Wells uses this short film to explain the concept of (a story about storytelling):

"Understanding Animation" by Paul Wells is a seminal text that provides a rich and comprehensive exploration of the animation industry. The book's key concepts and theories, now available in PDF format, offer a valuable resource for anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of animation. Whether you're a student, scholar, or practitioner, Wells' book is an essential guide to the creative, technical, and cultural contexts of animation. By exploring the ideas and principles presented in "Understanding Animation," readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the art and craft of animation, as well as the cultural and historical contexts in which it operates.

First published in 1998, by Paul Wells remains a foundational text in the field of animation studies. Spanning approximately 280 pages, the book serves as a comprehensive introduction to the medium, bridging the gap between historical development and complex theoretical speculation. Wells, a leading scholar and Subject Leader in Media Studies, designed the text to "reclaim the animated film as an important art form in its own right" and move beyond viewing it solely through the lens of Disney.

I can’t provide a direct PDF of Understanding Animation by Paul Wells, as that would violate copyright. However, I can offer a on what the book covers, why it’s valuable, and how to legally access or study its content.

Before diving into the PDF phenomenon, it is crucial to understand the author. Paul Wells (1961–2016) was a professor of film and media at Loughborough University in the UK. He was not merely a critic; he was a pioneer who legitimized animation as a subject worthy of serious theoretical inquiry. His bibliography includes works like Animation and America (2002), Understanding Animation (1998), and The Fundamentals of Animation (2006).

Forget the idea of a director-as-auteur. Wells posits that in animation, the animator is the primary performer. Every pencil stroke, every timing sheet, and every tweak of a character’s eyebrow is an act of performance. This reframes how we watch animated films: we are not seeing a character "act" but an artist performing through the character.