The Nine Old Men: Lessons, Techniques, and Inspiration from Disney's Great Animators is a 2015 Disney non-fiction book about the animators, the Nine Old Men.
Synopsis[]
Learn from the men who changed animation forever.
Walt Disney's team of core animators, who he affectionately called his "Nine Old Men," were known for creating Disney's most famous works, as well as refining the 12 basic principles of animation.
Follow master animator and Disney legend Andreas Deja (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King) as he takes you through the minds and works of these legendary animators. An apprentice to the Nine Old Men himself, Deja demonstrates the techniques and fundamentals that these men perfected through famous works such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, 101 Dalmatians, and much more. Special attention is given to each animator, accompanied by Deja's thoughtful analysis on their techniques with special consideration given to figure drawing, acting, story structure and analysis, and execution. The in-depth analysis of each animator's work will allow you to refine your approach to character animation and make better creative choices. Rare sequential drawings by the Nine Old Men are also featured, giving you unprecedented access and insight into the creative processes of these legendary animators. A gallery of Deja's own work and instruction is included, allowing you to learn techniques from a contemporary master of animation.
- Instruction and analysis on the works of each of the Nine Old Men broadens your creative choices and approaches to character animation.
- Original drawings from never-before-seen features are explored in depth, giving you behind-the-scenes access into Disney animation history
- Companion website features pencil tests in motion and additional anecdotes and resources about the Nine Old Men