Rating: 
Summary: My "Second Year" of school.
Review: I'm a graduate of a one year animation certificate program in classical animation. In many ways, this book covers a lot of the ground of Preson Blair's classic bible "Cartoon Animation", as well as Tony White's excellent "Animator's Handbook". However, it also deals with practical examples to extend the lessons from these initial books. The whole section on 'walks' has lessons on acting, character and animation that deal with all areas of acting in animation, not simply walk cycles. It's also more practical than the Illusion of Life, in that it has a logical progression of lessons and enough custom illustrations to more precicely demonstrate these points. In many ways, It's the intermediate book between the intellectual aspects of the Illusion of Life, and the basic principals of Cartoon Animation. For me, this was like a second year of school: I had learned all the concepts and basic principals I needed in that first year of school using Tony White and Preson Blair. Richard William's book expanded on those concepts, and has already started to improve my work in the first two months of receiving it. I highly recommend this book to any animation students out there, as well as graduates looking to increase their skills.
Rating:
Summary: My "Second Year" of school.
Review: I'm a graduate of a one year animation certificate program in classical animation. In many ways, this book covers a lot of the ground of Preson Blair's classic bible "Cartoon Animation", as well as Tony White's excellent "Animator's Handbook". However, it also deals with practical examples to extend the lessons from these initial books. The whole section on 'walks' has lessons on acting, character and animation that deal with all areas of acting in animation, not simply walk cycles. It's also more practical than the Illusion of Life, in that it has a logical progression of lessons and enough custom illustrations to more precicely demonstrate these points. In many ways, It's the intermediate book between the intellectual aspects of the Illusion of Life, and the basic principals of Cartoon Animation. For me, this was like a second year of school: I had learned all the concepts and basic principals I needed in that first year of school using Tony White and Preson Blair. Richard William's book expanded on those concepts, and has already started to improve my work in the first two months of receiving it. I highly recommend this book to any animation students out there, as well as graduates looking to increase their skills.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I've only read through about 50 pages of this book so far, but... omigod what an awesome book! Definitely should be on the shelf of anyone serious about character animation, whether you are doing 3D digital animation or traditional hand-drawn animation. Williams goes into incredible detail on motion, 'tweening, timing, and also has some great anecdotes from working with some of the legendary animators from Disney and Warner Brothers.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I've only read through about 50 pages of this book so far, but... omigod what an awesome book! Definitely should be on the shelf of anyone serious about character animation, whether you are doing 3D digital animation or traditional hand-drawn animation. Williams goes into incredible detail on motion, 'tweening, timing, and also has some great anecdotes from working with some of the legendary animators from Disney and Warner Brothers.
Rating:
Summary: a real "survival" kit
Review: If you are a wannabe animator like me, you can't live without this book. There's just too much HELPFUL and PRACTICAL information in here. Just when you think you have it all, this book keeps throwing info at you, USEFUL info. It's the kind you will refer to constantly, just when all the other books fail, you'd remember this book and come back to it.
Rating:
Summary: 10 STARS AND THEN SOME!!
Review: If you happen to be a character animator that spends time at lunch talking about the principles of animation that are presented in 'The Illusion of Life' or perhaps you animate quadrapeds with the Preston Blair book open, then you definitely want to get this Survival Kit. I opened the book a week ago and started reading and by the end of the day I was a couple hundred pages deep. I opened up a walk cycle I'd created a week earlier and started toying around with the passing poses and the next thing you know I have a 'sad' walk....and then a 'proud' walk...and then a 'lazy' walk. This book has enabled me to animate quicker and also more effectively. The simple 'Recipe' style of creating walks with 'Vitality' is a tremendous guide. I'm still not finished with the book because I've started going back over the walk and run sections while applying the lessons to animations that I have up on my computer. I'm convinced that applying the principles and methods described in this goldmine of a book will undoubtedly make anyone a better animator. I have friends in Film, Television, and Games and without exception this book is quickly becoming the talk among those in the animation industry. If "The Illusion of Life" is the animators Bible, then "The Animator's Survival Kit" is the New Testament of what was once a forerunner to this remarkable book.
Rating: 
Summary: A OK
Review: Not bad, anything in 3D like this is a great help.
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal
Review: Of all the animation books I have read, this is by far the best. I found it more useful and detailed than Preston Blaire's book. This is essential.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: One of those must have books for any animator!
You've seen all the other reviews.
Just go buy it.
Rating:
Summary: The Animator's Survival Kit
Review: Practical information put forth in a clear yet entertaining manner. Richard Williams' personality, passion and knowledge shine through while he illuminates both his own methods and the theory and practice of his mentors. I see this as a find for both newbies to the biz of animation and the seasoned alike. The structure is a graphic compilation of notes, antidotes and inspirational images that serve to educate, remind and inspire.
| 
