Customer Reviews

Hollywood 2D Digital Animation: The New Flash Production Revolution

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Sandro Corsaro recently released his new book Hollywood 2D Digital Animation, H2D, which could best be described as going to the next level from his previous book The Flash Animator, TFA. In TFA the author's point of view is creating traditional 2d animation for distribution on the Web. It is an overview of how to utilize Flash to create animation and publish that animation on the Internet. TFA has lots of good examples and sample files as well as interviews with successful Web 'toonists and has been regarded by many readers as an excellent learning resource.

Corsaro's new book H2D has a different point of view which is the application of Flash as a major part of a broadcast production environment. He spends a lot of time in interviews and discussion talking about the typical studio production pipeline and the pros and cons of Flash as a cost saving tool. There is an interesting comparison between "Ink and Paint" applications and Flash. As well as pro's and con's of scanning VS digital drawing. Corsaro and co-author Clifford Parrott also discuss character design do's and don'ts, optimizing Flash's strengths, creating special effects, implementing camera moves, and methods for going from Flash to broadcast. There is minor overlap between TFA and H2D but it is minimal, mostly some of the same art work, otherwise H2D moves toward a different focus which is Flash as a major tool in broadcast production. References to the WB, Cartoon Network and Hanna Barbera as well as interviews with industry pros are scattered through out the book. A CD with samples different from the CD that came with TFA is included. I personally enjoy Corsaro's writing style and I found both of his books easy to read and very informative. TFA is a better introductory book for new Flash movie makers. H2D is a good introduction to taking Flash to the next level from the Web to Broadcast. There is still plenty of room for more detailed and comprehensive books and instructional resources addressing these subjects, but for now Hollywood 2D Digital Animation is a welcomed addition to the current literature.

I have created dozens of flash websites, but about 2 months ago I had client that need some marketing materials animated on a VHS tape. I have long wondered about using Flash for broadcast, but never really delved into it. I bought three books from here on the subject matter and this one was certainly the most comprehensive. While I learned about all the technical parameters of the broadcast world, I also learned a ton of simple tricks to improve my graphic skills.

For those of you looking to join the new Flash Production revolution, whether you're a traditional animator, a student pursuing a career in the animation industry or an independent flash animator looking to make the jump from web to television and film, look no further. I have the perfect book for you. Hollywood 2D Digital Animation is THE definitive guide for the new generation of storytellers producing broadcast-quality animation. There are a few books out on the market that discuss the topic of Flash Animations for Broadcast but this book is different in a big way. This full-color book discusses the flash production pipeline in great detail and features innovative step-by-step digital animation techniques that provide an efficient way to produce amazing broadcast animation. It's also loaded with incredible, original animation and artwork as well as interviews from veteran studio animators. There's even a chapter that discusses how to pitch your content to the major studios. So if you're serious about producing your flash content for broadcast, this is your guidebook! I highly recommend this book to our members at FlashTV and to all our participants of The Greatest Story Never Told competition.

Basically only buy the book if you have already been exposed to some flash before. It contains wonderful details about film production and animation techniques unique to flash MX 2004. I highly recommend it!!!

Bought this much hyped, stylish book and found out that the book (and CD that comes w/ it) DOES NOT have any character animation tutorials. What it DOES have is some SFX tutorials, simple Flash movies, templates (maybe you'll need 'em, maybe not) and a few very short & simple Flash animations (w/ all the layers for you to tweek). It's NOT a step by step, "how-to" book and more than 3/4 of it talks about all the animation stuff you've heard a million times before (animation history & principles, production pipeline, interviews). It talks about what Flash CAN do, but not HOW to do it. A good book for Flash people who know nothing about animation production, but not for animators who want to learn Flash techniques.

I was on AWN.com and noticed a panel for The Flash Revolution in TV Production. I had about an hour to get to the Skirball Galleria. That was one spontaneous decision I'm glad I made because I got to witness the new wave in Flash animation cresting with this panel. The guy that brought all these creative people together is the author of Hollywood 2D. Everyone on the panel is also interviewed in this book relating real world use of Flash in the Television animation industry. The people were with Warner Bros, Disney and Indys and they all know their stuff.
And Corsaro knows his stuff and lays it out, not just Flash the program but the animation business and the service specialties in that insular biz. I was doing animation layout work for Curious George but I was new at it and was giving the art director some frustration. I asked him if there was a good reference book to learn a lot of things a layout artist has to know, nomenclature, pipeline conventions, etc. Corsaro's book, even though it focuses on Flash, is a great reference for animation people of all sorts. History, concepts, scheduling, pre-production, scripts, audio, post production. Tips, tips, tips. I've got underlined stuff on every page. Highly recommended. And believe it, Flash is coming on big time. Learn this program if you want some job security in the animation revolution that's just starting.

Hollywood 2D Digital Animation: The New Flash Production Revolution is different from others books out there, here there is a book that shows you from basic flash meanings to how to create a pilot animation tv series, a lot of examples and a FULL COLOR TOO!!!

this is awesome, I am using toon boom, and this easy you can translate the workflow from flash to toon boom because Sandro Corsaro explained easy for everybody,

highly recommended.

As a beginner to flash and animation in general I found this book to be very helpfull. Full of pictures of the actual process and language that is plain and easy to understand. Comes with a CD which I didn't find as helpfull but interesting. Would recommend to other beginners.

This is a must have book for Flash Animators who really want to do character animation in Flash. It requires a general knowledge of Flash however the interviews with industry professional are worth buying the book alone. While not a traditional "HOW TO" book the technical insights, short cuts and tips especially in the special effects chapters can help animators move their projects to the next level.

If you're in a school catering towards animators, specifically 2D Flash animation (not so much web animation), this is the Bible for the moment. Reccommended by two of my professors whom work freelance for Bottle Rocket, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios Burbank, you couldn't get a better start. The book covers a brief history of animation, as well as coloring, drawing in Flash, storyboarding in Flash, different production work flows and so much more. Backed up by industry veterans Hollywood 2D Digital Animation gives insight into making your flash animations better in a timely manner. Demonstrating shortcuts and techniques to make your animations less "flashy" and better animated. Keep in mind this book is NOT for the novice animator. You absolutely need to understand some of the principles of classic 2D animations and flash itself before you can make effective use of the book's techniques(ie: timing, spacing, contrapasta, Flash tools, etc). But if you can overcome these obstacles, turn off the music/tv, sit down with this book and practice the lessons included, you'll earn everything you can gain from it.

*Please not this book is meant for animators whom plan to work in the US within small Flash studios in the Los Angeles, CA area. But that doesn't mean it can't useful for you.
*If you want beginner material to fully take advantage of this book, I highly reccomend "Animators Survival Kit", "Hands On Training Flash Professional 8", and "Human and Animal Locomotion".

Take care.