12 Comments

Really enjoyed this article, thank you!

I just wanted to point out a small correction: It says "Briggs illustrated his book in pencil and crayon". He actually illustrated it in just 'pencil crayon' which is what we call coloured pencils in the UK.

It's true they did use wax crayon for the animation though, because they could achieve a similar look to coloured pencils, except it was possible to draw it on cells. (I heard this info at a talk from Lupus films at Manchester Animation Festival last year 🙂)

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Ah, thank you so much for the correction about Briggs' colored pencils! That was a misreading/misunderstanding on our part -- it's been fixed now. Very happy you liked the piece.

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No problem! 🙂 I thought you would appreciate it because there's always such great attention to detail in these articles! I really love the blog, so much fascinating stuff! Thanks for all the amazing work you're doing

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Great article! Thank you!

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Many thanks -- glad you enjoyed it!

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I love The Snowman (and also The Snowman and The Snow Dog). It just isn't Christmas without it! It is true that the animation is very old school, even by 80s standards but that's what I love about it. On a side note, I was born in 1982 so I am the same age as The Snowman :-)

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Wonderful article - I was just introduced to this animated short through my partner who grew up in the UK. Hauntingly beautiful traditional work that I'm happy to say I saw in England this past Christmas with his family. Lovely background on the production of this beloved short film!

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Thanks so much for these very kind words! This is a film that really holds up and it's awesome to watch it continue to win over new followers even now.

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I guess I'll have to check out The Snowman. Also, The Boy and The Heron looks great!

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They're both highly recommended -- hope you enjoy them!

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I don't think I've watched this one yet, but I do love the legacy of somewhat melancholy Christmas specials that come out of the UK, especially Robin Robin. It was fun to see the style of The Snowman referenced recently for a song in Fionna and Cake too!

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It's a good one -- it deserves its reputation! It really speaks volumes that the Laputa 2003 jury in Japan rated it so highly, even though it was a foreign project and made for TV. (And Robin Robin is another we loved. Coincidentally, another Oscar nominee, too!)

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