Richard Williams: Legendary Animator and Filmmaker

Very sad to read the news today about the passing of Richard Williams. Such a legendary animator and filmmaker. His accomplishments and influence on the craft will last for generations. Here's a pic from his Animator's Survival Kit lecture years ago in San Francisco.

// Richard Williams, Who Brought Roger Rabbit to Life, Dies at 86

Who Framed Roger Rabbit Q&A with Richard Williams // BFI 2014

More on Richard Williams work here:

// Richard Williams 

Making of 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'

Also check out Andreas Dejas' blog posts about his work on Roger Rabbit:

// Deja View: Who Framed Roger Rabbit 

Before and After - Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Very sad news about Bob Hoskins.  Here's a great behind the scenes vid from Who Framed Roger Rabbit that shows what a master Hoskins was at his craft.





via Io9

SCREENING: PERSISTENCE OF VISION with Filmmaker Kevin Schreck

Special Screening: PERSISTENCE OF VISION
Filmmaker Kevin Schreck via Skype
Playing at the Rafael Film Center
Thursday, November 21, 7:00

'The untold story of the greatest animated film never made, Kevin Schreck's fascinating documentary traces the quixotic quest of visionary animator Richard Williams, who toiled more than three decades on his masterpiece, The Thief and the Cobbler, only to have it torn from his hands. Working out of London and beginning his dream project in 1964, Canadian-born Williams won Oscars for animating A Christmas Carol (1971) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988), and earned universal acclaim for his credit sequences for the Pink Panther movies, but he re-invested all his resources into his Middle Eastern fable. This "heartbreaking documentary about a staggering genius" weaves together mind-blowing animation, archival footage and exclusive interviews with key animators and artists to bring to light a lost, precious chapter of animation history. Producer/Director: Kevin Schreck. (US 2012) 83 min. plus discussion.' via CFI

Richard Williams discusses Milt Kahl

It All Started with a Mouse: The Disney Story (1989)

This old school Disney Channel special 'It All Started with a Mouse: The Disney Story' is chock-full of great material on the history of Disney along with commentary by Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas, Ward Kimball, Marc Davis, Ken Anderson, Richard Williams, and a slew of others.

Richard Williams - The Thief Who Never Gave Up (1982)

This is a great documentary on the making of Richard Williams 'The Thief and The Cobbler'! Though the film had may troubles some of the animation sequences are just mind blowing!

The Theif Who Never Gave Up via Behind The Scenes


You can find more great info on 'The Thief and The Cobbler' here:  The Thief Blog

'Animating Art ' -- featuring Disney Legend Art Babbitt

A documentary about legendary animator Art Babbitt; featuring interviews with Art Babbitt, Richard Williams, and Andreas Deja.

The Creative Person: Richard Williams (1966)

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3

Richard Williams Spline Cast

Andrew Gordon has posted a great interview with Richard Williams on the Spline Doctor's website. Richard talks about working with Warner Bros. anim legend Ken Harris and his history in industry.

listen here:

Richard Williams Spline Cast

Richard Williams Lecture in SF

Last Sunday I got to attend a sold out lecture given by master animator Richard Williams. It was a great talk! He covered a lot of basic anim material (plugging his new DVD series) but also wove in a good hour or so of Q&A which was awesome!

The Animator's Survival Kit - promotional animation