Animation Nation: How We Built A Cartoon Empire
In 1978, an obscure animated TV show produced by an upstart Toronto firm caught the eye of the world’s hottest filmmaker, George Lucas.
He was looking for someone to produce an animated short for a CBS Star Wars television special. The ensuing collaboration not only put Nelvana on its path to becoming the world’s leading independent animation company but kickstarted Canada’s most successful creative industry—children’s animated entertainment.
Born in Belgium, raised in Toronto and New York, Michael Hirsh was a co-founder and CEO of Nelvana and the driving force behind Canada’s animation dominance. Animation Nation is his behind-the-scenes account of working with such famous cartoon franchises as Babar, The Adventures of Tintin, Berenstain Bears, Franklin, The Magic School Bus, and Beetlejuice, and larger-than-life personalities including Roseanne Barr, Mr. T., Deborah Harry, and Tim Burton.
Packed with humour and hard-won wisdom, Animation Nation is a frame-by-frame account of how creative talent and entrepreneurial zeal built a global cartoon empire.
Author: Michael Hirsh
Publisher: Sutherland House
Publication date: July 23, 2024
Print length: 227 pages
ISBN-10: 1990823696
ISBN-13: 978-1990823695
Published on July 23, 2024, by Sutherland House, Animation Nation: How We Built A Cartoon Empire is a 240-page hardcover memoir by Michael Hirsh that serves as both a history of Canada’s animation dominance and an intimate look at the man behind it. The story begins in 1978, when an obscure animated TV show produced by a burgeoning Toronto firm caught the attention of George Lucas, who was seeking someone to produce an animated short for a CBS Star Wars television special. That collaboration launched Nelvana on its path to becoming the world’s leading independent animation company and sparked the country’s most successful creative industry in children’s entertainment. Hirsh, who was born in Belgium and raised in Toronto and New York, offers a behind-the-scenes account of his life as a co-founder and CEO of Nelvana, detailing his work with massive franchises like Babar, The Adventures of Tintin, The Berenstain Bears, Franklin, The Magic School Bus, and Beetlejuice, alongside encounters with personalities such as Roseanne Barr, Mr. T, Deborah Harry, and Tim Burton.
For a Star Wars fan, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the production of the animated segment for The Star Wars Holiday Special, known today as The Story of the Faithful Wookiee. It is the only part of that special officially released by Lucasfilm and, notably, the only piece of the show that George Lucas himself reportedly enjoys. That short project led to a long relationship between Lucas and Nelvana, resulting in the Ewoks and Droids animated series, which remain dear to many fans. I had the privilege of being in the front row at Star Wars Celebration Japan with animation legends Michael Hirsh and Clive Smith, where I heard these stories firsthand and watched the first-ever Star Wars animated story with its creators. It was a highlight of my trip and made my first Star Wars Celebration incredibly memorable. Although I felt their presence at the convention was not advertised enough—as many fans I spoke to were unaware they were there—the kindness of Hirsh and Smith was evident.
Hirsh smartly opens the book by describing his trip to Marin County to meet George Lucas for the first time. The chapters are short and quick to read, making the book engaging throughout. Hirsh writes with a brisk pace, avoiding unnecessary detours; if anything, the reader occasionally wishes for even more detail on certain projects. Beyond the Star Wars connection, my interest in this book was fueled by my own love for animation and storytelling. Growing up in Bulgaria, I watched many of Nelvana’s titles on national TV or on VHS tapes. The filmography of the studio is staggering, including classics like Rock and Rule, The Care Bears, Inspector Gadget, and many others. Nelvana has had an incredible influence on countless children across the globe, and Hirsh was also heavily involved with Cinar and Cookie Jar Entertainment.
I will admit that I have rarely been as impatient to discover specific content in a book as I was with this one, to the point where I checked the index before reading to ensure my favorites were included. Of course, there was plenty on the classic animated masterpiece Rock & Rule, I would have it no other way! It was a relief to find mentions of the animated series based on Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking, as well as Magi-Nation and Spider Riders. While some titles are touched upon only briefly, serving as mere footnotes, it is still gratifying to see these childhood favorites acknowledged. Given that Hirsh covers decades of creativity and hundreds of shows, it would be impossible to cover every title in detail without turning the memoir into a multi-volume encyclopedia.
Beyond its specific focus on Star Wars and classic animation, the book stands as an insightful and energetic chronicle of the animation industry’s evolution. It balances a personal life story with a broader, documentary-style look at how a small creative venture grew into a global media titan. For anyone who grew up watching these programs, it offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the business and creative decisions that brought their favorite Saturday morning memories to life. The narrative carries a distinct, conversational voice, making the complex process of building an animation studio and running a successful business in the everchanging entertainment industry feel intimate, personal, and surprisingly accessible. It captures the spirit of a risk-taking pioneer, providing a legacy that is just as memorable as the beloved cartoons themselves. For those interested in this subject, Animation Nation pairs excellently with The Nelvana Story: Thirty Animated Years from 2001, completing the picture of this remarkable creative journey.