Table of Contents

Introduction. How to get the most out of this book. Foundations <1960: Early mechanical developments; The first animated films; The foundation of modern computing. Pioneers 1960-1980: Experimental animators; Early special effects; The birth of computer games; First CGI in cimena; GUIs and SIMs. Development 1980-1990: The first digital games; The animator's role; CGI aesthetics; Character animation; Computers for everyone; Digitally animated shorts; Digital animation in fine arts; Photorealism. Maturity 1990-2000: The internet and animation; Digital animation in cinema; Digital animation in television; Traditional skills in CGI; Digital worlds and digital actors. Integration 2000-2007: Digital tools for all; Digital feature films; Digital auteurism; Media crossover; Aesthetic confidence; Beyond cinema and television. Predictions 2007>: Machinima; Return to core values; Digital auteurism revisited. Glossary. A timeline of digital animation. Conclusion. References and bibliography. Further resources. Acknowledgements. Picture credits.

About the Author

Andrew Chong is a graduate of Newcastle Polytechnic. He has worked as a freelancer in commercial video and broadcast television, and his assignments range from prop making through to computer graphics and live action video. He currently works at Loughborough University's Animation Academy under the direction of Professor Paul Wells, facilitating various research projects, from stop-frame animation to motion-capture.

Reviews

'An excellent and contemporary survey of the genre.' Mark Owen, Kingston College, UK. 'Clear, concise, well illustrated and appropriate for an introduction to the subject.' Andrew Hepburn, Northwest Regional College, UK. 'I think it will fill in the gaps in my students' knowledge. It is good to see a general book that is not software specific.' Tom Ingham, Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts, UK. 'Bite size information, easy to digest and with great examples. Glossary and timeline at the back of the book was very useful ... Images are well presented, text is easily read.'Ti Majekodunmi, Bromley College, UK. 'I think the book is a work of art on its own. The graphic layout is really something.' Jennifer Hardacker, Pacific University, USA.