A Bug's Life: The Art and Making of an Epic of Miniature Proportions

by Jeff Kurtti

Traces the making of the 1998 computer-animated motion picture "A Bug's Life," exhibiting the work of the film's animators, art directors, and computer wizards

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Animation, Film, Reference, Media Tie In

128 pages, Hardcover

First published December 23, 1998

Reviews

[Ashley Marie]

I think this book proves that I like the hand-drawn animation books better -- too much computer-speak for me. Otherwise extremely detailed with lots of pictures. It definitely belongs on my shelf next to the other making-of-Disney-etc books.

[Alizee]

A little too technical for me. I would have liked to learn more about their inspirations, fun anecdotes, etc. This book was more about how the technology worked than the truly creative parts.

[Parka]

(Picture source: parkablogs.com)

This is a gigantic book. It is actually quite difficult to shoot the video of me flipping the huge landscape pages.

This book is a delight to read, just like the first Toy Story art book. It's filled with great stories from the production floor, tons of storyboards, pastel drawings, movie stills, concept art, character design and inspiration.

The focus of the book, other than the art, is on the story aspect, the function behind the form. Explanation in details were given on why things happen, why characters behave like who they are and how they evolve, in terms of design.

Too many books out there are just compilation of great art pieces with nothing to say about it. This book is different. This book made me feel. And that's what's set this book and the Toy Story art book apart from all other art books. It's the emotional connection that's almost impossible to create just by art itself, story is needed.

This review was first published on parkablogs.com. There are more pictures and videos on my blog.

[Katypies]

A Bug's Life: The Art and Making of an Epic of Miniature Proportions by Jeff Kurtti (1998)