Featuring 50 seminal short films by key animators from around the world, this book discusses the work of early pioneers, such as Oskar Fischinger and Jan Svankmajer, as well as contemporary animators, such as Larry Cuba, Tim Hope and Run Wrake. All the films included are independently produced personal work. Most of the featured directors make a living in commercial animation but, freed from the constraints of a client brief, they use their short films to experiment with new ideas and techniques, many of which subsequently find their way into commercial applications. Labours of love, these films can take years to complete - each second of these film may consist of up to 25 frames of animation. Grouped according to four themes, all forms of animation are covered, including 2D, 3D, Claymation, stop frame and web/Flash animation. Each project is accompanied by a 500-word review, including comments from the director. Details of software and method, as well as the internet address of the production company, are given in the technical credits.

Liz Faber is communications director at Push. Her previous books include Reload: Browser 2.0 (with Patrick Burgoyne). Helen Walters is a freelance journalist. She is the author of 300% Cotton: More T-Shirt Graphics.