Synopses & Reviews
Learn how to think before you animate. Thinking Animation is a one-of-a-kind book that emphasizes how artists can use traditional animation techniques and principles with the computer generated animation technology of today. Written by seasoned animators with experience in both 2D and CG, Thinking Animation is an exquisite guide aimed at experienced animators; however, the skills taught within are still accessible and valuable to the novice animator. This full-color book includes numerous interviews with experienced contributing authors from a wide range of backgrounds, including stop-motion, visual effects, traditional animation, and CG. Thinking Animation is non-software specific. It contains a history of the field of animation as well as insight into how CG studios operate. It embraces the future of animating with the computer while still retaining the core values that traditional animators use as formulas and principles.
Synopsis
"Thinking Animation: Bridging the Path Between 2D and CG" teaches readers how to think before they animate. Featuring current and pertinent content the book emphasizes using traditional animation techniques and principles with today's computer generated animation technology. Written for beginner and experts alike, the book provides useful, up-to-date techniques that readers can apply directly to their animation. Loaded with full-color images, tutorials, and interviews with experienced contributing authors from a wide range of backgrounds, the book is non-software specific and also contains a history of the field of animation as well as insight into how today's CG studios operate.
About the Author
Angie Jones began her animatioin career at a San Diego studio of more than 150 traditional animators. As a female animator, she was a novelty. Even rarer at this traditional studio was her willingness to create animation with a computer. although she was trained at a fine art school, she readily embraced the computer and for the past ten years she has worked on several productions, including Stuart Little 2, Disney's 50th anniversary commercials, Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus, Garfield, Dino Crisis 3, Scooby Doo 2, Xmen 2, and National Treasure. Jamie Oliff was trained in classical animation at Sheridan College of Art and Design and has worked in the animation industry for more than 20 years. An award-winning director and long-time feature film animator, his credits include the first season of The Ren and Stimpy Show, many feature-length animated pictures such as the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, Hercules, The Emperor's New Groove, and CGI animation on titles ranging from Kangaroo Jack to Scooby Doo 2, and National Treasure.
Table of Contents
Part I. Foundation 1. Fleas on the Shoulders of Giants 2. Tell Me a Story 3. The Good, the Bad, and the Just Plain Annoying Part II. Animation 4. The Thursday Animator 5. Every Frame Counts 6. Acting in the Moment, Again and Again and Again Part III. And Now a Word from the Producer 7. Studio Politics: When Push Comes to Stab 8. The End of the Beginning 9. Indexes Part IV. History and Production Notes