From the Emmy Award-winning creator of Rocko’s Modern Life and Camp Lazlo comes Creating Animated Cartoons with Character, a comprehensive, fully illustrated guide to creating and producing a successful animated series for television, short film, and the Web. Joe Murray offers his substantial wisdom and expertise – honed from more than twenty years in the business – in creating and producing characters adn stories in an authoritative yet conversational narrative that answers such questions as: How do you create good characters? How do you conceive the world they inhabit and tell their stories? And once you’ve breathed life into your ideas, how do you successfully pitch your series to a network? This book won’t tell you what characters to create or how to draw them. What it will do is guide you in discovering and exploring your own creative sweet spots and help you to navigate the process that links your unique artistic vision with the realities of producing a commerical cartoon. Packed with art and photos from Murray’s many film and television projects, as well as behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insider advice from such highly successful contemporaries as Steve Hillenburg (SpongeBob Squarepants), Everett Peck (Duckman), and Craig McCracken (The Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends), this book explores in detail the importance of character and story hooks; how to put together pitch materials; what goes into producing a series pilot; and how to build the best creative team to produce your show. Whether you’re an aspiring cartoonist, experienced animator, hardcore fan, or you simply like to draw and tell stories, Creating Animated Cartoons with Character is the ultimate entrée into the world of animated cartooning from a master of the craft.
Read more
77 reviews for Creating Animated Cartoons with Character: A Guide to Developing and Producing Your Own Series for TV, the Web, and Short Film
4.8out of 5
★★★★★
★★★★★
9
★★★★★
0
★★★★★
0
★★★★★
0
★★★★★
0
Write a review
Show allMost HelpfulHighest RatingLowest Rating
★★★★★
Casey A Lowe –
For those who haven’t caught on yet, this book was written (brilliantly, I feel) by the great Joe Murray, creator of the hit shows “Rocko’s Modern Life” and “Camp Lazlo”. I got my copy of this book the other day and was shocked at how thick it actually was! My immediate thought was that it would be filled with big pictures and sparse text; a pleasant surprise awaited me as I flipped through it. It’s much more dense and thorough than I expected. The book is actually very well thought-out, entertaining, and informative. The pictures that are included (which are sized just right, not just filler) pertain to the text and are really quite inspiring.
A bit on the content: Mr. Murray starts with a brief Bio that includes some great illustrations from earlier in his career, followed by a very brief animation history lesson. This is a great way to start the book, since you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been. He commences to plow forward by picking his brain about his own process in creating characters and stories, following them from initial kernel of an idea in your head to getting them on paper to creating personalities to pitching your idea, preparing a mini-bible for the pilot, producing the pilot, taking it to series, maintaining your sanity when this is your life day in and day out for years, etc. He does a fantastic job of illustrating the realities of the business while still infusing plenty of his creativity. His thorough commentary provides a step-by-step insight into what to expect (and prepare yourself for) in the creation of a television animation series. The icing on the cake? Mr. Murray also includes several interviews with other series creators and talents, picking their brains about their own process and insights on the industry.
I cannot recommend this book enough for both creatives and fans of cartoons! :^)
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Christopher Acosta –
Great if you are interested in developing characters for any kind of project. It helped me a lot to create characters and their stories for a personal project.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Cliente de Amazon –
Gran libro
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Lucas –
I was expecting a typical book about a series but this one is not the case. Murray describes the whole process of a cartoon Tv Show. He talked about his carrer, his series, provides interviews with other creators. The best thing of this book is that it lets you search for more information just by searching the series mentioned during the interviews and in the end of the book there is a list of books you may be interested to read. I find that an excellent addition Murray added to the book
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Bryan B. –
Joe Murray has created a very amazing book that is at once entertaining but also insightful into the creation of many of our favorite animated shows. I discovered Rocko’s Modern Life by accident when my two children were growing up in the 90’s. At the end of the first episode, I was hooked at how different the show was and how entertaining for children AND adults.
The book, “Creating Animated Cartoons with Character” draws you into the world of creating characters and developing them into a series. It is amazing to read the process from inception to fruition and seems almost impossible the steps that the creators of a successful series must take to realize their dreams.
This is one of the few books where I am not skimming and pulling out what I need from the page and moving on to the next. I am thoroughly enjoying reading each and every word and coming along on the journey. Joe brings you into his world and you feel his passion and devotion to his art. It is also an amazing “Do It Yourself” guide to budding animators, cartoonists and artists.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants an enjoyable look at the world of animation today. It is also a terrific coffee table book that sits out in the living room next to the autographed picture of “Rocko” that Joe was generous enough to provide. Everyone, young and old, thinks it is way cool!
Great Fun!
Bryan B.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Amazon Customer –
Amazing book. Really inspiring to read how Joe went from idea to a huge success.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Peter Kellagher –
Great Behind the scenes knowledge on how to handle cartoons.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
ZW –
This book wasn’t completely what I was expecting, but that didn’t make it any less useful for what I looking for. This book is more about the nature of character designing in the field of animation rather than a book for teaching you little exercises to make use of to help you improve.
With most of Murray’s animated creations being some of my favorite cartoons, I thought it would be worth it to buy this book and read what he had to say on a field of art that I’ve debated on jumping into. Joe Murray does a great job with providing awesome info and advice for any newbie looking to get into the world of animation or for any experts too that are looking for the answers to whatever questions they’ve longed for the answers to. Along with Joe’s knowledge, this book also has some advice from a number of other well-known animators such as Craig McCracken and Steven Hillenburg.
This book is a worthwhile read for up and coming animators of varying skill, fans of Murray, or just hobbyists that just want to learn more about their favorite way to tell stories. I quite recommend it.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Pete Njagi –
Joe Murray provides great description on his experience in creating his shows and tailors this to readers in great Spirit. Exciting read, great advice & good buy!
Casey A Lowe –
For those who haven’t caught on yet, this book was written (brilliantly, I feel) by the great Joe Murray, creator of the hit shows “Rocko’s Modern Life” and “Camp Lazlo”. I got my copy of this book the other day and was shocked at how thick it actually was! My immediate thought was that it would be filled with big pictures and sparse text; a pleasant surprise awaited me as I flipped through it. It’s much more dense and thorough than I expected. The book is actually very well thought-out, entertaining, and informative. The pictures that are included (which are sized just right, not just filler) pertain to the text and are really quite inspiring.
A bit on the content: Mr. Murray starts with a brief Bio that includes some great illustrations from earlier in his career, followed by a very brief animation history lesson. This is a great way to start the book, since you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been. He commences to plow forward by picking his brain about his own process in creating characters and stories, following them from initial kernel of an idea in your head to getting them on paper to creating personalities to pitching your idea, preparing a mini-bible for the pilot, producing the pilot, taking it to series, maintaining your sanity when this is your life day in and day out for years, etc. He does a fantastic job of illustrating the realities of the business while still infusing plenty of his creativity. His thorough commentary provides a step-by-step insight into what to expect (and prepare yourself for) in the creation of a television animation series. The icing on the cake? Mr. Murray also includes several interviews with other series creators and talents, picking their brains about their own process and insights on the industry.
I cannot recommend this book enough for both creatives and fans of cartoons! :^)
Christopher Acosta –
Great if you are interested in developing characters for any kind of project. It helped me a lot to create characters and their stories for a personal project.
Cliente de Amazon –
Gran libro
Lucas –
I was expecting a typical book about a series but this one is not the case. Murray describes the whole process of a cartoon Tv Show. He talked about his carrer, his series, provides interviews with other creators. The best thing of this book is that it lets you search for more information just by searching the series mentioned during the interviews and in the end of the book there is a list of books you may be interested to read. I find that an excellent addition Murray added to the book
Bryan B. –
Joe Murray has created a very amazing book that is at once entertaining but also insightful into the creation of many of our favorite animated shows. I discovered Rocko’s Modern Life by accident when my two children were growing up in the 90’s. At the end of the first episode, I was hooked at how different the show was and how entertaining for children AND adults.
The book, “Creating Animated Cartoons with Character” draws you into the world of creating characters and developing them into a series. It is amazing to read the process from inception to fruition and seems almost impossible the steps that the creators of a successful series must take to realize their dreams.
This is one of the few books where I am not skimming and pulling out what I need from the page and moving on to the next. I am thoroughly enjoying reading each and every word and coming along on the journey. Joe brings you into his world and you feel his passion and devotion to his art. It is also an amazing “Do It Yourself” guide to budding animators, cartoonists and artists.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants an enjoyable look at the world of animation today. It is also a terrific coffee table book that sits out in the living room next to the autographed picture of “Rocko” that Joe was generous enough to provide. Everyone, young and old, thinks it is way cool!
Great Fun!
Bryan B.
Amazon Customer –
Amazing book. Really inspiring to read how Joe went from idea to a huge success.
Peter Kellagher –
Great Behind the scenes knowledge on how to handle cartoons.
ZW –
This book wasn’t completely what I was expecting, but that didn’t make it any less useful for what I looking for. This book is more about the nature of character designing in the field of animation rather than a book for teaching you little exercises to make use of to help you improve.
With most of Murray’s animated creations being some of my favorite cartoons, I thought it would be worth it to buy this book and read what he had to say on a field of art that I’ve debated on jumping into. Joe Murray does a great job with providing awesome info and advice for any newbie looking to get into the world of animation or for any experts too that are looking for the answers to whatever questions they’ve longed for the answers to. Along with Joe’s knowledge, this book also has some advice from a number of other well-known animators such as Craig McCracken and Steven Hillenburg.
This book is a worthwhile read for up and coming animators of varying skill, fans of Murray, or just hobbyists that just want to learn more about their favorite way to tell stories. I quite recommend it.
Pete Njagi –
Joe Murray provides great description on his experience in creating his shows and tailors this to readers in great Spirit. Exciting read, great advice & good buy!