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A Christmas Carol is just twenty minutes long - you can watch it in HD below. The film was completed at Dad's London studio at 13 Soho Square - a Grade II* listed building which still stands today. It's even painted the same dark green colour, and looks just the same as it always did - minus the letters "Richard Williams Animation" above the door.
A Christmas Carol
The twenty-two minute TV special was produced by Chuck Jones and many scenes were animated by Ken Harris, one of Chuck's star animators from Road Runner days. Other legendary animators from the first Golden Age of Animation included Grim Natwick and Emery Hawkins.
Animation Masters
These animation masters passed on their knowledge of animation to the animators at the studio in London, at a time when the craft of animation was almost dying out. I still have copies of their lecture notes.
Punch Cartoons
The style of Christmas Carol was based on the illustrated Punch cartoons of the 19th century, similar to the animated interludes in The Charge of the Light Brigade which the studio had completed a few years earlier. The idea was to make the film feel like a moving illustration - a tough drawing challenge for the animators.
1972 Christmas Carol
Animation Masters
These animation masters passed on their knowledge of animation to the animators at the studio in London, at a time when the craft of animation was almost dying out. I still have copies of their lecture notes.
Roy Naisbitt
Art Director Roy Naisbitt designed hugely complex background layouts, creating a sense of the grime, squalor and claustrophobia of 19th century London.
Roy Naisbitt later went on to do the remarkable two and a half dimensional background layouts for The Thief and The Cobbler, and he also did the layout work for the two-minute short cartoon that opens the 1988 hit "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?". It is Roy's work that gives the film's opening its unique character.
Roy Naisbitt later went on to do the remarkable two and a half dimensional background layouts for The Thief and The Cobbler, and he also did the layout work for the two-minute short cartoon that opens the 1988 hit "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?". It is Roy's work that gives the film's opening its unique character.
Punch Cartoons
The style of Christmas Carol was based on the illustrated Punch cartoons of the 19th century, similar to the animated interludes in The Charge of the Light Brigade which the studio had completed a few years earlier. The idea was to make the film feel like a moving illustration - a tough drawing challenge for the animators.
What a beautiful and personal reflection on your connection to A Christmas Carol! It’s amazing to hear about your role as Tiny Tim and the incredible legacy of animation legends involved in the project. The rich history behind the animation techniques and the influence of those early masters is fascinating. It’s wonderful that you continue to carry on their knowledge and passion for animation. Merry Christmas to you and your team at Animation Apprentice!
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