Character Animation Crash Course

Character Animation Crash Course presents core animation principles and techniques through illustrated examples and practical exercises. Eric Goldberg, a Disney animator known for characters like the Genie in Aladdin, shares his professional knowledge and methods developed over decades in the industry. The book breaks down complex animation concepts into clear, sequential lessons covering timing, weight, anticipation, and character performance. Each chapter contains step-by-step demonstrations and practice assignments that build upon previous material. The text emphasizes hand-drawn animation fundamentals while acknowledging their application to computer animation. Goldberg includes insights about working in major animation studios and collaborating with other artists. His teachings draw from classical animation traditions while incorporating contemporary industry standards and workflows. The work stands as both a technical manual and an exploration of creative expression through movement and performance. Its focus on character personality and emotional authenticity reveals animation as an art form that goes beyond mere technical execution.

Readers value this book for its practical animation instruction and Goldberg's experienced perspective. Animation students and professionals highlight the clear explanations of principles like timing, spacing, and weight. Likes: - Clear progression from basic to complex concepts - Hand-drawn examples and step-by-step breakdowns - Humorous writing style keeps technical content engaging - Strong focus on fundamentals before moving to character performance Dislikes: - Some readers found the binding quality poor, with pages falling out - A few noted the drawing examples could be clearer/larger - Several mentioned wanting more advanced techniques covered Ratings: Amazon: 4.7/5 (244 reviews) Goodreads: 4.5/5 (591 ratings) Reader Quote: "The exercises helped me understand weight and timing better than four years of animation school." - Amazon reviewer Common feedback suggests the book works best as a supplement to formal animation training rather than a standalone resource for beginners.

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🎬 Eric Goldberg animated beloved characters like the Genie in Disney's "Aladdin" and Phil in "Hercules," bringing his practical expertise directly to the pages of this book. ✏️ The book features over 1,000 hand-drawn illustrations by Goldberg himself, demonstrating animation principles through detailed step-by-step breakdowns. 🏆 Having started his career at Richard Williams' studio in London, Goldberg learned from the same legendary animator who created "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "The Thief and the Cobbler." 📚 The book's approach to teaching animation was influenced by Goldberg's experience running his own animation masterclasses at studios worldwide, including Disney and DreamWorks. 🎨 Unlike many technical animation books, this guide emphasizes character personality and entertainment value over mechanical movement, reflecting Goldberg's background in comedy animation.