Blender 3D

While Hash Animation Master is my favourite 3D software, I wanted to try my hands on Blender, which is the free open source program. Very powerful and feature rich, the new v2.5x series has an improved user interface that is much easier to use than before. This book focuses more on the tools needed to create models and make animations for characters, which is great, as that's my main interest.
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Inspired 3D Short Film Production

Jeremy Cantor, Pepe Valencia, 2004

This is an excellent book on how to produce 3D animated shorts. The production processes are explained from A to Z, beginning with story and character development, art direction, storyboarding, to the typical production cycle from modeling to animating, rendering and compositing, and lastly to marketing and distribution. Four case studies of famous animated shorts are discussed in the book, while a DVD of around fifty animated shorts are included.

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The Animator’s Survival Kit

Richard Williams, 2002

This is another must-have book for those interested in animation. Williams shares with us in great detail his techniques and philosophy in animation, from lessons he had learnt through trial and error while working with other great animators. Although he covers many of the basic movements such as walks, runs and dialogue, it's his analysis and tips of these fundamental actions that give great value to increasing one's understanding and appreciation to this magical art form.

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The Illusion of Life : Disney Animation

Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnson, 1995

This is a big and heavy book, both literally and metaphorically. I haven't finished reading it. Regarded as a must-have for any serious animator, this book gives an inside look on how Disney studio created their animated works, right from their historical beginnings, with useful explanations of the methodology utilised, including many illustrations and photographs of behind-the-scenes.

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Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting

Robert McKee, 1997

This is a guidebook for the screenwriter. It's written almost in the style of Stephen Covey's "Principle Centred Leadership" - systematic, thorough, and inspiring. McKee begins with by defining the story, and then dissecting the various elements that make up a story. He then puts forth his ideas on story design, and recommends design principles for us to apply. Finally, he examines story treatment and style, such as the use of antagonism, exposition, and how to handle problem areas like sustaining interest, or coping with holes in logic. There is also a chapter of character design, and the screenplay itself.

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Acting for Animators

Ed Hooks, 2001

This book is about acting theory and technique specifically for the animator. An introduction to the Seven Essentials Acting Concepts, is followed by chapters on the audience, character, scene, movement and body language, and speech. Several tips are presented on acting for the camera, action techniques, and handling various forms such as comedy, and different mediums such as computer games or commercials. Finally, several classroom type exercises are provided and finished off with an analysis of the acting done in the movie "Iron Giant".

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Disney's Art of Animation : From Mickey Mouse To Hercules

Bob Thomas, 1997

This book talked about the history of animation at Disney, and explored its animation process. It traces the efforts done to produce famous characters like Mickey Mouse and Snow White, to movies like Pinocchio, Cinderalla, Sleeping Beauty, Alladin, Lion King, Toy Story and features a special "making-of" section on Hercules. Elements that made each film, such as story sketches, layouts, and background paintings were explained, giving us a tour behind the scenes.

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