Animation: From Script to Screen [Paperback]

Shamus Culhane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1990

Shamus Culhane, the animator who made the dwarfs in Snow White, achieves something few are able to: He makes it possible to learn a concrete skill from a book. Covering every aspect of film animation, from basic mechanics to giving creativity full play, and including writing, recording, acting, dialogue-even how to mange an animation studio of one's own, Culhane fulfills the promise of his title-"from script to screen."

Animation contains more than 130 illustrations, from the work of leading animators worldwide (including the author himself) to sketches that teach and graphic exercises for hands-on experience for the novice.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is basically a text for the tyro animator. Culhane, for many years with Walt Disney, discusses the role of each member of an animation team and the uses of computers, storyboarding, and music. Although he writes from his vast experience, the digressive and somewhat lecturing style is an impediment. For libraries having works such as Raul Da Silva's World of Animation (Kodak, 1979), Kit Laybourne's Animation Book (1978. o.p.), Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston's lavish Disney Animation ( LJ 12/15/81), and John Halas and Roger Manvell's older but still useful Technique of Film Animation (1976, 4th ed. o.p.), this is probably not essential. A better book by Culhane is his memoir, Talking Animals and Other People (LJ 3/1/86).
- Roy Liebman, California State Univ. Lib., Los Angeles
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"The book...is amodel of clarity and comprehensiveness. You will be astonished by how much information is to be found in [its] pages." --Robert Edmonds, Professor, Columbia College, Chicago

"If this was Japan...Shamus Culhane would be considered a national treasure...." --Richard Rauh, President, The Optical House & ASIFA/New York

"I highly recommend that anymore who is interested in learning the art of animated cartoon production study this book." --Walter Lantz, creator of "Woody Woodpecker"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (August 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312050526
• ISBN-13: 978-0312050528
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #429,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The I really want to be in animation book, March 9, 1998

By 

Robin McDonald (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Animation: From Script to Screen (Paperback)

Shamus Culhane's book is very good if you are a serious about learning the process of animation. It isn't filled with a lot of pretty pictures but it gives one of the best overviews of the entire animation process. It also encourages you to do drawing excercises which are very necessary to becoming an animator. The one minute sketches in particular are very hard for some people to work on if you like making pretty pictures. They might be a good indicator of whether you are suited to doing animation as a career. I wouldn't classify this book for someone who just enjoys animation and is kind of thinking about what it would be like to be an animator. Chuck Amuck and Illusion of life are better for entertainment and pictures. If you are not willing to participate with the book you will not benefit from it though you may enjoy some of the history and learning what goes into a production. However this book is really for someone who really really wants to be an animator. If that describes you than this is one of the better books out there and certainly one of the books you should peruse on your journey.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT book - if you're serious about animation, October 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Animation: From Script to Screen (Paperback)

If you want to be an animator, or you're REALLY interrested in the animating process, this book is just what you've been looking for. 'Script to Screen' gives an in-depth look into the workings of an animation studio, along with generous instuctions on bettering your animating techniques. If you want to be an animator - YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to get started, April 15, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Animation: From Script to Screen (Paperback)

This book got me started in animation. Despite of a lot of helpful information, it also offers good excercises and points out other sources of great value. This book is written by the late former Disney artist who has been in the buisness from the first hour of animated cartoons. While all animation studios I've worked at consider Frank Thomas'and Olli Johnston's book "Illusion Of Life" as the animation bible, Culhane's book is a definate book for anyone who is just starting. It is also a great book for fans of the all time classic cartoons.