Producing Independent 2D Character Animation: Making & Selling a Short Film

by Mark Simon

Producing Independent 2D Character Animation takes an in-depth look at the artistry and production process of cel animation in a friendly, how-to manner that makes the sometimes tedious process of animation enjoyable and easy to understand. This book guides animators through every step of planning and production; includes examples of actual production forms, organization tips, screen shots, and sketches from the pre- to post-production processes; and contains detailed information on the hardware and software used to complete each step.

By mapping out the course of how his small studio brainstormed, created, then produced its award-winning animation, TIMMY'S LESSONS IN NATURE, Mark Simon explains to animators what it takes-both creatively and resource-wise-to get their animations to market.

Includes exclusive interviews with Oscar-nominated independent animator Bill Plimpton, Craig McCracken, creator of the POWER PUFF GIRLS, Craig "Spike" Decker of SPIKE & MIKE'S SICK AND TWISTED FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION, David Fine & Alison Snowden who are the Academy Award-Winning producers of BOB AND MARGARET, Cartoon Network's Senior Vice President of Original Animation, Linda Simensky, and Tom Sito, Co-Director of OSMOSIS JONES...as well as others.

Genres: Art

432 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 2003

About the author

Mark Simon is considered to be the Godfather of Storyboarding, working on more than 5,000 Hollywood productions including The Walking Dead and Stranger Things. He is also a best-selling author of film and art industry books. His latest book is the memoir, Attacked!, which is about when he was bullied and his family was attacked. He fought back with the law and became the first person in the country to hold parents responsible in court for the actions of their kids.

Reviews

[Russ Painter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems a bit dated with it's focus on real ink and paint and not so much the new fangled digital stuff (which it says takes longer to produce and doesn't look as good).

[Teysak · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may seems a bit outdated, but the pages of the interviews and some particular advices in between really worth it.