Two Guys Named Joe: Master Animation Storytellers Joe Grant and Joe Ranft

Two Guys Named Joe examines the lives and careers of Disney animation artists Joe Grant and Joe Ranft. Author John Canemaker chronicles their parallel journeys at Disney Animation Studios, with Grant's career spanning from the 1930s to 2000s and Ranft's work from the 1980s to 2000s. The book details Grant's contributions to classic Disney films like Dumbo and Fantasia, followed by his return to Disney in his 80s. Canemaker documents Ranft's rise from CalArts student to Pixar story supervisor, including his work on films like Toy Story and Cars. Through interviews, artwork, and production materials, the book reconstructs the creative processes of both artists at Disney and Pixar. Their approaches to character development, storytelling, and studio collaboration are presented through specific examples from various animated features. The dual biography highlights themes of artistic resilience, multi-generational mentorship, and the evolution of animation storytelling across different eras. Their parallel stories create a lens through which to view the transformation of American animation from hand-drawn to digital techniques.

Readers praise Canemaker's research and insider access, with multiple reviews noting the book provides details about Joe Grant and Joe Ranft that weren't previously published. Animation fans appreciate the coverage of both Joes' contributions to Disney and Pixar films. Likes: - In-depth exploration of creative processes - Rare photos and artwork - Balance between personal stories and professional achievements - Clear writing style that makes technical concepts accessible Dislikes: - Some readers wanted more artwork samples - A few note that the Grant section feels more comprehensive than Ranft's - Price point considered high by some for the page count Ratings: Goodreads: 4.16/5 (37 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (23 reviews) One animation student reviewer called it "required reading for anyone interested in story development." Multiple readers mentioned learning new information about Grant's contributions to Snow White and Dumbo, which they hadn't found in other Disney books.

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🎨 Author John Canemaker is an Academy Award-winning animator and animation historian who has written nine books about animation history and teaches at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. 🎬 Joe Grant worked at Disney for nearly 70 years, helping create characters like the Queen in Snow White and Dumbo, while Joe Ranft was a key creative force at both Disney and Pixar, contributing to films like Toy Story and Cars. ✨ The book reveals that Joe Grant developed the story of Lady and the Tramp from his own observations of his family's springer spaniel, Lady, though he initially left Disney before the film was completed. 🖋️ Joe Ranft's tragic death in 2005 at age 45 prompted Pixar to dedicate Cars to his memory, and the film features his last voice acting role as Red the shy fire truck. 🏰 Joe Grant rejoined Disney in 1989 at age 81 after a 40-year absence and contributed to the studio's renaissance with films like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Pocahontas, working until his death at 97.