This is the one book every animator should have on their desk - whether they work in film, computer graphics or video game animation. Richard Williams is the pre-eminent figure in motion picture animation, and he has forged a reputation as an outstanding teacher as well as a top practitioner. In recent years, the Academy Award for animation effects has been virtually guaranteed to go to a student of Richard Williams, whether the movie in question is Toy Story or Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. This book is based on master-classes Richard Williams has been giving to professional and would-be animators around the world over the years. Companies such as Industrial Light and Magic, Disney, and Dreamworks send their animators to study at Williams' feet as he is generally regarded as the link between the 'golden Age' of Disney animation and the new-style computer animation exemplified by Toy Story.
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"Williams is miles ahead of anyone in the world of animation."--"The New York Times"
About the Author
Richard Williams is best known as the Director of Animation and designer of the new characters for Who Framed Roger Rabbit, for which he won two Academy Awards including a Special Achievement Award. Canadian-born Williams has won three US Academy Awards, three British Academy Awards, and an Emmy among 246 international awards – starting with his first film The Little Island in 1958. Williams has also animated title sequences for Return of the Pink Panther, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, What’s New Pussycat, Casino Royale and linking sequences for The Charge of the Light Brigade, as well as countless prize-winning commercials. In 1990 he was voted by his peers as ‘The Animator’s Animator’, and in 1995 he started giving the Richard Williams Animation Masterclass for professionals and students worldwide in London, Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, Sydney, Hong Kong, France and Denmark.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
When I was ten years old I bought a paperback book, How to Make Animated Cartoons, by Nat Falk, published in 1940. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
When I was ten years old I bought a paperback book, How to Make Animated Cartoons, by Nat Falk, published in 1940. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Maven Janson
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
"Richard Williams has won more than 250 international awards for his animation. He has been one of the true innovators, winning three Academy Awards and serving as the link between Disney's golden age of animation by hand and the new computer animation"
This is an essiental must buy book for beginners learning animation or students studying on an animation based course (particulary the BSc) I started my university course with absolutly no knowledge about animation, after playing the many Final Fantasy titles, watching the inspirational CGI and FMV sequences with the indepth story, leading onto Shrek, Ice Age, Lilo and Stitch, I did not know where to start, how to go around it and what to do! This book was extremly helpful, there is no words to describe my gratitude to Richard, teaching you everything you need to know! the history of animation, how to draw, timing of animation, from the basics- stationary figures to walking ,running jumping and skipping, to flexibility, weight, anticipation, dialogue, acting, emotion and directing, this is the start point of animation today.. with this bible you won't go wrong! If your stuck in the deep end, this book is a portable lifeguard! its just that good, don't take my word for it! try it out for yourself!
This is an essiental must buy book for beginners learning animation or students studying on an animation based course (particulary the BSc) I started my university course with absolutly no knowledge about animation, after playing the many Final Fantasy titles, watching the inspirational CGI and FMV sequences with the indepth story, leading onto Shrek, Ice Age, Lilo and Stitch, I did not know where to start, how to go around it and what to do! This book was extremly helpful, there is no words to describe my gratitude to Richard, teaching you everything you need to know! the history of animation, how to draw, timing of animation, from the basics- stationary figures to walking ,running jumping and skipping, to flexibility, weight, anticipation, dialogue, acting, emotion and directing, this is the start point of animation today.. with this bible you won't go wrong! If your stuck in the deep end, this book is a portable lifeguard! its just that good, don't take my word for it! try it out for yourself!
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By K. Mitchell
VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
As a keen hobbyist looking to turn pro I thought it about time I started learning from the best, and one of my first stops was this highly recommended manual of esoteric knowledge; ancient secrets noted down by the man who knew the masters of animation personally. As a computer 3D animator, I wasn't terribly sure if it would be of significant use to me, but most of my fears were unfounded, and the info here is helpful whatever your chosen medium.
I have to say that the most fascinating part is the historical info provided by Richard, of both his own exploits and those of the master animators he learned from. These guys drew the cartoons we all grew up with and love, the Tom & Jerrys, the Road Runners, the golden age Disney films, and they discovered not only the best ways to bring inanimate oblects to life, but to give them wieght and character at the same time. Richard has distilled their pearls of wisdom so that anyone who wants to can learn the ins and outs of animation.
The drawings are nice and clear, the explanations easy to understand and you can practically animate the figures just by moving your eye across the page, they're so well done. While it undoubtedly concentrates on the 'classical' animator using pen and ink to make his mark, his character animation tips, timing sheet info and action design hints are invaluable for computer character animation. The man says himself that you have to be good enough with your chosen tool (pen or computer) to be able to stop worrying about how you're doing something and concentrate on the performance itself, what you're making your character do. Thus, most of his theory concentrates on performance and not drawing technique, a boon for the computer artists among us.
Overall I'd say this book was a damn good buy. Read more ›
I have to say that the most fascinating part is the historical info provided by Richard, of both his own exploits and those of the master animators he learned from. These guys drew the cartoons we all grew up with and love, the Tom & Jerrys, the Road Runners, the golden age Disney films, and they discovered not only the best ways to bring inanimate oblects to life, but to give them wieght and character at the same time. Richard has distilled their pearls of wisdom so that anyone who wants to can learn the ins and outs of animation.
The drawings are nice and clear, the explanations easy to understand and you can practically animate the figures just by moving your eye across the page, they're so well done. While it undoubtedly concentrates on the 'classical' animator using pen and ink to make his mark, his character animation tips, timing sheet info and action design hints are invaluable for computer character animation. The man says himself that you have to be good enough with your chosen tool (pen or computer) to be able to stop worrying about how you're doing something and concentrate on the performance itself, what you're making your character do. Thus, most of his theory concentrates on performance and not drawing technique, a boon for the computer artists among us.
Overall I'd say this book was a damn good buy. Read more ›
54 of 55 people found the following review helpful
By Andy Cook
Format:Paperback
For anyone with any kind of interest in either learning how to animate, honing their skills or just curious about how it's done, then this book is absolute gold.
I was fortunate enough to attend one of Richard Williams 3 day seminars in the art of animation a few years ago. Reading this book reminds me of those 3 packed days of Richards non-stop knowledge and expertise being poured out and all of us students trying desperately to absorb every word.
Many of the nuggets of information that the hundreds of hopefuls were desperately trying to scribble down were inevitably missed at the time. Well, given that practically everything he said over those 3 days were gems of information that came straight from the masters of animation all those years ago, we were bound to miss much of what he said. That's what makes this book so invaluable - a ton of priceless information finally in a form that can be dipped into as and when it's needed.
Packed with hundreds of drawings to illustrate the theory, the information in this book is appropriate for all forms of animation be it traditional 2D cell or 3D computer animation. I am in the computer games industry and estimate that only around half a dozen out of the 340+ pages of this book aren't relevant to me. So, if you're starting to learn animation or think you're an expert, buy this book.
I was fortunate enough to attend one of Richard Williams 3 day seminars in the art of animation a few years ago. Reading this book reminds me of those 3 packed days of Richards non-stop knowledge and expertise being poured out and all of us students trying desperately to absorb every word.
Many of the nuggets of information that the hundreds of hopefuls were desperately trying to scribble down were inevitably missed at the time. Well, given that practically everything he said over those 3 days were gems of information that came straight from the masters of animation all those years ago, we were bound to miss much of what he said. That's what makes this book so invaluable - a ton of priceless information finally in a form that can be dipped into as and when it's needed.
Packed with hundreds of drawings to illustrate the theory, the information in this book is appropriate for all forms of animation be it traditional 2D cell or 3D computer animation. I am in the computer games industry and estimate that only around half a dozen out of the 340+ pages of this book aren't relevant to me. So, if you're starting to learn animation or think you're an expert, buy this book.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Phil
Format:Paperback
As an animation student, I can't recommend this book highly enough if you seriously want to improve your character animation skills. It really opened my eyes as to how much I still have to learn. This book should be on the top of every animators book list, and have a permenant home on their desk.
Focusing entirely on traditional animation techniques, the advice it offers translates perfectly to all mediums from hand drawn animation to 3D computer animation to whatever else you do.
Entirely hand written in a very light hearted and very funny style and obviously brilliantly illustrated (What else would you expect from Richard Williams), you can't help but become infected with his love for animation.
This book is just overflowing with useful information. It's certainly not like most other animation books I've seen which provide you with a few useful techniques, and then become assigned to gather dust on your bookshelf. After owning this book for many months I'm still returning to it again and again and again, and gaining new thing from it each time. With all the examples and techniques to try out, I've not even got half way through yet.
Focusing entirely on traditional animation techniques, the advice it offers translates perfectly to all mediums from hand drawn animation to 3D computer animation to whatever else you do.
Entirely hand written in a very light hearted and very funny style and obviously brilliantly illustrated (What else would you expect from Richard Williams), you can't help but become infected with his love for animation.
This book is just overflowing with useful information. It's certainly not like most other animation books I've seen which provide you with a few useful techniques, and then become assigned to gather dust on your bookshelf. After owning this book for many months I'm still returning to it again and again and again, and gaining new thing from it each time. With all the examples and techniques to try out, I've not even got half way through yet.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very Insightful...
I would recommend it for you to try, especially if you are in the animation industry or in University, its very helpful indeed.
Published 5 months ago by Earth Angel
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have for all animators or animation students
This book pretty much covers everything you need to know to gain a good understanding of how to animate. It's easy to understand and includes visual examples. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Animrshaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you like drawn animation, this is is your baby!
Incredible book
Packed full of useful tips and great information.
WAtch out - for a beginner, there aren't any explicit exercises to help you develop or self study... Read more
Packed full of useful tips and great information.
WAtch out - for a beginner, there aren't any explicit exercises to help you develop or self study... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Chris Bardo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
bought this for my daughter studying animation. She said they use this book in the Uni, it's excellent. She also loves the writer/film maker.
Published 16 months ago by Golfing mum
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Animator's Survival Kit: A Working Manual of Methods,...
I am very pleased with my item, there was a fast delivery service and this is a good buy as it will help me with my project in my degree course.
Published 20 months ago by cat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
A must for all new animators everywhere this is just what you need to understand the principals, delivered in excellent condition. Very quick turn around, marvellous service
Published 21 months ago by dodge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Has every thing!
this Book has everything i need in my animation course so it was great for me and probs for you aswell
Published on 31 Oct 2010 by Mr. Gk Oppong
1.0 out of 5 stars
Strange Book
Not rreally what I expected when it arrived. Pretty boring book with loads of nice line drawings. Not much use for stop motion if that is what you are looking for.
Published on 27 Mar 2010 by Mr. R. J. C. Shield
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the wait
I've been waiting on and off for about 3 years to get hold of this book, I just kept on missing it being in stock. Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2009 by A. Graziano
5.0 out of 5 stars
The bible of animation
If youre looking to learn character animation, this is by far the best book that will teach you in the simplest , most vivid and yet most professional way. Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2009 by M.H
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