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Paper Dreams: The Art & Artists of Disney Storyboards
It's a technique that first helped bring Mickey Mouse to life -- and today's greatest movie makers, from Martin Scorcese to Tim Burton, couldn't make a film without it. The storyboard started as a series of sketches, fastened to a cork board with pushpins, that helped a director conceptualize a film's narrative and visual flow. Today, storyboarding is a multi-tiered process, involving numerous steps that take months, and sometimes even years, to complete.
A renowned expert in the field of animation, John Canemaker narrates the creative search for, and development of, memorable stories, situations, and personalities for Disney's finest animated films, from Snow White to The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Profusely illustrated with rare examples of original sequential story sketches from the Disney archives, Paper Dreams explores the art and craft of storyboarding as it was -- and still is -- performed by master artists. Offering an exciting, behind-the-scenes glimpse of a crucial and intricate part of the animation process, here is an essential volume for animation fans, Disney collectors, and pop culture enthusiasts alike.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 1999
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About the author
John Canemaker
36 books29 followersJohn Canemaker (born 1943) is an Academy Award-winning independent animator, animation historian, teacher, lecturer, and author perhaps best known for his many books about the Disney studio, including Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation.In 1980, he began teaching and developing the animation program at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts', Kanbar Institute of Film and Television Department. Since 1988 he has directed the program and is currently a tenured full professor. From 2001-2002 he was Acting Chair of the NYU Undergraduate Film and Television Department. In 2006, his film The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation, a 28-minute animated piece about Canemaker's relationship with his father, won the Academy Award for best animated short. In 2007 the same piece picked up an Emmy award for its graphic and artistic design.
His first book, The Animated Raggedy Ann and Andy, detailing the making of an animated feature based on Johnny Gruelle’s storybook characters, was published in 1977. Eight more books followed: Treasures of Disney Animation Art (1982),Winsor McCay: His Life and Art (1987), Felix: The Twisted Tale of the World’s Most Famous Cat (1991), Tex Avery: The MGM Years (1996), Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney Inspirational Sketch Artists (1996), Paper Dreams: The Art and Artists of Disney Storyboards (1999), Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation (2001), The Art and Flair of Mary Blair (2003), and a revised and updated edition of Winsor McCay (2005).
His first book, The Animated Raggedy Ann and Andy, detailing the making of an animated feature based on Johnny Gruelle’s storybook characters, was published in 1977. Eight more books followed: Treasures of Disney Animation Art (1982),Winsor McCay: His Life and Art (1987), Felix: The Twisted Tale of the World’s Most Famous Cat (1991), Tex Avery: The MGM Years (1996), Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney Inspirational Sketch Artists (1996), Paper Dreams: The Art and Artists of Disney Storyboards (1999), Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation (2001), The Art and Flair of Mary Blair (2003), and a revised and updated edition of Winsor McCay (2005).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 17, 2012
A meticulously researched, scholarly treatment of a topic long overdue for such attention. The photos and illustrations included are archival quality and demonstrate a multitude of skills and styles from an enormous number of artists. Canemaker's writing is quite strong also, although you can hear the university professor in him, at times you want him to lighten up a bit. I especially appreciated the fact that he didn't candy coat any of the stories about life in the Disney story department. Since story was really Walt's forte, that's where he spent most of his time, and many of the people interviewed in this book worked directly with him.
Modern Disney propaganda likes to paint Walt as something of a modern day saint, more god than man. But the interviews in this book from those who worked with him reveal his sometimes overwhelming insecurity and his fragile ego. One artist interviewed even went so far as to say that Walt didn't have any real friends outside of his family. He loved to work, but outside of that situation, he was a difficult person to get to know. To me, hearing things like that don't tarnish the image of Walt Disney, they enhance it. They reveal he was a real person, flaws and all, who accomplished great things dispute of himself. It's similar to the way David McCullough and other modern historians have helped to uncover the humanity behind the heroes of the American revolution.
The biggest flaw with this book in my opinion is that Canemaker chose to frame it as mini-biographies of the many story artists in the studio's history. While understanding the background of each artist individually has its merits, it deprives the book of any underlying narrative. As a result, it has more the feeling of reading a textbook than listening to a story (somewhat ironic given the subject matter). The documentary, Waking Sleeping Beauty, does a better job of taking a similar subject matter but telling a story with it.
Modern Disney propaganda likes to paint Walt as something of a modern day saint, more god than man. But the interviews in this book from those who worked with him reveal his sometimes overwhelming insecurity and his fragile ego. One artist interviewed even went so far as to say that Walt didn't have any real friends outside of his family. He loved to work, but outside of that situation, he was a difficult person to get to know. To me, hearing things like that don't tarnish the image of Walt Disney, they enhance it. They reveal he was a real person, flaws and all, who accomplished great things dispute of himself. It's similar to the way David McCullough and other modern historians have helped to uncover the humanity behind the heroes of the American revolution.
The biggest flaw with this book in my opinion is that Canemaker chose to frame it as mini-biographies of the many story artists in the studio's history. While understanding the background of each artist individually has its merits, it deprives the book of any underlying narrative. As a result, it has more the feeling of reading a textbook than listening to a story (somewhat ironic given the subject matter). The documentary, Waking Sleeping Beauty, does a better job of taking a similar subject matter but telling a story with it.
December 25, 2017
This is a top notch coffee table book. Whether you're looking for a solid read on animation, or solely interested in the images, there's plenty of both.
I really enjoyed the behind the scenes images from Disney Studio as well as the various storyboards. The art and styling is a delight. Even though they're rough sketches, you can feel the character's movement. They nearly jump off the page. The imagery itself gets 5 stars.
The story (wording) was a little bogged down. Text parts of this book delve through individual biographies and paint Disney studios on this golden pedestal. Yes, they are a renowned company and have made a drastic impact on both films, stories, and every day life. But they are not the only storyboard studio, nor the only animation studio. I took most of the wording with a grain of salt. Eventually I gave up on the wording (something it appears many other readers also did), and focused solely on the imagery. The imagery is the real selling point, but there's enough wording to keep a person occupied while they're waiting for something.
I really enjoyed the behind the scenes images from Disney Studio as well as the various storyboards. The art and styling is a delight. Even though they're rough sketches, you can feel the character's movement. They nearly jump off the page. The imagery itself gets 5 stars.
The story (wording) was a little bogged down. Text parts of this book delve through individual biographies and paint Disney studios on this golden pedestal. Yes, they are a renowned company and have made a drastic impact on both films, stories, and every day life. But they are not the only storyboard studio, nor the only animation studio. I took most of the wording with a grain of salt. Eventually I gave up on the wording (something it appears many other readers also did), and focused solely on the imagery. The imagery is the real selling point, but there's enough wording to keep a person occupied while they're waiting for something.
February 10, 2020
“Paper Dreams: The Art & Artists of Disney Storyboards” is a hefty book skims the entire history of the Disney Animation Studio (until 1999) and selects the best/most interesting storyboard artists for short biographies and snippets of their work.
This book is impressive in its breadth, and at times it’s depth, with many interviews from the artists on themselves or their mentors. It’s obvious that this book was a feat to create with an enormous amount of research, making it a wonderful history book. However, in all of the research I think that Canemaker’s characterizations of some artists strange.
Personally, I wish there was a greater analysis on the artistic work and the changes in how boards were done, rather than a detailed list of every alcoholic at the Disney Studio.
This book is impressive in its breadth, and at times it’s depth, with many interviews from the artists on themselves or their mentors. It’s obvious that this book was a feat to create with an enormous amount of research, making it a wonderful history book. However, in all of the research I think that Canemaker’s characterizations of some artists strange.
Personally, I wish there was a greater analysis on the artistic work and the changes in how boards were done, rather than a detailed list of every alcoholic at the Disney Studio.
April 11, 2021
No matter what genre you work in. If you're a story artist this is a must have for your writer's room. The Art of telling a story through timing, staging, atmosphere, all without words is all here.
December 6, 2012
(More pictures at parkablogs.com)
Paper Dreams is an oversize book about the storyboards and artists working for Walt Disney Studios. The author John Canemaker has provided great depth through his research and writing compared to the other book on storyboard that I have,
In addition to the commentary, the book's also filled with original storyboard scans from the library, photographs and paintings, all selected from their impressive archive from 1930s to the late 1990s.
There's a lot to be learned from the book, highly recommended to animation fans, art students, Disney collectors and pop culture enthusiasts.">Walt Disney Animation Studios The Archive Series: Story.
Published in 1999, the book takes a close look at the storytelling department of Disney, from where storyboards were created — sketches on the floor of Webb Smith's office were pinned to the board for the first time. John Canemaker has loaded the book with lots of quotes from Walt Disney, the animators and story artists, providing insights into the storytelling process. The evolution of storyboards and their relevance are laid out to us, as each animated short gets progressively longer until full length movies were created.
There are chapters on profiles of story artists and their work. The more famous ones include Bill Peet, Joe Ranft, Joe Grant, Chris Sanders, among many others. We're introduced to their personal style of storytelling, their characteristics and interaction with other artists. There are many interesting stories like how Walt would criticise storyboards so as to improve them, a process which was called "plussing", or how different artists would defend their boards against critiques from others.
In addition to the commentary, the book's also filled with original storyboard scans from the library, photographs and paintings, all selected from their impressive archive from 1930s to the late 1990s.
There's a lot to be learned from the book, highly recommended to animation fans, art students, Disney collectors and pop culture enthusiasts.
May 7, 2025
Bill Peet! Brenda Chapman! Joe Ranft! A real treasure.
November 18, 2007
According to this book, Disney Studios basically developed the complete concept of storyboards... animation studios were doing something similar on paper, but with fewer pictures & more text, usually within a sketchbook. Lots of sketches on the artists as well - beyond the Nine Old Men. Unfortunately, Pixar didn't get much of a mention; since the book is from 1999, it wasn't too surprising.. tho Joe Ranft's name has popped up once or twice.
March 6, 2010
A beatiful collection of Disney storyboard art accompanied by ample history and context info. These folks are all seriously talented, but it's interesting to see the artists' variations in approach and style.
February 22, 2017
Koffietafelboek over de storyboardartiesten bij Disney, vanaf het begin tot 1999, boordevol mooie afbeeldingen en biografieën en interviews met enkelen van hen. Canemaker is wel selectief: sommige artiesten krijgen zeer veel, anderen geen enkele aandacht.
May 5, 2014
Very cool book!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews