Chuck Jones looking very dapper during his interview with Animation World Magazine. © 1997 Animation World Network.

In our interview, Chuck Jones responded enthusiastically to Animation World Magazine's question: "Based on your years of experience in animation, what would you like to say to the young aspiring talent coming into the industry?" Chuck Jones stressed the importance of both life drawing and reading, while studying to be an animator. He said, "I think you'll find that any studio, they don't want you to draw Bugs Bunny. They want you to be able to draw the human figure. If you look back through the history of art, all the way back to the cave paintings, you'll notice that the great painters always were able to paint with a simple line, just like we do in animation. The main thing is to learn how to do it, then have something to say with your skills. Any writer will tell you that it doesn't do any good to write if you don't have something to say." This point should be well-taken by not only our younger readers, but everyone in the entertainment industry! You can view a video clip from our interview with Chuck, by downloading this Quicktime movie.

June Foray shared with the audience a drawing Chuck Jones made for her over 30 years ago. © 1997 Animation World Network.

Chuck Jones Biography
Chuck Jones began his career in 1932 as an animation cel washer at Ubbe Iwerks Studio, after graduating from the Chouinard Art Institute (now the California Institute of the Arts). Four years later, he joined the Leon Schlesinger Studio (which was later sold to Warner Bros.) as an animator, and was assigned to Tex Avery's unit. In 1938, at the age of 25, Chuck directed his first animated cartoon, The Night Watchmen. During his 24 years at Warner Bros., Jones created characters such as Marvin the Martian, Pepe Le Pew, Michigan J. Frog, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote. He also helped create Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig and many others. He worked a brief stint at The Walt Disney Studios in 1955, but then returned home to Warner Bros. When Warner Bros. closed its' animation unit in 1962, Jones went to MGM Studios to head their animation division. There, he collaborated with Dr. Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss), producing and directing animated film adaptations of the Seuss' children's books Horton Hears a Who and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Among the distinguished guests of the evening Warner Bros. Feature Animation President Max Howard (left) and director Bill Kroyer. © 1997 Animation World Network.

Upon leaving Warner Bros. in 1962, he launched Chuck Jones Enterprises, which produced numerous television specials and other projects from 1970 onwards, including The Cricket in Times Square (1973), Gay Purr-ee (1962) and animation for feature films such as Mrs. Doubtfire (1993). In 1993, Jones formed a new studio, Chuck Jones Film Productions, under contract with Warner Bros. Based on the Warner Bros. Studio lot, Chuck Jones Film Productions most recently created several animated shorts for theatrical release, including Chariots of Fur, Another Froggy Evening, Pullett Surprise and Father of the Bird. Chuck Jones Film Productions closed its' doors earlier this year, but Jones will continue to influence new production through his new long-term agreement with Warner Bros.