While USA TODAY is often criticized for being written at a fifth-grade reading level, the intelligence of its reporters is apparently at an even lower level. In this ARTICLE about DreamWorks Animation's decision to spin off into a separate publicly traded company, there's this gem of a line: "The SEC filing gives the public a first thorough look at the finances of the biggest part of the privately held company famous for computer-animated hits including SHREK, ANTZ and CHICKEN RUN." Tomorrow USA TODAY is publishing a piece on the third quarter financial results of McDonald's, or as they like to call it, "That fried chicken restaurant." But that's nothing compared to their story next week about Apple Computer and how the company revolutionized the world with its Windows software.
(Thanks to Fred Patten for the tip)
As expected, the attendence and enormity of this Comic-Con is overwhelming.
Yesterday I enjoyed Mark Evanier's panel featuring Golden Age and Silver Age artists, writers and editors, then sat in on an intriguing panel about the origins of the San Diego Comic-Con itself, caught a few minutes of the FREAKS & GEEKS panel, and attended a panel on the origins of anime in the U.S. - but I blew everything else off my schedule later that day to explore the twelve-acre dealers' room. Stuart Ng's book booth is a jaw-dropper. If you are at the Con and reading this, find booth #1030 for an incredible collection of rare books of interest to cartoon and comic art fans.
Sensory overload has already set in. Today I interview Sid Jacobson (Harvey Comics) and sit in on a panel tribute to Bob Clampett. More when I get back on Monday.
I have no powerbook and no digital camera... but I'm on my way to the San Diego Comic Con this morning and have no idea when or if I can blog from there. Hopefully they have an internet cafe nearby or a "business center" in my hotel. That is, if I can get away from all the panels, dealers room, parties and dinners I have planned. If you are coming to the con, hopefully we'll run into you somewhere. Here are Jerry's plans and Amid's plans - feel free to tell us how much you like Cartoon Brew (we need the encouragement) and have a great weekend!
On Tuesday Septemer 7th, John will present a retrospective of classic Spumco - including "director's cuts" of some of his most infamous Ren & Stimpy and Mighty Mouse cartoons. John will explain the painful process of working with network executives, explain in-jokes and answer audience questions.
On Wednesday night September 8th, John will introduce and discuss the classic Hollywood cartoons that have influenced him and his work. This will include many surprising choices, including animated films from Lantz, Terry, Avery, Jones, Fleischer and of course a heaping dose of Clampett.
I will have more information about these two evenings of animated bliss as we get closer. I just wanted you to mark the dates on your calender now. It's going to be fun!
The admission is $5., they will also be running a 35mm print of the Our Gang short BORED OF EDUCATION (1936) and the feature film, ANTHONY ADVERSE (1936).
They say the showtime is 7:30pm, but they usually run the feature at that time. They run the shorts prior to that, so if you are coming, I urge you to be there by 6:45pm. For more info on this program, go here. And I'll see you there Monday night.
In an age where computer-generated this and special effects that are within the reach of anyone who can afford a copy of Final Cut Pro, it takes real restraint, not to mention confidence, to stick with a simple idea, simply executed.
It's also interesting to note that Ferro comes from an animation background. He started working at New York animation studios in the early-Fifties at shops like Elektra, Academy, and Gifford Kim, as well as starting his own outfit Ferro, Mogubgub & Schwartz. Ferro credits his animation training for teaching him the value of each individual frame, a concept which became crucial when he began developing his quick-cut techniques. Here's an ARTICLE by Steven Heller examining Ferro's career and here is Ferro's own WEBSITE which is packed with film clips and articles.
The wildly talented Ed Bell now has his own website at EdBell.net. Ed's been working in animation since the days of Bakshi's MIGHTY MOUSE: THE NEW ADVENTURES, and in the past few years he's been up north directing some fine commercials for Wild Brain (Wrigley's "Urban Hip Hopper," Sprite's "Voltron," and Nike's "Playa's Delight") as well as directing the Emmy-nominated live-action documentary UNCHAINED MEMORIES (HBO). If you want to experience more of his artistry, Ed's going to debut a sketchbook in San Diego - a 64-page collection of sketches called GIRL BOOGIE which will be available exclusively at the Maverix Studios booth (D1/D2 inbetween rows 600 and 700). Maverix is a Bay Area collective of animation/comic book artists so show them some love while down in SD.
The fun starts in two days...
Howard Green at Disney sent us this update on THE INCREDIBLES panel:
Pixar Animation Studios offers a sneak peek at its much-anticipated new computer-animated feature, "The Incredibles" (coming from Walt Disney Pictures on November 5th), as it spotlights the career and creative genius of Brad Bird.Join Brad ("The Iron Giant"), producer John Walker, and moderator Mark Cotta Vaz (author of The Art of Finding Nemo, etc.) as they discuss the filmmaking process and present the World Premiere of a scene from the film, along with other surprises. Those attending this presentation will receive an exclusive Comic-Con poster for "The Incredibles" designed by the legendary Mike Mignola. Mike and Brad will be on hand for a special limited signing immediately following the program. Other giveaway items too for those in attendance.
Here's Badly Drawn Boy's "The Year of the Rat" music video as directed by Canadian animator Monkmus. I wasn't familiar with Monkmus' work, but a quick search on-line reveals that he's represented by Klasky Csupo's commercial division ka-chew! You can see more examples of his work HERE. Pleasant and appealing work if not particularly groundbreaking.
Animators can download entry forms on nicktoons.com starting today and entries will be accepted through Sept. 10. Submissions should be "animated shorts no longer than 7 minutes that combine a unique look, great character designs and a funny plot."
A selection of shorts chosen by a pre-selection jury will broadcast on
Nicktoons as part of a 13-episode compilation series launching this fall. One winner will be chosen by a grand jury and awarded a $10,000. prize.
What, you say you're still not sick of SD Con news and want more? On Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1-2 pm and on Sunday from 3:30-4:30 pm, Gary Baseman will be signing copies of his new book DUMB LUCK at the Chronicle Books booth (#1360). Sunday, at the Dark Horse booth (#2715), Tim Biskup will be signing copies of his new book 100 PAINTINGS from 3-3:30 pm. And on Saturday you can kill two birds with one stone and get both Baseman and Biskup at the Super 7 booth (#4623) from 2-3 pm. Super 7's Neo-Kaiju Project signing will also include Seonna Hong and Todd & Kathy Schorr.
"Ren and Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon," which hasn't aired a new episode in over a year, will finally resume first-run installments on Friday, August 20 at 12:00pm on Spike TV.
The Television Critics Association meets twice a year in LA to screen new TV shows in advance and meet the stars involved. Aaron Barnhart at TV BARN writes about the presentation on NBC's FATHER OF THE PRIDE:
The late Gene Siskel used to follow a rule of thumb when judging a bad movie: Would he rather watch a documentary with the filmmakers talking about their movie?I thought of that last weekend when NBC had us watch a screening of “Father of the Pride.” This is the network’s other new sitcom, the one not spun off from “Friends.” It features computer-generated likenesses of the Las Vegas animal tamers Siegfried and Roy interacting with the family of animated lions who live behind their hotel. I sat in the second row, directly behind Carl Reiner, the legendary comedian who voices one of the lions. Reiner roared on the screen and in his seat. His enthusiasm, and that of his co-stars, made up for the critics, most of whom sat through the screening stone-faced.
Afterward, the cast assembled on stage and was about to take questions when Reiner, who had a wedding to get to, stood up and yelled into his clip mike, “I’m going to take that as an opportunity to say everything I want to say!”
So he interviewed himself. “The question was asked many times before: ‘Why are you doing this?’ You know, I’m 83 years old. Why do I have to bother? … I have a feeling this is historic for television. If anybody disagrees with me here, you’re wrong!”
As Reiner stepped off stage, John Goodman, who voices another lion, stood up and declared, “I have a bris that I’m late for." But Goodman stayed. Squeezed into his chair, he mugged and shrugged and got big laughs from the critics. I know I wasn’t the only one wishing someone would televise him instead of “Father of the Pride.” (As it turns out, he’s also starring in a non-animated CBS comedy called, confusingly enough, “Center of the Universe.”)
Later that day Keith Marder, an affable publicist at the WB network who also moonlights as a joke writer, joked “Who’s going to watch Siegfried & Roy? The tigers don’t even like them anymore.”
The short version (30 seconds) of this film was a "Best Animation" finalist in MoveOn.org's "Bush in 30 Seconds" contest. This new full-length version is packed with the same Max Fleisher, Chuck Jones and Charlie Chaplin inspiration and style.
Neely and Saunders will be at the comic con this week, selling the cartoon on dvd ($6 to cover the production costs) and giving away posters at booth #1620.
Here's one more: Stephen Silver will be selling his book The Art of Silver at his booth #2202 - and will be doing a slideshow lecture THE ART OF SILVER: ANIMATION CHARACTER DESIGN on Thursday, July 22 from 1-2:30pm in Room 7B. He's one of the best, so this should be a great lecture.
While there I ran into another cool "cat", Cynthia Petrovic, the creator of RED TANGO, a product line based on her designs, and the webmaster of Tangoland.com. I've written about Petrovic before, she's an ex-Disney, ex-Klasky (and ex-other studios) animator, artist & hyphenate who decided to create her own business, based on her own ideas and art. And she's succeeding at it. Her website is a lot of fun and her products are neat. In an era when character animators are scrambling to find a position, Petrovic has used her head and found a nice niche for her ample talents.
BREW Co-editor Jerry Beck has two more comic con highlights to plug:
Needless to say, there are literally too many things of interest for fans of animation, comic books and motion pictures at this mega-event. My head is already spinning...