Animation without limits

Author: Wang Ke
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Animation without limits, classic creative ideas of award-winning animated short films worldwide. For ordinary people, animation is often associated with cartoons, Disney, and The Simpsons. However, from another perspective, animation is a complex, abstract, and obscure film genre—it is an art form that exists between cinema, fine art, and graphic design. Animation artists draw inspiration from music, literature, and nature, organically combining all the strange elements and materials from the vast world—from paintings and photography to sand grains to withered moths, a dazzling array of wonders that leave one breathless. The birth of an animated film usually undergoes a long and arduous creative process, during which the director's personal investment is immense. However, currently, these talented independent filmmakers have not yet received the recognition they deserve.
Animation Without Limits selects 50 original short films, all of which are inspired flashes of brilliance created by outstanding animation masters worldwide. These include early pioneers like Oscar Fischinger and Mary Ellen Batey, as well as contemporary animation elites like Michael Dudok de Wit, Tim Hopgood, and Ron Lach, among others. All these animated films, including some experimental works by individuals, are typically completed independently. These animation artists mostly earn their living by producing commercial animations, yet in their practical operations, they break free from client constraints, using short films to experiment with new ideas and technologies. The new methods they explore then return to their commercial creations.
This book discusses the four major themes of animated films: form, sound, language, and character. These four aspects are the fundamental characteristics of all types of animation, including 2D, 3D, digital, stop-motion, Direct-to-film, and Flash animation. The book begins with an introduction that provides a profound and comprehensive analysis of the contemporary animation industry. The main text elaborates on the lives and animated works of each animation director, including possible discussions on technology, honors, innovation, and reviews.
A DVD is included with the book, featuring timeless works of the animated shorts from the book. The book also contains over 500 exquisite color illustrations.