The first book ever on Hollywood's greatest 1930s-1950s cartoon directors: Tex Avery, Bob and Sody Clampett, Friz Freleng, Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera, Walter Lantz, and many others. Based on thorough research and exclusive interviews. Bios, critiques, anecdotes, reminiscences. Includes two large sections of glossy plates (50 photographs), bibliography, filmography, index.
The Great Cartoon Directors is the only book to profile the remarkable careers and achievements of the Hollywood cartoon directors of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s whose unique humor has entertained people around the world for seven decades. Nine of the best cartoon directors are featured: Friz Freleng, the creator of Speedy Gonzales, Yosemite Sam, and the Pink Panther; Ub Lwerks, the designer of Mickey Mouse and the wizard behind the first sound animated film, Steamboat Willie ; Chuck Jones, the genius behind Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, the Road Runner and Coyote; William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, who won seven Academy Awards for their Tom and Jerry cartoons; Bob Clampett, who directed Warner Brothers cartoons featuring Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, and Tweety; Tex Avery, who revolutionized the theory of cartoon-making, invented Daffy Duck, and introduced Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd to the screen; Walter Lantz, the creator of Woody Woodpecker; and Dave Fleischer, the father of Betty Boop and Popeye.Each chapter surveys the finest work of these directors and takes the reader behind the scenes to learn not only how they came up with their big ideas, but also how they managed to keep their characters fresh, topical, and unpredictable. Many of the directors granted exclusive interviews for the book and provided illustrations from their personal collections. With complete filmographies of each director's work, descriptions of many of their best cartoons, and dozens of sketches, drawings, and stills, The Great Cartoon Directors is a sure treasure trove of animation lore and an in-depth look at the creators of some of America's most beloved cartoons.
Showcases some of the greatest cartoons of all time, including characters from Disney, Warner Brothers, Fleischer Studio, Walter Lantz, MGM, and others.
The illustrated classic, complete with a new preface by Matt Groening. Winner of three Academy Awards and numerous other prizes for his animated films, Chuck Jones is the director of scores of famous Warner Bros. cartoons and the creator of such memorable characters as the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Pepé Le Pew, and Marvin Martian. In this beguiling memoir, Chuck Jones evokes the golden years of life at "Termite Terrace," the Warner Bros. studio in which he and his now-famous fellow animators conceived the cartoons that delighted millions of moviegoers throughout the world and entertain new generations of fans on television. Not a mere history, Chuck Amuck captures the antic spirit that created classic cartoons-such as Duck Dodgers in the 241/2 Century, One Froggy Evening, Duck Amuck, and What's Opera, Doc?-with some of the wittiest insights into the art of comedy since Mark Twain.
The popularity of cartoon music, from Carl Stalling's work for Warner Bros. to Disney sound tracks and "The Simpsons"' song parodies, has never been greater. This lively and fascinating look at cartoon music's past and present collects contributions from well-known music critics and cartoonists, and interviews with the principal cartoon composers. Here Mark Mothersbaugh talks about his music for "Rugrats," Alf Clausen about composing for "The Simpsons," Carl Stalling about his work for Walt Disney and Warner Bros., Irwin Chusid about Raymond Scott's work, Will Friedwald about "Casper the Friendly Ghost," Richard Stone about his music for "Animaniacs," Joseph Lanza about "Ren and Stimpy," and much, much more.
"The most comprehensive book on directing animation from one of the best writers in the business."---Bill Plympton, Oscar-nominated indie animation director --
There’s no class in art school that can teach you this. Believe it or not, there’s a lot more to directing a great animated film than beautiful illustrations and cool characters. You need to bring out your inner creative visionary and take your savvy leadership skills to the front lines - being great with a pencil, brush, or stylus is not enough. Tony Bancroft released his inner creative visionary when creating Mulan. In Directing for Animation he shows you exactly how. Pull the right strings to bring your characters to life and center your story by developing the visual cues that lend to your audiences understanding of the plot, place, and purpose. Tony walks you through the process, bringing you behind the scenes of real, well-known projects - with a little help from some famous friends. Learn from the directors of Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Ice Age, Chicken Run, and Kung Fu Panda, and see how they developed stories and created characters that have endured for generations. Get the inside scoop behind these major features...pitfalls and all.
Celebrate the best of Looney Tunes cartoons, just in time for Bugs Bunny’s 80th birthday! In a world of rascally rabbits, megalomaniacal ducks, and stuttering pigs, what defines greatness? This question was posed to thousands of cartoon fans, historians, and animators to create The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes Cartoons, the definitive Looney Tunes collection. Jerry Beck and the Cartoon Brew team of animation experts reveal the amusing anecdotes and secret origins behind such classics as “What’s Opera, Doc?,” “One Froggy Evening,” and “Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century.” Featuring more than 300 pieces of original art from private collectors and the Warner Bros. archives, The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes Cartoons settles the debate on the best of the best, and poses a new question: Is your favorite one of the greatest?
"The first survey dedicated to the work of the McKimson brothers, this book offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the upper echelon of 20th-century animation and examines the creative process behind the making of numerous popular characters and classic programs. Featuring original artwork from the golden age of animation, this book includes a wealth of material from many professional archives--screen captures, original drawings, reproductions of animation cels, illustrations from comic books, lobby cards, and other ephemera from the author's collection--while surveying the careers of three groundbreaking animators whose credits include Looney Tunes, the Pink Panther, and Mr. Magoo. Beginning in the 1920s and then tracing the brothers' work together at Warner Brothers Cartoons in the following decades, this history details Robert McKimson's creation of such beloved characters as Foghorn Leghorn, the Tasmanian Devil, and Speedy Gonzales; Tom McKimson's work at Warner Brothers, Dell Comics, and Golden Books; and Chuck McKimson's long career working in comic books and then later at Pacific Title, creating animated film titles and commercials, including his award-winning work on Music Man, Cleopatra, and The Sound of Music"--