Charles Solomon

Charles Solomon is an internationally recognized animation critic and historian who has written extensively about animation and popular culture since the 1970s. He has authored numerous influential books on animation, including "The Disney That Never Was" (1995) and "The Art of Toy Story 3" (2010). A frequent lecturer at universities and museums, Solomon serves as an animation critic for NPR's "Morning Edition" and has written for major publications including The New York Times, TV Guide, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone. His work examining Japanese animation helped introduce Western audiences to anime during its emergence in North America. Solomon received the 2008 June Foray Award from ASIFA-Hollywood for significant and benevolent impact on animation, and he has served as a film critic for The Los Angeles Times. He teaches animation history at UCLA, CalArts, and USC's School of Cinematic Arts. His books and articles frequently draw upon his direct access to animation creators and studios, incorporating extensive interviews and behind-the-scenes material that document the artistic and technical evolution of the medium. Solomon's analytical approach combines historical research with aesthetic criticism, examining both the cultural impact of animation and its development as an art form.

Readers value Solomon's deep industry access and detailed research in animation history. His books receive consistent praise for providing behind-the-scenes insights that aren't available elsewhere. On Goodreads, readers highlight his clear writing style and ability to explain technical concepts to general audiences. What readers liked: - Comprehensive historical documentation - First-hand interviews with animators - Clear explanations of animation techniques - Balance of technical detail and accessibility What readers disliked: - Some find his writing dry and academic - Occasional repetition between books - Limited coverage of independent animation - Focus primarily on major Western studios Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Average 4.1/5 across all books Amazon: 4.3/5 average - "The Disney That Never Was" - 4.5/5 - "The Art of Toy Story 3" - 4.7/5 One reader noted: "Solomon's access to Disney archives gives unique perspective into abandoned projects." Another commented: "Thorough research but can be dense reading at times."

The Art of Frozen (2013) A detailed examination of the creative process behind Disney's Frozen, covering the film's artistic development through concept art, character studies, and interviews with the creative team.

The Disney That Never Was (1995) An exploration of unrealized Disney animation projects and abandoned concepts through archival materials and interviews with artists.

The Art of Toy Story 3 (2010) A chronicle of the visual development and artistic choices made during the production of Pixar's third Toy Story film.

Tale As Old As Time: The Art and Making of Beauty and the Beast (2010) A comprehensive look at both the 1991 animated film and 2017 live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, documenting their production processes.

The History of Animation: Enchanted Drawings (1989) A chronological examination of animation development from early optical toys through modern techniques.

The Prince of Egypt: A New Vision in Animation (1998) A documentation of DreamWorks Animation's production process for their Biblical epic, including artistic development and technical innovations.

Leonard Maltin wrote extensively about animation and film history for over 40 years, including definitive books about Disney and Warner Bros animation. His work combines historical documentation with insights from firsthand interviews with animation pioneers.

Jerry Beck co-founded Cartoon Research and has authored numerous books chronicling animation history across studios and eras. His writing focuses on preserving animation history through detailed production records and artwork.

Michael Barrier conducted extensive interviews with Golden Age animators and wrote comprehensive histories of Disney and Warner Bros animation. His research emphasizes original source materials and first-person accounts from animation artists.

John Canemaker produced essential books about animation pioneers and techniques, drawing from his background as an animator and historian. His works include detailed examinations of Disney artists and independent animators.

Brian Sibley has written extensively about animation production and personalities, with particular focus on Disney and fantasy films. His books incorporate production artwork and detailed accounts of animation development processes.