Books to help aspiring animators?

[Jawnduss]

so, I've recently read "The Animator Survival Kit" and it's helped my animations as a whole, it's taught me a lot about perspective, size and proportion, walk cycles, timing etc. i was wondering if any animators out there had any other books to recommend that were worth reading? i'd like to find something that focus' on the aspect of Adobe Flash and all the different "hidden" features it has and how to use them properly, but i will accept anyone with any recommendations. :)

[dylan]

Pick up any book about film (the actual process of filming, not just films in general). All of the principles of film apply to animation, from the 180 degree rule to match action cuts. Far too often I see animators break all these rules for no reason other than they don't know they exist. While jump cuts and other "in your face" editing techniques can be used to great effect in a way that enhances the audience's experience (or helps you tell your story), constantly breaking the rules just makes it difficult to watch.

If you haven't seen it, I'd suggest watching the 1960 French film, ÃEU bout de souffle (Breathless in English). It's one that's shot in a way that almost exclusively uses jump cuts (and breaks most other shooting/editing rules, as well). It's an awesome movie, but it's also a great example of how obvious these types of edits become.

Editing has long been thought of as something that should be "invisible"; basically, if a viewer notices the editing, something has (usually) been done incorrectly on the editor's/photographer's end. It's the kind of thing you might not think about at all while animating/storyboarding/whathaveyou if you don't already know the rules, but if you break them, people will notice. Without meaning behind breaking the rules, it just gets confusing to the viewers. Confused viewers are not happy. Unhappy viewers give bad scores.

[MortalPoet]

At 3/21/13 07:54 PM, Jawnduss wrote: so, I've recently read "The Animator Survival Kit" and it's helped my animations as a whole, it's taught me a lot about perspective, size and proportion, walk cycles, timing etc. i was wondering if any animators out there had any other books to recommend that were worth reading? i'd like to find something that focus' on the aspect of Adobe Flash and all the different "hidden" features it has and how to use them properly, but i will accept anyone with any recommendations. :)

As far as animation books go, my favorite is Preston Blair's Cartoon Animation. It's got great walk cycles for animals and people, as well as important information about character construction and line of action.

The "How to Cheat" series of books are usually good, I haven't read it so I can't vouch for it, but you may want to check out How to Cheat in Adobe Flash.

Another favorite of mine is Mark Simon's Facial Expressions which shows different expressions from different ages, genders, races, at all different angles, as well as references for hats, skull and face muscles from all angles, couples interacting, and some animation examples. It's great! Highly recomended!

Of course... Of COURSE... Anything Muybridge is a MUST! ;)
The Human Figure in Motion
Animals in Motion

[Jawnduss]

At 3/21/13 09:18 PM, SafePlagiarism wrote: Pick up any book about film (the actual process of filming, not just films in general).

Do you have any recommendations?

[miohorrorshow]

At 3/21/13 07:54 PM, Jawnduss wrote: so, I've recently read "The Animator Survival Kit" and it's helped my animations as a whole, it's taught me a lot about perspective, size and proportion, walk cycles, timing etc. i was wondering if any animators out there had any other books to recommend that were worth reading? i'd like to find something that focus' on the aspect of Adobe Flash and all the different "hidden" features it has and how to use them properly, but i will accept anyone with any recommendations. :)

Well I got that book too . but a there a Dvd that helped me lot. I buy it here http://www.lightfootltd.com/content/animation-and-drawing-ex cellence-dvd