Animators Unearthed: A Guide to the Best of Contemporary Animation

While graphic novels have been accepted in the mainstream book world, independent animation still fights for an audience. Television (at least in North America) doesn’t have room for short films. Cinemas gave up on short films long ago. Certainly, artists are reaching new audiences through the internet, dvds, and mobile technology, but festivals still remain the primary exhibition place.

For most people, animation is defined by characters (Mickey Mouse, Powerpuff Girls, Bart Simpson) or by studios (Pixar, Dreamworks, Disney). However, if you ask these same people to identify John Lassetter, Mike Judge, or Stephen Hillenberg, they’d likely have no answer.

Animators Unearthed will introduce you to a selection of international independent animators so that you can learn about who they are, what they’ve done, and why they do it. The book profiles 20 animators including: Skip Battaglia, Pat Smith, Don Hertzfeldt, Michaela Pavlátová, and Joanna Quinn. Animators Unearthed fights the stereotype that animation exists for kids and laughs, and spreads that message to introduce these incredible artists to a wider audience.