The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles, and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion, and Internet Animators Reviews

• The ultimate guide on HOW to animate

  
  By A1A9A1XDIDKOXX on 2002-02-19
  Any animator looking for a book to help them improve their craft knows that most books on animation usually fall short in so many ways, it's easy to think it's impossible to write a comprehensive and accurate book on the subject (don't even get me started about the abysmal state of computer character animation books). Williams is the penultimate animator's animator and he tells it like it is. Williams systematically demystifies virtually every aspect of animation from simple walk cycles, to breaking joints to dialogue and acting. Along the way, he corrects or eliminates information that is inaccurate or practices that distract (lose the headphones and the rad tunes when you work and watch your quality and quantity improve). Williams also is a great storyteller and writer. His accounts with Milt Kahl, Art Babbit and Ken Harris are gems, giving real insight into the personalities of these ingenious men. Since so much of the book is gleaned from his tutaluge under the now-gone "greats" of animation, any price for this tome is a steal. His gift to the world is this book.

  If you want learn to REALLY animate characters with life and believability, get this book.
  
  

• A Legendary Animator Tells it Like It Is

  
  By A184EFWP7D688K on 2002-01-03
  Richard Williams is a man who is largely responsible for the revival of the art of animation in the early 1970s. Williams had Disney animator Art Babbitt and Warner great Ken Harris working in his studio in London and training a new generation of animators in the techniques of good character animation, which was not taught at the time in any school or considered an art form.

  Williams' long awaited book on animation technique is the logical successor to Preston Blair's CARTOON ANIMATION and it successfully updates some of the weaknesses of that book, particularly in handling dialogue animation. He covers a lot of the same ground that Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston did in their now out-of-print THE ILLUSION OF LIFE.

  There is some history, but that's available in other books. What is unique about this book is that Williams writes how surprised he, an Academy Award winning animator with a successful professional studio, was to learn that he needed to learn just about everything over again from Harris and Babbitt. Fortunately for us he is now sharing these priceless lessons with the public.

  The most important thing that an aspiring animator will get from this book is: that animation IS an art form, and good animation has nothing to do with whether it is done on computer or on paper. Williams exhorts his readers to 'draw whenever possible' and even though there is a computer modelled figure on the cover of the book, there is not a single piece of computer generated imagery in it. The book is about the bare bones, about creating life in art. Animation is the twentieth century's contribution to world art and deserves to be taken very seriously.

  Buy this book.
  
  

• My "Second Year" of school.

  
  By A1SWR6OR5A5CK5 on 2002-02-27
  I'm a graduate of a one year animation certificate program in classical animation. In many ways, this book covers a lot of the ground of Preson Blair's classic bible "Cartoon Animation", as well as Tony White's excellent "Animator's Handbook". However, it also deals with practical examples to extend the lessons from these initial books. The whole section on 'walks' has lessons on acting, character and animation that deal with all areas of acting in animation, not simply walk cycles.

  It's also more practical than the Illusion of Life, in that it has a logical progression of lessons and enough custom illustrations to more precicely demonstrate these points. In many ways, It's the intermediate book between the intellectual aspects of the Illusion of Life, and the basic principals of Cartoon Animation.

  For me, this was like a second year of school: I had learned all the concepts and basic principals I needed in that first year of school using Tony White and Preson Blair. Richard William's book expanded on those concepts, and has already started to improve my work in the first two months of receiving it. I highly recommend this book to any animation students out there, as well as graduates looking to increase their skills.
  
  

• Must read for animators trying to reach the next level

  
  By AF9Q69R9ANLTS on 2002-04-11
  I have been a computer animator for 4 years, with a focus on character animation for 1 year. I have been searching for information that will get my work closer to ILM/Pixar quality, and this book has advanced my skills a generation ahead, bringing me much closer to my goal. Richard Williams breaks down all sorts of different walks (maybe a hundred?), runs and motions that imply weight, which is essential for a complete animator. He also gives suggested timings for different types of motions, so you have a starting point for a certain action... you don't have to reinvent the wheel. He has a straightforward style of animating that really improved my workflow, as well. As I act out the motions of a character I want to move a certain way, using Williams's techniques I can now breakdown the important parts of the motion with much more accuracy and efficiency. I read this book while working on a project, and the quality of my shots went up exponentially with every page I read. I now have tons of confidence in my abilities, I can animate better and quicker, and I have an added level of life in my characters that was lacking before. For me, this was a must read. I thank Richard Williams profusely for writing this book, and I recommend it to everybody that wants to animate characters.
  
  

• Seen Better

  
  By A3HXS3IGJR6GBR on 2002-02-18
  Apart from the momentary dream sequences of commentary by various well known industry animators, this book is only a duplicate of Preston Blair's book. In fact it is cheaper to buy Blair's book if you are really interested in learning about animation. This book is more notes on animation rather than a survival kit. If you can afford to have only one book, then Blair would be the better. This comes in as second place. I think Williams would have been better off writing an autobiography than doing this book.
  
  
• MUST HAVE BOOK FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
  By AF3SF16OAY753 on 2002-01-24
  This is the book I was planning on creating but Richard Williams beat me to the punch. I am a pro animator and animation instructor (teaching At The Center For Character Animation in Levittown, NY) and I highly recommend this book; a wonderful informative bible of animation information from one of the very best in the business. I have made this A mandatory book for all our students.
  Basically, there are thousands of dollars worth of information crammed into this under 300+ page book. To the point, clear and concise, this gem is terrific for Cartoon animators and a definite necessity for computer animators. Mr. Williams book is The MUST HAVE out of all the other animation books on the marketplace. Read it from cover to cover, then read it again and again. A+++++++
  
  
• Entering the mind of a genius
  By A3QQG1WGTK1OO8 on 2003-05-01
  This book is at the level of importance as that of Thomas and Johnston's "Disney Animation: Illusion of Life" and Preston Blairs how to books. An animator's only excuse for not buying it would be bankruptcy. When it first arrived I opened it expecting a decent number of illustrations, but was overwhelmed with what I found. The wealth of knowledge he passes along not just in text but primarily in examples has never been matched. Although I've never been able to attend Mr William's animation seminars now I feel like I have. See more stunning artwork demonstrating his theories than you ever imagined. Richard Williams will have to live to be 150 to accumulate enough info to come out with a sequel to this treasure, and I hope he does for our sake.
  
  
• I've never written a review before but this book demands it
  By ATT1LF6VWVQ0S on 2005-08-19
  Okay so I read lots of reviews before I buy anything seldom do I come back and review them but I felt compelled to do it for this book. I'm an animation student and I have to say that I can't believe I took so long to buy this book. If you only ever buy one animation (if you're an animator and you only buy one book on the subject there's something horribly wrong) BUY THIS BOOK. This book speaks in a language visual people can understand. My favourite thing about the book is that near the end Richard abandons typed text and everything becomes handwritten notes clustered around drawings. It's really a beautiful book it makes you want to run over to your lightbox or whatever your preffered media is (mine is clay, but this book makes you appreciate drawn animators alot) and animate. I read it whenever I'm feeling uninspired it reminds me why I'm studying this beautiful artform. Buy now. Or at least add it to your wishlist so even if you have no money of your own (like me) someone might buy it for you (like me - thanks dad). Oh as some other reviews say this is a character animation book but if you're doing anykind of animation you should give it character traits emotions etc unless you're doing flying logos and spaceships (flying logos can benifit from some character too I'm sure, if you're being paid to animate you should have at least read this book in the library preferably you should own it). Anyway must get back to work now. Procrastination, like motion capture, is the devil.
  
  
• Good animation book
  By A2KWT6PC7B65I7 on 2006-08-24
  this book as the title says runs over the princibles and methods of animation. in this book YOU DO NOT LEARN HOW TO DRAW!!! you only learn how to animate, but what you learn on the animation will be infintely useful.richard kind of writes a auto biography the first 40 pages which tells about his journey through animation. it's exciting but the meat of the book is after that. how much he goes into detail in the animations is incredible. he talks about important cartoon techniques such as anticipation,action, reaction. also he talks about weight to make your characters look fat pick up heavy objects etc. like i said before you do not learn how to draw ,but you learn how to animate well. if you want to put these animation skills to the test i suggest picking up preston blair's cartoon animation
  (the one made in 1994) I suggest reading throught it first then getting a sketch book and drawing these animations. like i said before pick this up with preston blair's book and you'll be a good animator in no time.
  
  
• 10 STARS AND THEN SOME!!
  By AHBJUN6OB4EJR on 2002-02-13
  If you happen to be a character animator that spends time at lunch talking about the principles of animation that are presented in 'The Illusion of Life' or perhaps you animate quadrapeds with the Preston Blair book open, then you definitely want to get this Survival Kit. I opened the book a week ago and started reading and by the end of the day I was a couple hundred pages deep. I opened up a walk cycle I'd created a week earlier and started toying around with the passing poses and the next thing you know I have a 'sad' walk....and then a 'proud' walk...and then a 'lazy' walk. This book has enabled me to animate quicker and also more effectively. The simple 'Recipe' style of creating walks with 'Vitality' is a tremendous guide.

  I'm still not finished with the book because I've started going back over the walk and run sections while applying the lessons to animations that I have up on my computer. I'm convinced that applying the principles and methods described in this goldmine of a book will undoubtedly make anyone a better animator. I have friends in Film, Television, and Games and without exception this book is quickly becoming the talk among those in the animation industry.

  If "The Illusion of Life" is the animators Bible, then "The Animator's Survival Kit" is the New Testament of what was once a forerunner to this remarkable book.
  
  

• Animation? More like inspiration!
  By A3DWMFR5YN9WRD on 2002-02-16
  As an internet 'designer/developer' i have long been fascinated by motion graphics and the digital arts. However, perhaps much like the majority these days, i was never formally trained: books, the web, my ambition and an aversion to boredom have culminated a competent professional. Much in the same way I have long had an interest in animation, cartoons, comics and the like but without the formal training, a massive workload in recent years and an inner-demon whispering doubts I have never persued this area. Since receiving my copy of ASK, just yesterday, i literally have not put it down. An interesting and fascinating read in the first instance, but a complete tomb of characher motion and discovery as its essence. As a novice-beginner it has opened a massive world of expressive opportunity in user-friendly prose, and exquisite and plentiful drawings. If ever you were looking for a complete reference of charachter movement from beating a rhythm to standing in the wind - you got it here. I'm so excited to carry on with it i've gotta go... As for those negative-demons, well, lets just say they know to keep their mouths shut tight.
  
  
• What a marvelous book!
  By on 2002-04-03
  Someone once asked me why, if I liked best to cartoon, I would bother with courses in life drawing. I suppose I gave some sort of answer, but it was never as good as the one Richard Williams gives in "The Animator's Survival Kit". If I only had space for one animation book on my shelf, it would be this book. There are actually quite a few animation books on my shelf, but this one is like getting a whole animation course. It's full of wonderfully useful and understandable drawings, with just the right amount -- ie, not too much -- of explanatory and entertaining text. It clarifies, analyzes, teaches (and occasionally debunks), as it presents the collected knowledge of some of the world's greatest animators, including Williams himself.
  
  
• A book about character animation.
  By A445NFQBXAAK3 on 2005-03-14
  Although the techniques can be used for classical, computer, games, and Internet animation, be aware that this book is exclusively character animation. Do not buy this book to see other animation applications (aircraft or spaceships, special effects, machines) nor any information on computer animation technology. If you are interested in character animation, however, this is the book for you.
  
  
• Over sold by the title
  By A3FWVQ4OU30WU1 on 2005-09-16
  First gripe is this book is only about cell animation, I suppose is an abstract way it would be help full to "Computer, Games, Stop Motion, and Internet Animators", but practically speaking there isn't much here that would help.
  
  Second, more of a tips and ideas book, calling it a 'survial kit' is melodramatic. It is a bigger, more expensive version of Prestion Blair's book 'Cartoon Animation' so if you have that one, you will be getting double of the same info.
  
  
• are you prepared to be a total animator?
  By A2VQL9BC6UV4K9 on 2006-07-13
  This book fleshes out the process of traditional (pre-computer) animation more than the Preston Blair book which I had purchased earlier. If you found that book useful, this one will be even more helpful in understanding overall workflow.
  
  A prerequisite for this book would be good fundamentals at sketching humanoids and understanding volume, especially with figures. Just a warning -- until you are able to draw shapes consistently, you will be stuck on the first few pages.
  
  Williams' book begins with an overview of moving simple volumes, but quickly dives into the complexity of making figures walk. He spells out similar-but-different nuts-and-bolts approaches to the traditional animation process through the construction of walk cycles, of which there are many examples. I am strictly a beginner, but for the seasoned animator, I expect this book would be a handy reference for walk cycles.
  
  Over the course of the book, Williams touches on virtually all key areas which animators have to deal with including fabric and mouth movements. The author also offers sagely advice from the colleagues he learned from over the years. The text is very readable and makes you feel like you are moving along, learning the business of animation from the inside out.
  
  This edition DOES NOT give detailed explanation of the nuts-and-bolts, tools, or workflow of COMPUTER animation as it is evolving today. HOWEVER, anyone who masters the fundamentals stressed in this book would be prepared for most any style of animation.
  
  This is not a book to give you quick-and-dirty shortcuts. The examples progress in a direction to build you into a total animator. I found the examples to be very clear upon studying and practicing them. The forms begin simple and gain complexity throughout. For someone who is very serious about the CRAFT of animation, I would recommend this book.
  
  
• Nice Animators Kit
  By A1KB6BN6O8UK15 on 2007-01-12
  I bought this for my 19 year old son as he is into drawing/sketching and he also loves video games and anime. This is a great book and really brings out the talent in the "artist". It also teaches internet anime, and he has done some really nice graphics online since getting this book. I highly recommend this.
  
  
• Best Textbook Ever
  By A2MD1D8GPYD49M on 2007-01-31
  I've been in college for a while and when my first animation teacher assigned this book, I realized it's the only textbook in my entire life that I'll keep forever. And re-read. And re-read again.
  
  It's thorough, easy to read, and has a really good sense of humor.
  
  I'd daresay this book is mandatory for *anyone* who wants to animate in 2d and 3d (I do both) at *any* skill level from novice to master.
  
  
• Just a college textbook...
  By A1FZUUDYSYPNPE on 2007-04-22
  I bought this book as it was a required text for my Animation 101 course. While it's interesting because it was written (and drawn) by the creator of Roger Rabbit, it's quit boring if you are not enthusiastic about animation. It focuses on drawing techniques to help cel animation, but does not touch on any computer animation which is why I gave it 2 out of 5 stars.
  
  If you are a serious artist interested in cartoons, live drawings, and animations, this book is a great reference tool. (Especially for creating walking sequences.) For those of you like me who prefer creating things on the computer, you'll be disappointed.
  
  
• A must read for all animators: 2D and 3D
  By A2KE489WPJEE99 on 2002-02-06
  Some earlier reviewer wished there was a book similar to this for 3D animation. Well, there is: "The Animator's Survival Kit". To be a great 3D animator, I think its essential to learn the mechanics from traditional 2D animation and Williams' book has it all. Want to know why Pixar's animation looks great? Because the major forces behind the likes of "Toy Story" and "Monsters Inc." have 2D traditional knowledge that are so eloquently illustrated in the "Survival Kit". This book has tons of great drawings to boot. A beautifull and informative book. I am a proffessional animation artist, and reading this book reaffirms my notion of animation as a great enduring art form.
  
  
• Years of blood sweat and tears.
  By AOWGXYZFEDLJF on 2002-11-06
  This book is simply an amazing publication on how to create animation. I was sent to China to teach animation principals to fledgling animators . . . this book practically saved my life.

  Having studied animation for nearly ten years, I thought teaching a six month class would be a breeze. If it weren't for this book, the students would be hearing repeat material after about three weeks. The chapters on walks are enough to teach for an entire semester.

  Dick provides a simple example for just about every animation situation. Then he goes on to show you how to modify the thing in a dozen different ways, as if this knowledge is just sitting on a shelf with nothing better to do. It's just incredible.

  This book is an absolute must for CG and traditional animators alike. Given the amount of information in The Animator's Survival Kit, a purchase price should be closer to that of a few semesters tuition.
  
  

• A PERSONAL SAVIOR
  By on 2003-09-25
  I can't belive I didn't buy this book sooner. I can't believe I haven't reviewed this book sooner. I graduated with a 4 year university degree in classical, traditional animation and this book actually provided more information than my college education. I got it my senior year, just in time for my thesis. His ability to simplify exposure sheets is worth its weight in gold. This book put into practice will give any student a head start. An earlier review said the only reason you shouldn't buy this book is due to bankruptcy. I agree. Wholeheartedly. I can't even believe you are sitting here reading this review instead of buying it. QUICK! BUY IT! You're wasting time that could be used reading it!
  
  
• From beginners to Pros
  By A1MYK9ORPP942 on 2005-03-21
  As I said in the title, from beginners to pros, there's something new for everyone to learn in here.
  
  None of this stuff is `elitist' or only applicable to specific cases, it's all rock-solid animation basics which every animator needs to know. Whether you're into traditional 2d, stop-frame or digital content, you need this book.
  
  Richard Williams has toured the world teaching animation to packed theatres and lecture halls, and his own hand-written notes form the core of this book. None of this is cribbed from other sources, so you can be sure that what he says - he means, and has found useful himself.
  
  I read this through in one sitting, over a few hours - and got all fired up to pick up my pencil and hit the lightbox. This is seen as an animator's `bible' along with the works of Preston Blair and Disney's `illusion of Life'.
  
  
• Very practical and to the point
  By A120AEM2DS2B2E on 2005-08-20
  We got this for the animation team in our studio. Great addition. Cut through the crap and gets to the point. The author gives very very practical illustrated advice and tells you what to focus on and what to avoid.
  
  A MUST for any animator or Digital Artist trying to understand the principles of animation. These are the kind of hand books we need more of.
  
  
• A must have for any animator!!!
  By A1QLNJ36VTQT9R on 2005-12-01
  I cannot reccomend this book enough. When I bought this book, I went home and threw away all my other animation books. This is the only one you will ever read. Richard Williams draws on a lifetime of experience working with some of the world's greatest animators and presents his knowledge with a beautifuly designed book.
  Rather than a dull "text book" or technical manual feel, this book reads like you are sitting down at a drawing table right next to the author. If you are an animator- or even just interested in the art of animation, do yourself a favor and get this book!
  
  
• THE Book to Get For Any Kind of Animation.
  By AOCTSAR6F7EZH on 2006-08-04
  The Animator's Survival Kit is not specific to any one kind of animation, instead it is focused on the art of animation itself. As it says in the title, it's a manual for the methods, priciples, and formulas for animation. These basics of animation apply no matter the media being used.
  
  It is litereally filled with examples and is a very easy read. I'd recommend it to anyone who is at all interested in animation.
  
  To put it simply, every animator no matter the skill level should own a copy of this book. It's that good.
  
  
• ... a lifetime of experience!
  By A1YQZWDO4PLANC on 2002-09-30
  This book is jam-packed with information and inspiration. The author is an intimidatingly good animator who will make most of us wish we could draw half as well as he does, and he has worked with some legendary figures. His feature films, including WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?, have been landmarks in recent animation history.

  The book focuses mainly on the most basic movements of animated human and humanoid figures. Mr Williams has the vast experience to speak authoritatively of the easiest mistakes to make, as well as ways to make your own work sparkle. His own drawing is always fabulous, even when at its most simple.

  Any animator in any field will find this book hugely useful. And ..., it is a real bargain!
  
  

• a real "survival" kit
  By A3DO33KKY1312S on 2002-11-07
  If you are a wannabe animator like me, you can't live without this book. There's just too much HELPFUL and PRACTICAL information in here. Just when you think you have it all, this book keeps throwing info at you, USEFUL info. It's the kind you will refer to constantly, just when all the other books fail, you'd remember this book and come back to it.
  
  
• Incredible
  By AR97ZK3VG101O on 2003-10-18
  I've only read through about 50 pages of this book so far, but... omigod what an awesome book! Definitely should be on the shelf of anyone serious about character animation, whether you are doing 3D digital animation or traditional hand-drawn animation. Williams goes into incredible detail on motion, 'tweening, timing, and also has some great anecdotes from working with some of the legendary animators from Disney and Warner Brothers.
  
  
• Wonderful, Informative, Creative and Technical
  By A1KSUO2A998ZFA on 2006-01-06
  This book is absolutely amazing. I cant believe the amount of knowledge between each chapter. And when you begin to put these simple techniques into practice you open up a whole new world. You can breathe life into old cycles and ideas that you thought were good before too. The only crit I have here is that even though these skills can transfer to 3d, there is no real technical advice. Otherwise this should belong on every animator's book shelf!
  
  
• Student
  By AHE645XUE39FC on 2006-03-07
  This book is a must for the animation student! It has detailed and easy to understand examples for the 2D and 3D animator. It has been a huge help in improving my work.
  
  

• The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation
• Cartoon Animation (The Collector's Series)
• The Animator's Workbook: Step-By-Step Techniques of Drawn Animation
• Creating Characters with Personality: For Film, TV, Animation, Video Games, and Graphic Novels
• Timing for Animation