The Bad Guys

 Here we go: I finally caught Dreamworks' "The Bad Guys" on Blu-ray. While I didn't fall in love with it, The Bad Guys has some elements that I admire. Even with a healthy box office turnout, Comcast/Universal didn't waste much time putting the movie out online and out on disks. After the loosening of Covid lockdown guidelines, the movie has generated a good buzz. The end credits even mention that the film was made during "unprecedented times". After the disasters that started in 2020, "The Bad Guys" is a part of animation film history, now that I think about it. Without high speed internet, and Zoom meetings, effective animation production would have been on a much rougher road.

Mr. Wolf's driving puts Speed Racer to shame!

(copyright Dreamworks/Universal)

And it's far from being a dud: Bad Guys has likeable characters, homages to famous heist movies and yet, callbacks to classic Looney Tunes, and even some Anime'. I think my old supervisor on Ren and Stimpy would have called it "snapimation" in the way characters "pop" from pose to pose. Mr. Wolf stands up to some potentially lethal punishment with their crazy cartoon logic, and Bad Guys is also following the trend to work some traditional "2-D" elements added back into a 3D computer animated film. Animation director Pierre Perifel brings in smears, flat style designs with smoke and facial expressions. Some of the animation even reminds me of Osamu Tezuka , with the eyes, mouths and outrageous poses.The overall background design is based on a present day Los Angeles/So Cal environment, with a humorous, and even glowing, sort of romantic style.

 (copyright Dreamworks/Universal)

The Bad Guys universe is a world primarily populated by cartoon humans, with the stars being the only few "funny animal" characters. Mr. Wolf and his crew appear to be magical characters that have negative histories going back to mankind's earliest myths. Their ostracization seems to have contributed to their becoming bank robbers, and troublemakers in general, reveling in their revenge against decent society. The plot revolves around the characters' attempt to "go straight", and their own secret longings to be accepted by the outside world. Naturally, things go awry, in a fun, crazy way. And, of course, Mr. Wolf's life is complicated when his heart is touched by accidentally helping a little old lady, and then the attentions of a lovely young vixen, who also happens to be their state Governor.

(copyright Dreamworks/Universal)

On the downside, the film is very dialogue heavy. Feeling a bit jaded, I first watched BG with the directors' commentary on. Without the performance of the voice actors, the movie sort of just clicked and popped along. And being a tribute to Quentin Tarantino movies, the film depends quiet a bit on flashbacks, with healthy doses of exposition to explain events that occurred off camera.

(copyright Dreamworks/Universal)

But all in all, The Bad Guys is a nice break from our Covid, politics and war nightmares. Definitely worth checking out.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-04-25/bad-guys-los-angeles-animation-pierre-perifel

 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/806355508295247755/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8115900/

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Animation Department ranks among best in U.S.

Some good news from the Edinboro Universtiy Alumni Newsletter:

"Edinboro University animation program ranks among best in U.S."

(my photo from CTN Expo in Burbank CA)

My second old Alma Mater Edinboro made a mark in the Top 25 East Coast Animation Schools and Colleges for 2022, going up against heavy hitters such as School of Visual Arts, New York, New York and Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island. Edinboro is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Nice to know the 'Boro's is still slugging it out, in spite of the Covid lockdown, and the university being merged into the new Pennsylvania Western University with Clarion and California (PA) universities. While my career didn't go as far as distinguished alumni as Bill Waldman or David Filoni, I'm still grateful to Edinboro and the teachers there.

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/cal-u-clarion-edinboro-pennsylvania-western-university/

 https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-25-animation-schools-and-colleges-east-coast-2022-college-rankings?bbeml=tp-C46_VSp1tEOjDZGH79Bxrg.jHRPclhkYSkmX4fZFEa4tcA.ruNUcP2v3eEe6VooTH0KwzQ.lL5bAGYhnBU-JVBjexw41pQ

 https://www.edinboro.edu/news/edinboro-animation-ranking-2022.php?bbeml=tp-C46_VSp1tEOjDZGH79Bxrg.jHRPclhkYSkmX4fZFEa4tcA.ruNUcP2v3eEe6VooTH0KwzQ.ld5bES-qOg0KxyCl7z4_MOA

https://www.edinboro.edu/academics/schools-and-departments/cahss/departments/art/index.php

https://www.edinboro.edu/ 

Innovations in Animation - Part 4 - Gorillaz

Hello folks, this article has been giving me trouble for a while. I've been an on and off fan of the Gorillaz for some time, and they've seemed to have fallen off the pop culture radar. Their music and graphic style from the '90's is still interesting to me, but I've had trouble collecting info on the artists and writers on this unique and outrageous virtual band. Been working on this since the pandemic started, so it's kind of slopped out down below. Publishing it "as is" may provide the spur for me to tighten up my writing here. We'll see.

(original copyright Jamie Hewlett and "Zombie Flesh Eaters")

The virtual band members: Murdoc - bass, "2D" - vocals and keyboards, Noodles -guitar and vocals, and Russel - drums, percussion.

I first heard the Gorillaz while riding along in my sister's truck over the Holidays on a dark winter night years ago, as we rumbled over the snowy back roads in Amish country. "Dirty Harry" came on her truck's sound system, and I was delightfully haunted by the whole bizarre experience. 

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLnkQAeMbIM

 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6841646/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm

 

This track had an enticing trance-dance-pop feel, with some killer rap that came in to break the spell. Later, when I picked up their DVD debut album set, Gorillaz Phase One: Celebrity Take Down, I was struck by the graphic underground comics style of Jamie Hewlett, who created these four bizarre misfits, streetwise, sort of rough and tumble characters, resembling his character designs from his Tank Girl comics.

 

(Gorillaz Phase One: Celebrity Take Down features the animation of director Pete Candeland, Dave Antrobus, and Chris Hauge.)

 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0474700/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm

Who were these bizarre, even frightening characters? They seem to be some sort of gang, or part of some criminal underworld. Again, comic artist Jamie Hewlett oversaw the dark, sinister stylized limited animation, with some 3D CG elements, mostly backgrounds or characters with vehicles.

 

Blank eyes, bad teeth, and some character designs that flirt with racial stereotypes. There's some demonic possession too. But they were also politically aware in a sardonic, but progressive way, and technologically adept as well. Just what EMI, Parlophone, ‎Virgin‎ and later ‎Warner needed to present what is essentially Damon Albarn's studio band work, with rotating members who provided the real music. Sort in method that was used by the Archies, or the Monkees. And yet, their music has polished, professional level of production quality that gives the Gorillaz a successful multi-media foundation.

Musician: Damon Albarn

Artist: Jamie Hewlett

Passion Pictures, animation studio for the Clint Eastwood video

 https://www.passion-pictures.com/project/gorillaz-clint-eastwood/

https://aminoapps.com/c/gorillaz/page/blog/the-evolution-of-gorillaz-art-and-music-videos/MQ1o_7XpckugKn4DeGEYqek83gr6omgMkga 

 But, to sum up: It's good, "clean" dirty fun. The Gorillaz give me a chance to be a vicarious hoodlum. From time to time.

 

(Tank Girl original copyright
Jamie Hewlett - Dark Horse Comics)

Visual Effects Nominees Spotlight | 93rd Oscars VFX Bake-off Apr 21, 2021

Hello blog, 2022 has been off to a slow start for me with my duties in a new position at the Animation Guild, and the restrictions of the continuing Covid pandemic. https://animationguild.org/ Still coping with losses in the family, and the shut down of our Computer Lab. Trying to get my rest, and searching for some new inspiration. Will try to catch the Oscars, as well as the Annie Awards coming soon. Forward! https://annieawards.org/

Animateducated Blogcast 002

Animated Educated is a great channel. It gives animation students and fans access to great experience, and the backgrounds and insights of very talented guests. I've been lucky to work with Jim Richardson back during my time at Woodbury University's animation department.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPETaABtv6Un8YMQ4d0Y57w

Animated Holiday Characters And Their Pets

Well, it's time for more musings on Christmas animation as the Holidays close in. In our most beloved Holiday TV Specials and movies, I've finally paid more attention to the ways the main characters usually seem to have a special dog, or some other unique animal companion involved in their story. Most recently, Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas comes to mind, with his poltergeist pooch buddy, Zero. Naturally, Zero leads the reindeer team through through the fog with his glowing pumpkin nose.

(copyright Disney)

 

Rudolph doesn't really fit in this article, since he was ostracized very early on. He didn't become buds with Ol' Saint Nick until much later, when Santa finally appreciated his talents very late in the game. Once in a blue moon, Santa's reindeer do get some comments in, now and then, but they are still basically treated as beasts of burden.

https://animationre-creation.blogspot.com/2021/08/ed-asner.html

Even The Grinch, with his hostility towards Christmas, and just about the entire world in general, still had his friendly and faithful canine companion Max. Since Chuck Jones portrays The Grinch as this cranky, and even somewhat tragic character, the fact that he keeps Max around proves that The Grinch is not a complete monster.

(original copyright Chuck Jones/MGM, now Turner-Time Warner)

 

A bigger leap occurred when Frosty the Snowman was assisted by the cute magician's rabbit, "Hocus Pocus". This new companion, and fellow traveler seemed to be a writer's contrivance, but a good one. The "mystically challenged" magician, Professor Hinkle, throws away his top hat when his magic act for the schoolkids goes wrong. Hocus hops away with the Hat to where the kids have built Frosty, and Karen places The Hat on Frosty's head. After seeing the Hat bring Frosty to life, Professor Hinkle grabs it back when he realizes that the old top hat can actually generate real magic. (The Hat seemed to have some built-in moral compass that resisted Hinkle's selfish motives, but I'm being pedantic here.)

 

Fortunately, with a sneaky, but clever bit of subterfuge, Hocus returns the Hat to Karen to let her restore Frosty back to life. Hocus is the key player in Frosty's origin, but then allows himself to become somewhat overlooked. It's clear that Hinkle and Hocus didn't have a good relationship at the start, so the rabbit is more than happy to join Frosty and Karen on their adventure. Since Frosty is almost a blank slate in this TV special, he comes to rely quite a bit on Hocus for guidance to save Karen while on his journey to the North Pole.

 

(original copyright Rankin/Bass)

 

As characters for the very young viewers to relate to, all the dogs, rabbits and even a penguin become helpers, comrades, and witnesses to the main characters' actions and feelings. They also offer clues and inspiration to the main characters, sometimes accidentally; as with Max landing in the snow, and popping up looking like Santa to give The Grinch his perfectly, wonderfully, awful idea.

Which leads us to the heart of this article:

Scrooge had no dog.

 

After being stranded alone for the Holidays due to Covid last year, the corrosive effects of isolation became painfully apparent for me. No one should be alone, especially during the Holidays. It's a wonder there aren't more Scrooges in the world, and I've seen how becoming like Scrooge can happen all too easily. The usual unreasonable social and emotional expectations of the season are tough enough. In the meantime, let's hear it for those magical fuzzy buddies who are always there to bail us out!

https://animationre-creation.blogspot.com/search?q=buddies

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp5zCUjjgYU

Animation Studios Use Game Engines for Production

 This relatively new area of using game engines to render is uncharted territory for me. I experimented with Unity and Maya a couple of years ago, but now Unreal Engine seems to be the leader in game engine technology. I'm not sure if, or how a game engine station will take the place of a render farm. I'm trying to study this procedure, but it has been tough after over a year of lockdown with no clear signs of life returning back to normal.

All I have is the links to the articles down below. I'm still trying to learn about what output settings the studios are using to get finished footage on the air. Or onto streaming, as the case may be.

I'll try to update this asap.

https://kidscreen.com/2020/08/10/why-animation-is-leaning-into-real-time-tech/

 https://postpace.io/blog/using-game-engines-for-cinematography-and-film-production/ 

https://usv.edu/blog/using-gaming-engines-to-make-feature-films/

Paul Coker, Jr. - Rankin/Bass Christmas TV Specials

 Time for sentimental, Holiday trivia again. And to offer some distraction from the pandemic. Only this time, on Black Friday, the networks slammed us with three classic Holiday specials at the same time: Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, and of course, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Plus, the Minions brought some of their new samples of Holiday havoc after The Grinch.

Good Grief!

That reminds me, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will not be broadcast over regular TV or cable this year. That may become another rant soon. As usual, the networks didn't waste any time trying to get viewers in a festive Holiday mood. I suppose it's good to introduce these shows to a new generation, especially with the strain and heartbreak of the lock-down. But for me, it was still too soon to watch these shows, with the obvious situation of the networks competing against each other for TV ratings and ad time. Looks like I'm in grumpy old man mode again.

(original copyright Rankin/Bass)

Getting back to my rant, it struck me as I was flicking back 'n' forth between channels, I finally noticed there were two Rankin/Bass Christmas TV Specials up against each other; the stop motion "Santa" (1970) and traditional hand-drawn "Frosty" (1969). Even with the advantage of experience, I still fell under the rosy spell of the old Rankin/Bass universe. Charming, whimsical characters that bordered on the fantastic, even bizarre, especially the stop-mo Santa film. What was in their style that kept viewers glued to the screen after all these years?

 

(original copyright Rankin/Bass) 

Of course, the Secret Ingredient: artist Paul Coker, Jr.!

Coker was the artist and designer that gave the Rankin/Bass Specials that quirky, off balance, yet lovable look. According lambiek.net, Coker started out as an artist for the Hallmark greeting card company. He also found work cartooning for magazines such as Esquire and Good Housekeeping, and even Playboy. This work got him the notice of Mad Magazine where he developed his own characters and acidic movie parodies. From there, Coker was hired by Arthur Rankin Jr., which pretty much set the tone and style of their beloved Holiday specials through the 1970's.

https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/coker_jr_paul.htm

 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170082/

http://www.theculturecache.com/the-awkward-magic-of-rankin-bass-holiday-specials.html

Since their original broadcasts, the Rankin/Bass specials have become the targets of parodies both in tribute, and out of nastiness. The writer of the culturecache.com article completely overlooks Coker's influence when she mentions the designs and proportions of the Rankin/Bass characters. The nature of animation, plus the pressures of TV production do lead to artwork that looks off kilter, forgettable and many times, unappealing. Especially nowadays, the charm and daring of character designs like Coker's could be bulldozed under completely. Like many animation artists, Paul is modest, and works in relative obscurity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kvTGHZwv0g

But like benign ghosts from Christmases past, these old friends shake off the dust, and are brought down from the shelves. It's kind of the way distant relatives drop by, or the way old decorations are brought down from the attic. They may still bring us some magic, and maybe some comfort as we limp through probably one of the grimmest Holiday seasons since WWII. But when it comes to imagine and appeal, here's to Paul Coker, Jr.!

https://www.comicbooksdallas.com/paul-coker-jr-special-guest-artist-mad-magazine-rankinbass

Covid Lock Down Art

 Well, I've fallen behind on my Innovations in Animation articles for my blog. But here's a side project I did to help with morale in my neighborhood during the Covid-19 lock-down this year. These painting were done on bathroom tile for a community art project set up by a neighbor a couple of streets over from my place. It was fun, if a little weird. My neighbors put some heart and soul into this display to cope with the crisis brought on by our worse than worthless administration.

Toluca Lake resident Rick Garman let us place our art in the flowerbed in front of his building. Part of the challenge was making the art waterproof to stand up to the lawn sprinklers. This was my final entry. I call this one "The Show Must Go On!" It was meant originally for Halloween, but it took longer than I thought, so I adapted it for the celebrations we needed after the election. And hopefully when we bring the Covid outbreak under control. Toluca Lake Magazine has a nice article here:

https://tolucalake.com/2020/05/spreading-happiness-one-tile-at-a-time/

 

(artwork copyright various neighborhood artists)

And of course there were a few rules-

So far, I think the reaction has been positive. One of my pieces was either taken, or thrown away. I'd like to think someone enjoyed so much that they swiped it, even though it ticks me off a bit if they did. At least I made something worth taking! I didn't think this one was that good.

"Quiet cabin in the woods." We missed out on it this summer.

A couple months later this summer, someone did a curation, and lifted some tiles to a more notable place above the flowerbed: A couple of my pieces were "Ride the Dragon" and "Masked Heroes".

(artwork copyright various neighborhood artists)

 

(Rocket and Groot copyright Marvel/Disney. 

All other artwork copyright various neighborhood artists) 

Had fun with this guy. Dragons were on my mind this year, even though it's the Year of the Rat.

(Rocket and Groot copyright Marvel/Disney)

I have to admit, I got a bit carried away with this over the summer. I think I put in 8 or 9 pieces! But I wanted to pay tribute to the front line workers whose jobs have been made more difficult due to the pandemic. My curse for cuteness and whimsy dulls down the message a little bit.

Of course, there's the mask message. I'm still infuriated with neighbors who still think the virus is not a hazard, or that wearing a mask is a big infringement on their rights. I guess they don't wear seat belts either. I'm old enough to remember when that was a big issue!

On top of the Covid-19 crisis, we had another brutally hot summer, more record setting forest fires across the west, and unprecedented civil unrest due to police violence nationwide. Besides following the rules of the lock-down, these pieces were the least I could contribute. I'm very grateful to Rick Garman for this opportunity to let me present my art. We all need to pause, and appreciate small acts of kindness in the face of all this suffering and loss. As we head towards a shaky Holiday season, I hope these little bon-bons helped brighten someone's day.

Spidey's mask covers his entire face, so I guess he's okay.

 

(Starting top clockwise, art copyright Lucasfilm/Disney, DC comics, Time/Warner and Marvel/Disney)

SIGGRAPH 2021 - UPDATES

 

(copyright Siggraph)

 https://s2021.siggraph.org/

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, SIGGRAPH 2021 will be held as a virtual-only event.

https://s2021.siggraph.org/about-the-conference/ 

 The conference was originally scheduled to take place 1–5 August at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I can't help but see the wisdom of erring on the side of caution.

Technology enables us, and encapsulates us at the same time. Humanity can cope with disasters, but the nature of media in general still calls for people getting together in general. Hopefully, after we find some positive resolution to the Covid crisis, my concern is a that the technology owners will have and even tighter control over us. 

More independent contractors and less employees with health and retirement benefits. Personally, I've tried to keep home and work environments separate. Those days may be over, at least for the current, and upcoming generation of animators and digital artists.

Entertainment in the Pandemic Age

From LinkedIn contact Jay Francis: It looks like Disney is able to look ahead, and Disney Plus is getting the lion's share of the Mouse's resources.

In other words - Covid-19 is not going away. At least not anytime soon.

This is still a gamble for Disney since the Covid-19 lock down has kneecapped their usual moneymakers: theme parks, cruises and movie theater attendance. But on the surface, this shift makes sense.

 https://www.fastcompany.com/90566231/disney-plus-streaming-covid-19?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss?cid=search

  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/business/media/disney-streaming-reorganization.html?auth=login-google

 https://theconversation.com/no-blockbusters-how-covid-19-has-worsened-the-fraught-relationship-between-cinemas-and-distributors-147622 

 So, after voting in this vital election, keep your masks clean, and keep that popcorn popping as you curl up with your favorite media device this winter.

Innovations in Animation - Part 1 - "Twice upon a Time"

With 2020 coming to a close, and to deal with the stress of being shut in, I've started on my list of the most innovative animated films through time.  I'm tired of the year end "top ten" countdowns, so this list will be in no particular order, and having no ranking as far as popularity, but as landmarks that influenced the animation business in regard to new techniques and execution. 

The problems of 2020 will carry over well into 2021, and probably longer, so I want to focus on the achievements of the past, and discuss how technology, business, and the Covid pandemic will shape animation as time goes on. The game has certainly changed with Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon streaming entertainment over the internet.

(copyright Warner Archives)

 My first pick is John Korty's quirky but subtle "Twice upon a Time". I finally broke down, and bought the DVD after watching the film for years on a bleary, old VHS tape.

Where executive producer George Lucas stumbled on the "Howard the Duck" and "Willow" features, Twice upon a Time is definitely a unique film. Directed by Korty in a painstakingly difficult backlit, cut-out style called Lumage, I can see why Twice Upon A Time had trouble finding an audience. Even though it's not a blu-ray, the DVD is a cut above my old VHS copy. Korty was assisted by Charles Swenson and stop motion genius, Henry Selick. (Coraline, Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach).

Twice upon a Time is a fun, underdog story of misfits becoming heroes with Ralph, the shape-changing "All Purpose Animal" and his friend Mumford, a flighty, distractable mime. Lorenzo Music, voice of Garfield the Cat, stars as Ralph, while Mumford is "voiced" only by some original, interesting sound effects. Twice Upon A Time is also chock full of some eye opening visual designs that became obscured on my old tape over time, some of which are not suited for younger children. 

The film had trouble finding its niche. College age test audiences were put off by the cute, frilly layouts of the good guys' world, "Frivoli", where sweet dreams are created for regular human beings rushing about in a black and white world called Din. The villain, "Synonamess Botch", lives in a dark, twisted Hollywood-type dimension called "The Murkworks" where nightmares are created from the screams of Botch's victims. 

The background artists make the villain's world much more engaging with backlit art and some diabolical collages from photographs both mundane and suggestive. The heroes are tricked into helping Botch take control of the Cosmic Clock, by which the villain hopes to control time itself, and subject the "Rushers of Din" to endless, eternal nightmares. Ralph and Mumford get "help" from some whimsical comrades they meet along the way, including a cynical, smart-mouthed Fairy Godmother ("FGM") who guides the heroes with her version of "tough love".

The commentary with Director John Korty and company is a nice recounting of their battle to create this unusual film, and their stories behind the subtle technical achievements they devised to pull off some remarkable effects. Korty and his team used original cut-out art, black and white photography, and water tank effects to create a surreal world where we normal humans are oblivious to the magic going on all around us.

The choice of audio tracks is also a nice feature, although I still prefer John Korty's original witty dialogue over the cruder, profane tracks that were snuck in the last minute. Overall, Twice Upon A Time is nice little gem for animation fans seeking something besides the usual Disney/Pixar releases.  

Twice upon a Time, definitely worth checking out!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086489/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast