Collection Development | An American Art Form (The Art of Animation), May 1, 2011
May 1, 2011It has been said that animation is one of two wholly American art forms. As with jazz, it was conceived of and truly developed in the United States and does not rely on Old World traditions for definition or direction. But the thing that really makes each of these art forms “American” is their style: irreverent, wild, and boundless. Animation is an artistic and iconic expression of the United States. Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse, to name just two famous characters, are recognized worldwide—for better or worse—as representative of American values and culture.
Cartoons, as the product of animation is called, and the stories of their creators and industry are at once amusing and instructive, uplifting and disturbing, a source of cultural pride and, at times, of shame. We are drawn in by cartoons because they are entertaining and often funny, but we will watch them again and again, learn about the personalities that created them, and study their history.
As old as moving pictures
Interest in animation is as old as motion picture technology. Many of the early forays into film production were experiments in animation, and enthusiasm for the form has not waned, as evidenced by the continued growth in the number of animated movies, TV shows, and web shorts around. Several factors contribute to the current fascination with animation. The quality of animation continues to improve as Pixar, Dreamworks, and other producers push the envelope in the use of technology and breathtaking effects with each successive release. The subject matter and audience for animation continues to diversify, from the children’s fare created for Nickelodeon to the late-night adult shorts featured on Comedy Central’s Adult Swim. The use of animation as special effect in live-action films such as Avatar and its application in video game development further extend interest in the form.
While the focus of this article is U.S.-based animation, it is important to understand that it is no longer developed in a cultural vacuum. In particular, Japanese anime and manga have influenced the developing style of American animation, as well as opened up curiosity to a still-broader audience. Historically, some of the best animation has been created in other countries, and it still is today. Also, the grunt work of creating most American animation is actually done overseas. However, American producers have always dominated the U.S. cartoon market, and Americans continue to gobble up homegrown favorites. But be aware, academic collections supporting films studies programs, as well as most public libraries, should contain resources on international animation, especially Japanese anime.
Growing your collection
There are certain aspects of animation to consider when growing a collection. First, who will the collection serve? While it was never intended as a medium exclusively for children, animation is often associated with children’s programming. And, to be sure, there is plenty of interest from children and families in animated cartoons, but adults are also into animation as both enthusiasts and scholars. This is an important patron group to consider when collecting, because it is nuanced and varied.
Finally, access to technology and the ease of online publishing has led to a growth in amateur, aspiring, and independent animators, who will want to study the art and technique of their craft. A strong animation collection will include animated films, as well as books, periodicals, and web resources about their history and study. It should also include resources about the techniques used in creating animated films.
A library’s animated media collection will be more individualized than its animation literature collection, but there are some general guidelines to consider: a complete collection for feature-length films from Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks would be ideal, serving audiences of all ages. Collections of shorts from classic producers such as Warner Brothers and MGM also cover a wide audience. Newer, made-for-TV series and shorts are a bit difficult to select, as the audiences for each are more specific. For a collection that serves all ages, start with titles with the broadest appeal, such as Powerpuff Girls, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Dexter’s Lab. Then, depending on your patron base, look to acquire a selection of popular children’s titles, like Rugrats and Backyardigans, and some animated cartoons for adults, such as the The Simpsons and South Park. When possible, get complete series, especially those with adult-themed selections.
Unique weeding needs
Each aspect of a solid animation collection presents its own unique weeding considerations. The major concern when evaluating a collection of films is format. The films themselves do not go out-of-date—classic animation is as important and popular as new cartoons—but the format on which animated films are viewed has changed many times over the years, from VHS to Blu-ray and beyond. Libraries must make every effort to keep the format preferences of users in mind when acquiring films and update formats conservatively to avoid stranding investments. Providing access to web-based streaming collections, both free and potentially subscription-based, is one way to supplement physical collections and guard against flash-in-the-pan formats.
Resources about the history and study of animation, however, are likely to remain relevant over time and will be built upon and supplemented by new sources. It is important to note that the volume of publishing on animation history and criticism is relatively low. Print runs can be small, and certain key texts are voraciously devoured by fans. For example, I have yet to encounter in a library a copy of Chuck Jones’s now out-of-print classic Chuck Amuck that is not falling apart. If your library has it, keep it! Identify popular titles such as this, and those starred in this article, and consider purchasing multiple copies with reinforced binding.
Starred reviews [
] are essential resources for all libraries.
REFERENCE SOURCES
These will help readers discover and study animated films.
Dobson, Nichola. Historical Dictionary of Animation and Cartoons. Scarecrow. (Historical Dictionaries of Literature & the Arts). 2009. 304p. illus. ISBN 9780810858305. $85.
The entries in this scholarly resource address animation as more than entertainment and pop culture, treating it as a viable art form and film genre.
Erickson, Hal. Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003. 2d rev. ed. McFarland. 2005. 1054p. illus. ISBN 9780786420995. $125.
Focusing on made-for-TV animation, this source offers depth on an area that serves diverse interests and continues to grow.
Lenburg, Jeff. The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. 3d ed. Facts On File. 2008. 672p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780816065998. $85; pap. ISBN 9780816066001. $24.95.
This exhaustive work covers every animated feature-length, short, and made-for-TV film shown in the United States. Its coverage of international animation, including Japanese anime, is also impressive. The one reference source that no library should be without.
Webb, Graham. The Animated Film Encyclopedia: A Complete Guide to American Shorts, Features and Sequences, 1900–1999. 2d ed. McFarland. 2011. ISBN 9780786449859. $125.
The first edition of this impressive reference work provided exhaustive coverage of American animation. This newest edition brings the research ahead 20 years and will be as essential as its predecessor.
FOR ANIMATION LOVERS
Animation breeds an intense allure that leaves enthusiasts hungering for more. As such, books about animation are popular with enthusiasts and researchers alike.
Beck, Jerry. Animation Art: From Pencil to Pixel, the World of Cartoon, Anime, and CGI. HarperCollins. 2004. 384p. ISBN 9780060737139. pap. $45.
As much an art book as a history of animation, this work explores the innovative techniques animators have applied to move their craft forward over the years. (LJ 10/15/05)
Kanfer, Stefan. Serious Business: The Art and Commerce of Animation in America from Betty Boop to Toy Story. reprint. Da Capo. 2004. 256p. illus. ISBN 9780756785154. $17.50.
Get your hands on this reprint if you can; there is not a better primer out there on the early history of the animation industry. (LJ 5/15/97)
Maltin, Leonard & Jerry Beck. Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons. rev. ed. Plume: NAL. 1987. 496p. ISBN 9780452259935. pap. $30.
Film history and criticism guru Maltin’s classic work traces the early development of the animated cartoon in the United States, illustrating how animation is a revealing lens through which to view 20th-century American history and culture. (LJ 9/1/80)
ANIMATION STUDIES
Academic libraries supporting scholars of film and American studies, art, and, of course, animation studies should be sure to collect scholarly titles on the topic of animation.
Booker, M. Keith. Drawn to Television: Prime-Time Animation from The Flintstones to Family Guy. Praeger. (Television Collection). 2006. 191p. ISBN 9780275990190. $44.95.
Spanning from early examples like The Flintstones and to contemporary ones such as The Simpsons, Booker discusses the social, cultural, artistic, and economic implications of prime-time animated series.
The Illusion of Life II: More Essays on Animation. Power Pubns., dist. by Univ. of Washington. 2011. 576p. ed. by Alan Cholodenko. illus. ISBN 9780909952341. $59.95.
In this collection of essays, scholars approach animation in the style of film studies criticism. Also, hold onto the first volume, The Illusion of Life: Essays on Animation, if it is in your collection.
Pilling, Jayne. A Reader in Animation Studies. John Libbey & Co., dist. by Indiana Univ. 1998. 283p. bibliog. ISBN 9781864620009. pap. $24.95.
Pilling compiled papers from 1990s Society for Animation Studies conferences that both advocate for animation studies as a scholarly discipline and reveal why there has been resistance to it. Contributors apply interdisciplinary theory and criticism to animation, with an emphasis on European productions.
Wells, Paul. Animation and America. Rutgers Univ. 2002. 185p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780813531595. $60; pap. ISBN 9780813531601. $20.
Wells presents a compelling case for the deserved place of animation studies alongside other critical disciplines in the academy.
Wells, Paul. Understanding Animation. rev. ed. Routledge. 2011. 304p. ISBN 9780415397292. $120.
Employing recent examples from around the world, such as Triplets of Belleville and Spirited Away, Wells provides a strong introduction to animation study and criticism.
THE CRAFT
Augment content on traditional animation methods with manuals on state-of-the-art techniques to keep students and independent animators up-to-date.
Besen, Ellen & others. Animation Unleashed: 100 Principles Every Animator, Comic Book Writer, Filmmaker, Video Artist, and Game Developer Should Know. Michael Wiese Prods. 2008. 280p. illus. ISBN 9781932907490. $26.95.
This book, intended to help its readers bring their craft to the next level, is most appropriate for a collection supporting animators and animation students, but amateurs and dabblers may be interested as well.
Blair, Preston & others. Cartoon Animation. Walter Foster Pub. (How To Draw & Paint Series). 1994. 224p. illus. ISBN 9781560100843. $24.95.
This classic how-to manual is quite accessible to beginning practitioners. While not as sophisticated, thorough, or current as other titles on this list, it should be included in all libraries.
Furniss, Maureen. The Animation Bible: A Practical Guide to the Art of Animating, from Flipbooks to Flash. Abrams. 2008. 340p. illus. ISBN 9780810995451. $29.95.
Aimed at serious students and practicing animators, this book unpacks the magic of animation and explains how to create high- quality, sophisticated films.
Laybourne, Kit. The Animation Book: A Complete Guide to Animated Filmmaking—from Flip-Books to Sound Cartoons to 3-D Animation. 2d ed. Crown. 1998. 448p. illus. ISBN 9780517886021. $25.95.
Using a case study format, Laybourne provides examples and step-by-step instructions on a range of animation techniques that will be needed by practitioners.
Williams, Richard E. Animator’s Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators. rev. ed. Faber & Faber, dist. by Farrar. 2009. 392p. illus. ISBN 9780571238347. $35.
The definitive manual on animation, this title needs to be in every animation collection. Williams is a renowned animator, and his book covers everything from the basics to the most sophisticated techniques.
PERIODICALS
Animation Magazine. m. $55/yr. ISSN 1041-617X. www.animationmagazine.net
Aimed at folks in the animation industry as well as animation aficionados, this title should be included in every library animation collection.
Animation Studies. irreg. Free. ISSN 1930-1928. journal.animationstudies.org
This open access peer-reviewed journal covers animation history and theory; essential for libraries supporting animation scholars.
WEBSITES
Don Markstein’s Toonopedia
www.toonopedia.com
Markstein’s labor of love is an ever-growing encyclopedia of knowledge about all things animation, including directors, producers, characters, voice actors, and more.
Internet Archive: Film Chest Vintage Cartoons
www.archive.org/details/classic_cartoons
This streaming collection of digitally remastered classics from the 1930s and 1940s provides an excellent supplement to physical cartoon collections—think characters like Betty Boop, Bugs Bunny, Woody Woodpecker, and Popeye.
Jerry Beck’s Cartoon Research
www.cartoonresearch.com
Beck is a premier scholar of animation. His Cartoon Research portal, “Dedicated to Classic Cartoons: Past, Present & Future,” has detailed filmographies, biographies, synopses, history, and much more information useful in studying animated cartoons.
Origins of American Animation
0-lcweb2.loc.gov.library.simmons.edu/ammem/oahtml/oahome.html
This site offers a brief history of the earliest days of animation and streams complete films produced between 1900 and 1921. Classics such as Humorous Phases of Funny Faces and Gertie the Dinosaur are among the selections.
THE DEVELOPING SCHEDULE
JUL VETERANS’ ISSUES
AUG TRENDY CRAFTS
SEPT CHEAP DVD CLASSICS
OCT SHORT STORIES ON AUDIO
NOV HOMEMAKING
The complete schedule can be found at www.libraryjournal.com. To submit titles (new and/or backlist), contact Cynthia Orr four to six months before issue dates listed above (email: cynthiaorr@att.net).
| Author Information |
| Rex Krajewski, Head of Library Information Services at Simmons College, Boston, and an amateur animation scholar and enthusiast, reviews reference sources on the topic for Choice and maintains an animated cartoons research guide online at web.simmons.edu/~krajewsk/fun/cartoons.html |
