Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive [Paperback]

David B. Levy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

• Great ideas for animators who are starting out or looking for their next job

• Packed with information and insights

• Perfect for film students and art students



Animation is a multibillion-dollar industry. Here’s an insider’s guide to getting into that industry, staying there, and getting ahead. Author David B. Levy has interviewed the top pros in animation, including Steven Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants; Al Brodax, producer of Yellow Submarine; Teddy Newton, character designer on The Incredibles; Linda Simensky, senior director of PBS Kids; John R. Dilworth, creator of Courage the Cowardly Dog; and dozens of others to get their insights on creating a portfolio or reel, meeting animators, networking, and making the leap from working for others to pitching and selling. A resource section lists animation schools, film festivals, studios, Web sites, and publications to get budding animators off to an animated start.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David B. Levy is an award-winning independent filmmaker and animation director for Blue’s Clues at Nickelodeon. His animation has been seen on HBO and on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and currently he is directing a new animated series for MTV. The president of the New York chapter of Association International du Film d’Animation, he lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; 1st edition (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581154453
• ISBN-13: 978-1581154450
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Arts & Photography > Business of Art
  • #73 in Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Animation

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best guide so far to the business end of animation June 12, 2006

By R. Gorey

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Thirty years ago, when I went to school for animation, there were precious few books on the subject; mostly "coffee table" volumes, profiling notable feature films. Preston Blair's guides to style and movement were very valuable, but Levy's book on the mechanics of working in the industry is a breakthrough. In many ways, it is an extension of the course he teaches at the School of Visual Arts, and it offers useful, practical, and worthwhile insight into what happens once students graduate. Other books will tell you about squash and stretch--this book tells you how to handle difficult co-workers, how to discover the best of your own talent, how to honor a good boss and to work around a bad one, how to avoid the creative traps animators find themselves in too much of the time, and what to do (and not to do) on an interview. In short, it's the book I wish I'd have read when I was in school, and I would advise any serious student to give it a look. No matter what career we choose, we face obstacles, challenges, and cronyism. Levy's book speaks to these issues and offers solutions at every step of the way, unlike other book by working professionals, which tell entertaining stories but offer no tools for managing conflict, or solving creative roadblocks. Advice from several industry notables rounds out the book's several comprehensive chapters. This is not a colorful fan volume about current animation, it's a thoughtful, useful textbook on how to best prepare for a future in the animation profession. Bravo.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Things I Wish I Knew 10 Years Ago January 9, 2007

By D. J. Billings

Format:Paperback

Yup, it's all here. Having worked in the Animation industry, I highly recommend this book to anyone considering a career in Animation, or those who want to get more out of their existing Animation career. David Levy's book gives you insight that normally takes years to learn.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really informative November 9, 2006

By J. Galluccio

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I recently picked up this book upon reading a review. I found the book to be so helpful. I have been a freelance artist for years and enjoyed hearing the stories of the author's career in animation. Animation was always one of my interests that I am now pursuing and this book has really given me insight into the field. Even if you are not an animator, this book is a great read.