The Illusion of Life

Disney Animation

One of “5 must-read books on animation design Flip through these to understand the history and principles of animation . . . The authors of this book, Frank and Ollie, created animated masterpieces like ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’, ‘Bambi’, and ‘Pinocchio’. This book looks at the way the duo played a role in turning the Walt Disney Studios into a powerhouse and highest standard in animation. By using simple language and avoiding jargon, the book looks at the 12 rules of animation the duo created, where an emphasis on characters being realistic, while having their own essence is explained.”
—Tini Sara Anien, Deccan Herald, 2022
 
One of “My Seven ‘Desert Island’ Animation Reference Books . . . Everything that could have already been said about this book has been said. Suffice to say, if you can own just one book about Disney animation, this is it. The development of the studio’s approach to character animation has never been more clearly documented.”
—Amid Amidi, Cartoon Brew, 2013
 
One of the “Three books that mean a lot to me.”
—Rob LaDuca, Disney animation guru, Variety, 2008
 
“Thomas and Johnston, two of Disney's original animators, here give the inside scoop on how the studio created the works that have charmed the world. ‘The text is ambitious,’ said LJ's reviewer (LJ 12/15/81). The ‘authors simultaneously give a history of Disney animation and explain the processes involved in clear, nontechnical terms.’ Along with the splendid text are dozens of color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations. A ‘magnificent volume’ that remains ‘essential for film collections and a feast for the most casual peruser.’
—Library Journal, Reed Business Information, Inc., 1996

Two of Walt Disney's 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 mid-1930s. In 1978, they retired from Walt Disney Productions and began work on this book. In that same year, they received the "Pioneer in Film" award from the University of Southern California chapter of Delta Kappa Alpha National Honorary Cinema Fraternity and further honors from the American Film Institute at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. As Frank and Ollie wrote first-hand about their Disney animation volume The Illusion of Life, “We hope that some readers will be stimulated to carry on these traditions and elevate this art form to an ever-higher level.”

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.