Customer Reviews

Animated Performance: Bringing imaginary animal, human and fantasy characters to life (Required Reading Range)

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There are plenty of books written on character design, and there also plenty of books written on animation. What Nancy Beiman has done with her new book, "Animated Performance" is bridge these two aspects of animation production. This book shows that animation is more than just the technical aspects of timing, stretch & squash, walk cycles, etc (which have been covered in great detail by Tony White, Richard Williams, Preston Blair, and many others). Further, the book shows that character design doesn't just stop with the turnaround and the model sheet -- the true design of the character is shown in how it performs on the screen, otherwise it's just flat and mechanical.

The hefty volume is packed with detail and terrific, color artwork and delves deep into the art of bringing animated characters to life. What I like best about this book is that she spends a great deal of time focusing on non-human characters. Many other animation books focus on things like four-legged walks and similar topics for animals, but Nancy goes way beyond this and provides great instruction on making animals *perform*. And that's the real theme of the book -- performance! Not just acting, not just animating, but performing.

There are also lots of exercises so you can apply what you have learned. The best way to self-study is to draw draw and draw, and that's what these exercises get you doing, starting with a daily sketchbook and learning how to observe. The book is a large format and opens flat, so you can have out it on your lap or desk while drawing (the best way to study this book!)

This book applies to all animation styles, not just hand-drawn Disney-style animation -- the principles apply to 2D & 3D digital animation, stop-motion and cut-out animation, too. If you have the Richard Williams book, you need this one at your desk, too. Williams will teach you how to make your characters walk and run and stay on a bear, Beiman's book will teach you how to make your characters breathe and laugh or cry and make you care about them. Your animated characters will become memorable characters not with just what they say but what they *do*.

A combination instructional (exercises), interviews, and analysis for aspiring animators. Contains some (200+) great production sketches & drawing series.
Touches on some key principles. Not fluff or stuff you've read before (novice) but rather insightful, original & honest insight for someone with experience.
Has a nice focus on acting (hence the title) of people (different sizes / ages) & animals. Isn't that what animation is?
Comprehensive enough while keeping it under 250 pages. A textbook on becoming an animator (here's what you should consider ...).

In her latest work, veteran animator Nancy Beiman proves that when it comes to character expression through movement, an artist's only limit is their ingenuity. Although the contents are aimed at animators, they're invaluable to anyone involved in character creation, whether it be cartooning, illustration, or even fiction writing.

"Animated Performance" is a richly colored, beautifully-illustrated volume that both beginning artists and industry stalwarts will find inspiring. Nancy uses examples, insights, and exercises to vividly demonstrate what it takes to add that extra dimension of life to fictional characters. As you delve further into the book, your appreciation for the difference between good and great character development becomes more refined.

Other books show you what to build: this one explains what you need to make the audiences come.

The wonderful professor Nancy Beiman has written and illustrated "Animated Performance", THE VERY BEST BOOK I've seen on the art of animation. Animation is about acting and in these pages are profound examples of the how and why great cartoon characters come to life and communicate with us.
Filled with Ms. Beiman's delightful drawings, inspiring text, and practical exercises,"Animated Performance" will lift the aspiring artist to the levels needed to perform professionally. Included throughout are interviews with some of the great animators of all time.
This is truly a beautiful book but,hey,get it off your coffee table and put it on your drawing board where it counts!
I'd think the only thing better than owning "Animated Performance" would be a seat in Nancy Beiman's classroom at Sheridan Tech, Ontario.
Thanks!
Sam Cornell

Nancy has put together a most excellent 'How to' book! But it stands out from the majority of others in that it is not for the beginner. It's a perfect follow up volume for Eric Goldberg's "Character Animation Crash Course" which concerns mostly timing. Nancy delves into the subtleties of creating believable performances, whether you're working in drama or comedy, and whether your character is humanoid,quadraped or amorphous in physiognomy. She cuts to the heart of what motivates your acting.
In short, get this book!