Acting for Animators: 4th Edition

This is a powerful, insightful and inspiring little book. I direct/coach actors for video games and was drawn to the book as I am curious about the animator's perspective. I'm very glad I did. Ed Hooks opens up the animators world magnificently. Ed takes you on a journey to the beating heart of the animators art and the essence of animation storytelling. The book is rich with fascinating stories, references, practical insight and ideas. I would recommend this as essential reading, not only for aspiring and practising animators but an essential for actors, directors and anyone who loves animation in any way. It has left me with a far greater appreciation for the animator as well an arsenal of perspectives to apply in my work. I just wish I could draw.

If you want do to acting in animation, GET THIS!

This book is full of interesting and vital information, advice and lessons about acting specifically for animators. It looks at behaviour, gestures and really getting into the head of your character to help you produce better character animation. I bought this a while ago now for when I was on my Masters course and would recommend any animator of any level to get their hands on a copy too! Especially if you're animating characters.

This is an interesting concept for a book: separating acting from performance, because animators have to act without performing. However, the effect is slightly spoilt by some of the author's attitudes, which seem to be stuck in the 1950s. For example in a section on "male/female relationships" in game animation he writes: "Most often, the male and female characters (in games) do not relate on a sexual level at all, and everybody knows that is not realistic. A female may be a warrior in a game, but she is also built to have babies. ... it is not okay to deny her the choice (of having children) just because she is a character in a videogame." In another section, on empathy, he describes how we are "hardwired by nature to respond negatively" to someone who is suffering from depression, and suggests everyone will "pull away emotionally" if depressed people don't "get it together" within a few months. The author is trying to make a point about the difference between empathy and sympathy, but ends up sounding rather heartless towards those with chronic mental illnesses, whom he describes as "pursuing death instead of life". (To be fair, he does suggest "buying them a beer" and "setting them up with a girl", but nothing about actually helping them seek treatment.) I'm not trying to be politically correct, it is okay for authors to have radically differing opinions on social issues. The problem here is that his one-sided comments seem very out of place in a book about acting, because they make you wonder whether or not the author is able to see things in real life from other people's points of view. Surely that's quite an important quality in an actor?

Great book to understand human expressions to become better animator.

Excelente guia para todos los que desean conocer el arte de hacer películas, una fuente de inspiración interminable , no hay desperdicio

Un classico per chi vuole studiare animazione, dai beginners ai seniors. Tratta in particolare di come affrontare gli "acting" e i 12 principi dell'animazione sotto il punto di vista della recitazione e di come rendere un animazione coinvolgente per il pubblico.

It has straightforward examples, a well thought out structure that is both thoughtful and practical, and it obviously comes from an author who has a great deal of insight and experience with his subject. This is not one of those books written by an academic who has limited hands-on experience in his field. It's short, simple to understand, and gets right to the heart of the matter. It is about digging deep into what makes characters come alive as opposed to moving in entertaining ways on the screen. Any animator who is interested in getting behind the characters that they work so hard to create should read and re-read this book. It will make you a better storyteller and help you understand what motivates meaning as well as motion.

Lo considero uno de los imprescindibles para todo interesado en estudios de animación o realizarla aportándole ese toque de "vida" a los personajes. Aporta cosas realmente interesantes.