The Story of British Animation

Description

Jez Stewart charts the course of this extraordinarily fertile area of British film from early experiments with stop-motion and the flourishing of animated drawings during WWI. He reveals how the rockier interwar period set the shape of the industry in enduring ways, and how creatives like Len Lye and Lotte Reiniger brought art to advertising and sponsored films, building a foundation for such distinctive talents as Bob Godfrey, Alison De Vere and George Dunning to unleash their independent visions in the age of commercial TV. Stewart highlights the integral role of women in the industry, the crucial boost delivered by the arrival of Channel 4, the emergence of online animation and much more. The book features ‘close-up’ analyses of key animators such as Lancelot Speed and Richard Williams, as well as more thematic takes on art, politics and music. It builds a framework for better appreciating Britain’s landmark contributions to the art of animation, including Halas and Batchelor’s Animal Farm (1954), Dunning’s Yellow Submarine (1968) and the creations of Aardman Animations. Cover Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements British Screen Stories: Editors’ Introduction Introduction 1. Signing In and Signing Up Close-up: Arise, Sir Lancelot 2. Dog Eat Dog Montage: Cats and Dogs 3. The Shadow of the Mouse Close-up: All Together Now 4. Shelter from the Storm Montage: Animated Ads 5. Back to the Front 6. Rebuilding Montage: The Larkins Studio Close-up: Bob Godfrey 7. Never Had It So Good Close-up: Grasshopper Group Montage: Animation Art Close-up: Richard Williams 8. Kids’ Stuff Montage: Animated Opposition Close-up: Alison De Vere 9. Top of the World Close-up: Money for Nothing 10. OK Computer Close-up: Search for the British Simpsons 11. British Animation in the 21st Century Recommended Reading A British Animation Playlist Notes Index Illustration Credits