9 Brilliant Documentaries and Books about Animation

From a behind-the-scenes look at Studio Ghibli to the tale of Pixar's rise, don't miss these must-see animation stories

To enter the world of animation is to see your favorite characters brought to life in magical settings. Just think of Elsa and Anna in the enchanted land of Arendelle, or Carl, Russel, and Dug the dog in breathtaking Paradise Falls.

There really are no limits to what you can create with this powerful visual art, and big names in the industry such as Disney Pixar are constantly surprising and delighting audiences across the globe with their innovative storytelling and experimentation.

Film may be the first thing we associate with animation, but there is a whole range of industries (and roles) that require skilled animators, from web design to video games. It’s hardly surprising that animation is becoming one of the most sought-after and lucrative careers for creatives.

Caroline Kjellberg (@caroline_kjellberg) is a Danish freelance motion designer and 2D animator with a passion for mixed media cel animation, rotoscoping, and quirky character design. Her clients include Visit California, Adobe, Calvin Klein, Beats by Dre, UNIQLO, Save the Children, and Carlsberg.

Here, Caroline shares a list of recommended documentaries and books that will give you a unique (and often surprising) insight into the world of animation.

Documentaries

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

Studio Ghibli is the Japanese animation film studio known for producing acclaimed works such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. Filmmaker Mami Sunada is given exclusive access to record the magic that goes on behind the scenes at the studio, including the shocking moment that co-founder Hayao Miyazaki announces his retirement.

American Experience: Walt Disney

This documentary takes a look at the life and work of the man behind the magic, Walt Disney. The master storyteller is portrayed as an inspiring yet highly complex man, whose life serves as a cautionary tale of the price of fame.

To find out more about one of Disney's famous characters, Mickey Mouse, also check out The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story. This documentary tells the story of forgotten genius Ub Iwerks, who Disney himself called “the greatest animator in the world,” and his vital collaboration on the creation of Mickey Mouse.

Waking Sleeping Beauty

After several years of underperforming at the box office, Waking Sleeping Beauty documents Disney’s extraordinary comeback from 1984 to 1984, otherwise known as the “Disney Renaissance”.

The Pixar Story

A behind-the-scenes look at the company that changed the face of filmmaking forever, this documentary is a must for animation fans.

Floyd Norman: An Animated Life

This documentary follows the legendary Floyd Norman, the first African-American animator at Disney who worked on movies such as The Sword in the Stone, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, and The Jungle Book.

Life, Animated

Life, Animated tells the extraordinary and deeply moving story of Owen Suskind, a boy diagnosed with autism who learns to interact with the world around him through animated films, especially ones by Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Dream On Silly Dreamer

In 2002, Disney executives made the decision to shut down its hand-drawn animation department and switch to computer-animated films. The documentary follows the stories of Disney’s traditional animation artists, or “dreamers,” who lost their jobs as a result, and their personal experiences of working at the company.

Books

The Animator's Survival Kit, by Richard Williams

Based on his sold-out Animation Masterclass, award-winning animator and director Richard Williams reveals essential tips, tricks, and advice as well as information on the history of animation. A must for animators of all levels and abilities.

Elemental Magic, by Joseph Gilland

Animation expert Joseph Gilland (known for his work on films such as Hercules and Pocahontas) uses clear, easy-to-follow diagrams and explanations on how to create the fantastic images you see in the movies. Learn the techniques and approaches behind hand-drawn animated effects and how to apply them to digital animation.

If you’d like to learn the fundamentals to design your very own engaging animations using Procreate for iPad Pro, and bring powerful visual stories to life through frame-by-frame animations, why not check out Caroline’s online course, Mixed Media Animation for Procreate.

You may also like:

- 6 Free Tutorials for Learning How to Animate in One Hour or Less
- Essential Animation Shortcuts for Adobe Animate and Photoshop 2021
- Juried Emmy Award Winner Talks About his Work on "Love, Death + Robots"
- Introduction to Design of Characters for Animation and Video Games, a course by Jean Fraisse