Animation Unlimited: Innovative Short Films Since 1940 [Paperback]

Liz Faber (Author), Helen Walters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2004

Featuring 50 seminal short films by key animators from around the world, this book discusses the work of early pioneers such as Oskar Fischinger and Jan Svankmajer as well as contemporary animators such as Larry Cuba, Tim Hope and Run Wrake. All of the films included are independently produced personal work. Most of the featured directors make a living in commercial animation but, freed from the constraints of a client brief, they use their short films to experiment with new ideas and techniques, many of which subsequently find their way into commercial applications. Labors of love, these films can take years to complete – each second of the film may consist of up to 25 frames of animation. Grouped according to four main themes, all forms of animation are covered, including 2D, 3D, Claymation, stop frame and web/Flash animation. Each project is accompanied by a 500-word review including comments from the director. Details of software and method along with the internet address of the production company are given in the technical credits.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Liz Faber is a communications director and designer whose previous books include Browser: The Internet Design Project and Reload: Browser 2.0 (written with Patrick Burgoyne).  

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Harper Design; Pap/DVD edition (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856693465
• ISBN-13: 978-1856693462
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 10 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,355,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Quirky, cutting edge, and a little out there..., January 24, 2005

By 

Charles Floading (Brown Deer, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Animation Unlimited: Innovative Short Films Since 1940 (Paperback)

First, to add a detail to something mentioned by another reviewer... Only DVDs with a Region 1 encoding will play in N. America, the "Unlimited" DVD is Region 2. Most consumer DVD players will not play the disk. However, all of the home computers I have tried the disk in play it just fine.

As for the book and DVD content, if you're looking for cute Pixar style, Toy Story type shorts this will disappoint you. If you're an animation enthusiast who likes to puzzle out how someone accomplished their work, there's plenty here for you to sink your teeth into. Mostly it's non-narrative works of moving non-representational art. Pretty cool if you're prepared for it before you press "play".

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beware, April 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Animation Unlimited: Innovative Short Films Since 1940 (Paperback)

Excellent book and great selection of films. But beware - the DVD is in PAL so unless you are playing it on a computer or have a DVD player that converts between NTSC/PAL, you won't be able to view it.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Visual Feast, February 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Animation Unlimited: Innovative Short Films Since 1940 (Paperback)

With over 500 images, ANIMATION UNLIMITED is a visual feast. It's also a selected survey of some of the most significant works and artists of the past and present, including some fresh new talent. For many, the book will be a source of discovery, revelation, and inspiration. With a 2-hour DVD included, it's more of a curated exhibition of innovative works rather than an exhaustive history of the art form. It leaves you wanting more - but that's a good thing. For those active in, aware of, or curious about experimental or independent animation, ANIMATION UNLIMITED is affirmation that there is another world and history of animated images as exciting and valid any other more familiar or popular genre. Each of the concise artist profiles included in the book's four sections is a mini-profile of personal commitment, unique style, technical invention, creative drive, and visionary exploration. Pure abstraction and digital forms share attention and space with traditional handmade approaches, character animation, and narrative. ANIMATION UNLIMITED should, at the very least, serve as a primer to a rich and unique form of artistic inquiry and visual expression. It opens a door to animation of unlimited possibilities.