ASIFA-Hollywood: The International Animated Film Society
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Archive: Bill, Joe & Friz / Drawing Course 5
A couple of new postings today...
First up is the second part of John K's interview with Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera and Friz Freleng. Friz and Bill talk about their early days working with Hugh Harman and Rudy Ising. The article is illustrated with movies...
Biography: John K Interviews Bill, Joe and Friz Part 2
Then we have the fifth lesson in John K's $100,000 Drawing Course. Today, John discusses line of action and silhouettes...
$100,000 Drawing Course: Lesson 5: Line of Action and Silhouettes
Check it out!
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive
www.animationarchive.org ¶ 8:56 PM
First up is the second part of John K's interview with Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera and Friz Freleng. Friz and Bill talk about their early days working with Hugh Harman and Rudy Ising. The article is illustrated with movies...
Biography: John K Interviews Bill, Joe and Friz Part 2
Then we have the fifth lesson in John K's $100,000 Drawing Course. Today, John discusses line of action and silhouettes...
$100,000 Drawing Course: Lesson 5: Line of Action and Silhouettes
Check it out!
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive
www.animationarchive.org ¶ 8:56 PM
This in from Mark Evanier, it seems that the Alex Toth myth I passed off as a myth (with some real questions of if it was even possible. QUOTE: Forget the fact that the windows on the upper floors of the DC building do not open. This is myth and facts just get in the way of the story.) is pretty much bogus. Not that big of a surprise. But Mark says that at that time the DC building was a 6 story building.
¶ 2:50 PM
Reminder, ASIFA Monthly Volunteer Meeting
Tonight Wednesday May 31
Woodbury University
7 PM
Room D104 (Design Center)
7500 Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91510
State of the Arts:
The question of where the next generation of artists are coming from has often concerned me. In 1957 it was decided on a national level, that because of Sputnik, we need to raise a generation of nothing but scientist. So these law makers (the same ones that are currently cutting funding to education and then hold teachers responsible for kids not learning) decided that the best thing for our education system was to cut the arts and music programs.
So you see, I worry some about just where the next Alex Toth or John Totleben is coming from. Art is something you have to train for at a young age. Starting art training in high school is way too late. But that is where true art training starts in public schools.
Somehow art will out over the nearsight educators, as I saw again last night at the student art show at Mission Viejo High School. My daughter (one of two sophomores in the show) had two pieces selected.
Animation culture had a huge impact in the ceramic portion of the show.
There was one concept piece that owed a lot to Yoko Ono that I will not even get into here. I think I have made myself clear about my feeling about concept art (sic).
There was a real nice turn out for the show.
Here is some of the other stuff that I liked.
Somehow artist keep happening despite anything the lawmakers can do about us. Maybe there is hope of the future of the field after all? ¶ 7:29 AM
Tonight Wednesday May 31
Woodbury University
7 PM
Room D104 (Design Center)
7500 Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91510
State of the Arts:
The question of where the next generation of artists are coming from has often concerned me. In 1957 it was decided on a national level, that because of Sputnik, we need to raise a generation of nothing but scientist. So these law makers (the same ones that are currently cutting funding to education and then hold teachers responsible for kids not learning) decided that the best thing for our education system was to cut the arts and music programs.
So you see, I worry some about just where the next Alex Toth or John Totleben is coming from. Art is something you have to train for at a young age. Starting art training in high school is way too late. But that is where true art training starts in public schools.
Somehow art will out over the nearsight educators, as I saw again last night at the student art show at Mission Viejo High School. My daughter (one of two sophomores in the show) had two pieces selected.
Animation culture had a huge impact in the ceramic portion of the show.
There was one concept piece that owed a lot to Yoko Ono that I will not even get into here. I think I have made myself clear about my feeling about concept art (sic).
There was a real nice turn out for the show.
Here is some of the other stuff that I liked.
Somehow artist keep happening despite anything the lawmakers can do about us. Maybe there is hope of the future of the field after all? ¶ 7:29 AM
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
ALEX TOTH (1928-2006)
I have loved and respected the artwork of Alex Toth for 30 or more years, so deceptively simple, open and clean with a line to kill for. It is not flashy or noodled, its beauty lays in its unsurpassed sparseness and form. So in the passing of this giant of the comic art field I am saddened. His legend lives on. Let me pass on just one story of this legend. I never met the fiery artist but I was the student of his foil from one of his major myths.
Bob K. (some of you know of who I talk) was a twisted, power mad, writer turned editor at DC Comics who used his position and power to gratify his starved ego. Little Bobby K. was my teacher at the Kurbert school soon after he gained his well deserved professional comeuppance at the hands of one of his past ego victims who had risen through the ranks to the position of editor and cheif of DC Comics.
What did this professional worm, the Bobby K. have to do with Alex Toth? Stick with me. You know the character of a man by his enemies. Alex had a reputation at not taking excrement from anybody. Bobby K. was the crowned king of excrement giving, the queen mother of bitchy critique.
Mister K. shared an office with another DC editor and Alex was working for this editor at the time of our story. The story tells that the editor with whom Alex had pages was out of the office when Alex Toth came in to drop off his said pages and pick up his check.
Here are my pages for editor X. I need to pick up my check. You can do that for me.
Bobby the K. never missed a chance to pull out his knifes and make himself important by tearing down the work of others. He had once literally ripped up the artwork of Mort Drucker screaming that his artwork was shit and that he had no business in the business. It made no difference that this was not his artist, this ego must be fed.
Let us see what we have here? Oh no, no. this will never do. This is all wrong, wrong. You call yourself an artist . . .
Our legend ends with Alex Toth dangling Robert K. from a 40th story window screaming Give me my check you son of a bitch or I will drop you! Forget the fact that the windows on the upper floors of the DC building do not open. This is myth and facts just get in the way of the story.
And it makes such a good story. Alex got the check of course. That is at the core of the myth. What he did is unimportant. The man had a temper of legend on him that walked like a demon sword before him. Having suffered under Bobby the K. as a teacher (sic) I know that Alex Toth was the hero of our little play and much respected it the halls of comicdom. I heard this story first from a Kubert teacher. And I, and all my fellow students, loved Toth all the more for whatever he did to create this myth. And ever for the very real beauty of his art. He did a Hot Wheels series of comic books that are so amazing.
I am going to miss you Alex. I am going to miss seeing new art wonders. I never met you but I was real dear friends with your legend. ¶ 7:55 AM
I have loved and respected the artwork of Alex Toth for 30 or more years, so deceptively simple, open and clean with a line to kill for. It is not flashy or noodled, its beauty lays in its unsurpassed sparseness and form. So in the passing of this giant of the comic art field I am saddened. His legend lives on. Let me pass on just one story of this legend. I never met the fiery artist but I was the student of his foil from one of his major myths.
Bob K. (some of you know of who I talk) was a twisted, power mad, writer turned editor at DC Comics who used his position and power to gratify his starved ego. Little Bobby K. was my teacher at the Kurbert school soon after he gained his well deserved professional comeuppance at the hands of one of his past ego victims who had risen through the ranks to the position of editor and cheif of DC Comics.
What did this professional worm, the Bobby K. have to do with Alex Toth? Stick with me. You know the character of a man by his enemies. Alex had a reputation at not taking excrement from anybody. Bobby K. was the crowned king of excrement giving, the queen mother of bitchy critique.
Mister K. shared an office with another DC editor and Alex was working for this editor at the time of our story. The story tells that the editor with whom Alex had pages was out of the office when Alex Toth came in to drop off his said pages and pick up his check.
Here are my pages for editor X. I need to pick up my check. You can do that for me.
Bobby the K. never missed a chance to pull out his knifes and make himself important by tearing down the work of others. He had once literally ripped up the artwork of Mort Drucker screaming that his artwork was shit and that he had no business in the business. It made no difference that this was not his artist, this ego must be fed.
Let us see what we have here? Oh no, no. this will never do. This is all wrong, wrong. You call yourself an artist . . .
Our legend ends with Alex Toth dangling Robert K. from a 40th story window screaming Give me my check you son of a bitch or I will drop you! Forget the fact that the windows on the upper floors of the DC building do not open. This is myth and facts just get in the way of the story.
And it makes such a good story. Alex got the check of course. That is at the core of the myth. What he did is unimportant. The man had a temper of legend on him that walked like a demon sword before him. Having suffered under Bobby the K. as a teacher (sic) I know that Alex Toth was the hero of our little play and much respected it the halls of comicdom. I heard this story first from a Kubert teacher. And I, and all my fellow students, loved Toth all the more for whatever he did to create this myth. And ever for the very real beauty of his art. He did a Hot Wheels series of comic books that are so amazing.
I am going to miss you Alex. I am going to miss seeing new art wonders. I never met you but I was real dear friends with your legend. ¶ 7:55 AM
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Back in the 70s I revolted against the FSU fine arts program. It was the teacher`s show that was the last straw. Sure I had complained about the lack of figure drawing classes. And I was not too happy with the whole concept mind games, cutting down trees and tying yellow ribbons around them and stacking then about a gallery and talking, talking, talking about what a great and important artist you are and the B. S. flies thick.
But it was the teacher`s show. It was the flux light blue Chippendale velvet loveseat with the day grow spray paint that was the last nail. I wanted more that anything else to be an artist. I wanted to be a real artist not a con artist. I needed to be a real artist. So I coined the motto: If it`s fine art it doesn`t have to be good! and I left Florida State in my senior year and went to the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Arts where I was Salieri jealous of real talents like John Totleben. But I never looked back, I worked hard and I have made my living as a commercial artist for the last 30 years.
So why am I covering this ground again? I went to Trader Joe`s last Friday to buy some Tom`s toothpaste and ran right into the question of the value of fine art on the base of a street lamp next to one women`s platform sandal.
Okay that is cool. Fun even. But what is the value? The clay work is nice and I enjoyed the metal impact on the glaze. I liked finding it. It gave me a little bit of enjoyment. But the lady`s shoe has similar weight and value in the world of concept art. And for all I know was left there to make that very statement. To make me think about the very concept.
Less concept and more real art please. The object itself needs value. I`ve picked my side a long time ago. I get real joy out of animating or preserving an animation for future generations or bringing out a DVD of interviews by master artists. Or teaching a beginning animation student about timing or smear animation. For me the art and artist needs to sink or swim on the art itself. How is that for a concept? ¶ 10:12 AM
But it was the teacher`s show. It was the flux light blue Chippendale velvet loveseat with the day grow spray paint that was the last nail. I wanted more that anything else to be an artist. I wanted to be a real artist not a con artist. I needed to be a real artist. So I coined the motto: If it`s fine art it doesn`t have to be good! and I left Florida State in my senior year and went to the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Arts where I was Salieri jealous of real talents like John Totleben. But I never looked back, I worked hard and I have made my living as a commercial artist for the last 30 years.
So why am I covering this ground again? I went to Trader Joe`s last Friday to buy some Tom`s toothpaste and ran right into the question of the value of fine art on the base of a street lamp next to one women`s platform sandal.
Okay that is cool. Fun even. But what is the value? The clay work is nice and I enjoyed the metal impact on the glaze. I liked finding it. It gave me a little bit of enjoyment. But the lady`s shoe has similar weight and value in the world of concept art. And for all I know was left there to make that very statement. To make me think about the very concept.
Less concept and more real art please. The object itself needs value. I`ve picked my side a long time ago. I get real joy out of animating or preserving an animation for future generations or bringing out a DVD of interviews by master artists. Or teaching a beginning animation student about timing or smear animation. For me the art and artist needs to sink or swim on the art itself. How is that for a concept? ¶ 10:12 AM
Saturday, May 27, 2006
I dreamed in time coded animation interview scenes last night. Three guesses what I have been doing, right, logging rough edits for the ASFIA An Evening With DVD projects. I love Bill Melendezs, he is so open and plan talking (he would say big mouthed) and passionate about animation.
I have just started logging the Floyd Norman interview. Mr. Fun is a pistol too. Great quotes and stories. I was hoping to fit 3 interviews onto the first DVD but it is looking like we just have too much good material and will only be able to fit 2 interviews on this disk. Maybe we will do another volume if this one turns out well.
Coming up next week on Wednesday, May 31st, the monthly ASFIA Volunteer Meeting at Woodbury University.
Woodbury University
7 PM
Room D104 (Design Center)
7500 Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91510
Come on out and be part of what is happening at ASFIA. More Comic Con stuff and planning for feature projects. ASIFA is on the move. Be part of the action. ¶ 11:20 AM
I have just started logging the Floyd Norman interview. Mr. Fun is a pistol too. Great quotes and stories. I was hoping to fit 3 interviews onto the first DVD but it is looking like we just have too much good material and will only be able to fit 2 interviews on this disk. Maybe we will do another volume if this one turns out well.
Coming up next week on Wednesday, May 31st, the monthly ASFIA Volunteer Meeting at Woodbury University.
Woodbury University
7 PM
Room D104 (Design Center)
7500 Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91510
Come on out and be part of what is happening at ASFIA. More Comic Con stuff and planning for feature projects. ASIFA is on the move. Be part of the action. ¶ 11:20 AM
Friday, May 26, 2006
ASIFA-Hollywood Dues Are Raised
The bad new is that ASIFA dues are going up. This is to be expected. ASIFA`s dues are one of the lowest in town for organizations of our type. I`m not going to go into compressions here but if you belong to a couple of other trade organizations then you now I speak true.
Okay, I`m a teacher, I live on a tight budget and I would love to not pay more money. But, ASFIA-Hollywood is still a deal. I know it and you know it. It is a shame that prices have to go up. But ASIFA is trying to save animation history, in a very real sense, through the Archives and animation preservation. That costs. Membership still comes out cheap just taking into consideration the number of movies I don`t have to pay for at the cineplex.
So what is the good news? The good news is you can still get this coming year of membership at the old price. Rates go up starting on July 1st. If you get your dues in before that date than you pay the current low rate. (yes, the time is added onto the backend of your current renewal date, so you don`t loose any time by prepaying for next year early)
As a teacher my concern is student pricing. And yes student membership is going up. But ASIFA-Hollywood offers a unique opportunity for animation students to network with the industry. I always push to get my students to join ASFIA. I know that money can be tight as an art student and often it is a choice between food and art supplies.
The last time dues went up at ASIFA, 4 or 5 years back, student membership stayed at the low rate of $20. It has been $20 for almost 10 years. I have known for some time that this was an artificially low price for all the screenings and screeners, and that someday it would have to go up to a level that more truly reflects the market value. So that day has come. Or will come after July 1st. But you still have a month to get in under the current artificially low student price. That is if you are a student.
Okay, what are the prices? You may ask. Here is the registration form in a PDF formatt: newdues.pdf with current prices and the new prices starting after July 1. Believe me, ASFIA is still well worth the price. The access I have gained through ASIFA to the animation industry is priceless. ¶ 7:55 AM
The bad new is that ASIFA dues are going up. This is to be expected. ASIFA`s dues are one of the lowest in town for organizations of our type. I`m not going to go into compressions here but if you belong to a couple of other trade organizations then you now I speak true.
Okay, I`m a teacher, I live on a tight budget and I would love to not pay more money. But, ASFIA-Hollywood is still a deal. I know it and you know it. It is a shame that prices have to go up. But ASIFA is trying to save animation history, in a very real sense, through the Archives and animation preservation. That costs. Membership still comes out cheap just taking into consideration the number of movies I don`t have to pay for at the cineplex.
So what is the good news? The good news is you can still get this coming year of membership at the old price. Rates go up starting on July 1st. If you get your dues in before that date than you pay the current low rate. (yes, the time is added onto the backend of your current renewal date, so you don`t loose any time by prepaying for next year early)
As a teacher my concern is student pricing. And yes student membership is going up. But ASIFA-Hollywood offers a unique opportunity for animation students to network with the industry. I always push to get my students to join ASFIA. I know that money can be tight as an art student and often it is a choice between food and art supplies.
The last time dues went up at ASIFA, 4 or 5 years back, student membership stayed at the low rate of $20. It has been $20 for almost 10 years. I have known for some time that this was an artificially low price for all the screenings and screeners, and that someday it would have to go up to a level that more truly reflects the market value. So that day has come. Or will come after July 1st. But you still have a month to get in under the current artificially low student price. That is if you are a student.
Okay, what are the prices? You may ask. Here is the registration form in a PDF formatt: newdues.pdf with current prices and the new prices starting after July 1. Believe me, ASFIA is still well worth the price. The access I have gained through ASIFA to the animation industry is priceless. ¶ 7:55 AM
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Archive: Chiquita Banana Theatrical Commercials
Today we digitized some rare theatrical commercials...
They appear to have been produced by Famous Studios in the early 40s. If you have any info on them, please let me know.
Come see the Quicktime movie of a few of these at...
Filmography: Chiquita Banana Theatrical Commercials
Thanks
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive ¶ 6:16 PM
They appear to have been produced by Famous Studios in the early 40s. If you have any info on them, please let me know.
Come see the Quicktime movie of a few of these at...
Filmography: Chiquita Banana Theatrical Commercials
Thanks
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive ¶ 6:16 PM
Update:
DVD Interview Project: Just picked up copies of the interview tapes with time windows for timing and rough edit. (need to set down with a stopwatch and do some heavy watching) Just got in a release form from Martha Sigall. Got an email from Floyd Norman saying we can use his interview. Have a package out to Bill Melendez. Still looking for contacts for relatives of Norm McCabe.
Comic Con: Working on an update of Paul Huband`s 1998 book, Understanding Animation Contracts. Just finished scanning his book through OCR since the original files did not survive on the computer. We are going to create the second edition as an interactive e-book and have them available for his comic con presentation of the same name. I also have my own e-book Animation on a ShoeString to update. This will be version 5. Lots of research on new products in the field.
Volunteers: Archives move this Friday and Saturday at the old animation center (Victory Blvd. - see below) There will be a volunteer meeting at Woodbury this coming Wednesday, more details to follow. ¶ 9:41 AM
DVD Interview Project: Just picked up copies of the interview tapes with time windows for timing and rough edit. (need to set down with a stopwatch and do some heavy watching) Just got in a release form from Martha Sigall. Got an email from Floyd Norman saying we can use his interview. Have a package out to Bill Melendez. Still looking for contacts for relatives of Norm McCabe.
Comic Con: Working on an update of Paul Huband`s 1998 book, Understanding Animation Contracts. Just finished scanning his book through OCR since the original files did not survive on the computer. We are going to create the second edition as an interactive e-book and have them available for his comic con presentation of the same name. I also have my own e-book Animation on a ShoeString to update. This will be version 5. Lots of research on new products in the field.
Volunteers: Archives move this Friday and Saturday at the old animation center (Victory Blvd. - see below) There will be a volunteer meeting at Woodbury this coming Wednesday, more details to follow. ¶ 9:41 AM
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Call for Volunteers:
This Friday 26th and Saturday 27th we will be moving out the stuff at the old animation center that we sorted a few weeks ago.
Meeting time is 9AM (both days)
721 S. Victory Blvd
Burbank, CA
If you want to be part of the move contact/email Antran: antran@asifa-hollywood.org ¶ 2:43 PM
This Friday 26th and Saturday 27th we will be moving out the stuff at the old animation center that we sorted a few weeks ago.
Meeting time is 9AM (both days)
721 S. Victory Blvd
Burbank, CA
If you want to be part of the move contact/email Antran: antran@asifa-hollywood.org ¶ 2:43 PM
Archive: Fleischer's I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive has begun digitizing a large collection of Fleischer Screen Songs... First up is a copy of the Bouncing Ball cartoon titled, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles"...
Check out the streaming video of the cartoon at...
Filmography: I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
Thanks
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive ¶ 2:10 PM
Check out the streaming video of the cartoon at...
Filmography: I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
Thanks
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive ¶ 2:10 PM
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
UPDATE:
Long time volunteer Edwin Austin writes to say that the SIGGRAPH volunteer email link in the post below is broken. I have checked it out and found that he is right, it has some strange javascirpt callout in the message that seems to not work correctly. I also may have made a mistake in the link which I think I have fixed. I Don`t know if I fixed it so here is a link to their website that might be of help: www.la.siggraph.org.
=====================
This in from friend Pam Thompson. Seems she is keeping herself busy with both Women in Animation and with Siggraph. If you missed the ASIFA screening of Over the Hedge or you just want to see it again, ere is your change. Remember, you can never have too much Jolt in you squirrel.
Long time volunteer Edwin Austin writes to say that the SIGGRAPH volunteer email link in the post below is broken. I have checked it out and found that he is right, it has some strange javascirpt callout in the message that seems to not work correctly. I also may have made a mistake in the link which I think I have fixed. I Don`t know if I fixed it so here is a link to their website that might be of help: www.la.siggraph.org.
=====================
This in from friend Pam Thompson. Seems she is keeping herself busy with both Women in Animation and with Siggraph. If you missed the ASIFA screening of Over the Hedge or you just want to see it again, ere is your change. Remember, you can never have too much Jolt in you squirrel.
¶ 7:47 AMFirst call for Volunteers for the Tuesday, May 23rd meeting of the Los Angeles Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH:
Over the Hedge
We need volunteers to help with crowd control, ticketing, doors, food, and cleanup. Volunteering is easy and fun. It is also extremely helpful to our local SIGGRAPH chapter. Volunteers should arrive at 5:45 PM and are needed until approx. 11 PM.We will be meeting at:
DGA Theatre
7920 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(Between Fairfax and Crescent Heights)
Time:
6:30-7:30 Social Hour - refreshments
and beverages will be served
7:30-8:30 Presentation/Q&A
8:30-10:30
Screening of “Over the Hedge”.
Presenters:
Dave Bugress, Supervising Animator
Mahesh Ramasubramanian, Head of Effects
People who want to volunteer need to contat:
Candice W. Sanders
Assoc. Vice Chair and Volunteer Chair
Los Angeles Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH
SIGvolunteerLA@aol.com
Monday, May 22, 2006
Women in Animation HOSTS
3D Animation:
What Do You Have To Know, Who Do You Have To Know?
Hollywood, California, USA
May 25, 2006
The event will take place at Klasky Csupo Studio
6353 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood,California (between Ivar and Cahuenga).
Schmoozing begins at 6:30 pm, event starts at 7:00 pm. Admission is free to members,
$10 for non-members. RSVP required-cutoff is May 23. Please call (310) 535-3838, or email LAchapterrsvps@aol.com to RSVP. ¶ 7:45 AM
3D Animation:
What Do You Have To Know, Who Do You Have To Know?
Hollywood, California, USA
May 25, 2006
- The WIA panel of 3D veterans:
- Geoffrey Kater, author of DESIGN FIRST FOR 3-D ARTISTS and co-owner of S4 Studios
- Sande Scoredos, exec director of technical training and artist development for Sony Pictures Imageworks
- Jenny Fulle, Executive Vice President of Production and Executive Producer Sony Pictures Imageworks
- Brent Young, creative director of Super 78 Studios
- Valerie Lettera of DreamWorks - and
- Sherie Pollack, director of Disney's MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE
- moderated by Recruiter/Career Coach Pamela Thompson
The event will take place at Klasky Csupo Studio
6353 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood,California (between Ivar and Cahuenga).
Schmoozing begins at 6:30 pm, event starts at 7:00 pm. Admission is free to members,
$10 for non-members. RSVP required-cutoff is May 23. Please call (310) 535-3838, or email LAchapterrsvps@aol.com to RSVP. ¶ 7:45 AM
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Looking For Relatives of Norm McCabe:
As some of you may know, I am trying to put together a DVD of interviews that Tom Sito did in the early 90s with influential animators who had major impact on the field of animation but are not household names outside the animation world.
Norm McCabe fits this description to a "T" and we have a great interview with him. Norm was a soft-spoken man. Maybe that is why this master animator is not better known outside the animation community. Inside the animation community we know and love his work and we are well aware of his importance and impact on animation.
The problem is that there is no release form for this interview and right of publicity in California survives 50 years from date of death. After several weeks of research with lots of help from Linda Jones, Martha Sigall, Michael Barrier, John Canemaker and Paul Husband I have drawn a blank.
To the best of my knowledge Norm`s wife pre-deceased him and Norm died without heirs. Martha Sigall seems to remember a niece being mentioned a long, long time ago but she has no idea of the name or location of this niece or even if the niece is still alive.
So if you are that niece or in someway are related to the late, great Norm McCabe or you know someone who is, I would very much like to get in touch with you. ¶ 8:47 AM
As some of you may know, I am trying to put together a DVD of interviews that Tom Sito did in the early 90s with influential animators who had major impact on the field of animation but are not household names outside the animation world.
Norm McCabe fits this description to a "T" and we have a great interview with him. Norm was a soft-spoken man. Maybe that is why this master animator is not better known outside the animation community. Inside the animation community we know and love his work and we are well aware of his importance and impact on animation.
The problem is that there is no release form for this interview and right of publicity in California survives 50 years from date of death. After several weeks of research with lots of help from Linda Jones, Martha Sigall, Michael Barrier, John Canemaker and Paul Husband I have drawn a blank.
To the best of my knowledge Norm`s wife pre-deceased him and Norm died without heirs. Martha Sigall seems to remember a niece being mentioned a long, long time ago but she has no idea of the name or location of this niece or even if the niece is still alive.
So if you are that niece or in someway are related to the late, great Norm McCabe or you know someone who is, I would very much like to get in touch with you. ¶ 8:47 AM
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Volunteer Call This Saturday!
If you would like to help us out on a Saturday formatting images using Photoshop or editing video in Final Cut Pro, you need to sign up for a shift, so we will know to have work ready for you when you arrive. There are two shifts available... afternoon (from 1:30pm to 5:30pm) and evening (from 5pm to 9pm). We have two computers devoted to Photoshop, and one devoted to video. You can sign up for two shifts in a row, and spend the whole day with a break for hot dogs and cartoons at 5 if you wish.
You MUST reserve your shift if you plan to volunteer. To reserve a shift, see the calendar pages for the Saturdays in May...
Saturday, May 20th (Photoshop Volunteers Needed!)
Saturday, May 27th
Saturday, June 3rd
Saturday, June 10th
Saturday, June 17th
Saturday, June 24th
Thank you for your support!
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive ¶ 4:37 PM
If you would like to help us out on a Saturday formatting images using Photoshop or editing video in Final Cut Pro, you need to sign up for a shift, so we will know to have work ready for you when you arrive. There are two shifts available... afternoon (from 1:30pm to 5:30pm) and evening (from 5pm to 9pm). We have two computers devoted to Photoshop, and one devoted to video. You can sign up for two shifts in a row, and spend the whole day with a break for hot dogs and cartoons at 5 if you wish.
You MUST reserve your shift if you plan to volunteer. To reserve a shift, see the calendar pages for the Saturdays in May...
Saturday, May 20th (Photoshop Volunteers Needed!)
Saturday, May 27th
Saturday, June 3rd
Saturday, June 10th
Saturday, June 17th
Saturday, June 24th
Thank you for your support!
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive ¶ 4:37 PM
The Art of the Storyboard Exhibit
The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive is presenting an exhibit devoted to the Art of the Storyboard throughout the months of May and June. Included in the exhibit are segments from the boards for the pilot episodes of The Yogi Bear Show, The Alvin Show and The Flintstones; as well as examples of the work of Warren Foster, John Dunn and Mike Maltese. The original copy master boards for many of the episodes of the original Ren & Stimpy show are available for viewing as well.
The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 9pm. The Archive is located at 2114 Burbank Bl in Burbank... just a few blocks East of Buena Vista. Admission is free, but a donation is requested to help support and expand the Archive Project.
Thanks to our sponsors for making this exhibit possible... The Walter Lantz Foundation, Sony Pictures Classics and The Animation Guild (MPSC Local 839). ¶ 4:37 PM
The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive is presenting an exhibit devoted to the Art of the Storyboard throughout the months of May and June. Included in the exhibit are segments from the boards for the pilot episodes of The Yogi Bear Show, The Alvin Show and The Flintstones; as well as examples of the work of Warren Foster, John Dunn and Mike Maltese. The original copy master boards for many of the episodes of the original Ren & Stimpy show are available for viewing as well.
The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 9pm. The Archive is located at 2114 Burbank Bl in Burbank... just a few blocks East of Buena Vista. Admission is free, but a donation is requested to help support and expand the Archive Project.
Thanks to our sponsors for making this exhibit possible... The Walter Lantz Foundation, Sony Pictures Classics and The Animation Guild (MPSC Local 839). ¶ 4:37 PM
Last night a group of hardy ASIFA members braved the southern climate to attend an ASIFA volunteer meeting in Orange County at Laguna College of Art & Design.
Plans for upcoming events, such as Comic Con, were discussed. A good time was had by me I hope the rest can say the same. Strangely, more than half of the volunteers at this meeting were cureent or former students of mine (maybe not so straqnge since I do teach in Orange County and the Long Beach areas). One former student from my ROP animation program from way back in the late 90s.
Maybe my message about networking and volunteering is getting through. Or more likely the drive to Sherman Oaks for the Voice Actors persentation just proved to be too long for this group from the southland.
A big thank you to Aubry Mintz and the people at LCAD for their kindness. ¶ 7:56 AM
Art of Voice Acting Follow Up
The event tonight at the Van Eaton Gallery was an unqualified success. It was a sellout crowd, and June Foray and Corey Burton were in great form with lots of advice and wonderful stories. Even the audience was star-studded with John Kricfalusi, Darrell Van Citters, Martha Sigall and Mike Fontanelli in attendance. Everyone had a great time.
The next event at the Van Eaton Gallery will be featuring John Kricfalusi and special surprise guests discussing "When Cartoons Were Cartoony". It's scheduled for August. Don't miss it!
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive ¶ 1:05 AM
The next event at the Van Eaton Gallery will be featuring John Kricfalusi and special surprise guests discussing "When Cartoons Were Cartoony". It's scheduled for August. Don't miss it!
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive ¶ 1:05 AM
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
The other day I was talking, in these pages, about just how good the new DreamWorks short animation First Flight is. Looks like some of us will get to see it.
First Flight will screen in front of Over the Hedge in select New York and Los Angeles movie theaters, beginning on May 19, 2006
Thanks to Christian from animated-news ¶ 2:53 PM
First Flight will screen in front of Over the Hedge in select New York and Los Angeles movie theaters, beginning on May 19, 2006
Thanks to Christian from animated-news ¶ 2:53 PM
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
If you live in Orange or San Diego counties and are an ASIFA member who is not going to the great sounding Van Eaton Galleries event in Serman Oaks (see below) then maybe you might want to come on out for:
ASIFA Volunteers South
Wednesday, May 17th
Laguna College of Art & Design - Room 12 @ 7 PM
2222 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach, CA
Find out about getting into Comic Con and be part of the volunteer efferts of ASIFA without having to drive on the 5. ¶ 11:33 AM
ASIFA Volunteers South
Wednesday, May 17th
Laguna College of Art & Design - Room 12 @ 7 PM
2222 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach, CA
Find out about getting into Comic Con and be part of the volunteer efferts of ASIFA without having to drive on the 5. ¶ 11:33 AM
Over the Hedge Should Go Over the Top At Box Office.
DreamWorks Animation treated ASIFA to an advanced screening of Over the Hedge last night at the Writer`s Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. There were eats before and a panel of Directors and Animators after with a very enjoyable film experience in the middle.
Over the Hedge is a really enjoyable viewing experience. Some scenes are more than just enjoyable but I am not going to give any spoilers so let`s just say hyperactive squirrel on caffeine. Hedge almost completely avoids the twin pitfalls of; too many pop culture in jokes and celebrity voices for just the marquee value that has pledged other films.
Hedge should be a box office monster for DreamWorks. So much so that I have a word of warning for the directors and executives at DreamWorks, avoid the sequel temptation for just a little. Give us a couple of other movies first then return to these characters when you are fresh. They really deserve the extra care and will be better served by waiting. Saturday morning, maybe not.
The evening of film started with a wonderful short animation named First Flight and a trailer for Flushed Away.
Flight was everything a short animation should be; warm, funny, heartfelt. I am so pleased that studios are making shorts again. Some subjects don`t need a feature length and would suffer from the longer form. And how are animators going to learn their chops without short animation? I hope the powers that be decide to show First Flight with Hedge. I want to see this short a couple of more times before the award season.
As for Flushed Away, it looks really, really good. I was worried when Aardman went to CGI. But if we have learned anything in the past few years it is that story, not technique, make the difference between hit or miss. Looking forward to the latest form the storytellers at Aardman. ¶ 10:20 AM
DreamWorks Animation treated ASIFA to an advanced screening of Over the Hedge last night at the Writer`s Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. There were eats before and a panel of Directors and Animators after with a very enjoyable film experience in the middle.
Over the Hedge is a really enjoyable viewing experience. Some scenes are more than just enjoyable but I am not going to give any spoilers so let`s just say hyperactive squirrel on caffeine. Hedge almost completely avoids the twin pitfalls of; too many pop culture in jokes and celebrity voices for just the marquee value that has pledged other films.
Hedge should be a box office monster for DreamWorks. So much so that I have a word of warning for the directors and executives at DreamWorks, avoid the sequel temptation for just a little. Give us a couple of other movies first then return to these characters when you are fresh. They really deserve the extra care and will be better served by waiting. Saturday morning, maybe not.
The evening of film started with a wonderful short animation named First Flight and a trailer for Flushed Away.
Flight was everything a short animation should be; warm, funny, heartfelt. I am so pleased that studios are making shorts again. Some subjects don`t need a feature length and would suffer from the longer form. And how are animators going to learn their chops without short animation? I hope the powers that be decide to show First Flight with Hedge. I want to see this short a couple of more times before the award season.
As for Flushed Away, it looks really, really good. I was worried when Aardman went to CGI. But if we have learned anything in the past few years it is that story, not technique, make the difference between hit or miss. Looking forward to the latest form the storytellers at Aardman. ¶ 10:20 AM
Sunday, May 14, 2006
The Art of Voice Acting May 17th
On Wednesday, May 17th, Van Eaton Galleries will host a benefit for the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive: The Art of Voice Acting for Animation, featuring a conversation with June Foray and Corey Burton.
After the discussion, Burton and Foray will be signing original art featuring characters whose voices they've created, with a percentage of the sales of art sold that evening donated to the ASIFA Archives. The program starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and reservations are required. Seating is limited so people are encouraged to call soon! Tickets are $8 at the door for both members and non-members and all proceeds from ticket sales go to the Archive Project.
Van Eaton Galleries is located at 13613 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks. For reservations call (818) 788-2357. For more information see the... Art of Voice Acting Calendar Entry ¶ 5:38 PM
On Wednesday, May 17th, Van Eaton Galleries will host a benefit for the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive: The Art of Voice Acting for Animation, featuring a conversation with June Foray and Corey Burton.After the discussion, Burton and Foray will be signing original art featuring characters whose voices they've created, with a percentage of the sales of art sold that evening donated to the ASIFA Archives. The program starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and reservations are required. Seating is limited so people are encouraged to call soon! Tickets are $8 at the door for both members and non-members and all proceeds from ticket sales go to the Archive Project.
Van Eaton Galleries is located at 13613 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks. For reservations call (818) 788-2357. For more information see the... Art of Voice Acting Calendar Entry ¶ 5:38 PM
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Playing Well Together the Wave of the Future:
Lots of cross over projects. John Woo is directing a video game. Dora is exploring on game systems at a store near your.
No one just makes a movie or a TV show any more. There are tie-ins to every possible revenue source. I`m talking about Games my friend. Right here in River City and that starts with G and it rhymes P and that stands for a Giant payday.
The Gaming industry currently generates more revenue than the Movie industry. These are the facts, maybe not Mr. Well history, but non-the less true.
George Lucas has the right idea. All of his many parts of entertainment are all housed under one roof. Lucas Art is next to ILM and Lucas film. The effects for their games are being rendered on the same render farm that is working on Pirates of the Caribbean 2.
Look for the Lucas Arts Indiana Jones game coming out in summer 2007. Some of the core technology in this game is going to revolutionize film special effects and have great impact on CGI animation. AI my friends. They are taking us one step closer to the holo-deck. It is coming. And it is going to come from the people that know how to play well together.
Speaking of playing well together.
ASIFA Volunteers South
Wednesday, May 17th
Laguna College of Art & Design - Room 12 @ 7 PM
2222 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach, CA
There will be an ASIFA Volunteers meeting (South). We have a lot of members in Orange and San Diego counties but everything happens in LA. Some of us Orange people take the time to ride the 5 and some of us just can`t do it.
Guess what? The San Diego Comic Con happens in San Diego. So this is the perfect time to get the ASIFA members of the South (sounds like the War Between the States) together and plan for the event that happens is our backyard. We have lots of projects in the works, here is the chance to come out and be a part of ASIFA without having to spend an hour and a half on the 5 freeway.
Here are some more images from E3:
This is so cool the image is projected on a screen of vapor that people walk through to get to the booth.
Hand held and cel phones are becoming one.
An artist did a killer chalk drawing. The whole process was filmed and shown back in time laps
The Army was out is full force with their free recruiting game. If they get nomination what are they going to drive up to the Annies in, a tank? Anything is possible. I know they would come in uniform.
A big thanks to Ton Hanson, of Game Crazy, who helped me get the word out to the the gaming companies about ASIFA`s new gaming Annie Award.
¶ 1:33 AM
Lots of cross over projects. John Woo is directing a video game. Dora is exploring on game systems at a store near your.
No one just makes a movie or a TV show any more. There are tie-ins to every possible revenue source. I`m talking about Games my friend. Right here in River City and that starts with G and it rhymes P and that stands for a Giant payday.
The Gaming industry currently generates more revenue than the Movie industry. These are the facts, maybe not Mr. Well history, but non-the less true.
George Lucas has the right idea. All of his many parts of entertainment are all housed under one roof. Lucas Art is next to ILM and Lucas film. The effects for their games are being rendered on the same render farm that is working on Pirates of the Caribbean 2.
Look for the Lucas Arts Indiana Jones game coming out in summer 2007. Some of the core technology in this game is going to revolutionize film special effects and have great impact on CGI animation. AI my friends. They are taking us one step closer to the holo-deck. It is coming. And it is going to come from the people that know how to play well together.
Speaking of playing well together.
ASIFA Volunteers South
Wednesday, May 17th
Laguna College of Art & Design - Room 12 @ 7 PM
2222 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach, CA
There will be an ASIFA Volunteers meeting (South). We have a lot of members in Orange and San Diego counties but everything happens in LA. Some of us Orange people take the time to ride the 5 and some of us just can`t do it.
Guess what? The San Diego Comic Con happens in San Diego. So this is the perfect time to get the ASIFA members of the South (sounds like the War Between the States) together and plan for the event that happens is our backyard. We have lots of projects in the works, here is the chance to come out and be a part of ASIFA without having to spend an hour and a half on the 5 freeway.
Here are some more images from E3:
This is so cool the image is projected on a screen of vapor that people walk through to get to the booth.
Hand held and cel phones are becoming one.
An artist did a killer chalk drawing. The whole process was filmed and shown back in time laps
The Army was out is full force with their free recruiting game. If they get nomination what are they going to drive up to the Annies in, a tank? Anything is possible. I know they would come in uniform.
A big thanks to Ton Hanson, of Game Crazy, who helped me get the word out to the the gaming companies about ASIFA`s new gaming Annie Award.
¶ 1:33 AM
Friday, May 12, 2006
E3, the new E3, is a lot like the old E3. They have cut down a little on the booth babes, just a little. The noise levels are still shattering. There is still the club 54 elitist attitude from some companies, stand in line for 4 hours to see our new product that we have walled off from the convention because our`s doesn`t stink and we are so much better. . .
Okay, that is E3, old or new. But there are some things coming out of gaming that are going to shake the world of animation. CGI characters with Artificial Intelligence with reactions and mob actions that can give real a performance without human animation. Set them a task and the interact/react. What is that going to be like and who is going to get the Annie Award on that one?
Once more into the breach my friends! ¶ 6:09 AM
Okay, that is E3, old or new. But there are some things coming out of gaming that are going to shake the world of animation. CGI characters with Artificial Intelligence with reactions and mob actions that can give real a performance without human animation. Set them a task and the interact/react. What is that going to be like and who is going to get the Annie Award on that one?
Once more into the breach my friends! ¶ 6:09 AM
Thursday, May 11, 2006
