Customer Reviews

Creating 3-D Animation: The Aardman Book of Filmmaking

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

An excellent book for fans of Aardman and those wanting a basic overview, but only fair for those looking for detailed information on how to create their own stop-motion films. Susanah Shaw's book comes closer to being the "bible" for puppet animators. But there are at least 6 crafts involved in stop motion, each deserving of a book in themselves, so no single volume can cover it all in detail. Worth buying, but don't expect it to be the all-in-one answer.

This is a great book for anyone interested in 3D animation. There is alot about the history of animation with clay and puppets. Included is info on cameras, lighting, sets, and how to build characters in clay. Learn about movement of characters and see great pictures of Wallace and Gromit being built as well as other short films. Get "Chicken Run Hatching the Movie" book too. You'll love it.

If you are a first-time animator, or are just starting out, this book is a good place to start. It provides a good overview of the animation process, with plenty of pictures and examples. It covers equipment, lighting, techniques, models, sets, and performance. It also covers the history of animation. In depth. In great depth. In fact, about one-third of the book is dedicated to the history of animation. That's all well and good, but I was really wanting (and expecting) quite a bit more in some of the other areas. For example, the section on models and modelmaking gives several examples of Aardman models, and briefly describes the processes involved in making them. Although there are many helpful hints in these pages, I would have liked an in-depth description for at least one of the models. I want to know what tools I need, what supplies I need, and step-by-step instructions for building a simple model with a wireframe skeleton. Unfortunately, the pages that described that were replaced by 50 pages of history. If you are interested in animation, and need a place to start, 'Creating 3d Animation' is great for beginners. On the other hand, if you are looking for answers to the many problems that face 3d animators, you may be disappointed.

This was a great book for people interested in puppet animation. It goes through History, Making models and sets, what camera's are best to use and little hints if you are having lighting problems, keeping puppets standing up e.t.c. If you want to get an animating book this is the one to get.

This book is just essential for those who have been dabbling in claymation and not quite sure how to take get it right. For example my younger daughter never knew that there were wire frames inside and howled with laughter when she realised. For younger children who have been using clay at primary/junior school and want to use this format to make a short animation film it was perfect. Any more information would have been too much. However I would recommend that an 'advanced' book is projected right away as one does begin to seek new challenges with this format. Still Excellent.

For anyone interested the process of stop-motion animation, whether a fan, or a would-be professional. Lots of great pictures, tips on lighting and cameras. The photos show how well detailed the models are, and the models themselves can provide inspiration to model makers of all kinds.

Good review of the history of stop motion and a great introdutction into making stop motion movies, though not too deep. Some explanations are rather short and not everything is explained. Good price and quality.

This book has been an excellent resource for reading about big production projects. There is some information in this book on how they make their armatures (skeletons) and build gromit which is was great to see and gain an understanding of this process. The book is focused on the aardman way which is not the only way but it gives a big vision for any animator to work towards.

Book arrived quicker and was in far better condition than I was expecting. Great buy!

Not only if you are an stop-motion animator, but if you look for a nice and wise travel through the animation developement (from scripting to capture), this book is an animation lover must-have.