliath. There are brief references to the other Disney characters, including Minnie, Donald Duck, and Pluto.

Clearly, the picture's the thing in this book. You will see ads, balloons, comic strips, lots of watches, wordworking projects, flower and topiary representations at the theme parks, movie posters, movie stills, story boards, every conceivable kind of merchandise, photographs, conceptual art (including Andy Warhol), Mickey Mouse ears, magazine covers, and sketches.

Although the book has some exposition, it is on the light side. Serious fans of Mickey would want to know a lot more. So the ideal recipient for this book would be a young person who likes Mickey, but doesn't know very much about him.

Fans of Minnie will be very disappointed. She is almost totally ignored in the book. Since my daughter likes Minnie much better than Mickey, this would be a poor choice as a gift for her.

Those looking for the ultimate visual experience with Mickey will also find this book to be disappointing. Although it has a lot of attractive material, it could have had much, much more.

Like most compromises, the book fails to fully satisfy. I graded the book down accordingly although it is perfectly executed for its concept of providing a little background with a lot of images of Mickey.

After you finish enjoying this book, think about who you favorite cartoon character is. Why do you like that character? What traits of that character do you wish that you embodied? What other traits would make that character even more desirable?

Look for role models wherever you can find them!

... Read more

Book Description

Walt Disney's animated characters moved across the silver screen with the grace of fine actors. His vision revolutionized everything from television to theme parks. But this book is perhaps the preeminent aspect of his legacy - his philosophies and his dreams. Each anecdote lends sometimes simple, sometimes profound observations on life and all of its triumphs and defeats.

The quotes in this charming volume range from the well known to the obscure. Within the pages of Quotable Walt Disney are anecdotes that not only teach important lessons but also illuminate one of America's greatest creative geniuses. It is the perfect book to uplift, enlighten, and inspire. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Boring and Irritating
Why It's Boring

The quotes are rarely profound, unique, or written well enough to be truly "quotable." For example, "I like symphonic music. A good concert if you're kind of relaxed, it can do something to you. It's sort of an emotional break you get by listening to the music" (p. 98). If you believe that this sentiment is worthy of being presented in gift book form, gussied up with big font and given it's own half page, then order the book now!

Why It's Irritating

In the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "Let me count the ways." Hmm...see how I realize that that expression didn't originate in my own mind? The book did contain some quotes that would be somewhat meaningful, were they not cheap, poorly written imitations of another's work. For example, "I think of a newborn baby's mind as a blank book" (p. 130). This concept was even better when first said by John Locke in the late 1600's. And of course, great thinkers often reprise earlier theories but they don't claim them as their own and dress them up in a gift book.

Perhaps as a society we should stop looking to celebrity-types as "great thinkers" (unless they actually are) and appreciate them for their true contributions and talents. Walt Disney is not to blame though for this embarrassment of a book. It's the fault of the editor who compiled the quotes and the greed of the Disney empire trying to make money from another publication with a limited sense of integrity.

Nice Gift Book That Lets Walt's Words Speak For Themselves
Never before has such an exhaustive compilation of Walt Disney quotes been gathered together, all into one neat little package. This officially sanctioned gift book, researched by the founder of the Disney Archives, David R. Smith, is a well organized look inside the mind of one of America's foremost creative geniuses. Some of the most memorable quotes are surprisingly direct, and it don't take much effort to understand. Walt Disney always seemed to be quite sure of himself, his audience (which became the world), and his product. Perhaps that's why Disney's creations are just as embraced and appreciated as they were generations ago when they first appeared. He created the first true "theme" park, Disneyland, which inspired the number one tourist attraction in the world, Walt Disney World. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" remains one of the most highly successful films of all time, and was honored by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 greatest films of all time.

This insightful little book makes a nice gift for any Disney fan and is a wonderful reminder of the the main behind the name "Disney".

Read it and you'll find gems
Kids growing up these days lose sight of the fact that Walt Disney was, above all, a man and not just a brand name. He followed his dreams, even though many tried to discourage him, told him his ideas would never work and he stuck with his dreams... even resolutely going through a bankruptcy. The Quotable Walt Disney is just that: quotes. But if you're interested in what made the man who founded an empire (with a little help from a mouse he saw one day) tick...then you need to buy, read and even underline this book. True, these ARE quotes. And, true, as a former journalist (who is now a ventriloquist) I recognize a lot of "statements" in there -- pro forma quotes given to journalists, self-serving statements, etc. But there are also tons of gems. There are inspring quotes you can go back to and read again and again. I'm going to read it again and mark the ones I want to go back to, and paperclip them. Some entail the importance of determination; others such qualities as open-mindedness, the importance of surrounding yourself with capable colleagues, the wonder of finding inspiration for creativity in the least likely places. Yes, this IS a book of quotes. A small book. But it'll save you LOTS of time if you "listen" to Walt in this compact book, rather than having to read the many (and sometimes bad) biographies about him. And amid the formal statements given in countless interviews you'll find true gems. Like any gem, you can look a jewel of quote in wonder again and again. If you apply these gems in your life, it will be worth far more than the price of this quote-filled book.

For Disneyphiles Only
The book is exactly what is claims to be: a collection of quotes attributed to Walt Disney. It is divided into sections according to theme, rather than chronologically, including materials on films and animation, Mickey Mouse, the theme parks, children, family, education, television, art and music, success and failure (there are 16 in all). Some of the quotes are familiar, others less so. Sometimes quotes are repeated in sections.

One of the book's major flaws is lack of context. Quotes are dropped in without explanation. This is quite common for the genre, but it means that the quotes are not useful for anything other than pithy statement unless the reader is already familiar with the context. The quotes do act as quick sound-bites for those interested in a positive look at Walt Disney's rhetoric. I appreciated the correct version of "I make the pictures for entertainment, and then the professors tell me what they mean" (197). Too often the statement gets changed to the plural we, which reconstructs Walt's statements and contributes to the "Cult of Walt Disney." As this example demonstrates, it should be remembered that, despite his claims to teamwork, Walt was interested in representing his vision on screen and elsewhere.

For that very reason, what isn't so useful to this book is its editing of comments and its omissions, both of which ultimately help construct the Cult of Walt Disney. Ellided are the comments about EPCOT (as the community of tomorrow) that state Walt's intention was not to let retirees live in EPCOT, or Walt's belief that EPCOT's residents should not own the land. Of course, these statements were said in a context that talked about urban planning, individuals' committment to community, and the need for control. Still, by editing the comments out, the book presents an overly simplistic picture of a complex man. Also missing are quotes that are critical, like some of Walt's statements during the animator's strike.

It's as if the Quotable Walt Disney simply wants to celebrate the legend and not reveal the man. To be fair, that's what most of these types of books do. But in continuing to reinforce the Cult of Walt Disney, the book avoids presenting Walt Disney as a human being full of incongruities and inconsistencies...it oversimplifies his reactions, influences, and intentions. And by keeping Walt a mythic figure, the Quotable Walt Disney provides a one-sided picture of the man. All on purpose, to be sure, but disappointing nonetheless.

Again, this unbalaced presentation is to be expected from a quote book meant to celebrate Walt Disney, inspire its readers, and reaffirm the ideas that the converted already hold about Walt. But it would have been nice to see more man and less myth in the picture.

For those interested in learning about Walt Disney, I would not recommend this book. It doesn't provide enough information for the basis of the quotes. Instead, read a biography--whether an "official" one like Thomas or 100 Years or the far more satisfying and complex one by Watts. If you're a Disneyphile or looking for a stocking stuffer gift for your favorite fan, sure, pick this up. Just remember that it is exactly what it claims to be: a book of quotations, meant to reinforce the "genius" and legend of Walt Disney and not to suggest the significance and implications of what Walt said.

Just the quotes, man....
Well, as far as quote books go, this is nice to have around the house. Interesting? Yes. Mind shattering or Amazing??? No. At around 10 bucks it's definitely worth the look-through and a cute & fun gift-y thing for your Disneyphile. =) We got this book one weekend and had fun looking through it while waiting in the ride queues. It's also an easy read for the car. You might actually pick up something new.. but not too much you haven't heard before, (assuming YOU are the Disenyphile). ... Read more

Amazon.com

Charles Solomon heeds the maxim that one picture is worth a thousand words in The Prince of Egypt: A New Vision in Animation. Dedicated to exploring the behind-the-scenes making of DreamWorks' first animated film, the book is a gorgeous compilation of artwork, from preliminary sketches to final product, that demonstrates the complicated process of bringing cartoon characters to life. What text there is is mostly tucked away in the form of captions, along with brief introductions to each chapter and a short section at the end containing information on such topics as the music, the layout, the story, and the animators. This lush, beautiful book will appeal both to fans of the movie and readers with a more general interest in animation. What's more, it'll look great on your coffee table. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Book is better than the cartoon.
I'd have to agree with the above review from jg109@hotmail.com that this book doesn't show too much of the preliminary EARLY artwork. Unfortunately, that's because what you see in the book IS the Early artwork. And the lack of exploration shows on screen in a bland presentation of a great idea. I prefer the book to the cartoon, because I can take it in short doses.

A new vision in animation.
The Prince of Egypt is the first animated film in history to SUCCESSFULLY integrate both traditional cell animation and computer generated images. A breathtaking film, with a scope rarely seen in films today, much less ANIMATED films. The Dreamworks team is a formidible new force in animation - they treat animation as an art form and as a storytelling medium. Not as a summer PRODUCT, like the Disney team. Disney could only hope to produce something this good.

Hardly a "new vision" in animation
Disappointing movie, disappointing book. The Dreamworks animation team shouldn't quit their day jobs.

Spectacular and a definite God-send!
"The Prince of Egypt" was a magnificient animated film that was is as eye-opening as it is spectacular! I do hope and pray that, Dream Works will in the future, re-create more and more Biblical stories so that this generation as well as others can learn about God. The book of Exodus literally opened up with every scene in the movie---I was astounded. God bless you all at Dream Works. A job well done!!

Finest Animation book I have ever seen
Anyone interested in animation should buy this book without hesitation (and see the movie). A must have book. ... Read more

Book Description

Gundam Wing revolves around young pilots sent to earth to attack a corrupt government. Giant robots, invincible boys, and futuristic landscapes mark the work of this innovative studio. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

It's all about GUNDAM WING
This is a great book! It's worth the money! If you know Gundam like I do then you'll love this book. It has pictures from the Endless Waltz as well as some from the earlier movies. The pictures are very colorful and quite creative. Each character is given a few pages of pictures. If you are familiar with the pics on the trading cards, they're there too! Also the covers of the movies are included. I highly reccomend this book to anyone seeking help on drawing the Gundam Wing characters or just looking for a peice to add to their collection!

Wonderfull
This is a really great thing to buy for any GW fan. The artwork is beautifull.....amazing.....there aren't enough good words to describe it.....I'm very happy that I bought it.....

Gundam Wing! Need I say more?
Hm... I happen to LOVE this book. I own it. Bought it at a different website (animenation.com) with a different cover, but it's the same pictures... And the pictures are great! There were quite a few I hadn't seen before (example 1: the one of Treize and Une's head from the side. example 2: one with both Milliardo and Zechs (Milliardo with his mask on) from the side and a full shot of Noin from the front). The whole thing is layed out very nicely. I give it... *drumroll* Ten out of ten thumbs up! Eh... Right. Anyway...

Beautiful, engrossing, and just plain satisfying!
For all those die-hard Gundam fans who were disappointed with the three-volume manga, this will more than make up for it.

Like the title says, this book displays a collection of pictures -- original ones or screenshots from the anime -- that is, simply, the art of "Gundam Wing." The book does a good job of fairly balancing the pictures of the five pilots as well as other important characters. For those who surf the web a great deal, many of these pictures will be recognized immediately. And many people might also notice that the pictures are a lot crisper, clearer, and cleaner than some found on fansites, which is alone worth the price of the book.

However, there is also a good deal of pictures that have most likely not been found on the internet (although they probably will be soon because of people with scanners and a lot of free time). These pictures heighten the worth of the book, and the fact that they were drawn by the artists who worked on the anime makes it all the more satisfying. After all, where do the original artists take the time to add more of their talent to a collection of already-beautiful artwork?

All in all, there was only once complaint I had, and that was that the book was a little short. The book is only about 96 pages of art, with a brief interview with the artists. Despite this setback, the book is definately a must-have for anyone who's ever enjoyed the artwork and wants to gloss over it for days on end. Try and say something like that about "Pokemon"!

Beautiful, delightful, and just plain satisfying!
For all those die-hard Gundam fans who were disappointed with the three-volume manga, this will more than make up for it.

Like the title says, this book displays a collection of pictures -- original ones or screenshots from the anime -- that is, simply, the art of "Gundam Wing." The book does a good job of fairly balancing the pictures of the five pilots as well as other important characters. For those who surf the web a great deal, many of these pictures will be recognized immediately. And many people might also notice that the pictures are a lot crisper, clearer, and cleaner than some found on fansites, which is alone worth the price of the book.

However, there is also a good deal of pictures that have most likely not been found on the internet (although they probably will be soon because of people with scanners and a lot of free time). These pictures heighten the worth of the book, and the fact that they were drawn by the artists who worked on the anime makes it all the more satisfying. After all, where do the original artists take the time to add more of their talent to a collection of already-beautiful artwork?

All in all, there was only once complaint I had, and that was that the book was a little short. The book is only about 96 pages of art, with a brief interview with the artists. Despite this setback, the book is definately a must-have for anyone who's ever enjoyed the artwork and wants to gloss over it for days on end. Try and say something like that about "Pokemon"! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Fun Book for Anyone
I really enjoyed How to Draw Animation. It covered a wide range of topics from the basics, to creating your own characters, to making your characters walk and run, to the animation process. I think this book is a good guide to animation for anyone; whether it's just a hobby or a possible career interest. The book is brimming with beautiful illustrations and clear instructions. Anyone who loves animation should go out and buy this book.

WARNING: This Book is For The Little Kiddies
This book is not for people who are interested in becomingserious animators. The book seems to be geared towards children whoare interested in how animation works. So if you are a seriousanimation student I would have to warn you to stay clear of this book. However, this is a good book to give the little kiddies on how animation works. On the bases of it being a Childrens book about animation I would have to give it 5 stars. Since I am sort of an animator in training I would have to give it 2 stars for content. Why? You ask because the content is very brief and does not go into much detail. ...

Should be called: A Very Brief Introduction to Animation
I was extremely disappointed in this book. It has very little real content and the book only touches very briefly on many topics. The concepts contained in the book could have been written on 3 sheets of paper. My guess it is written for children to see some of the animation concepts

A great book that explains all areas of animation.
Christopher Hart greatly portrays the art of animation in this wonderful book. It helps begginers understand how to design your characters and what their standouts should be. He explains in great detail how to express your characters emotions through looks and actions. An interview with Roger Allers is included which gives young begginers great advice and encourangement on achieving their goals. This book is great for peoples who are looking to start a career in animation.

A great book, Now I buy all Christopher Hart 's books !
If you want to learn how to draw characters for cartoon animation, you must buy this book. I have 28 years old and i love this book. I also buy the Portable animation studio, very easy to draw all the day with it (in bed !) because you have the white paper at the right of the instruction book. ... Read more

Book Description

Stories of the actors who gave voice to SpongeBob Squarepants, Beavis and Butthead, Bart and Homer Simpson, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, and many more

The Magic Behind the Voices is a fascinating package of biographies, anecdotes, credit listings, and photographs of the actors who have created the unmistakable voices for some of the most popular and enduring animated characters of all time.

Drawn from dozens of personal interviews, the book features a unique look at thirty-nine of the hidden artists of show business. Often as amusing as the characters they portray, voice actors are charming, resilient people-many from humble beginnings-who have led colorful lives in pursuit of success. Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill's Mike Judge was an engineer for a weapons contractor turned self-taught animator and voice actor. Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart Simpson) was a small town Ohio girl who became the star protégé of Daws Butler-most famous for Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, and Quick Draw McGraw. Mickey Mouse (Wayne Allwine) and Minnie Mouse (Russi Taylor) are a real-life husband-and-wife team. Spanning many studios and production companies, this book captures the spirit of fun that bubbles from those who create the voices of favorite animated characters.

In the earliest days of cartoons, voice actors were seldom credited for their work. A little more than a decade ago, even the Screen Actors Guild did not consider voice actors to be real actors, and the only voice actor known to the general public was Mel Blanc. Now, Oscar-winning celebrities clamor to guest star on animated television shows and features.

Despite the crushing turnouts at signings for shows such as Animaniacs, The Simpsons, and SpongeBob Squarepants, most voice actors continue to work in relative anonymity. The Magic Behind the Voices features personal interviews and concise biographical details, parting the curtain to reveal creators of many of the most beloved cartoon voices. ... Read more

Book Description

Blue Sky Studios programs photo-realistic, high-resolution, double- take-inducing, computer-generated character animation for movies and television. Itseye-popping effects have added pizzazz to The Sopranos, Alien Resurrection, and Joe'sApartment, to cite a few credits, and its endearing animated short Bunny won anAcademy Award in 1998. On March 15, 2002, the company will release its first full- length film, Twentieth Century Fox's surefire success Ice Age—in which Ray Romano,John Leguizamo, and Denis Leary provide the voices of Manfred, the woolly mammoth,Sid, the sloth, and Diego, the sabertooth tiger—three characters who take an unforgetablejourney. Featuring examples from these and other breathtaking works, Blue Sky takesreaders frame-by-frame through the 3-D animation process.

Techies already worship Blue Sky for its state-of-the-art CGI software: this hip,informative book brings fans of such huge hits as Toy Story and Shrek in on the fun. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Moving Spaces
The title BLUE SKY is from the name of the company. Company director Chris Wedge says that they started out in 1987 with blue-sky ideas. They had big, seemingly impractical plans. But they believed that dreams could come true. They also believed that we're only limited by our imaginations.

Blue Sky studios began in advertising. Their reputation for high quality computer animation and effects drew in big clients, such as Bell Atlantic, Gillette, and Rayovac. In 1992, their TV commercial for Braun had a computer-generated image of an electric razor. It was so well done that even experts didn't know it wasn't the real thing.

The company then got into films. They went on to win an academy award for "Bunny," as the best animated short film in 1998. The film ended up with 25 international awards for excellence in animation. With all this attention, the company, in 1999, became part of 20th Century Fox feature animation. With this kind of money, power and reputation behind them, in 2002 the company released a computer-generated-image feature film, Ice Age.

The book is about animating Ice Age. Peter Weishar starts from building a scene by watercolor sketches, all the way through lighting and live-action. In between, there's modeling of characters and props, for scanning into the computer. There's storyboard drawings of who, where, what for each scene. There's rigging of skeletons inside characters for movement. There's lip syncing speech. There's 3-dimensional layout of all physical sets and movements of camera and characters. There's texture mapping of objects and surfaces. There's special effects, such as geysers and lava. There's making convincing fur for a mammoth, a sabertoothed tiger, and a sloth, as well as self-shadowing hair for a human baby and parents. Whew!

All along the way there are clear explanations, good examples, and telling illustrations. There are also interesting anecdotes about the business, the company, and the film. So it's a fascinating read. It's also a pleasantly easy learning experience, along with the author's DIGITAL SPACE. ... Read more

Book Description

Shrek (2001), an offbeat adventure featuring a big green ogre, his chatty sidekick Donkey, and the feisty Princess Fiona, turned the traditional fairy tale on its ear and helped to usher in a new era in computer animation, garnering the first Academy Award(r) for Best Animated Feature. Shrek 2, opening in May 2004, joins the inseparable trio on new comic adventures, advancing once again the art of 3-D computer animation.

This lighthearted book chronicles the equally dramatic (and occasionally comic) story behind the making of the two movies. It features a trove of behind-the-scenes information and is jam-packed with illustrations-concept art, storyboards, character models, set designs, and stills. Author John Hopkins joins the filmmakers (directors, producers, animators, writers, production designers) as they describe the painstaking process of inventing and animating an imaginary world, and eavesdrops on the movies' main characters as they recount the trials and tribulations of a major production, the clash of egos, and the scenes that didn't work.

With enough Shrek lore to satisfy the die-hard fan and the same off-kilter humor as the films themselves, this book is sure to have enormous appeal. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very Well Done
This is a great book all about the rude humor filled animated movies from Dreamworks. It is necessary for any die-hard Shrek fan. This tells the story of how the movie got done, with little facts and full color photos from the movies. Although I'm not the biggest fan of the Shrek movies, this book is a great experience. ... Read more

Book Description

Chicken Run is the first feature film from Aardman Animation, the British 3-D animation studio that created the Academy Award-winning Wallace & Gromit short films. In this spirited comedy, to be released in the U.S. by DreamWorks in June 2000, a band of intrepid chickens led by an American rooster (the voice of Mel Gibson) and an English hen (Julia Sawalha of Absolutely Fabulous) bust out of their coop to avoid becoming chicken potpies-and prove that some chickens are anything but.

Here's the complete story of the making of this epic adventure. The book takes readers inside England's magical Aardman animation studio, where animators make movies (at a rate of four seconds per day) out of bits of clay, metal, paper, and wood. Based on extensive interviews with acclaimed directors Nick Park and Peter Lord and their gifted team of stop-action animation artists, and reproducing a wealth of visual material, the book is the next best thing to spending every day for three years building and playing with model chickens!

250 illustrations in full color, 9 7/8 x 9 1/4"

BRIAN SIBLEY, a well-known British author and radio personality, is coauthor, with Peter Lord, of Abrams' popular Creating 3-D Animation. An expert on animation, illustration, and fantasy literature, his many books include Shadowlands: The Story of C. S. Lewis and Joy Davidman, The Land of Narnia, and The Map of Tolkien's Middle Earth. He lives in London. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Get inside the mind of Ardman!
This is the most delightful book about the making of a movie I have ever read! The text is full of funny stories and interesting details about the process that went into hatching this chick flick!Being a published cartoonist myself, I found reading about the process the Ardman folks went through to be fascinating.Also good were the photos showing the different animators at work making the models of chickens and other assorted poultry items.This is a must for any fan of Ardman! Viva Wallace and Grommet! Viva Rocky the Rhode Island Red and his favorite chick, Ginger!You will not regret buying this book! Myke Feinman, publisher and cartoonist for Ink and Feathers Comics

The best is here!
What Else can be said. The book is awesome, you get to see not only the clay puppets but parts of the scenery, stroyboards, concept boards. I havent seen the movie yet, but cant wait to do so. For my students it has been a very interesting approach to Claynimation, now I just have to find the Wallace and Groomit videos to add it to my library.

Chickens on the loose for freedom
If you haven't seen Chicken Run you should go see it. It is a family movie in which their are chickens who try to escape from the farm where the live. They try to learn to fly, but they keep failing. If they don't escape soon they will become chicken pie. Can they learn how to fly or find a way to escape soon enough, or will they become chicken pie? Watch the movie and find out.

Liked the movie? Did it make it you go "wow? Get this book.
I have been a huge fan of Aardman Animations for a long time now. I was amazed with "Creature Comforts" and soon enough I was obsessed with the award winning Wallace and Gromit episodes. I was quite happy to learn that Aardman, who never fails to amaze me, were doing a full length movie. This movie, the first of several with Dreamworks SKG was Chicken Run, which was a brilliant film and makes you wonder how they did it all.

This is where this book comes in. "Chicken Run: Hatching The Movie" only makes you appreciate the film even more. It really took a lot to make this movie, in fact, it takes a lot to make any stop motion movie. It becomes very tedious, everything has to be perfect. You make a little movement in a model, shoot the frame, stop, move it a little again, shoot frame, stop, etc.

Chicken Run is crammed with so many details, and this book shows you how every single inch, every single color and speck matters. It is filled with the history of making the movie, plus a ton and ton of behind the scenes pictures and info. Also included are many storyboards, just to give you a sense of how much it takes to create something so good and lifelike.

Disney, whenever they have a big movie, puts out a making of book. This book clearly rivals any "Making of big summer animated Disney book". This book is a must for any film lover or animation fan's library. Sit in your favorite chair, open the book and be amazed at the wonderful world of Aardman Animations.

A Wonderfully Whimsical Book
Anyone who has the slightest interest in knowing how an animated movie is created will love "Chicken Run - Hatching the Movie." by Brian Sibley. Even the design of the book is whimsical in style and lush with color illustrations from the new movie as well as from other films from this animation house.

A lighthearted introduction written by Mel Gibson (who is the voice for Rocky in the movie) sets the overall tone for the book. In this overview there is a brief history of the animation process with some really slick photos of the British Aardman Studios that both Nick Parks and Peter Lord, the directors of "Chicken Run," help to put on the map with several Academy Award nominations for their past films.

Animation and story development is not just fun and games as one might think but envelops serious thinking and work. The book is sprinkled throughout with wonderful idea sketches, watercolor paintings, storyboards and outlines showing how script and plot ideas for "Chicken Run" were developed.

A wonderful chapter on the actual making of the physical characters gives an inside look into the art studio itself where molds, paint, and artists bring these figures made of a clay-like substance called plasticine into existence. In a chapter called "Making the Right Moves" Sibley details the various problems that animators had during production. Trying to give the human characteristics of anger, hate, love, fear, and happiness in front of the camera is a major feat in itself. The difficult task of lighting a scene along with making the miniscule movement of each figure to create the animated move almost sounds like torture. And when one realizes that the largest film shoot in one work way was a mere 26 seconds you wonder if it is. The animators say their work normally floats along on inspiration but at other times when they are tired, getting the job done becomes a matter of will. They are so involved with their work that it is only when the camera isn't running that they realize that they are only working with a lump of plasticine.

This book is definitely written for the connoisseur of animated films and filmmaking but children could also enjoy the "fun" illustrations from the movie, which are a large part of this publication.

The seriousness of this studio's filmmaking makes for some very interesting reading. A quote by one of the directors, Peter Lord, not only sums up the animation process but could be the kernel theme of this book. "We make films and by the way, they happen to be animated."

Ron Harmon rohar@msn.com ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An absoltuely superb introduction to Disney Animation
"Disney's Animation Magic" is supposed to be a step-by-step introduction to animated filmmaking from the producers of some of Disney's most beloved and celebrated animated features. Certainly you will learn about the differences between a layout artist, background artists, supervising animators, inbetweeners, cleanup artists and the others responsible for bringing such films to life. However, writer Don Hahn, producer of "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast," does something much more interesting by actually working out some of the details of the "Disney formula." For example, Hahn details the different sorts of characters you have in such classic cartoons, not such Heroes like Simba in "The Lion King," Villains like Cruella De Vil in "101 Dalmatians," and Companions like Meeko and Flit in "Pocahontas," but also Fools like Turk in "Tarzan", Mentors like Phil in "Hercules," Parents, and Choruses. Even more interesting are the types of songs Hahn lays out, from Anthem's like "Colors of the Wind" and "When You Wish upon a Star" to Pure Entertainment songs like "Be Our Guest" and "Under the Sea."

Throughout the book Hahn draws upon decades of Disney's classic animated films to give both a brief history of animation and to also explore the roles of the directors, story artists, songwriters, and animators who work together to create these animated films. The emphasis is less on golden oldies such as "Cinderella" and more on contemporary Disney efforts, both in tradition animated films like "Tarzan" and "Fantasia 200O" but also with computer animated films such as "Dinosaur" and Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 2." The breath of this volume is most impressive and the only complaint can be that the depth is not as great. But, to be fair, it is not intended to be because this book is just intended to be an introduction. This is why it is under a 100 pages long (yet probably has close to 500 illustrations all told). This is just a wonderful book. Do not be surprised if your kids start planning their own animated films after devouring this volume.

Disney Rule!
I love this book and I want to become a Disney Animator too! Inside the book said that i can creating my own characters and stories. I hope my dreams will come true.

Great for future Animators!
I am 14 years old and am hoping to become a Disney Animator. This book comes from a very reliable source, Don Hahn (producer of many Disney Films). This book gave me very useful information about what to do to prepare myself to become an animator, and also very interesting facts about what goes into making a genuine Disney Animated Feature Film. I would recommend this book to any Disney fan or future animator ... Read more

Book Description

The work of artist Osamu Tezuka has been as influential in Japan as that of Walt Disney in the US. His most famous character, Astro Boy, guides the reader through this book on the fundamentals of animation. The focus is on mastering movement, timing, and expression-the keys to bringing anime characters to life. This book is filled with step-by-step instructions on how to depict weight, walking speed, dynamic action, and effects like fire and water. The concepts are all taken from Tezuka's works and have his particular stylistic mark. Become a master by mastering the basics! ... Read more

Book Description

Chuck Jones: Conversations focuses on the legendary Warner Bros. artist who helped shape the history of American animation, defining our impressions of such icons as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, and Pepé le Pew. These interviews span more than thirty years, beginning with a 1966 conversation in which Jones (1912-2002) shares the spotlight with science fiction giant Ray Bradbury.Throughout, the interviews illustrate the development of Jones's career, including shifts that came after the Warner Bros. animation unit closed in the early 1960s---from the uncertain years of American animation during that decade and the 1970s through the "rediscovery" of Jones and Hollywood studio animation during the 1980s and 1990s. Jones candidly discusses his aesthetic sensibilities, providing tips for aspiring animators and describing Warner Bros. animation in its heyday.

Jones was an art college graduate who struggled through the Depression, trying to establish himself within the Hollywood industry. In these conversations he emerges as a witty raconteur and a well-read, inspiring advocate for animation art, intent on nurturing future generations of animators. Jones recalls vividly the ?Golden Age' of studio animation from the 1930s to the 1950s, including his connections with the Walt Disney studio and United Productions of America. With pleasure, insight, and depth, he describes his family and early life, as well as his post-Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies days. These interviews reveal Jones's struggles as an artist, the many influences upon him, and the creative process that made him famous. This volume contains previously unpublished material along with classic interviews, some of which have been revised and extended. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great addition to your Chuck Jones library
I highly recommend this book, and not just because I'm in it. (I highly easily finagled a telephone interview with Chuck Jones in 1988--not the greatest interview in the book, but surely one of the highlights of my life.)

If you're a fan of the legendary animation director, this book is the Holy Grail of interview books. It includes interviews by Richard Thompson and Greg Ford (who later did his own Looney Tunes cartoon, THE DUXORCIST) from Film Comment's legendary 1975 issue devoted to animation; an interview by film-buff supreme Joe Adamson (who also did his own Bugs Bunny cartoon, A POLITICAL CARTOON--geez, when do I get to do *my* Looney Tunes??); and several other great and extensive interviews with the master. An invaluable look into the mind of one of the great popular artists of our time.

List of Authors
Here are the list of authors that appear in this book:

The Fantasy Makers: A Conversation with Ray Bradbury and Chuck Jones
Mary Harrington Hall/1968
From Psychology Today, April 1968

An Interview with Chuck Jones
Michael Barrier and Bill Spicer/1969
From Funnyworld 13, 1971

Witty Birds and Well-Drawn Cats: An Interview with Chuck Jones
Joe Adamson/1971
Combined interviews from March and December 1971, partly published in edited form within Gerald Peary and Danny Peary, The American Animated Cartoon (New York: E.P. Dutton, 1980)

Chuck Jones
Greg Ford and Richard Thompson/1972
From Film Comment, January/February 1975

The Art of Chuck Jones
John Lewell/1982
From Films and Filming 336, September 1982

Live from Trumps
Charles Solomon/1985
Radio broadcast, KUSC-FM, April 16, 1985

Interview with Chuck Jones, 1988
Steven Bailey/1988

Chuck Jones and the Daffy World of Cartoons: The Warner's Legend Remembering the Glory Days in an Animated Autobiography
Tom Shales/1989
From The Washington Post, November 26, 1989

Chuck Jones: Animation Pioneer
Academy of Achievement/1993
From the Academy of Achievement website, online at http://www.achievement.org

Interview with Chuck Jones
Mark Thompson and Brian Phelps/1996
From the "Mark & Brian" radio show, KLOS-FM, April 1996

The Inner Daffy: Chuck Jones and the Creative Process
Jo Jürgens/1996

Chuck Jones
Stephen Thompson/1998
From The Onion, online at http://www.theonionavclub.com

Chuck Jones, in his own words
Ron Barbagallo/1999 ... Read more

Book Description

Japanese animation, or anime, which has attained cult status among young people globally during the past several decades, is increasingly breaking into the mainstream. "My Reality: Contemporary Art and the Culture of Japanese Animation",investigates the influence of this form of pop culture on today's art in Japan, other Asian countries, and the West.

Featured artists include: Inka Essenhigh, Mariko Mori, Paul McCarthy, Tom Sachs, Richard Patterson, Takashi Murakami among others.

Essays by Jeff Fleming, Takashi Murakami and Susan Lubowsky Talbott. Foreword by Judith Richards,

35 color and 10 b&w.
9 x 12 in. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

3/5
The synergy between Japanese anime and American pop culture is explored in this book, a companion piece to the traveling exhibition currently in installation at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. My Reality examines the role of anime on modern art; in particular, there's a technology-friendly bent to anime, which the book asserts has been assimilated in the technique of "serious" artists in both hemispheres. The book, much like the exhibition, touches upon the common anime themes of high technology, aliens, cyborgs and so on, but through a series of essays, draws a link between these and real-life themes such as gender roles and popular and consumer culture. Showcasing artwork from emerging artists like Takashi Murakami, Mariko Mori, and Paul McCarthy, this book is an interesting, although way too brief, commentary on art and culture in the face of technology and the future, as well as providing additional depth to the context of this intriguing exhibition.

A Disappointment
This is a this book of three essays with some just sort of interesting photos and illustrations. I was expecting lots of great Anime and collectable art that is inspired by Manga and Anime, but this is a companion to a traveling exhibit of art inspired by Anime and Manga. The art is just ok, nothing really interesting, and the essays are dull as if written for a thesis. There are way too many footnotes, and phrases like "ontological insecurity". I just don't see this type of art as high-brow art. Skip this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In recent years, the computer has become an all-important cartoonist's medium, and this practical, hands-on guide shows how to create professional quality digital cartoons. The author opens with advice on setting up a digital studio and gives tips on how to work smart, work fast, and keep operating expenses low. He follows with advice on transform-ing good graphic ideas into finished work, training the imagination, striving for original-ity, and developing the technique of self-criticism. Other details covered include planning and writing scripts, writing captions for single-frame cartoons, storyboarding, making preliminary sketches on the computer, and mastering line art, color, and 3D techniques. Finally, he offers detailed advice on how to get one's digital art seen by potential buyers, how to get it published, how to set fees, and the importance of time management and meeting deadlines. Here is a textbook and reference volume for today's cartoonist, with information and advice that will remain pertinent for years to come. Approximately 400 illustrations in both color and black and white. ... Read more

Book Description

The complete retelling of favorite Disney movies in a true read-aloud style. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Tarzan
The Edgar Rice Burroughs books are full of suspense, a perfect bedtime story. The best thing is that many (if not all of them) can be downloaded from from Project Gutenberg. Try reading the first one, Tarzan of the Apes, to your child as a serial bedtime story. They'll be begging to go to bed.

Disney's Tarzan , clear and Precise
This version of Disney's Tarzan is clearly written and has accurate drawings true to the film's content. Rarely do you find a smaler version of the big books so well presented.

Smaller successor to the Disney Classic series
Disney Mouseworks seems to be moving to smaller books and it looks like the end of the line of the Disney Classics series. The new Read-Aloud Storybooks are shorter (by about 20 pages) and smaller (by an inch here and there). That's too bad for those of us who have been collecting the old series. The paper is nicer and the artwork is very good, though, so it's not a total loss.

at least they didn't make him sing!
anyone who wants to read about tarzan should read thje books of edgar rice burroughs, not waste their time with this watered down shadow of the lord of the jungle. mr burroughs must be spinning in his grave like a top.

edgar rice burroughs must be rolling over in his grave!
edgar rice burroughs created a hero to equal ulysses,hercules, or paul bunyan. walt disney studios reduced this giant to the size of mickey mouse. after you see the movie, read the REAL story in burroughs' TARZAN OF THE APES, thankfully still in print, and see how it really happened. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you call yourself a computer graphics professional but aren't sure of the meaning of cukaloris, Lambertian reflection, or umbra, you might want to pick up a copy of Visual Effects in a Digital World: A Comprehensive Glossary of over 7,000 Visual Effects Terms. Educational, fun, and historically fascinating, this is one of those books that every pixel monkey should have on his or her shelf.

If you've ever wondered what, exactly, rotoscope means (it has three different meanings) or what to eat with a "metaball," this book is for you. Chock full of interesting tidbits and a 32-page color gallery of examples, this is probably one of the more interesting technical dictionaries you'll ever have the pleasure of looking through.

Perhaps you know the difference between an array and an Arri, but the producer you're trying to explain it to is clueless. The clear, concise definitions listed here can help elucidate these terms and others so that even the most dense suit will, if not understand, at least feel like you must know what you're talking about.

It's one thing to be able to know what buttons to push, but something else entirely to be able to stump your friends with the meaning of arcane terms like Lindenmayer System or octrees. Everyone knows you're a geek. Now you can prove it. --Mike Caputo ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good as a dictionary, no in-depth technical
A thorough coverage of industry terminology, in an industry where terms are relentless being colored, reinvented and made anachronisms. However don't expect in-depth coverage of the mechanics of a given technique - there is simply no room for detail with this many terms to cover.

A great, extremely comprehensive reference
I've watched Karen put this book together over the course of the last year or so (even had a chance to give my 2cents on a couple of terms) and so I can hardly be called an Unbiased Reviewer. But now that it's done, I'd have to say that just about anybody who is involved with visual effects (which these days means just about any aspect of filmmaking in general) will find this book well worth owning. And even if you HAVE been in the industry for a long time, I guarantee that you'll be able to learn a few new things (or re-learn a few old things) after thumbing through this book.

Exactly what I wanted
Karen E. Goulekas has saved me quite some time with this book by providing a complete description for over 7,000 visual effects terms often referred to within the industry. In the past, I often had to search the net for certain terms and descriptions that had me baffled...but no more. For those of you who are considering buying this book, know that it isn't a book full of pictures (Although it does contain 32 pages of colour stills); It isn't a book detailing visual effects work in particular films; It is what is says - 'A comprehensive glossary of over 7,000 visual effects terms'. If this is what you're looking for, this book is for you.

Dictionary of Visual Effects
From the publisher of 'Art &Science of Digital Compositing'

First of all, This book is not a case by case study book. This is A-Z Dictionary about Visual Effects. I was disappointed by first impression. but it contains huge contents. including 16 pages color pics. May be very helpful students,people who in effects industry. ... Read more