THE ART OF MONSTERS, INC (2001, PIXAR)

Laura Lovett and Patrick Barber, The Art of Monsters, Inc., Singapore, Disney Enterprices, 2001.

JPEG / 18 MB / Eng / 144 pages / 0811833887 / 978-0811833882

- A brief introduction and comments by John Lasseter (Producer, head of Pixar) and Pete Docter (Director)
- Concept Art By: Harley Jessup (Production Designer); Bob Peterson (storyboards); Geefwee Boedoe; Dominique Louis; J. Otto Siebold; Jill Culton; Lou Romano; Ralph Eggleston; Ricky Nierva; Dan Lee;Tia Kratter; Lou Romano; Bob Pauley; Nicolas Marlet; Oscar Grillo; Jeff Pidgeon.

Nice Pixar Movie. In the same line as A Bug's Life; that is: maybe not as revolutionary to the media as Toy Story and Nemo or Ratatouille, still, a very nice movie. Lovable characters, great lines, a beautifully designed world... you know 10 years from today we will still remember how much Pixar amazed us back in the day.

(by pelida77)

"There's nothing more toxic or deadly than a human child. A single touch could kill you. Leave a door open, and one can walk right into this factory; right into the monster world."

Do you want to read this book? You could follow this link...

THE ANIMATED RAGGEDY ANN & ANDY (1977, John Canemaker)

Canemaker, John. The animated raggedy Ann & Andy: An Intimate Look at the Art of Animation Its History, Techniques, and Artists[Uncorrected Proof], New York, [no ed] , 1977

PDF / 83.5 MB / Eng / 127 pages / 0672523299 / 978-0672523298

Richard Williams Raggedy Ann & Andy is one of the most beautiful animation feature-lenght ever made. Sadly, nowadays it's almost forgoten. Anyway, someone (TheThiefArchive) upload this movie to the tube, it's a very nice restoration, so if you didn't watch it, why don't you take a look at this...

This one was the first book by John Canemaker and one of the very first of animation criticism. That's why before examining RA&A, John explains all the production steps involved in a comercial animation. The story sketches; The storyboard; Design and Layout; Soundtrack Recordings; Key and Pose animation; Rough Animation and Cleaning; In between; Ink and Paint; photography; print.

Chapters on the life and career of:

- Johny Gruelle, the creator of the Raggedy Ann & Andy original book series.

- The canadian animator, director and genius behind this movie, Richard Williams. Multiple quotes from Dick, some of his letters during the production, and final comments about any aspect of the movie.

- Top class master animators and some young talents (young, back in the day):
Cornelius "Corny" Cole (really a Designer, Art); Arthur Babbitt (The Disney legend; here with 69 years old, Key: Camel with the Wrinkled Knees); Hall Ambro (Key: Babette, the french doll); John Kimball (the son of... yes, Key: Loony Knight; the weird camel mirage, The Spooky, Ha Ha Hall); Emery Hawkins (Warner Bros, MGM, Lantz, Disney... you name it, he's being everywhere, here, Key: The Greedy); Gerry Chiniqui (ex- Warner brothers animator, key: The dancing Twin Penny dolls, and King Koo Koo); Charles E. Downs (Key: The Captain and his parrot); Tissa David (once the assistant of Grim Natwick, and Key animator of Ann, and Andy);
Chrystall Russell (Key: Raggedy Ann); GRIM NATWICK (at the time of this movie 87 years old!!!!!, Key: The Loonies in King Koo Koo sequence); Spencer Peel (Key: Playroom dolls)

"When you're wrinkled and cold, and your Fortune has all been told, and you're nobody's 'I Love you' How can you be happy? How can you be smiling? How can you be anything but lowdown saggy and blue?"

What an amazing movie.

by pelida77

Would you like to read this book, you could follow this link...

JOURNEY OF THE HEART (Hayao Miyazaki - Isao Takahata)

(Sekai Waga Kokoro no Tabi - Hayao Miyazaki)
(Sekai Waga Kokoro no Tabi - Isao Takahata)

Yes, I know, I know... This are not books, rather... some sort of weird japanese Documentaries.Yet, I think they adapt perfectly to the spirit of this blog (spirit? which means that this is my mf blog)

Miyazaki wanted to fly to the Sahara in an old plane (crazy old man). It's a very interesting documentary, because it doesn't try to teach you about Miya-san achievements, but rather to show you the man behind the artist. (Very touching at times.) You will be able to remember, and perhaps finally understand, the desert fortress by the sea in Future Boy Conan; and get to know how deep is Miya-san passion for old planes. And there is also something about Miyazaki's favorite writer, the french poet Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

I am a big fan of the animations made by Isao Takahata. He's a great director, so it's kind of unfair that he is known in the West mainly because of the talent of his friend. The program took Takahata-san (I certainly enjoy this Karate Kid talk) on a trip to Prince Edward Island, in Canada.
When Takahata-san was young, he went there on a research for his beautiful Anne of Green Gables (1979) series. We get in touch with the personality of this artist, his deep concern for enviromental issues, and the future of mankind.Also you'll get to know another great animator (in fact one of the greatest, I think) the canadian master Frédéric Back, the creator of "The man who planted trees" (among others).

(by pelida77)

Next week, back with the books.

Journey of the Heart. On the wings of Saint-Exupéry: From France to the Sahara.
Traveler: Hayao Miyazaki.
MKV / 753 MB / 0h 44m / Aud: Jap / Sub: Eng (Soft)
Video: AVC / 640x480 (4:3) / 2000 Kbps
Audio: AC-3 / 48.0 KHz / 384 Kbps.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Journey of the Heart. Conversations With The Man Who Planted Trees.
Traveler: Isao Takahata.
MKV / 753 MB / 0h 44m / Au: Jap / Sub: Eng (Soft)
Video: AVC / 712x480 (16:9) / 2000 Kbps
Audio: AC-3 / 48.0 KHz / 384 Kbps.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5