Timing for Animation

Having recently installed and become somewhat proficient using Anime Studio Debut 6, I was thrilled to get a copy of "Timing for Animation". This book contains little in the way of fluff, jumping right in on the importance of using proper timing to set the desired tone and add realism to your animations. Using clever illustrations (many hand drawn) and storyboards to show how elements within a scene should be timed for natural effects (like gravity or animal movement) or comic\caricature effects (like a wild punch from a cartoon character). It also includes timing for elements like rain, conveying emotions, and a section on lip-syncing. While this is a handy book to keep near the computer while working on your animations, you might also find that referring to it while setting up your storyboards will save you time and trouble in the long run. Highly Recommended!

I have referred to this book for nearly ten years, and it is still my favorite with regards to the fundamentals of creating naturalistic movement. More concise, less self-indulgent, and less bulky than either Richard Williams' "Animator's Survival Kit" or Frank and Ollie's "Illusion of Life", Whitaker and Halas' "Timing for Animation" allowed me to advance in my knowledge of timing charts and the creation of believable, naturalistic movement more efficiently than either of those two venerable books. While I tend to agree with reviewers who question the book's price, the no-nonsense explanations it contains provide a solid base from which an animator can embark upon further exploration without being too tied to a particular guru's insights.

I've been a professional animator for over 10 years and I cannot believe that I never had this book before now. I wish I had this to reference on several of my projects. Instead I pretty much re-invented the wheel. It not only shows visuals, but also explains the physics behind what is going on with the graphics. For instance, for a water splash, the author explains how the air affects the volume when an object plunges into water, etc. It really makes sense of what is going on so that the artist can recreate their own version without the need of copying.

I recently purchased a copy of Harold and John's book, and find it to be well-written and easy to follow; were it not for the recent publication of Richard Williams' book 'The Animator's Survival Kit,' I would label 'Timing for Animation' a critical purchase for an animator's arsenal. Wait. I take that back. It IS a critical purchase, but 'The Animator's Survival Kit' also covers this material exceptionally well, too, plus it has SO much more... Bottom line: This book is worth having.

Although I don't own a copy of this book, I've read most of it. Just as the title says, this book focuses on one of the most important aspects of animation: timing. It's well written and full of exercises and techniques that will help you improve your timing. I've heard that some animation schools use it as a textbook. If you're thinking about a career in the animation industry, this book is a must buy. However, it's pretty hard to find since it's out of print. I think that it's worth the extra effort to own a copy.