The illusion of life disney animation by frank thomas and ollie johnston. An afternoon with ollie johnston, frank thomas and pinocchio. Like all of their books, this one has an abundance of artwork throughout, which is the best part. The illusion of life later republished as the illusion of life. It was created, written, and drawn by us personally. Frank and ollie is a 1995 documentary film about the life and careers of frank thomas and ollie johnston, two chief animators who had worked at walt disney animation studios from its early years until their retirement in the late 1970s. The film profiled their careers, private lives, and. It was published by disney editions and has a total of 576 pages in the book. This is the special edition of the book, signed by frank thomas and ollie johnston on a special insert at the front. 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. The authors, frank thomas and ollie johnston, worked not only with the legendary walt disney.
He died on april 14, 2008 in sequim, washington, usa. Frank thomas and ollie johnston are both disney legends, and were born within a month of each other in 1912. The illusion of life by ollie johnston and frank thomas 1984, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. The disney villain is a beautiful work by ollie johnston and frank thomas, two of walts nine old men. Its simply sad to see such a beautiful book butchered. Im not sure if there were ever two people more suited to describing the disney villain frank and ollie were supervising animators at disney for almost 50 years. Disneys twelve basic principles of animation were introduced by the disney animators ollie johnston and frank thomas in their 1981 book the illusion of life.
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. The illusion of life disney books disney publishing. The illusion of life 9780896592339 by frank thomas. Illusion of life, ollie johnston 9780786860708 boeken. Topping the list of best animation books of all time in a poll at awn, it is still used as reference on and source of inspiration for character animation.
More pictures at of the many books on animation and disney, the illusion of life. Disney publishing participates in affiliate commission programs, including with amazon, which means that we may earn advertising fees from purchases you make from the links on this page. He was recognized by the walt disney company with its disney legend award in 1989. Jul 11, 2011 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.
The partnership of frank thomas and ollie johnston is fondly presented in the documentary frank and ollie, produced by thomas son theodore, who in 2012 also produced another documentary, growing up with nine old men, included in the diamond edition of the peter pan dvd. Frank thomas, ollie johnston an outofprint collectors item since 1986, the definitive account of the development of disney animation explains what made disneys style unique and features original sketches and drawings revealing the origins of mickey and the rest. The authors, frank thomas and ollie johnston, worked not only with the. Thomas coauthored, with fellow disney legend ollie johnston, the comprehensive book disney animation. Ollie johnston was born on october 31, 1912 in palo alto, california, usa as oliver martin johnston jr.
In 1978, they retired from walt disney productions and began work on this book. October 31, 1912 april 14, 2008 was an animator who was one of walt disneys nine old men. This book helped preserve the knowledge of the techniques that were developed at the studio. Frank thomas and ollie johnston 1976 an interview by michael barrier and milton gray. The illusion of life 1st deluxe edition by thomas, frank, johnston, ollie isbn. Frank thomas attended stanford university, where he worked on the campus humor magazine the stanford chaparral with ollie johnston. The pages seem to overflow with exquisitely reproduced cels, backgrounds, drawings and setups. The illusion of life by frank thomas and ollie johnston. 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. Frank thomas and ollie johnston 1987 an interview by michael barrier. Johnston, ollie, isbn 0786860707, isbn 9780786860708, brand new, free shipping in the us an outofprint collectors item since 1986, the definitive account of the development of disney animation explains what made disneys style unique and features original sketches and drawings revealing the origins of mickey and the rest. Thomas and johnston were also profiled in the 1995 documentary frank and ollie, which screened at the 20th toronto international film festival, directed by thomas s son theodore thomas.
See all books authored by frank thomas, including the illusion of life. The most complete book on the subject ever written, this is th. Johnston coauthored, with frank thomas, the reference book disney animation. He is known for his work on the incredibles 2004, the iron giant 1999 and the aristocats 1970. 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. Frank thomas and ollie johnston my dreams of disney. Ollie johnston and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Although they had quite different personalities, they found that they worked together very well. This is my video series highlighting each of the 12 principles of animation as described by frank thomas and ollie johnston in their book the illusion of life. An afternoon with ollie johnston, frank thomas and. 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. If you see this book elsewhere not for sale, you will regret not buying this. To answer any of these questions, one must first understand the 12 principles of animation.
The illusion of life, disney animation, frank thomas, ollie johnston. October 31, 1912 april 14, 2008 was an american motion picture animator. A number of other important figures in the animation business are also interviewed. Frank and ollie is a 1995 documentary film about the life and careers of frank thomas and ollie johnston, two chief animators who had worked at walt disney animation studios from its early years until their retirement in the late 1970s it was directed, produced and written by theodore thomas, frank thomas son. May 30, 2016 ive read in walts people book series from goran brolings interviews with frank thomas and ollie johnston, that they flew to new york to publicize the rerelease of peter pan. Marvelous book by two of disneys original animators the nine old men and a great example of craftsmanship in animation as well as nearboundless creativity. Illusion of life by ollie johnston, 9780786860708, available at book depository with free delivery. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Welcome to the official website of frank thomas and ollie johnston although frank and ollie have passed on, this website is a part of their legacy. Frank thomas books list of books by author frank thomas.
Frank and ollie were at work in 1976 on their first book, disney animation. The disney villain book by ollie johnston thriftbooks. In october 1976, i flew to california and joined milt gray for a couple of intensive weeks of interviewing hollywood animation people. The book summarised the disney approach to animation through the socalled 12 basic principles of animation. His work was recognized with the national medal of arts in 2005. The 12 principles of animation as illustrated through disney. Wether you like just disney in general, concept art, the art of animation, movie making, story or simply beautiful books. Disneys greatest sight gags by frank thomas, ollie johnston and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It contains page after page of illustrations but more importantly, a fully in depth explanation of how animation evolved over time. Welcome to the official website of frank thomas and ollie johnston. The most essential book on classical animation ever. Frank and ollie is a 1995 documentary film about the life and careers of frank thomas and ollie johnston, two chief animators that had worked at walt disney animation studios during its early years, up until their retirement in the late 1970s. The illusion of life disney books disney publishing worldwide. Pierre lamberts pinocchio, originally published in france by demons et merveilles and in an english translation by hyperion, ranks as the loveliest animation book of recent years.
All of the pages below the home button were created by frank and ollie. They tried to talk about their book illusion of life, but the host was geared on peter pan. What follows is a list of books that we have written or contributed to. Mason discusses the 12 principles of animation and why every animation student should consider this required reading. Frank thomas joined the walt disney company on september 24, 1934 as employee number 224. Made famous by two of walt disneys legendary nine old men, ollie johnston and frank thomas, the 12 principles of animation have become an essential mustlearn for all aspiring and working animators in the industry today.
They were introduced by the disney animators ollie johnston and frank thomas in book the illusion of life. Nov 11, 2014 the most essential book on classical animation ever. Top american libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity heritage library childrens library. We met at their adjoining homes in flintridge, california. But the principles are based on the work of disney animators from the 1930s onwards. Disney animation is a book by frank thomas and ollie johnston, two of the key animators at disney during the golden age of animation. 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. Ollie was best friends with fellow animator frank thomas. 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. The illusion of life, first published by abbeville press in 1981. The twelve principles of animation as illustrated through disney. The disney villain by frank thomas goodreads share book. Regarded as the definitive resource book on traditional handdrawn character animation particularly in the disney style, the book has been republished numerous times, and is widely considered the bible among character animators.
Disney animation is a book by frank thomas and ollie johnston, two of the key. Frank thomas was born on september 5, 1912 in santa monica, california, usa. Ollie johnston and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. I interviewed frank thomas and ollie johnston together for a second time on july, 1987, almost eleven years after my first interview with them posted here at this link. The most complete book on the subject ever written, this is the fascinating inside story. Music fans of frank thomas will enjoy discovering his musical talents as pianist in the infamous firehouse five plus two. Some of what is in the interview may have anticipated the book, but i think the interview is better.
The disney villain by ollie johnston and frank thomas. And whom better to write a book about them than 2 of their creators frank thomas and ollie johnston. They were interviewed in a popular morning show for a sixminute segment. About the author 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. Mason discusses the 12 principles of animation and why every animation student. Im extremely happy i didnt pass up the offer that i originally passed up. Ollie johnston books disney books disney publishing. Frank thomas and ollie johnston the illusion of life. Shop for all of the latest books from frank thomas. Nov 05, 2017 the disney villain by ollie johnston and frank thomas is an absolute musthave for any disney fan. After graduating from stanford, he attended chouinard art institute.
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. Aug 31, 20 of walts nine old men, perhaps the two that you hear the most about if you know of the nine old men at all are frank and ollie. The story and the film by ollie johnston, frank thomas, walt disney company and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. To see a larger version of the book cover, click on the thumbnail. He is known for his work on the incredibles 2004, the iron giant 1999 and mary poppins 1964. Taylor linda springate belinda takahashi francine wolgin susan s. The twelve principles of animation should be basic knowledge for everyone. The illusion of life by ollie johnston and frank thomas 1984, paperback at. 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. The title of this book is the illusion of life and it was written by ollie johnston, frank thomas. Every villainantagonist from the short subjects and feature films up to aladdin are discussed and analyzed.
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