Creating Animated Cartoons with Character: A Guide to Developing and Producing Your Own Series for TV, the Web, and Short Film Paperback – Bargain Price, August 24, 2010

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! :^)

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.

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.

Disclosure: I worked for Joe on one of his shows, and this book reminds me how great that time was.First, this book is an amazing snapshot of the industry, and all the mechanics running deep below the surface-- Things not evident to the staff, even.This book is also a precise and lucid step-by-step guide to one of the most harrowing situations in entertainment. Having struck gold twice, Murray has a sober understanding of what happens, what never happens, and how you need to understand and re-tool yourself as things inevitably change. I'm going into this process now, and it's making all the difference that having the lights on would make if I was in a strange building, with dogs chasing me.It's also a passionate treatise on retaining your artistic passion, and your courage-- Which is really really hard in this industry. He gives advice on how to avoid being crushed by the network juggernauts, or where to go if you'd rather have nothing to do with them.This book does the astounding trick of granting the reader years of experience, like some sort of magic wand. Joe Murray has the understanding and clear writing ability to make it all seem relatively simple.

Daughter is an animator and enjoyed the book. It came with a beautiful feathered pen.

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.

Great Behind the scenes knowledge on how to handle cartoons.

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!

Gran libro

Amazing book. Really inspiring to read how Joe went from idea to a huge success.