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5th out of 115 books
—
30 voters
The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation
The most complete book ever written on the subject, this is the fascinating inside story, told by two long-term Disney animators, of the gradual perfection of a relatively young and particularly American art form--which no other movie studio has been able to equal.
Hardcover, 576 pages
Published
October 19th 1995
by Disney Editions
(first published 1981)
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(More pictures at parkablogs.com)
Of the many books on animation and Disney, The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation is probably the best. Written by two of Disney's famous Nine Old Men, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, this book goes back to where animation was born, made and enjoyed by people all over the world.
At 576 pages, this huge volume probably covers lots of ground on animation except the how-to-do-it part since this isn't really a tutorial book. There are plenty of illustrious stories o...more
Rijkelijk geïllustreerd boek over de animatietechnieken, die bij Disney ontwikkeld en gebruikt werden tussen ca. 1934 en 1980, door twee van Disney's grootste animatoren, Frank Thomas en Ollie Johnston.
Het boek is noch een historisch overzicht noch een leerboek, maar heeft iets van beide. Het zit vol met tips & tricks, uitleg en voorbeelden, maar het bevat ook portretten van animators en veel anekdoten.
Voor historici is het boek uiteindelijk frustrerend, omdat Thomas & Johnston stelselma...more
Het boek is noch een historisch overzicht noch een leerboek, maar heeft iets van beide. Het zit vol met tips & tricks, uitleg en voorbeelden, maar het bevat ook portretten van animators en veel anekdoten.
Voor historici is het boek uiteindelijk frustrerend, omdat Thomas & Johnston stelselma...more
Although this book is not a quick read, it doesn't make it a dull book by any means. In fact, the book is filled with inspiration for anyone who is creative. Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston take you into the heart of the "Disney magic" by giving history lessons and animation lessons on every page. I look forward to reading this book every night.
I recently bought a blu-ray player and have been picking up the few Disney classics that are available. The discs are feature rich and have documentaries...more
I recently bought a blu-ray player and have been picking up the few Disney classics that are available. The discs are feature rich and have documentaries...more
“We seem to know when to ‘tap the heart.’ Others have hit the intellect. We can hit them in an emotional way. Those who appeal to the intellect only appeal to a very limited group. The real thing behind this is: we are in the motion picture business, only we are drawing them instead of photographing them.” - Walt Disney
Wonderful and informative. From Walt's Nine Old Men, basic principles, the many glimpses into the workings of the animators at Disney's during the Golden Age and more. 5/5!!
"The A...more
Wonderful and informative. From Walt's Nine Old Men, basic principles, the many glimpses into the workings of the animators at Disney's during the Golden Age and more. 5/5!!
"The A...more
This was a Christmas present from my mom when I was about 12. She got it on the discount rack at Kmart and I used this book so much that both the front and back cover have fallen off. I just took it out and looked through it again last night, to find something to stretch my drawing muscles on since I haven't done any drawing in 15 years now. It's every bit as wonderful and full of inspiration as I remember it being. My daughter loves looking through it too.
This is a fabulous read for anyone interested in animation, not just Disney animation. Two of the greats look at how animation developed into the art form it is today from the beginnings of Mickey up to The Rescuers. Full of great drawings and art from the films, it also gives you an inside look at how Walt ran the studio and how some of the most beautiful animation scenes were filmed.
This book is not for anyone with weak arms, a compulsion to not finish what they start, or fear of papercuts. The Illusion of Life is a monster, but so detailed and interesting that true Disney Animation fans overlook its age and weight.
Written by two of the nine old men, this book encompasses Disney Animation through The Rescuers.
Proud to say I read every chapter cover to cover. Solid 4.25 stars.
Written by two of the nine old men, this book encompasses Disney Animation through The Rescuers.
Proud to say I read every chapter cover to cover. Solid 4.25 stars.
A mighty huge tome that goes right into the heart & soul of Disney Animation Studios' origins, from the earliest days, to and through the classical era. The tales and anecdotes of the "Nine Old Men" that formed the backbone of the studio are a real treat for any animation fan to read.
I took this book up mainly because of the writers themselves, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, founding fathers of hand drawn animation. Thought it may be more of a tutorial book but is more of the history of animation and principles behind Disney's early years. Loved it very much.
I'd bet my lunch that this was/is a secret weapon to those involved with creating Pixar's films. For any animator, or fan of animation, it's an awe-inspiring, riveting book, chronicling an important and almost-forgotten artistic and technological renaissance of our time.
LOVED IT!!!!! Filled with lots of gorgeous Disney artwork and a great insight on how it is all put together in animation. This one is going in my collection for years to come!
Recommend to any Disney fan!
Recommend to any Disney fan!
An absolute must for anybody interested in animation in general, and the Disney-style animation that filled my imagination with smooth-moving full-of-personality characters. One of my favorite books.
This is another of those books that I had to have...just to say I had it, also so I'd be able to reference it later. I do a lot with art right now, and this is a very nice companion book.
Sejarah dan ilmu animasi ada di buku ini. Menceritakan bagaimana Studi Disney berkembang, orang-orang di dalamnya, dan yang terpenting adalah bagaimana prinsip-prinsip animasi tercipta.
This is the best Disney animation book that I have ever read. It was also neat to learn about the Disney creative process and compare that with the product development process.
Aug 10, 2012
B.E.
marked it as to-read
I only read and took notes on the first few sections of this book. But what an in-depth and remarkable history of perhaps the most timeless animation studio of all.
Marvelous book by two of Disney's original animators ("the Nine Old Men") and a great example of craftsmanship in animation as well as near-boundless creativity.
Mar 19, 2010
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rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
animation lovers
Shelves:
your-mother-should-know,
i-me-mine
buku ini bisa menjelaskan, kenapa Disney bisa menyihir milyaran orang tanpa memandang agama, bangsa, suku, bahasa, dan usia.
I don't can ever finish this book. As an animator, it's your bible. A book that you always reference when you're in a bind.
This is without a doubt the animator's bible. Reads like a novel, but full of priceless information on the craft.
A definitive book on animation. A must read for anyone interested in the art of animation.
Had to read it, since it is a miracle when I see my bf reading things... 15 books in his life!
I can summarise this book for you in three sentences (so the reading won't eat up half of your life):
1. 'It would've never happened without Walt'.
2. 'No, we mean, really, it's all about Walt'.
3. 'If you want the audience to be deeply emotionally involved with the film there's no better way to achieve this than to torture somebody's mom'.
If you really want to be a better animator buy the Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair.
If the book is thick it doesn't make it a bible.
1. 'It would've never happened without Walt'.
2. 'No, we mean, really, it's all about Walt'.
3. 'If you want the audience to be deeply emotionally involved with the film there's no better way to achieve this than to torture somebody's mom'.
If you really want to be a better animator buy the Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair.
If the book is thick it doesn't make it a bible.
This is a great coffee table book--incredible pics, very good info on how animation works, and great history and anecdotes of Disney animation. Written by two of the "9 old men" (the old guys from the end of the Incredibles). This is my third time through or so.
Best book ever at describing how to make things move in two dimensional media
Amazing book on animation by two fantastic animators!"
Mar 25, 2010
Jie
added it
It's a great book,from it I found my caricature dream!
Dec 26, 2008
Ola Salém
added it
ollie johnston! what much could i say!:)
if you are a hard-core fan of Walt Disney, or you're simply interested in the tips and techniques Walt Disney has used to make their characters so lively and full of personalities, well, yes, this book is a recommendation.
Absolutely Golden~
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Franklin M. "Frank" Thomas was an American animator.
Frank Thomas attended Stanford University, where he worked on the campus humor magazine The Stanford Chaparral with Ollie Johnston.
After graduating from Stanford, he attended Chouinard Art Institute.
Frank Thomas joined The Walt Disney Company on September 24, 1934 as employee number 224. There he animated dozens of feature films and shorts.
Alon...more
More about Frank Thomas...
Frank Thomas attended Stanford University, where he worked on the campus humor magazine The Stanford Chaparral with Ollie Johnston.
After graduating from Stanford, he attended Chouinard Art Institute.
Frank Thomas joined The Walt Disney Company on September 24, 1934 as employee number 224. There he animated dozens of feature films and shorts.
Alon...more
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