John Canemaker

John Canemaker is an American animation historian, author, filmmaker, and educator known for documenting animation history and its artists.

Connect

Animation: The creation of moving images by displaying a sequence of individually made pictures or objects. It is the medium whose history and artists Canemaker has documented.
Paper Dreams: John Canemaker's book on the history of American theatrical animation from 1897 to 1929. It exemplifies his research into animation's early commercial history.
Richard Williams: A British-Canadian animator and director known for The Thief and the Cobbler and The Animator's Survival Kit. Canemaker's writing and scholarship engage with the craft traditions Williams helped preserve.
Annie Award: An award recognizing achievements in animation, presented by ASIFA-Hollywood. Canemaker received an Annie for his contributions to animation scholarship.
Animation history: The study and documentation of animation's development, works, technologies, and practitioners. Canemaker's books and teaching make this field accessible through historical research.
Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation: John Canemaker's book examining the careers and work of Disney's influential animation artists. It shows his focus on individual artists behind a major studio's films.
Walt Disney: An American film producer and entrepreneur who co-founded the Disney entertainment company. Canemaker has written extensively about Disney's studio and its artists.
Animation preservation: The conservation and restoration of animated films and related production materials. His historical writing supports preservation by documenting works and their creators.
Animation historiography: The study of how animation history is researched, interpreted, and written. His archival and biographical work helps shape how animation history is recorded.
Before the Animation Begins: John Canemaker's book about the development and use of storyboards in animation and film. It documents a visual planning process that precedes finished animation.