Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation

Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation examines the careers and artistic contributions of the core group of animators who helped establish Disney's animation style. Author John Canemaker presents research and interviews that document how these artists developed their craft at the Disney studios from the 1920s through the 1970s. The book includes biographical details about each of the nine animators, from their early artistic training through their time working with Walt Disney himself. Through production materials, artwork, and firsthand accounts, Canemaker traces how their individual approaches and innovations shaped animated filmmaking. The text features rare behind-the-scenes photographs, concept art, and animation drawings that showcase the development of iconic Disney characters and films. Technical aspects of animation are explained alongside the creative process, providing context for the Nine Old Men's achievements. This volume tells a larger story about the evolution of the animation medium and the establishment of an American art form. Through these nine artists' experiences, readers gain understanding of both the business and artistry of early animation studios.

Readers value the book's detailed research and rare photographs documenting Disney's core animators. Many note the comprehensive career timelines and technical insights into classic animation techniques. Likes: - In-depth profiles of each animator's style and contributions - Previously unpublished artwork and behind-the-scenes images - Historical context of Disney animation development - Personal anecdotes and quotes from the animators Dislikes: - Text can be dry and academic in tone - High price point ($75-100 range) - Some readers wanted more actual animation technique instruction - Limited coverage of post-1960s work Ratings: Goodreads: 4.27/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (98 ratings) Reader quote: "The level of detail about each animator's background and methods is incredible. Though expensive, it's worth it for the rare photos and artwork alone." - Amazon reviewer Several readers mentioned using it as a reference book rather than reading cover-to-cover due to its dense academic style.

The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston This guide to animation principles was written by two of Disney's Nine Old Men and contains their direct insights into the techniques developed at the Disney studio from the 1930s through 1970s.

Animated Performance by Nancy Beiman This animation manual presents character animation techniques through the lens of acting theory and performance, building on concepts developed by Disney's master animators.

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler This biography explores Walt Disney's relationship with his artists and animators while documenting the evolution of animation techniques at the Disney Studios.

The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams This animation guide incorporates knowledge passed down from Disney animators to Williams during his time learning from them in the 1960s.

Paper Dreams: The Art and Artists of Disney Storyboards by John Canemaker This book examines the development of Disney animation through the lens of the studio's storyboard artists and their contributions to the storytelling process.

🎨 Author John Canemaker is an Academy Award-winning animator and animation historian who has written nine books about animation history and teaches at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. 🎬 The "Nine Old Men" nickname was ironically given to Disney's core animators when they were still in their 30s and 40s, borrowed from Franklin D. Roosevelt's derisive term for the Supreme Court justices. ✏️ The book features rare personal photographs, artwork, and correspondence from the animators' private collections, much of which had never been published before its release in 2001. 🎥 Several of the Nine Old Men continued working as consultants and mentors at Disney well into their elderly years, helping to train the next generation of animators who would create films like "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast." 🖌️ Each animator had a distinctive specialty: Frank Thomas excelled at emotional scenes, Ollie Johnston was known for tender moments, and Milt Kahl was considered the perfectionist who set the studio's quality standards.