Richard Williams

A most generous industry giant

Animation Day at Encounters kicked off, sped away and did a pirouette, courtesy of a splendid masterclass by Oscar and BAFTA award-winning animator, Richard Williams.

Williams is probably best known as the maestro behind ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988), the film credited with launching a new golden age for animation, and paving the way for the abundant crop of animated features we see on our screens today.

He gleefully admits to having spent much of his 55-year career gleaning the tricks of the trade from masters such as Milt Kahl (The Jungle Book) and Ken Harris (Bugs Bunny). How? Williams says ‘by not being afraid to ask stupid questions!' And now he is kindly saving the next generation of animators that particular trouble by passing on his wealth of knowledge in a way that seems characteristic of his warmth, wit and generosity. As a follow-up to his 2001 best-selling publication ‘The Animator's Survival Kit', Williams has now produced an accompanying set of DVDs showing his work in action. Generous? There are 16 DVDs containing over 33,000 drawings by Williams and co-animator, Neil Boyle.

The survival kit's guiding principles have been put to the test with some of the animation industry's shining lights (such as Ice Age director, Chris Wedge). The masterclass sessions were filmed over four days at Blue Sky Studios in New York, and edited at Aardman Studios in Bristol, which is where Williams and his family are now based.

Audiences at the Encounters Masterclass caught a sneak preview of the DVD's powerful contents as they were treated to several lessons by this self-confessed ‘movement mechanic'. Williams says that, when it comes to animation, he ‘pretty much knows it all, I think'. He began his apprenticeship in the 1940s, in the first golden age of animation, with masters from Disney, United Productions of America and Warner Brothers. He says he survived the ‘doldrums' between A Jungle Book and Roger Rabbit, by learning and practising throughout, mastering the basic principles and techniques he now teaches to others. This master does not believe in keeping ideas and tips to himself, freely answering questions from the Encounters audience on technical know-how as well as his past and inspirations.

He continues to work on a personal project inspired by an idea he had at age 15. When asked what programme he favours, Williams quickly retorts - ‘3B - the pencil that is!'

Audiences will have to wait another 50 years to see work of this breadth again. But that may be just fine because, according to this master craftsman, the best time for animation is right now!

For more information, see www.theanimatorssurvivalkit.com