BOOK REVIEW The World History Of Animation

When most of us think of animation, we think of Walt Disney’s iconic creations, but, as this book illustrates, this is only a fraction of the whole story. Using his expertise as a starting point (having been an employee in the animation team at Steven Spielberg’s studio, amongst other things) author Stephen Cavalier wanted to write a book which was “accessible, inclusive and talked about all the wild possibilities of the animation universe as a whole.” In The World History Of Animation, he takes us on a fascinating journey through the more unusual and unheard of artists whose creations have caused wonderment and controversy around the world, as well as offering new insight into old favourites.

"Titans of the animation world are, of course, included, such as Studio Ghibli." (Spirited Away pictured)

With a foreword by renowned director Sylvian Chomet (Belleville Rendez-vous, The Illusionist), the book is divided into three broad eras: ‘Age of Film’, ‘Television Age’ and ‘Digital Age’. Before we launch into these chapters, however, there is a brief history of animation which details the lesser known origins of the genre. It may come as a surprise that from its very beginnings animation was utilised by avant-garde artists and bore no resemblance to the mainstream form of mass entertainment we generally associate it with today. Interspersed within this contextual framework are short biographies of key figures such as Emile Cohl and the Fleischer brothers.

Once we move onto the three main sections, there is a wealth of information covering various areas, from the Golden Age of Disney, the modernist rebels of the 1950s, the psychedelic ‘60s, the origin and rise of Asian anime, the early computer pioneers and the digital marvels of the present day. Along the way, we learn about the colourful characters behind the famous (and not so famous) names which have shaped animation and contributed to its rich and varied history…

Cavalier wanted to write an accessible history of animation and what is refreshing about this book is that it can be enjoyed just as much by those with a casual interest as those who have a detailed knowledge of the subject. This doesn’t mean to say that the writing style is patronising or overly simplified, on the contrary – Cavalier is able to draw us in to what can seem a cliquey and jargon-filled world whilst not falling into the trap of talking down to those of us who don’t know our rotoscoping from our xerography. By subtly and clearly explaining himself as he goes along, the reader absorbs these terms without noticing, rendering the glossary at the back almost meaningless, as you will rarely come across a term that hasn’t been made clear already.

As the book is a comprehensive study of animation’s global history, there is always something new to discover – and nothing is considered too small to be worthy of a mention. Titans of the animation world are, of course, included, such as Disney and Studio Ghibli, but so are less celebrated figures, including the Italian surrealist Bruno Bozzetto and Gerald Scarfe, who was the brainchild behind Pink Floyd’s video for ‘Another Brick In The Wall’. It is this eclectic mix which ensures we are always kept interested, and the book serves as a platform for further investigation into new areas we may never have considered.

The book itself has an attractive and eye-catching cover and this vibrant approach to layout and colour runs throughout. Stylistically, the design is bright and modern, with lists of key films set apart in bold yellow boxes and more detailed biographies set out on different coloured backgrounds. With animation itself being such a visually arresting medium, it would make no sense for a book about it to appear plain or dry, so the enticing look of the pages aptly reflects the content.

Given that a large part of the book is essentially a timeline, it would have been easy to fall into the trap of listing boring facts, but Cavalier avoids this by subtly critiquing each work mentioned, as well as offering up intriguing titbits of information. It may come as a surprise, for example, to learn that Disney mortgaged his house to pay for Snow White And The Seven Dwarves – if the film had been a flop, the Disney Empire would never even have existed – or that the avant-garde animation of the beatnik era was a major inspiration for the now ubiquitous psychedelic aesthetic of the ‘60s. It is the type of book that can be easily read cover to cover or flicked through at random, as each page has something unexpected to reveal.

Animation has been a source of endless fascination for over one hundred years, and its enduring appeal spans all ages, all interests and all nationalities. The World History Of Animation is a must have for anyone who has ever marvelled at the special effects in films such as Avatar or even just a student stop-motion clip on YouTube. Animation is much more than the formulaic realm of tedious kids’ cartoons, and whether you just want to learn more about the surrealist shorts of the 19th century or the latest in 3D technology, this book is the perfect place to start

Release date: 1^st September 2011 / Author: Steven Cavalier / Publisher: Aurum