Animation Books

tremendous text for classic bugs bunny enthusiasts. brings a new found appreciation for the masterminds behind the character development and the environment they "grew up" in.

Simply put, this is the best book ever written about Looney Tunes, and what it took to make them. Chuck shares entertaining behind the scenes info about the Termite Terrace and the people who worked there. Chuck say's that it was quite normal to see the animators look like they were going to wack each other with a mallet. Chuck also tells stories about those notorious poducers, Leon Schlesinger (whos lisp was used in Daffy voice) and Eddie Selzer. When Eddie said "I don't want any gags about bullfights, bullfights aren't funny!", Jones and Mike Maltise had something. Result: Bully For Bugs. When he said the same thing about camels to director Fritz Freleng, the result: Sahara Hare. Though Eddie is quoted as saying about Pepe Le Pew, "Nobody'd laugh at that s**t!", he happily accepted the Oscar for "For Scent-imental Reasons", a Pepe Le Pew cartoon. That (and many more) hilarous titbits are spread throughout this superb book, including high-quality backgrounds and scenes for "Duck Dodgers in the 24th and 1/2 Century" and many others. Also included are many drawings and many photos of the directors, animators and producers. The most illistruated and well thought out book about cartoons ever made.

The world lost an animation genius recently with the death of Chuck Jones. Luckily, there is a book like this that celebrates the animation genius he was. Arguably, Jones was the father of some of the best Warner Brothers cartoons ever made, including "Duck Amuck," "Duck Dogers in the 24th and 1/2 Century," and my personal favorite "What's Opera Doc?" He also is responsible for giving us such great pieces of pop culture as the original "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Part autobiography, part instruction, part tribute, this book shows us the man behind the screen, or should I say behind the pencil? We often wonder where a genius comes from - Chuck seems to say from anywhere. His mark on the development of the cartoon is undeniable, and monumental. But just as you cannot appreciate art fully until you know about the painter, so it is with Chuck's cartoons. I have a greater appreciation for the work that goes into developing these 8 minute masterpieces. Yes, it's true that Jones gave us some of the clunkers in the 60's as the Warner Brothers studio (and the MGM studio) animation division gasped what seemed to be its last breath. But it's all the more amazing that Chuck could produce such works given what little he had to work with. The world would be poorer were it not for the gives Chuck has given us, including Wile E. Coyote (super genius!),and the Road Runner, Pepe Le Pew, Marvin the Martian and many others. His style was distinctive, his contributions monumental and behind it all, he was a fascinating and talented man. This book stands as a tribute to this genius now that he's no longer with us.

Rather than an autobiography, this book is more a collection of musing from one of America's greatest storytellers (he just happened to tell his stories with pictures shown in rapid succession!) From his love of Mark Twain to his contempt at studio management, we see not how his life unfolded, but rather how Mr. Jones created his vision. Though there is no drawing instruction, I have to agree with the plethora of lists that this should be on the shelves of every animator, professional or aspiring, as it illuminates what goes into a great cartoon before penicl ever touches paper.

Chuck Jones is one of the best known people in the animation business. He's been in the animation business for over 65 of his 88 years(as I write this review, he'll be 88 on the 12th of this month!).

This book lists all of the cartoons he's been involved with (Warner Bros, MGM, Dr. Suess specials, and many others). Also, he talks about growing up, how real life inspired his cartoons, what it was like working in Warner Bros studio, pays tribute to partners Tex Avery, Friz Freleng, Mike Malthese, and Abe Levitow, and talks about other projects he's done (like his How to Draw From the Fun Side of Your Brain). And as the other reviewers have pointed out, there's an animated cartoon of the Roadrunner and the Coyote on the pages of this book.

Since this book was originally published, he's produced one video in the 1990's (Chariots of Fur) and the historical and whimsical book Daffy for President (available through the US Postal Service).

Initially I started this book and learned some things right away that I hadn't realized. Then the direction of the book seemed to jump around a bit and in the process I found sections that weren't formatted properly and in one section (pgs.60-61) the author refers to an project file that doesn't exist. In other parts you wonder what one thing has to do with the exercise just given. On page 67 it jumps from finding a particular clip within a sequence to placing markers for DVD Studio Pro.
If the book is used in a process where you check for something in the index then jump to that page, it should work out fine, but as a linear read, it really is scattered.

The author of this book really hits the nail on the head by showing you how to do the cool stuff and backing it up with page after page of tips, tricks and troubleshooting knowledge. The Questions and Answers section at the end of each chapter are priceless. This is one of the few Final Cut Pro books that I have read that successfully mixes basic, intermediate and advanced topics and for that I have to give much credit to this author. I have been using Final Cut Pro for one year and my colleagues are seasoned Final Cut Pro professionals, and we all learned something from this book. This book gave me a solid learning experience and made me like Final Cut Pro even more.

Like one of the previous reviews, I too have several books on this subject and this is no doubt the best of the bunch. Lonzell Watson takes a different approach to his teaching by making you think about what you're editing and how you might frame the edit. There's only one trivial thing in the book that takes some getting used to and that is the (play head) being referred to as the (position indicator) I find myself constantly thinking what's he talking about position indicator?...Oh you mean the PLAY HEAD! This isn't your typical cookie cutter instructional book, well worth your attention.

This book is extremely helpful. I obtained Final Cut Pro 6 with only limited working knowledge of the software, but through this book I have quickly excelled and I can edit quickly and with the best of them. I would recommend this book to anyone who any questions about the program. The question and answer section at the end of each chapter gives a little bit of extra insight that is also incredible useful.

GENIUS - an over used word...but not when talking about these guys.

Several years ago I took John Lynn's FCP class at GeniusDV in Florida. I'd been a video editor for well over 20 years and thought I would never be able to make the transition from the good 'ole tape editing to digital editing. Without the talented John Lynn and GeniusDV I never would have been able to evolve from one format to the other. GeniusDV helped me become more proficient in FCP than I ever imagined.

However, I realized that I got stuck doing the same things...same effects...same dissolves...same graphics same, same, same. Then I got my hands on FINAL CUT PRO 6 for Digital Video Editors Only by Lonzell Watson.

To begin with, the large type of the book itself is a huge help. The paper it's printed on is of such quality my constant contact will never rip a page.

Quite simply, the content and the written structure of Lonzell's book made me want to sit in the editing bay. Lonzell's spot-on "hit the deck running" instructions and tips showed me new ways to work.

His chapter on "Accelerating the Editing process" (Chapter 3) is superior. Many times during my constant reading of this book I find myself actually shaking my head and mumbling something like "I didn't know that!" His crystal clear breakdown of tasks showed me how to tell my story in a way I had imagined; yet wasn't sure how to best produce. Even with all my editing experience, I found that the exercises gave me new inspiration and ideas.

FINAL CUT PRO 6 For Digital Video Editors Only by Lonzell Watson is the first thing I reach for when I begin editing. Before I even turn on the computer the book is on the left side of my keyboard...notes and colored paper clips extending abundantly.

FINAL CUT PRO 6 for Digital Video Editors Only is complete in itself. This book is the perfect link to the class I took at GeniusDV. If you are a video editor, or want to be a video editor get to one of their classes. I plan on taking another class with GENIUSDV, but until I do this book will be more than sufficient. I didn't think anything could be as helpful, instructional and enjoyable as the actual class taught by the consummate John Lynn and GeniusDV. However, Lonzell Watson's book is a masterful substitute.

Lonzell Watson, John Lynn and Genius DV are worthy of the word genius.

I have to say, this book is awesome. It taught me how to build models and understand why I am doing what I am doing. I use it all the time and hopefully he will release a new version for us folks who will outgrow this one. Covers all bases and it's worth 2x what I paid for it...

this is very good because it teaches step by step and it makes sense too.

The book is a very clear, step-by-step of all the processes involved in making a game character leading up to the animation. The animation is covered but not in as much detail. Everything else is though, including the awesome rigging machine which comes with the book.

Its refreshing to see that someone wasnt limited by a publisher to keep the book size down, and he obviously was able to take his time really illusrating every step.

Its a great book.

This is my first time to write this kind of review, therefore, I don't know how to do a good one. But what I can say for this book is it is easy to follow and the method of modeling that I have learned from it is very useful. If you can follow the tutorials patiently, you can gradually build a very good foundation of your modeling skill. ^-^.. I am looking forward for the next edition.

1)This book highlights some important issues in modeling & rigging that no other books bother to emphasis.

2)The accompanying CD contains very insightful scripts (that acutally works) - goodies other books only PRETEND to give.

3)It guides beginners and ease them through relatively advanced topics in character animation.

4)If you really need to achieve something in a hurry in Maya. Yes, this is the book to get.

This book is splendid, it's a must have in the series of "The Art of..." !!!!

Ignore the image of the cover I posted above. You're not going to get the same cover. You're going to get something better. The hardcover book came with a protective cardboard cover box with two holes cut into it. Peeking out of the two holes are Boog and Elliot, of course.

When you pull the book out of it's cover box, you'll notice that there's something different about this book and other art books. There are a lot of goodies packed within the pages. There were post cards, posters, mini booklets and even stickers!

Inside the book, there were tons of original sketches, beat boards and film stills. The captions and write ups were really nice to read. The content was so vibrant and full of life. The book actually feels like a scrapbook. I've several photos taken on Parka Blogs

Pixar may want to review their delivery of any future art books now that Sony is delivering books like Open Season, chocked with goodies. This book is so packed full of art you would think the film was traditional. I enjoyed Open Season and wondered why since I cant stand most CG films except for Pixar's (excluding Cars). I know why now I see all the pre-production that went into it...for me Im a colour and environment lover and I was so happy to see Sony included colour scripts and beat boards! I really think this one is a great investment! The presentation is a real treat, I am looking forward to the Aardman art of books now that they are partners with Sony...keep it up.

Great artbook. really relly great!!! with lot of little details, postcards and beautiful sketches, backgrounds and3D modellings, etc and a really beaituful and perfect edition, with a "2nd cover" (I don't know how it's called in english)

I have seen the movie and wanted to walk out on it within the fist five minutes. NOT because the animation was bad, or the art direction awful, simply because the pacing and the main character's voices were just getting in the way of the experience I look for in a movie, any movie : The escape.

When I picked up the book, I was almost shocked to see that the exact oposite was happening. I found myself flipping through the pages, being brought in to this magnificent world inspired by the older Disney designers, and really enjoyed the book.
I would recommend it as a standalone Art Book, rather than a complement to the movie. In fact, you might like the movie better if you just go through the book.

This was a very good read, masterfully told and researched. This is the only book that tells the COMPLETE history of indie movies. Highly recommended.

This book blew me away. I love the way it covers the whole spectrum of indie film, not just "art" but "exploitation" as well. The story of how these films came to be against great odds makes for great reading. I learned something knew on every page. Highly recommended for fans of non-Hollywood films.

This was a great read. Very well-written. It covered more than any other film book. I especially liked the exploitation stuff and how it mixed with art films: the yin and yang of indie cinema.

This is the best book ever written on independent film. I wish I could give it move than 5 stars, because Celluloid Mavericks is a pure pleasure to read: witty, informative and always extremely entertaining. No other book comes close to its breadth and detail, especially in regards to the previously uncharted territory between 1896 and 1960. This is my all-time favorite film book, well deserving of its many raves reviews.

from the New York Press 3-29-2000 - copyright Matt Zoller Seitz

Merritt's book covers a century's worth of off-center cinema, including 1890s nickelodeons, 1940s chitlin-circuit black films, Sam Fuller's genre-busting work in the 50s and 60s, blaxploitation and hardcore porn in the 70s and the Sundance wave of the 80s and 90s. The central idea of free spirits bucking the system unifies waht might have been a too-broad historical text, and Merritt's tart wit enlivens the fact-packed narrative. His prose isn't merely amusing; it's lovingly polished, a real pleasure to read. He's honest enough to admit that most 70s blaxploitation films were garbabe, "rarely as much fun as their posters or soundtracks." He coins a wonderful new phrase to describe the hillbilly flicks that flooded rural drive-ins around the same time: "Whitezploitation." He describes Tom Laughlin's "Billy Jack" as a movie about pacifists who "come to worship a man of violence," and declares, "the real hoot is seeing the messiah take off his boots and kick the grins off rednecks."

This isn't one of those fuzzy, ruminative books where the author writes whatever strikes his fancy and crams it into a bulging thematic suitcase after the fact. The preface carefully defines "independent" to mean any movie "financed and produced completely autonomous of all studios," and "semi-indie" as a movie that received studio funding at some point. The definitions cast certain well-known American films in a fresh light. I didn't know, for example, that the Oscar-winning "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" didn't get a dime's worth of funding from any studio.

Chapter to chapter and page for page, "Celluloid Mavericks" is an indespensable book, as entertaining as it is informed.

This book is quite in depth. It covers the basics very quickly at first and then goes deep. Any one wanting to have a comprehensive book on the skills of after effects this book is for you.

I'm an avid editor for a major tv network. My job now requires me to use After Effects for some basic effects work. This book has already put me way beyond my required needs for my job. We have separate department for motion graphics. I'm pushing the envelope and really supplying some fantastic work.
GET THIS BOOK!

This is a great book that can help any level of AE user. Great tips and time saving techniques. I recommend it as a book to keep within reach at your work station.

I really enjoy the way the book presents the material. It's easy to read and follow the step by step tutorials. The included disc contains each tutorial that the book covers so that you can follow along and test each and every step. It makes learning After Effects easy and fun to work with. It's great for beginners as well as experienced users of the software. This book will stay on my bookshelf as a quick reference.

Advanced After Effects Motion Graphics is for the editor with some AE miles under their belt. It is not really a beginner book, but does start you off slowly with great step by step instruction. However, you will eventually need this book but buy it together with the Meyers' After Effects Apprentice which starts you off in the AE wourld. Any of the Meyers books are just what you need to learn AE. Highly recommended!!

If you like the movie, you must have. The book is amazing, full detailed in sketches, layout, character design and comments. The book included a big mount of extras (postcards, stickers, minibooks, DVD of making waves,etc.). If you can, don't doubt, buy it.

This movie and book was great. The DVD with the book is a MUST SEE! I love it. I buy it for all my movie buffs, family and friends. Oh! I forgot to mention..... my son is Erick Miller and he helped make the movie! Rock on Erick! Love, Mom

originally i really didn't have any intentions of seeing "surf's up" in theaters, i was just going to wait it out and rent it. then i stumbled upon the making of art book and changed my mind. what i really love about the book is the playful attitude it takes to the whole "art of/ making of" genre. it goes beyond showing you concept sketches and the likes and shows how they constructed scenes, gives extra little insights on character's personalities, and through in some behind the scenes jokes that didn't make it into the movie. all in all just a really enjoyable read.

I seriously can't find anything wrong with this book. Every production book should be this good. Every other production book that I have purchased in the past has always been lacking something, and left me feeling like I was kinda ripped off. Almost like they went around the office and said, "everybody just give me some of your stuff because we're going to throw some stupid book together". Not this book though. This one actually makes me want to look at it over and over again. It makes me want to watch the movie again. Forget Pixar and their somewhat good movies. This movie was a hundred times better than any Pixar movie (well I did like the Incredibles). This movie was produced by a company that will always over shadowed by Pixar, but by my opinion, Sony has produced a way more visually advanced film that everybody over looked because it had penguins in it (I kinda thought the same thing when it first came out). The book shows alot of that amazing imagery and goes a little further for the old fashioned pencil and paper artist (like me). It's a real insperation for any fan of the movie. This book has alot of extras like postcards and posters and stuff like that nature. It makes the book feel alot like a scrapbook of the making of the movie. I feel very happy to have book like this in my collection. The only thing that I would have maybe added is the actual breeds of penguins that the characters were modeled after. I just looked that up on a Google search and found that one out. But all the same it would have been cool to see a side by side comparison.

This book is simply amazing. One of the best art books released in years. Great character design, visuals, and even lots of fun extras including a making of dvd, postcards, poster, stickers, and mini books. This is truly an inspiration. I work as an animator and took it to work to show fellow artists, and they ALL bought it on the spot. This will be in my art book archive for years to come.

Great 3d resource. A positive aspect about this book is that it's not based on any particular software. There is a fair amount of reference to 3DSMax but it is not exclusive to that package. This is especially useful to the uninitiated in that it gives an excellent overview of 3d in general independant of the any particular software.
There's good stuff here for anyone from the merely curious to the professional.

Computer graphics and animation expert Mark Giambruno draws upon the experiences of working professionals about the technology shared through insightful interviews in 3D Graphics & Animation. Offering the novice strong and "user friendly" presentation of information needed by those just learning the 3D area and those who are trying to enter the 3D market, this updated and expanded second edition of 3D Graphics & Animation builds on the well-received segments of the first edition to cover the basics of 3D in general terms. 3D Graphics & Animation also offers excellent and comprehenstive coverage of such related topics as developing a story concept, storyboarding, and putting together a demo real and portfolio. New elements showcased in this second edition include interviews from industry leaders as well as application specific tutorials for 3ds max 4, Maya 4, and LightWave 7 that are included on the CD. If you have a project involving graphics and animation, then give a careful reading to Mark Giambruno's 3D Graphics & Animation!

A great book that not only gives general info about the industry but offers an extensive multi-platform tutorial to get you on your way. Definitely for begginers, but it does what it is supposed to do well.

It amazes me how Mark aims sooo wide but hits so precise! He treats every aspect within 3D art without missing a step. I couldn't imagine a better guide for climbing the sometimes steep and treacherous paths of "Mount 3D".

It's hard to specify who this book is "for". In such cases it might be easier to define the negation: This book is NOT for those who DON'T want to LEARN 3D, because they inevitably will :)

Apart from being a superb 3D artist Mark Giambruno is an excellent writer as well. As if that wasn't enough he's also a great teacher!

What's really cool is that the book has a generic approach. It's not specific for any software but applicable to all. So instead of just learning to master 3DS Max or Maya or any other 3D package, you'll learn to master the art of 3D modelling! Isn't that great? I mean, software are just tools (pretty fancy friggin' tools if you ask me, but still tools) the real stuff is what you got inside you're head, right? On the other hand one can't dismiss tools just like that, it's not like you can blow 3D models out your nose (or acctually... nah I won't go there) so you're still depending on them. Mr. Giambruno is well aware of this and includes versions of the tutorials in the book for 3 different packages on the companion CD.

I use Softimage XSI myself which has no corresponding version on the CD. I have no problems following the tutorials, and I'm a newbie to both 3D modelling and Softimage XSI.

This book won't spend to much time on the shelf if any. If you want to learn 3D you will waste valuable time by not buying this book. If it's not the standard for teaching 3D in schools it sure as heck should be! There's no point that I tell you what areas the book cover since it's better specified elsewhere but I'll do it anyway: EVERYTHING :)

BUY IT!

The book "3D Graphics and Animation" is like some one way ticket to the world of 3D graphics. Since I've bought the russian version of it - my life has changed. Finally I desided to connect my future life with CG.
Whether you are experienced graphist or you're beginner this book is for you. Here you can find all concepts of 3D modelling(polygonal-, spline-, patch-, NURBS-modelling, etc); although it contains chapters about different types of animation, texturing, lighting and special effects.
This book does not refer to some specific software and, I think, this is it's advantage(for better understanding). And what is more - the book builds on lessons, during which you're studying how to deal with 3D.
The most peculiarity of this book is chapter "Finding the Job in 3D Industry "-which I haven't yet found in other books. It was really cool to find it, when I have not any idea about the job in 3D. The other big surprise was to find in detail notices about software and hardware used in 3D.
I think this book is perfect for the peoples who has some experience in working with 3D and doesn't know how to "convent it into cash". Book comes with a lot of helpful information (advicements, internet links, lessons on applied CD)
Thanks to Mark Giambruno - the book is realy nice.

Hello everyone ! I bought this book cause I need it !
Not only for a better understanding of max tools but for the entire process of making of a good 3d movie animation !
Well,this book acomplish its purpose !The book pass through every stages of this process !Congratulations for the author and for his clarity expositions !

I just received my copy, this is not much of a review but I have a question, i will update this as soon as i have my review.
My question: is it normal that the book comes with 2 cd-roms? And why are on the 2 cd-roms the same data?

This is a great book on completing a project, it helps in every respect, lots of tutorials, references, information, examples etc....
One thing is not mentioned, to complete these projects, you will need more then 3DS Max 6, you will need to have Adobe PREMIER to make/edit the movie, for special effects & more, you will need COMBUSTION 3, even though it is not necessary but it will be essential for a complete animation, you will need to have a sound editing software like Cakewalk's SONIC or something similar and of course Adobe Photoshop.
I am very happy with the book, and have already started planning & sketching a storyboard plus modeling the environment I will use, my characters are almost ready, but because of this fantastic book, I didn't know about the sound editing and the movie editing outside of 3DS Max requiered to finish a movie, now with this book I will complete my animation project.

This book is a very good surprise. It's very complete, well explained, very clear.

That book contains exacly what is said on the cover.. So no deception possible! (An exemple that Sanford Kennedy shoud follow because his book about 3ds max 5 is terrible, a total desaster.)

So this is the book to buy! Thank you Mr Barret Fox.

He shows how he developed, boarded, modeled, textured, rigged & animated the 3 figures shown on the cover. He doesn't wander off on side issues, nor does he gloss over the tricky parts. The book comes with a CD of usable models and scenes so you can see what and how he did it.


One word of warning is the author assumes the reader is advanced on the subject - don't get this book if you need a basic how-to animate with computer book.

This book is in good shape. For some reason I think that a page was missing, but I think I can do without the page. I like this book very much.

This book is like the awsome movie itself.
It has certain features you do not expect. Sometimes I could not determine at first sight if pictures were 2d or just real materials. Like the enveloppe,the playingcard holders and other "fearsome commodities". Wonderfull picturebook with well made drawings and photographs. Outstanding quality. It might have been found in the monsterhouse!
Brecht Gerritse, The Netherlands

Love the book. A Priceless addition to an animation lovers dream book collection.

I thought this book was very suprizing in giving the reader plenty of images from the development the movie. Actually, almost to good.. there's so many scrapbook style pages that it can be overwelming at times. Regardless, this book is a must have for the Art of collector. If you liked this book and concept art check out [...]

This is how "art of" books really should be made. Lots of inserts, post-it notes and fun details. It looks almost like a scrapbook and is filled to the rim with drawings, renders, concept art and fun stuff. Very inspirational. It is just as great as the "Open Season" book which is also a must-have for all fans of animation.