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Summary: The Animators Bible
Review: Equivalent to a Holy relic, this masterpiece of a book has inspired me, not only to appreciate Disney's work, but also the animators and animation in general. If you are considering entering the animation field, in particular working for Disney, then by all means purchase this book and read it thouroughly. 2 of the Old Nine Men, Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, wrote this book sometime in the early eighties. I read this in the early nineties. I was such a good read it amazed. Not only what they were writing about, but how good the writing was. It was humerous, witty, profound and informative in such a way that is easy to retain the knowledge which I found immediately applicable. By far the one book that has stood the test of time beyond all of Disney's "The Art of (Insert Movie Here)" books. Thomas and Johnston give step by step process of how Disney complete a picture from the inception of the first idea to the finalized product on Sunset Boulevard at the El Capitan. I cannot comment on this book enough and cannot reccomend this book highly enough. Five stars is the max, but I can say, of all the books I have read, no other book has inspired me more in my readings, and no other book I treasure more than this one. I say, the earlier edition of this book may have better prints and color, but its not the pictures that matter completely (however nice they are), its what the animators pass on to another animator. Inspiration for motivation and creativity.
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Summary: THE ONE AND ONLY DISNEY BOOK IF YOU SHOULD CHOOSE ONE
Review: I am a french disney fan and this is the best and most beautifull d. book i ever read thousands of pictures and brillant story by 2 of WD nine old men
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Summary: The GREATEST book on animation there is!!!
Review: I have a copy of this book because I plan to be the greatest Disney animator of all time. I think it would really help me learn what makes Disney animation better than all the rest. I am reading it for the second time and I hope to really understand it so that I can use its information on the job. If you want to be a Disney animator but don't have this book, be sure to get it, or you can forget your job at Disney's.
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Summary: This book is NOT an illusion,its the real McCoy.
Review: I have yet to read(well...fully..properly..) or for that matter even buy it(this book),but I have seen it in a local bookstore and are dying to get it.It is hellishly expensive,but I have my beady eye on it.
I have flipped through it many times ,and even read a paragraph or two,and I have to say,it is the best book on Disney and/or animation I have ever seen,and it is what I have been looking for ,for a long time.
Strictly speaking it is not a animation handbook,it is not supposed to be,but there is more than enough info on the why's and wherefore's of animation technique and principles to wet the appetite of any animator or lay person,and provide precious insight into the magic of Disney animation.
There is hundreds of photos,diagrams,demos,and stills within the book that will leave any serious animation fan sallivating..and gasping in wonderment....and I haven't even got the book yet..I can't wait to get it..it IS THAT GOOD !!!
This is NOT a book to be overlooked anytime soon.It is a MUST HAVE BOOK!!
Get it soon,get it today,get it NOW!!
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Summary: They say it's the first book to buy on animation. I agree.
Review: I have, for several years, been a member of various computer animation lists, and that's where I'm coming from with this review. This is the one book which has consistently come up on those lists when dealing with general issues (the Principles of Animation, etc), simply because it is the best. It is not the best tutorial book, since it is not written as a tutorial: it is a history of Disney. If you want a tutorial on computer animation, go elsewhere. But that will probably NOT be as much help to you as reading this book, because after reading this, you will be inspired. I think this is why people are so religeously fervent when speaking about it - not because they found it useful for the large number of techniques and tips which are slipped in throughout (though very many of them are out of date or not applicable in the computer animation world), but because the book inspires. I thought it was expensive, but after I bought it and read it the first time, I realised it was cheap at the price. It is gorgeously produced, and filled with colour pics and examples of what it talks about. Worth buying if you are into animation, or if you are interested in the history of Disney.
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Summary: I must've missed the magic
Review: I realize I'm alone on this one, so I don't think my voice will be heard very well against the crowds saying otherwise, but I didn't find this book to be very useful. I was so excited when I first got it because I've heard nothing but good things about it, but I was unfortunately dissappointed. It's really more of a history and recollection of "the good ol' days" told by two brilliant animators, but, in my honest opinion, it lacked very much the "how to" part of animation. I'm all for learning from the experiences of others, but after reading the book cover to cover I can't say I'll be a better animator for it.
Rating:
Summary: I must've missed the magic
Review: I realize I'm alone on this one, so I don't think my voice will be heard very well against the crowds saying otherwise, but I didn't find this book to be very useful. I was so excited when I first got it because I've heard nothing but good things about it, but I was unfortunately dissappointed. It's really more of a history and recollection of "the good ol' days" told by two brilliant animators, but, in my honest opinion, it lacked very much the "how to" part of animation. I'm all for learning from the experiences of others, but after reading the book cover to cover I can't say I'll be a better animator for it.
Rating: 
Summary: A most marvelous of books.
Review: I wouldn't say this is a book on animation, rather a general synopsis of a style of animation which is quite wonderous and in itself another art form. It does not explain so much the drawing, or its technique so much as the process and general thoughts on its topic. There are plenty of other books which will give you a better idea on certain area's of animation, but nothing will give you a broad and over all priese of fine animation of refining techniques. It lays the ground work for developing your own style (hopefully?) All and all, pretty slick!
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Summary: Every Animation Artist Should Own It!
Review: I'll get to the point quickly. This is the BEST book about the process of classical animation ever written. It is thorough, well written, and very entertaining. Without seeing it, it is impossible to understand the immense amount of info contained in this volume. It should be treated like a text book for animators, and that is the way in which the authors have approached the presentation. Illusion of Life covers topics as diverse as storytelling, sound effects, drawing hair, acting, pacing, comedy, and design. It was written by two of Disney's original animators, so they know what they're talking about. It's hard to imagine anyone in the industry getting by without the knowledge contained within the covers of this fantastic book.
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Summary: What's to say? In a class of its own.
Review: If you are an animator, you need this book. If you're interested in animation, you want this book. In my opinion, as books about the theory and practice of animation goes, there are only about two or three in the must-have class. This one leads that pack.In particular, the "Principles of Animation" chapter is the clearest and best explanation of the principles of animation in existence. If you're an animator, you need to know these rules, whether or not you intend to break them.
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