Frank thomas skip to main search results amazon prime. Ten essential books for animation students and fans. The story of frank and ollies careers and friendship is profiled in the documentary frank and ollie 1995, which is available in the museum store. The most essential book on classical animation ever. In 1978, they resigned from movie maker productions and commenced take away at this book. Sep 10, 2004 robert chacon frank thomas, who drew some of the most memorable characters in disneys landmark cartoons such as snow white and the seven dwarfs, lady and the tramp, pinocchio, bambi. Of the many books on animation and disney, the illusion of life. Frank has written several books with great impact, most notably whats the matter with kansas. From 2008 to 2010 he wrote the tilting yard, a column in the wall.
Although frank and ollie have passed on, this website is a part of their legacy. All of the pages below the home button were created by frank and ollie. Ollie johnston and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Book 1967, the last animated film on which disney himself worked.
Frank thomas has 84 books on goodreads with 154 ratings. Animator and disney legend frank thomas is born d23. Frank thomas was born on september 5, 1912 in santa monica, california, usa. 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. On the animation podcast, disney director john musker discussed frank thomas, and mentioned that at one time, fellow animation great chuck jones had christened thomas the laurence olivier of animators. The illusion of life by frank thomas and ollie johnson. Frank thomas books list of books by author frank thomas. The illusion of life by frank thomas and ollie johnson this book is considered to be the animation bible. Books by frank thomas author of the illusion of life. Totalling five hundred and seventysix pages, a revised edition, with the. Disney animation, the illusion of life frank thomas, ollie.
Frank thomas and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Jan 18, 2016 animation by frank thomas 1912 2004, coauthor of the illusion of life and one of disneys famed nine old men. Disney animation by ollie johnston, frank thomas ebook. This page is an ongoing log of books i find to be awesome or useful. But, having the history and knowledge of animation from individuals like ollie johnston and frank thomas at your finger tips is priceless. 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. 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. He is known for his work on the incredibles 2004, the. 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. While the scans are decent and much of the content readable, this copy, the only copy i have ever seen, is in fact truncated on the sides so that interesting information is lost. On the animation podcast, disney director john musker discussed frank thomas, and mentioned that at one time, fellow animation great chuck jones had. It tops the list of best animation books of all time in a poll at awn.
Frank thomas and ollie johnston were two animators that worked at disney since the earliest days and their book is consider the animators bible. Franklin rosborough frank thomas september 5, 1912 september 8, 2004 was an american animator and pianist. 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. The authors, frank thomas and ollie johnston, worked not only with the legendary walt disney himself but also with other leading figures in the halfcentury of disney films. The illusion of life by frank thomas and ollie johnston. Animation by frank thomas 1912 2004, coauthor of the illusion of life and one of disneys famed nine. 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. Frankalong with the other nine old menwas given the ultimate. Two of walt disney s documented nine recent men, frank thomas and ollie johnston met as understudies at university and joined the filmmaker studio within a time of 1 another within the mid1930s. Topping the list of best animation books of all time in a poll at awn.
These are my seven desert island animation reference books. Animator frank thomas instilled vivid personality into his characters. Apr 26, 2019 become a better problemsolver and boost your math and science skills on brilliant and be one of the first 83 to sign up to get 20% off your premium subscr. Thomas coauthored, with fellow disney legend ollie johnston, the comprehensive book disney animation. The illusion of life later republished as the illusion of life. Robert chacon frank thomas, who drew some of the most memorable characters in disneys landmark cartoons such as snow white and the seven dwarfs, lady and the tramp, pinocchio, bambi. This book produced and written for bloop animation is a stepbystep guide to becoming an animator even if youve.
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. 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. 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. They personally animated leading characters in most of the famous films, and have decades of close association with the other men and women who helped perfect this. Three sections and eight pages have been added to frank and ollies original website. Upon retirement frank and ollie began to piece together a book about their experience as animators for the walt disney studio. Animation disney books disney publishing worldwide. Frank thomass most popular book is the illusion of life. One of walts famed nine old men, frank began his disney career in 1934 along with stanford university classmate and lifelong friend 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. Welcome to the official website of frank thomas and ollie johnston. Frank thomas, one of the celebrated nine old men of disney animation whose work set the standards by which all character animation is judged, died. Theres even homeage being paid with some history on animators from the 1800s and the first interactive animated feature with a.
They are an elite group of books written by the founders of animation and only a handful of their students. Born in santa monica, california to frank thomas, a teacher. It was created, written, and drawn by us personally. The illusion of life, published in 1981, is an acclaimed book by two of disneys nine old men, ollie johnston and frank thomas. May 26, 2017 the illusion of life by frank thomas and ollie johnson. Frank thomas, disney animator, when asked to give advice to young animators.
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. Written by the ultimate disney insiders, this bible of animation has become a legend in itself. The illusion of life takes the reader through the creation of the art form. This volume seeks to explain the process that makes disneys animation uniquewhat sets the work of the disney studios apart from other animation products. He was one of walt disney s leading team of animators known as the nine old men. Mason discusses the 12 principles of animation and why every animation student. Become a better problemsolver and boost your math and science skills on brilliant and be one of the first 83 to sign up to get 20% off your premium subscr. Theres even homeage being paid with some history on animators from the 1800s and the first interactive animated feature with a dinosaur. Frank would also coauthor four books on animation with his best friend, collaborator, and nextdoor neighbor, ollie johnston. Thomas carr frank born march 21, 1965 is an american political analyst, historian, and journalist. They touch on the history of animation, and give students of animation a set of principles to follow when attempting to successfully bring. He is known for his work on the incredibles 2004, the iron giant 1999 and robin hood 1973. The book summarized the disney approach to animation through the socalled 12 basic principles of animation.
They personally animated leading characters in most of the famous films, and have. 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. Animation by frank thomas 1912 2004, coauthor of the illusion of life and one of disneys famed nine old men. I was rummaging around in the whittier high school library and i found this book called the art of animation by bob thomas. The most complete book on the subject ever written, this is the fascinating inside story by two longterm disney animators of. Reading this book you will find out how the animation art formed, how were created the principle of animation, how they discover the best. Known for his ability to portray characters with a wide range of vivid. On this day in 1912, disney legend frank thomas, an animator, author, and pianist, was born in santa monica, california. Disney animation 1981 by frank thomas and ollie johnston everything that could have already been said about this book has been said. It is widely considered to be one of the best books ever published on the topic of character animation. See all books authored by frank thomas, including the illusion of life. The authors, frank thomas and ollie johnston, worked not only with the.
Disney animation is a book by frank thomas and ollie johnston, two of the key animators at disney during the golden age of animation. Frank thomas died in flintridge, california at the age of 92. One of disneys core circle of master animatorsa group that disney referred to as his nine old men thomas. Known for his ability to portray characters with a wide range of vivid emotions. In 1978, they retired from walt disney productions and began work on this book. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. This is one of the best animation books packed with rare facts and background paintings from decades of animated films. Top 10 best animation books published on may 29, 2015 may 29, 2015 38 likes 3 comments. Seriously, has there ever been an animation lover in this world who doesnt think this book is. 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. Disney animation is a book by frank thomas and ollie johnston, two of the key animators at.
The illusion of life disney books disney publishing worldwide. Animation online books useful curated list marionette studio. The film profiled their careers, private lives, and the personal friendship between the two men. This upload is basically a copy of the illusion of life thats been floating around the internet for nearly a decade. It contains page after page of illustrations but more importantly, a fully in depth explanation of how animation evolved over time. 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.
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