Animators of Film and Television

In the words of Walt Disney, “Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive.” Part biography, part history, part artistic commentary, this volume looks at major figures in the field of animation and discusses how their contributions have affected the course of the industry—and, in many cases, popular culture as a whole.
These gifted artists are divided into several classifications: Idealists (Art Babbitt, John Hubley); Mavericks (John Kricfalusi, Terry Gilliam); Technicians (Max and Dave Fleischer); Influencers (Frank Tashlin, Matt Groening, Ray Harryhausen, Ed Benedict); Trailblazers (Lotte Rieniger, Lillian Friedman); Teller of Tales (Henry Selick); Teachers (George Newall, Tom Yohe, the FMPU); and Storytellers (Joe Grant, Bill Scott, Michael Maltese). A selective list of each animator’s key films and awards is included.

Noell K. Wolfgram Evans is a playwright, animation historian, and two-time winner of the Thurber Treat award. He lives in Kent, Ohio.

Noell K. Wolfgram Evans
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 228
Bibliographic Info: notes, filmographies, bibliographies, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4832-6
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8603-8
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

THE IDEALISTS
1. Art Babbitt: Working with Idealism      7
2. John Hubley: The Modernist      15

THE MAVERICKS
3. John Kricfalusi: The Throwback      29
4. Terry Gilliam: The Accidental Animator      34

THE TECHNICIANS
5. Max and Dave Fleischer      51

THE INFLUENCERS
6. Frank Tashlin: Mr. Everything      65
7. Matt Groening: The Populist Hippie      76
8. Ray Harryhausen: The Stop-Motion Master      86
9. Ed Benedict: The Reluctant Influencer      99

THE TRAILBLAZERS
10. Lotte Reiniger: Shadowplayer      111
11. Lillian Friedman: The Patient Trailblazer      119

THE TELLER OF TALES
12. Henry Selick: Sharing Hope Through the Darkside of the Story      127

THE TEACHERS
13. George Newall and Tom Yohe: The Entertaining Educators      39
14. The FMPU: Animating Our Way to Victory (and Education)      148

THE STORYTELLERS
15. Joe Grant: The Constant      159
16. Bill Scott: Writer and Moose Advocate      168
17. Michael Maltese: The Storyman      183

Epilogue      198
Chapter Notes      199
Bibliography      207
Index      213

• “A fantastic addition…highly recommended”—Choice