Just a quick comment. The Killer Bean was my breaking point. After I saw that movie, I made up my mind that I wanted to be a CG Animator. I started with AM but quickly moved to Lightwave. I have found an irresistable pull, to go back to AM though. I know LW may be a better package, but I am feeling that I really should start smaller. Like I need to master Am first, and then move up when my skills are better.

Nice article. Glad to finally see some of these guys intereviewed. As far as Victor getting the "use rights" for _I WILL SURVIVE_, I don't believe he secured those rights, as he was only using part of the song, and it was used in a humorous context, thus it falls under the Fair Use clause of copyright law. I do know that the artist that sings the song (can't remember her name right now), was shown the animation and she liked it.

Impressive film and article. I am looking forward to seeing Klasky-Csupo's entry into the field of original theatrical projects. The heart and brains behind the company have what it takes to create films of this quality internally, given the right property. A blockbuster PG-rated family film with some magic and warmth, life-risking heroes, demonic evil, UK locale and historical roots would be a winner. Interested?

Did Victor pay for use rights for "I will survive"? I remember the animation when it came out. Now we have tons of people imitating it, but I always wonder about use rights for these songs. When I wanted to use a song, I contacted the agent- the use rights ran into the hundreds of dollars for a Bing Crosby song. I decided to do original music instead. What are people's thoughts on this?

That dichotomy about Christmas was the central theme of the original "South Park" animation, "The Spirit of Christmas." And, although this battle is momentous and scary, the characters who would be the focus of the "South Park" series - the little kids - simply observe the battle, like it was something that they might just watch, disinterestedly, on television. Except when it impacts their lives - when Kenny is killed. But then, isn't that true about most politics? We don't care until it hits us? I've always thought that there were basically two Christmas stories in American culture; "A Christmas Carol" (of which the "Let's Save Christmas" is a mild variation) and "It's a Wonderful Life," which is more spiritual. The latter hasn't been done much in animation, mostly because the despair of a man like George Bailey is hard for kids to understand. The only animated show that approached the second type was the "Tiny Toons Adventures" special, "It's a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas."

Nancy, Eisenstein On Disney is now out of print, but you can probably find it at a local library. It is a translated collection of Eisenstein's writings on Disney, of which there were many. Mark

Interesting article, but I must take exception to the assertion that Clement Moore wrote "The Night Before Christmas." As Don Foster proves in his book "Author Unknown," the real author of the poem was one Henry Livingston. Read all about it at http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/featured_articles/001027friday.h... Let the truth be told!

Hi Just would like to say that this was a very good article. I started to read some of the stuff in the animation pimp yesterday, even though I've been quite a frequent visitor of AWN for several years, but I never knew or bothered finding out what the animation pimp was all about, and I'm so glad that I have now. All articles that I have not read That I now can read. And I've also discovered the stuff on asifa, wich was really nice, haven’t had time to read it all, but I started to read the "Beyond Good and Evil: Piotr Dumala's Crime and Punishment" Since Piotr is a guest professor at my school and it's nice to "hear" him talk from his private standpoint of animation/art best regards, Daniel

scooby-doo looks like scooby-poo.

I read Mr.Ouderkerk was opening a studio in Orange County. Is it true?

Jade: There are across the internet a lot of resources and tutorials about drawing anime and manga styled being the most populat those made by Julie Dillon. You can find a lot just putting the keywords in any browser...but here is a small directory of links: http://www.aaise.com/html/Arts/Comics/Manga/Fandom. I suggest you too the popular book series "How to draw manga" made by japanese pros...have fun! To the people of AWM: Great! is really nice to know a so serious magazine about animation doesn´t look down onto anime genre that´s usually despised by non-fans and "serious animators"..oh and Fred Patton....could I be your friend? please?..joking! ..great job!! please keep doing it!

Who owns the work? Does anyone create in a vacuum? We all borrow and mix parts of our culture(read PUBLIC DOMAIN) into our new works. All of Disney's full length feature films are borrowed from our culture (read PUBLIC DOMAIN.) Even Steamboat Willie is a derivative. Our US Copyright laws are a temporary grant of a monopoly over an artistic or literary work for the sole purpose of promoting the creation of these new works into our culture(read PUBLIC DOMAIN.) A new work isn’t mine to start with. I’m always creating derivative works where the original is owned by all of us. New works are derivative works of the public domain. The new work borrowed on our culture and the new work needs to be returned or paid back to our culture. Even the current copyright law states that derivative works are owned by the owner of the original work(s). But as for all the posturing over intellectual property being real or not. I like Thomas Jefferson’s argument the best. If you light your candle from mine, I have lost nothing. Only a lawyer would argue over whether I control the flame on your candle. IMHO: Copyright limited time needs to feel like a limited time to the author. The idea that the author's life plus 70 years is limited is sick. And the idea that 95 years is anyone's idea of limited with regards to a corporation is a sure sign the law is not in the public's interest.

I LOVE JHONEN VASQEZ.....I´M A FANATIK ...I CANT WRITE IN ENGLISH BECAUSE I´M SPEAK IN SPANISH.....BUT I LOVE HIM AND HE IS THE BEST!

An interesting article, but one that does not acknowledge the shift in the drive behind making today's animation- profit. The wartime cartoons that you mentioned were made in a time before animated characters were created solely with liscencing in mind. Animation was still something of a "pure art form" then, not to mention the fact that censorship was not as rampant as it is now, and animation was not intended (as a mass-market strategy, anyway) almost exclusively for children's entertainment. One could express one's opinions more easliy through the art of animation. With that in mind, it would be a little awkward for say, Hasbro to proudly trumpet the war efforts, (directly, at any rate, for it can be quite easily said that the re-emergence of G.I. Joe is a sign of the times as opposed to cashing in on nostalgia,) whether they used current characters or new. In order to remain profitable, it is wisest to remain neutral or best yet, unspoken, in situations like that. Large companies cannot usually afford to make political stands like that, and the poeple who would make a stink about it, pro or against, usually don't have the kind of funds to let their handiwork be seen in such a wide venue, much less have readily recognizable characters at thier disposal. It is interesting to note that Tiny Toons (contrary to views presented in the article) *did* take a stab, however small, at Hussein. There was an episode during or after the tensions in the Gulf (forgive me, I was about 11 at the time, and did'nt really make a note of the political ramifacations,) that featured a character called "Soddarn Insane", who was attempting to take over the world, and was thwarted, naturally. While this pales in comparison to anything that may have aired in the days of pre-nuclear war, it was something. And considering the politically correct world that it had been produced in/for, perhaps it was more than a little something. So in short, it is easier to keep selling products (and one's head down,) than risk all on making one's voice heard in the name of a cause that maight not even find suport within your organization.

Life depends on what you dream...so DREAM BIG and best wishes.

Hey hey , from Wales, being nearly 18 tis a bit strange that i actually watch this program . - But i realise that there are about ten other ppl that watch this program tooooo. - and there are more ppl getting hooked by the day. Newayz i managed to get here by searching for the Tiny Planets soundtrack so - IF NE-ONE MANAGES TO AQUIRE THE TINY PLANETS SOUNDTRACK PLEASE TELL ME....I NEED IT TO SURVIVE, - Bing & Bong, theres a tiny planet calling......

Very good piece, Marty. I think that people have (relatively speaking) become less innocent in some ways (though I guess that can be debated given the atrocious amount of flag waving, song-singing,and bumper stickers U.S. trophy wives and their ilk still cling too), there is more information out there. Online we (well..in my case, as a Canadian, we've always had that good fortune)... there are tons of online periodicals and foreign newspapers. Nothing is as cut and dry as it once appeared to be. It's also interesting that McLaren made his anti-war bit, Neighbours around the time of the Korean war (1953 or 54)...so it's almost like McLaren was a bridge from pro-war to anti-war cartoons. And off the top of my head...I suspect there's a slew of anti-war cartoons out there since Neighbours.... chris robinson

jhonen should be world ruler.

I met the half brother of Gene Deitch yesterday. His brother is a doctor outside of Houston, Texas. Can you believe that!! I was embarrased to be an animator and not know who Gene was. This site's great!

Konnichiwa! I am a desperate anime fan, that is really into anime drawing. I wish to improve my skills, and take them to a higher level, but I'm still a high school student, so schools cannot come into play right now. Please at least put links on your magazine, that would show people to sites where they can have tutorials, or lessons online. Thank you ever so for your attention, sayonara! Jade