The illusion of life hardcover june 1, 1981 by frank thomas author. Walt characteristically never gave praise, and key animator frank thomas knew that that statement may be the best he would ever get. The film profiled their careers, private lives, and the personal friendship between the two men. He drew some of disney animations most memorable, as well as touching, moments, including the dwarfs crying at snow whites bier, bambi and thumper learning how to ice skate, and the charming spaghettieating sequence in lady and the tramp. The illusion of life takes the reader through the creation of the art form. The most complete book on the subject ever written, this is the fascinating inside story by two longterm disney animators of the gradual perfecting of a relatively. Three sections and eight pages have been added to frank and ollies original website. Animation disney books disney publishing worldwide.
This page is an ongoing log of books i find to be awesome or useful. It drew its inspiration of the work of disneys leading animators, mainly the socalled nine old men who produced much of the early animations. They touch on the history of animation, and give students of animation a set of principles to follow when attempting to successfully bring drawings to life. Though originally intended to apply to traditional, handdrawn animation, the principles still have great relevance for todays more prevalent computer animation and. This book helped preserve the knowledge of the techniques that were developed at the studio. Known for his ability to portray characters with a wide range of vivid. Walt disney have you ever found a book that you began to read which held your attention so much it was difficult to put down. Although frank and ollie have passed on, this website is a part of their legacy. The sequence in question, which frank had revived after walt had cut after seeing the storyboards, was the iconic scene in lady and the tramp 1955 where the two title characters shared a plate of spaghetti. This book produced and written for bloop animation is a stepbystep guide to becoming an animator even if youve. The most complete book on the subject ever written, this is the fascinating inside story by two longterm disney animators of the gradual perfecting of a relatively young and particularly american art from, which no other move studio has ever been able to equal. The film profiled their careers, private lives, and.
At the beginning of his career frank thomas worked in the inbetween pool at the studio and would work on the scenes of various animators. The illusion of life 1st deluxe edition by frank thomas, ollie johnston isbn. Back in the early 80s, disney animators ollie johnston and frank thomas literally wrote the book on lifelike animation. Topping the list of best animation books of all time in a poll at awn, it is still used as reference on and source of. Log in or sign up for facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. In 1978, they retired from walt disney productions and began work on this book. This volume seeks to explain the process that makes disneys animation uniquewhat sets the work of the disney studios apart from other animation products. Thomas supervised the animation of this scene in which baloo meets the man cub mowgli. The book summarized the disney approach to animation through the socalled 12 basic principles of animation. With an introduction by john lasseterand very little else in the way of wordsthis second book in the artist series lavishly showcases the most brilliant animation created by such luminaries as ub iwerks, norm ferguson, ben sharpsteen, hamilton luske, dick huemer, grim natwick, art babbitt, fred moore, bill tytla, frank thomas, ollie johnston, milt kahl, marc davis, john lounsbery, ward. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. The most complete book on the subject ever written, this is the fascinating inside story by two longterm disney animators of. Frank thomas and ollie johnston disney animation the illusion of life signed 1st 1st edition 1st printing hardcover new york abbeville press 1981 fine in a.
The 12 principles of animation as illustrated through disney. Frank thomas and ollie johnston, two of disneys nine old men, worked at disney since the earliest days and contributed to films such as snow white, pinocchio and the jungle book. Regarded as the definitive resource book on traditional handdrawn character animation particularly in the disney style, the book has been republished numerous times, and is widely considered the bible among character animators. If youve ever seen a flip book, youve seen animation. The illusion of life by frank thomas and ollie johnson. Thomas coauthored, with fellow disney legend ollie johnston, the comprehensive book disney animation. Frank and ollie were 2 of the nine old men, who many consider some of the best animators who ever lived.
Thomas frank author of 10 steps to earning awesome grades. May 23, 2017 this is a wonderful original production animation drawing of baloo the bear, drawn by walt disney master animator frank thomas. To answer any of these questions, one must first understand the 12 principles of animation. Frank thomas and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Frank thomas was born on september 5, 1912 in santa monica, california, usa. The illusion of life, which contained the 12 basic principles of animation. Written by the ultimate disney insiders, this bible of animation has become a legend in itself. Frank thomas, one of the giants of the animation industry, passed away. Disney animation is a book by frank thomas and ollie johnston, two of the key animators at disney during the golden age of animation. See all books authored by frank thomas, including the illusion of life. Bridging the gap between 2d and cg and soon it evolved into a valuable resource for animators. Welcome to the official website of frank thomas and ollie johnston.
Thomas and johnston were also profiled in the 1995 documentary frank and ollie, which screened at the 20th toronto international film festival, directed by thomass son theodore thomas. This is a wonderful original production animation drawing of baloo the bear, drawn by walt disney master animator frank thomas. Disneys twelve basic principles of animation were introduced by the disney animators ollie johnston and frank thomas in their 1981 book the illusion of life. He is known for his work on the incredibles 2004, the iron giant 1999 and the aristocats 1970. Animation by frank thomas 1912 2004, coauthor of the illusion of life and one of disneys famed nine. He had a short cameo in the incredibles along with friend and longtime collaborator ollie johnston, providing the voice of frank and ollie, animated caricatures of the pair. An illustration of a computer application window wayback machine an illustration of an open book. Disney animation book frank thomas ollie johnston limited. The illusion of life disney animation by frank thomas and ollie johnston. Top 10 animation books tweet animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive.
The book summarised the disney approach to animation through the socalled 12 basic principles of animation. All of the pages below the home button were created by frank and ollie. Yes this is animation in one of its most basic forms. I started this website to promote the release of my book in 2006 called thinking animation. The twelve principles of animation as illustrated through disney. The partnership of frank thomas and ollie johnston is fondly presented in the documentary frank and. Thomas frank the founder of college info geek, a blog, youtube channel, and podcast dedicated to helping students learn more efficien. A must for collectors and fans of all ages, this is the most exciting, comprehensive, and thorough examination of what the disney magic is all about. Made famous by two of walt disneys legendary nine old men, ollie johnston and frank thomas, the 12 principles of animation have become an essential mustlearn for all aspiring and working animators in the industry today. Anyone who adores disney animation will cherish a book like this one written by two of the nine old men, ollie johnston, and frank thomas.
Pierre lamberts pinocchio, originally published in france by demons et merveilles and in an english translation by hyperion, ranks as the loveliest animation book of recent years. An afternoon with ollie johnston, frank thomas and pinocchio. Animation by frank thomas 1912 2004, coauthor of the illusion of life and one of disneys famed nine old men. Johnston coauthored, with frank thomas, the reference book disney animation. Frank thomas was born on may 27, 1968 in columbus, georgia, usa as frank edward thomas jr. Frank thomas books list of books by author frank thomas. At 576 pages, this huge volume probably covers lots of ground on animation except the howtodoit part since this isnt really a tutorial book. Frank thomas and ollie johnston 1976 an interview by michael barrier and milton gray.
Written by two of disneys famous nine old men, frank thomas and ollie johnston, this book goes back to where animation was born, made and enjoyed by. Frank thomas and ollie johnston disney animation the. Thinking animation is an online animation portal where animators can inspire, share, and study. Animator frank thomas instilled vivid personality into his characters. Written by two of disneys famous nine old men, frank thomas and ollie johnston, this book goes back to where animation was born, made and enjoyed by people all over the world. Two of walt disneys famous nine old men, frank thomas and ollie johnston met as students at stanford university and joined the disney studio within a year of each other in the mid1930s.
Im extremely happy i didnt pass up the offer that i originally passed up. Essential books for students im big into reading, and since youre on this page, im guessing you like reading at least a little bit as well. Frank thomas september 5, 1912 september 8, 2004 was a disney animator, and one of disneys nine old men, who worked on such films as pinocchio, bambi, peter pan, the jungle book, and countless others. Frank thomas and ollie johnston disney animation the illusion. Original production animation drawing of baloo the bear. She taught in california secondary schools and at the colorado state college of education during world war ii, and in 1946 married veteran disney animator frank thomas. I was rummaging around in the whittier high school library and i found this book called the art of animation by bob thomas. It contains page after page of illustrations but more importantly, a fully in depth explanation of how animation evolved over time.
Frank thomas, ollie johnston an outofprint collectors item since 1986, the definitive account of the development of disney animation explains what made disneys style unique and features original sketches and drawings revealing the origins of mickey and the rest. New listing disney animation the illusion of life book 1984 frank thomas ollie johnston. If you see this book elsewhere not for sale, you will regret not buying this. Frank thomas and ollie johnston disney animation the illusion of life signed 1st 1st edition 1st printing hardcover new york abbeville press 1981 fine in a near fine dust jacket in a very good slipcase. Frank decided to follow their lead and he was hired on september 24, 1934. The illusion of life later republished as the illusion of life. These 12 principles were first described in the legendary book the illusion of life by frank thomas and ollie johnston. To me, the animators survival kit is one of the best animation books for beginners. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. More pictures at of the many books on animation and disney, the illusion of life. Upon retirement frank and ollie began to piece together a book about their experience as animators for the walt disney studio. He drew some of disney animations most memorable, as well as touching, moments, including the dwarfs crying at snow whites bier, bambi and thumper learning how to ice skate, and.
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