THE LEGO ANIMATION BOOK

Aspiring Lego stop-motion filmmakers need look no further: this is the book that will launch your career…or at least give you a good beginning.

The first chapter presents the basics in such a way that by the end of those 12 pages readers will have successfully created their first film, satisfying their desire to get right to work. The remaining eight chapters go into more detail on such topics as animating minifigures, building sets, needed equipment, the creative process, digital effects, and post-production. Minifigures of the authors themselves, complete with cartoon speech bubbles, give readers a personal view of each man’s process (they differ quite a bit), and the film The Magic Picnic, referenced throughout and available on the book’s website, incorporates all the techniques discussed so readers can see them in action. Film stills, photos of sets and minifigures, screen shots, and even building instructions round out the text and provide clear examples for readers. One of the book’s biggest strengths is presenting lots of different options (including free and inexpensive ones!) for equipment, emphasizing that even the best equipment can’t make up for a poor story or poor technique.

So clear that just about anyone can follow these instructions and succeed.