This little guide to making animated films is a wonderfully compact distillation of how-to methods for film animation. Published in 1973 (well before the advent of computer animation), the book aims to give quick and practical instructions that would enable beginners -- and their teachers -- to get a running start in making animated films.

"Making It Move" covers eight different animation methods, including animating WITHOUT film and animating WITHOUT a camera. Procedures for each of these methods are discussed thoroughly, if briefly. (The authors state quite clearly at the end of the book that it "has offered ... a broad and basic approach to animation production," to spark interest in the student to explore the field further.) The book gives the basics of planning an animated film and instructions and diagrams for building necessary equipment, such as a simple animation stand. Also given is a quick, somewhat sketchy history of animation, as well as a summary chapter on the tools of animation.

"Making It Move" is an excellent introduction to its subject, but suffers from two major drawbacks not of its own making. The first drawback is that it is EXTREMELY rare and difficult to find. (I hunted for it for ten years, the last two on the Internet!) The second drawback is that the advance of video technology has left conventional amateur film animation somewhat "in the dust," and forced obsolescence and lack of demand have made it difficult for do-it-yourselfers to find film, cameras, or other equipment. That said, however, if you are an adventurous beginner with access to film, cameras, and supplies, and a desire to experiment with a classic film artform, "Making It Move" is an excellent starting point.