Responsiquences

Just a made up word, but I want to get credit for it here. Responsiquences: "The result of not anticipating the outcome of one's actions."

Star Wars - The Force Awakens - Chewy, we're home!

"Chewy, we're home!"

(copyright Disney/Lucasfilm)

Don't let us down guys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngElkyQ6Rhs

Carbonmade

Not sure about this site.

I was helping someone try to set up a portfolio page at the lab. I managed to throw a page together with my cute stuff:

https://eagleone.carbonmade.com/projects/5586801#1

I was able to setup a basic account, but my friend kept having problems:

Carbonmade would not let her sign in after setting up an account. The buttons on the site literally stopped working.

Will try to do more on Monday.

Symbicort Grandpa Wolf by ffake Animation

I wondered who did this TV ad. It was ffake Animation up in Portland.

 http://web.ffake.com/ 

The  animation is nifty, and the characters have a lot of classic appeal, even though the meds they are promoting seem kind of gruesome.

Symbicort Grandpa from FFAKE Animation on Vimeo.

https://vimeo.com/106622307

Hawkman vs. Daredevil

This is a lot tougher than I thought. Really got to tip my hat to Ross over at http://braveandboldlost.blogspot.com/

(art copyright Marvel/Disney and DC/Time-Warner)

This was bashed together from low rez jpegs of Daredevil #20 and Hawkman #4.

Now I know.

salute!

Charlie Hebdo

 First of all, these cartoonists should NOT have been murdered.

Period.

These events have challenged me once again to live up to the quote Voltaire is credited for: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." It's tempting to say that the Charlie Hebdo artists and editors were "asking for it". But if they were censored, then where would it stop? I learned the hard way what happens when you don't stand up to bullies, and failing to do so means living in fear and self-censorship. Life with religious extremists has always been par for the course. Unfortunately, so many extremists have easy access to war materiel these days.

From what little I have seen of the Charlie Hebdo cartoons, personally I  don't think their work was really any good. Their cartoons are cheap, hostile, vulgar, and promote the same old stereotypes. But again, this does not sanctify murder. Works like Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ" turned me off, but it wasn't enough to drive me to violence.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piss_Christ

I don't have time to play into someone else's game. We need to grow up, and laugh off the drunks at the party, and walk past the garbage lying in the gutter. IMHO. And have the confidence in the things we believe to be sacred, and not freak out, no matter what others say.

Personally, if work in comics, or any other medium is going to be provocative, (hey, what work isn't?) then the creators should be able to take legitimate criticism, but not a hail of bullets. And in my opinion, artwork should have some educational, or at least uplifting undertone. Right wing groups in the U.S. publish and broadcast very hostile and denigrating material, and claim that it's their 1st Amendment right. To me, this still borders on yelling "FIRE" in a crowded movie house, but that's a discussion for another day.

I don't know which Muslim or Arabic publications make some sort of editorial response to magazines like Charlie Hebdo. They also have a right to heard, and be the voices of reason in those cultures. Spiegelman on Democracy Now! stated that  the Charlie Hebdo cartoons afflict the already afflicted.

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/1/11/france-unity-rally.html 


http://america.aljazeera.com/topics/topic/event/Charlie-Hebdo-attack.html

But in the case of today's assaults, this shouldn't mean you have to turn your studio into an armed bunker. The worst thing to happen is someone getting sued if the courts decide that their statements are slanderous. (or, down on the street level, when you dare someone to take a swing at your chin, you had better be ready to defend yourself. But men of honor will fight only with their fists, right?)

 

 (art copyright Art Spiegelman)

We live in an age where violent action and deadly force is becoming more and more the first course of action. Someone will always lash out in the name of ___. It's safe to say this will never be settled.

Thanks for reading my thoughts. Check out Art Spiegelman on Democracy Now! on KPFK. 

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/1/8/comics_legend_art_spiegelman_scholar_tariq 

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/1/8/scholar_tariq_ramadan_harpers_rick_macarthur

Warning: Some viewers will find these links offensive.

https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/carloslatuffs-cartoon-suggestion-for-charlie_hebdo_-turning-islamophobia-into-freedom-of-speech-in-europe/

 https://prod01-cdn02.cdn.firstlook.org/wp-uploads/sites/1/2015/01/Charlie-Hebdo-attack-Altagreer-ENGLISH.png

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-no-2-man-on-al-qaeda%E2%80%99s-hit-list-is-not-in-hiding-after-paris-attack-he%E2%80%99s-selling-french-fries-in-florida/ar-AA82VS5?ocid=mailsignout

Charlie Hebdo Attack in Paris

Will try to get more info asap. I don't want to go off half cocked on this. But what a way for artists to start off 2015.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/07/paris-terror-attack-huge-manhunt-under-way

http://abcnews.go.com/International/deadly-shooting-reported-french-satirical-newspaper-office/story?id=28050771

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/world/europe/charlie-hebdo-paris-shooting.html?_r=0

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-magazine-attack/charlie-hebdo-shooting-12-killed-muhammad-cartoons-magazine-paris-n281266

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30710883

http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-attack-on-cartoonists.html

Charlie Brown Christmas 2014

Christmas comes and goes faster and faster.

(Peanuts copyright Charles M. Schulz, United Feature Syndicate, plywood cutouts by Mom and Dad, made in 1965)

 

No snow this Christmas, but I found some big changes on the home front.

May be in for it in 2015.

Salut.

KR.

Wander over Yonder - the Gift

I guess I'm projecting too much of my own ideas onto Wander over Yonder. They could have had a real cliff hanger with Sylvia seriously considering getting back together with Ryder.
Spoiler Alert!

Disney might have added more depth if Ryder did have some redeeming values, instead of being a selfish jerk. The "B" story could have been Wander's comical attempts at being the tough guy to win Sylvia back. Wander could have teamed up with the giant space slug that was sneaking up behind him to eat him.

(art copyright Disney)

But we have learned more about Sylvia, after seeing "The Rider" episode. She was turning into quite an outlaw after leaving her relatively happy world of Marshfalaffle Apple Meadow. But being with Wander let's her share in his magic, and so she can tolerate most of his goofy antics. For instance, being decorated with jingle bells as they deliver gifts throughout the galaxy.

Wander is still a mystery, and maybe he should be left that way.

It leaves some things to the viewers imagination, and makes the show more fun.

Happy Holidays folks, I'm still trying to get into the spirit out here.

http://youtu.be/1Ji0f869QlU

How Thanos stole Christmas (Not the Grinch) - Part I

Another guilty pleasure. This scene was set up by my friend Trell at the Animation Guild in Burbank. You can check out his cool goodies at 

http://www.jupeykrusho.com

http://jupeykrusho.blogspot.com

Trell deserves the credit. But this scenario could be totally insane: It would take the Avengers, Warlock, Captain Mar-Vell, the Defenders and Spider-Man to handle this crisis. Okay, and the X-Men and S.H.I.E.L.D. too.

(And it would probably have a cameo by Stan Lee as well.)

(Thanos created by Jim Starlin, copyright Marvel/Disney, scene set up by Trell, photo by me, Christmas copyright of Jesus)

Thanos would have no little dog Max to serve as a moral compass, or as a witness to his Holiday perfidy. Instead, Pip the Troll would probably be his unwilling servant. (Pip would be perfect as second banana with his smart remarks and stinky cigars.)

Will Thanos destroy Whoville? Would he incinerate little Cindy-Lou Who? Does he even enjoy "roast beast"? Hey, I'm just trying to get in the Holiday spirit here. It's been so hot and dry in southern Cal. Stay tuned!

Click button for Spoiler

In the end, it's Santa who gains the Infinity Gauntlet, and puts everything back to normal.

Big Hero 6

Finally saw Big Hero 6, so I'm not going to worry about spoilers here.

(art copyright Disney)

It's been a crazy autumn, so I'll be commenting and updating on this article, and others as I update this blog.

Update: When I get a chance before the Holidays.

Update: 12-29-14, okay, I'll say the film is the Iron Giant meets the Incredibles.
Troubled kid meets special robot, and overcomes adversity. I appreciated the work and design that went into Big Hero 6. But the formula of the plot wouldn't let me fall in love with the film.

Teachers as Performers NPR

This a bit off the track, but I agree with the premise: While we need rubrics and learning outcomes, students also need the intangibles.

http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=343729767

I would quietly quote Mr. Incredible to myself before I would walk in the classroom:

 (copyright Pixar/Disney)

"It's Showtime!"

President Obama supports net neutrality

With such a pro-corporate bias in Washington, it's amazing that President Obama is taking a stand on net neutrality. But I applaud him on this, since he's been too eager to give in on so many other issues.

Craig Aaron's talk on KPFK's Uprising with Sonali Kolhatkar caught my ear; I think he outlined the situation very clearly.

Sonali Kolhatkar

Sonali Kolhatkar

Sonali Kolhatkar

Sonali Kolhatkar

Sonali Kolhatkar

 

http://uprisingradio.org/home/2014/11/11/obama-pleasantly-susprises-progressives-for-once-on-net-neutrality/

Our society depends so much on phones, electricity, radio and TV, the premise of not reclassifying the internet as a Title II telecommunications service seems extremely unfair. And kind of absurd. Especially with the media mergers like the Comcast/Time-Warner deal still in the works.

http://deadline.com/2014/11/writers-guild-obama-net-neutrality-protect-free-speech-1201280513/

One thing that puzzles me is how they expect us to buy stuff online if our connections are slow. It would take forever to see the merchandise!

http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/better-net.html

The FCC's Chairman Tom Wheeler is still basically in favor of a two tiered system; "big pipes" for corporations who can afford to pay more...

And let the rest of us eat cake...

Time to keep calling your senators on this! And Tom Wheeler as well.
http://act.freepress.net/letter/internet_fcc_nprm_oliver/?source=faq

 (my pinwheel of death)

Wander Over Yonder - The Liar

Here we see Sylvia in "Loch Ness Monster mode" as she rescues some little Tiki guys. They are trying to escape from an erupting volcano which is about to blow it's top. She swims away frantically as giant flaming boulders rain down from Mount "Krak-yer-big-toa".

(Spoiler Alert) 

Having reached the mainland, Sylvia thinks the excitement is over and heads to a beach side bar. She's unable to relax when she sees that Wander has gone back to rescue a momma bird and her chicks.

In a tree.

Right over the mouth of the volcano.

Sylvia can only mutter to her drink: "Wait for me, tiny umbrella".

 (copyright Disney)

The action really begins as they struggle to rescue the family of birds from the volcano. When Sylvia says trying to save the birds is impossible, Wander chastises her with "I smell a big pile of  'can't do-do'".

The running gag is the momma bird keeps biting them to protect her young. (She thinks Wander and Sylvia are attacking her chicks.) The bird also delivers an electric shock which illuminates their skeletons. 

One baby bird runs off ("Gary") and hides in a hole in the side of the hill. Naturally, Wander and party pursue, and only to fall into some caves underneath the volcano.

 I kept wondering who the Liar was in this episode. It turns out that it's Wander. He swore that no one would die this day. Instead, it is Wander who turns out to be the Liar when they become trapped. 

Fortunately, Sylvia does not succumb to despair. She notices the hazards they faced before, and gets an idea. She makes a literal leap of faith, and takes them to safety riding one of the giant flaming boulders as Mount "Krak-yer-big-toa" finally blows itself to bits.

Their boulder crashes back on the beach, which also knocks over the bar. Fortunately, one of the little Tiki guys brings Sylvia her drink, complete with little pink umbrella. But before she can take a sip, she gets shocked by the birds one more time, only this time they jump on her out of gratitude.

Wander compliments Sylvia on her bravery and ingenuity.

Sylvia smiles and walks away, saying: "I never doubted it for a second".

With her back turned, her smile turns into a grimace of worry.

Thanks again to-

http://wandernews.tumblr.com/

Jack-O-Lantern

Finally gettin' my Ghoul on!

Happy Halloween!

Here there be Dragons...

Made from large sheets of styro my neighbor was throwing out, wood glue and tooth picks.

And Cobras!

She's actually on a rod to support plants, styro for the head and a "water worm" for her body.

Happy Halloween!

Leo the Tech Guy

 I still listen to AM radio, and Leo the Tech Guy has something interesting to listen to on those slow Sunday afternoons. When I'm tired of sports radio, Leo has callers asking about Windows, hard drives, apps, cell phones, you name it. It just takes a while for them to get on topic I'm interested in.

I'm usually in the car, and not ready to use the phone while driving. It's more of a nuts and bolts program than Digital Village on KPFK, but Leo is a much more genial AM radio host than the others these days...

(photo copyright Leo the Tech Guy, photographer unknown)

http://www.techguylabs.com/

Guardians of the Galaxy - Animated Series

(Updated 10-12-14)
Hope this is a real scoop, it looks good.

First, via email from a friend,
Then, a post on Facebook,
Now, through the Animation Guild blog,

 http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/newer-marvel-animation.html

Next, the Hollywood Reporter...

 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/guardians-galaxy-animated-tv-series-739981

So don't tell anybody!

 "Bigger blasters?"

(copyright Marvel/Disney)

Sorry about the small size, had trouble with the embed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLAU6jF0qwY#t=10

Marvel settles with Jack Kirby estate

(Photo taken by Suzy Skaar for "The Art of Jack Kirby" (Blue Rose Press, 1993)

http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/marvel-settles-dispute-over-superhero-rights-with-jack-kirby-estate/#/0

It's taken me more time than I thought to comment on this news item, and I hope I've learned a bit more about the artist/employer relationship. When it comes to Jack Kirby, and all the work he has produced, it stirs up a lot of passion in comic fans.

And that's not a bad frame of mind, but it may not be useful when dealing with our current business climate. (My commentary will naturally be biased towards the artist.)

When Disney acquired  Marvel Comics, it seemed like mixing oil and water. I could not see how Disney's wholesome, family image could be balanced with Marvel's gritty superhero themes. Except for the profit motive, of course.

Marvel Comics had been owned and passed along by quite a few different corporations over the years since the first Lee/ Kirby days.The issues of who created which characters, and who signed their rights of ownership away as work for hire seemed to settled.

No one knew who would create the next Mickey Mouse or Superman, so these guys cranked this stuff out just to earn a paycheck. Comics were considered disposable, like old newspapers. Case closed, or so it seemed.

However, I learned recently from a debate on LinkeIn that the families of Siegel and Shuster, the creators of Superman, had been getting some kind of royalties, or share of the profits that the Superman character had generated for DC comics over the years. 

"With great power comes great responsibility"

(Simpsons copyright Fox)

Even though I'm a comic fan, I missed this information somehow. My assumption is the public having an image of the families of the creators of Superman being "left to starve" created bad press. And so a new arrangement was made to cut the heirs of Shuster, if not Siegel, in for some of the profits. Guess I need to hang out at more comic conventions. 

Oi.

Getting back to the settlement with the Kirby estate, a commentator on LinkedIn noted that this Lee/Kirby feud may have been old baggage that Disney did not want to lug around anymore. I can just picture their reluctant hands going down a little ways into those deep pockets and tossing the Kirby descendents a few bones. 

Whether the DC/Siegel and Shuster settlements set some kind of legal precedent will take more digging on my part. (Hooha!) But knowing the image Disney wants to portray may have spurred them into pouring oil on these troubled waters, even though it's quite late in the game.

Another thing that surprised me was how a faceless organization like Time/Warner could have made such a "warm and fuzzy" move with the Superman heirs. By faceless I mean that Disney had Walt, and Marvel had Stan Lee. But Time/Warner has no real "faceman", other than Bugs Bunny. 

Rant time: Business is business, and a deal is a deal, but maybe the world is getting tired of these huge media conglomerates winning ugly. Or else these corporations just want to avoid any more embarrassment.

But here's to Jack, still the King!

Godzilla and Ultraman - The Amazing World of Japanese Special Effects

(copyright NHK and Tsuburaya Productions)

Godzilla and Ultraman - The Amazing World of Japanese Special Effects

It's fun sneaking around "backstage". I missed the beginning, but in Godzilla and Ultraman - The Amazing World of Japanese Special Effects  they displayed their techniques for making miniatures that went back to traditional Japanese gardens. And just good old forced perspective. The host was a westerner who seemed to love Tsuburaya, and even was allowed on a miniature set to pose with Ultraman Victory(?) The special effects people added the classic energy beams coming out of his hands to blast a monster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-vdH86F6ZQ

They also talked to the pyrotechnics guy about his wiring set ups. He had something like the western studios have, sort of an electric xylophone. He could "play" the device so the squibs would go off with the proper timing. They also talked about Manga, and a car commercial using Tsuburaya's techniques where the car has to outrun giant monsters on a twisting canyon road.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/special/201408.html

I don't know if they will run this again, hopefully it will appear on the net somewhere. It's always great to see "old friends"!

http://www.kcet.org/shows/nhk_special/godzilla-and-ultraman---the-amazing-world-of-japanese-special-effects.html

http://io9.com/5939043/behind-the-scenes-godzilla-photos-were-charming-absolutely-ridiculous