You can purchase this amazing book online today
Synopsis: The book will cover the first-half of Miyazaki’s legendary career, during which he rose from humble beginnings to create some of the most seminal animated features ever made, including Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind, Castle In The Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Porco Rosso, as well as his launch of Studio Ghibli. A fitting introduction is offered by John Lasseter, the Chief Creative Officer at Pixar and Walt Disney. Ponyo is Miyazaki’s newest feature film and will be released by Walt Disney in North America this August.
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the world’s most beloved animation directors. In September 2005 he was awarded the Venice International Film Festival’s Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement, and his Studio Ghibli received the Festival’s Osella Award for overall achievement in 2004. His notable films include Spirited Away, winner of the 2002 Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature Film, as well as Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle, all of which have received tremendous acclaim in the U.S. Miyazaki’s other achievements include the highly regarded manga series NAUSICAä OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, which is also published domestically by VIZ Media (rated ‘T’ for Teens). VIZ Media also publishes many other Hayo Miyazaki books including the for CASTLE IN THE SKY, HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE and more. VIZ Media also publishes many of Hayo Miyazaki’s beautiful and engaging Art Books and Picture Books.
“Hayao Miyazaki is known and loved around the world for his imaginative films that continue to delight children and adults,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales & Marketing for VIZ Media. “STARTING POINT presents, in Miyazaki’s own words, his philosophies towards life, his work, the animation industry both in Japan and abroad, and his creative inspirations and motivations. He also offers lots of stories, many of them quite humorous, which show the extent of his complete dedication to animated film and the people with whom he works. We invite fans to enjoy this chronicle of the life of a man whose own dreams have come true.”
In the first two decades of his career, filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki laid the groundwork for his legendary movies. STARTING POINT is a collection of essays, interviews, and memoirs that go back to the roots of Miyazaki’s childhood, the formulation of his theories of animation, and the founding of Studio Ghibli. Before directing such acclaimed films as Spirited Away, Miyazaki was just another salaried animator, but with a vision of his own. Follow him as he takes his first steps on the road to success, experience his frustrations with the manga and animation industries that often suffocate creativity, and realize the importance of bringing the childhood dreams of the world to life.
Review: Starting Point is a book that I really anticipated reading. I’m a fan of animation and one of the most brilliant and respected directors in all of animation (not just anime) is Hayao Miyazaki! You know him from his major films, many of which have been released in the United States. They include ‘Spirited Away’ and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’. I think that without a doubt the most memorable Miyazaki film for me and my own children was ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’, a coming of age tale for a young witch.
The book starting point is most definately a thick read. It has little for pictures and is a very standard hardcover book. It chronicles the personal thoughts and life experiences of Miyazaki as he worked seemingly endless hours on his passions and basically missed out on the lives of his own children. We get a glimpse into the psyche of Miyazaki with his politics, religion and personal essays.
The book includes a forward by Pixar animation legend John Lasseter (Toy Story). This is truly a great, since Lasseter is easily the other most respected modern animation talent. I can think of no other person that would be worth to forward this fantastic retrospective.
If you’re a fan of anime or just animation in general you will find this book a good read. If you’re already a fan of Miyazaki then you will find this book insightful and enlightening. Its a rare look inside this talented man’s mind. You can’t miss out on this one!
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