Animation has seen a resurgence through the work of the giant Hollywood studios Pixar and DreamWorks and feeds an ever-increasing appetite among worldwide cinema audiences. The use of digital technology in ever more diverse ways plays a large part in this renewed popularity, but equally traditional animation forms have found new audiences.This introduction to the field for students of animation examines the synergy between the origination, construction and finish of animated films. It begins with history and context, and quickly moves on to more practical aspects of the craft. The technical processes and approaches are discussed, from scriptwriting through to production, with exciting visual examples from key animators and features that teach how to create exciting animation for a variety of audiences. A final chapter on job roles shows how students can get on in animation.This book is a vital resource for anyone who intends to make animation a part of their career.