More Mighty Principles of Animation
More animation tech talk from Gene Deitch. The technology of animation has changed somewhat over the past 35,000 years, when cavemen first attempted it, but the basics remain. Here they are in specifics.
Category: Deitch
UPA: Back to the Future — Part 2
Gene Deitch continues his tales of adventures with UPA.
Don’t Give Your Right Name! — Part 3
After fending off McCarthyism, Gene Deitch resumes work with JHO.
Don’t Give Your Right Name! — Part 2
Gene Deitch continues with the story of his work with Jamison Handy and JHO.
Don’t Give Your Right Name! — Part 1
Fats Waller once said that, and another blues man sang, It Must Be Jelly, Cause Jam Dont Shake Like That! There really was a man named Jam Jam Handy and he ran a 500-person studio in the then gloomy city of Detroit. It was an amazing adventure working there, in that most amazing, little-known but heavyweight studio. I directed my first film there, nearly had my tender career nipped, and discovered John Lee Hooker. 1949-51.
'Tom Terrific' 1958 Production Plan
Terrytoons. Here was my locale that most interests the animation historians. So now I finally have the chance to tell it like it really was. I name names all the names, and print the pix. And all the production details about Tom Terrific. I tell you what I did and what I tried to do a "renaissance" a total make over... and I tell you why it failed.
UPA: Back To The Future — Part 1
UPA again, and this time as creative chief! Bosustow beckoned and I was beamed to the Big Apple, the city of my youthful dreams. "If you can make it there" etc. And I made it. Here are the vital statistics of that Golden Age studio.
We Hereby Agree…
Most animation books Ive read leave out one of the most important things an animator needs to know: how to make a contract! Do it yourself and retain your hide.
The Great Footage Fallacy
Gene Deitch believes that measuring animation in footage does not help the creative process or make much sense in these global times, therefore, he proposes to make time the global unit of animation production.
The Folks at Terrytoons
When Gene Deitch was brought in to transform Terrytoons, he thought he had been dealt a lemon lot but instead found a fabulous group of talent both young and old with which to work.
The Mighty Principles of Animation
While the basic technology of animation changed little prior to the advent of the computer, the principles of animation that are used today were all developed in one amazing decade. Gene Deitch explains.
Prague, A Change of Life
In 1959 at the request of Bill Snyder, a successful animation distributor, Gene Deitch arrived in Prague to oversee the production of several animated specials based on classic children's books. He was surprised to find an impossible production system, and is even more surprised to find himself still there to this day
The Basics of Animation Timing
Animation timing is one of the toughest skills to learn...and yet one of the most vital if one's animation is going to take on that elusive illusion of life. Here Gene Deitch lays down the basics.
Charlotte's Tangled Web
Gene Deitch shares his personal letters with E.B. "Andy" White regarding the production of Charlotte's Web, an experience White called, "one of my nightmares."
Red-Hot Jazz = Red Menace?!
As the school year comes to an end, Pamela Kleibrink Thompson reminds us that being a good employee is elementary in its simplicity! Just follow these easy guidelines.
The Early Days at UPA
Gene Deitch, who began his animation career at the UPA studio at its start in 1946, describes the UPA animators' enthusiasm for making "different" films from the established Hollywood cartoon formula.
Deitch on Pintoff
Gene Deitch recalls Ernie Pintoff and a character named Flebus from his Terrytoon days.
Make Luck Happen!
You need a lot of luck to make it in the movie business, but how do you get lucky? Is success really just a matter of luck -- chance? Or can you lure luck your way? Gene Deitch gives us a few tips on tempting lady luck.
Hobbit-alized: The First Attempt At Animating The Hobbit
We were first with this, but it became our most ignominious and unnecessary failure. Please weep with me as you read this. I coulda bin a contendah...
The Terry-fying Challenge
Terrytoons. Here was my locale that most interests the animation historians. So now I finally have the chance to tell it like it really was. I name names -- all the names, and print the pix. I tell you what I did and what I tried to do -- a "renaissance" -- a total make over... and I tell you why it failed.
Legendary Eastern European Animation Studios Struggle to Survive
Shifting from a communist to capitalist market system has not been easy on the great studios of Eastern Europe. Adam Snyder reports on their survival techniques.
On Winning an Oscar...
While the entire world recognizes the Oscar, past winners reflect on what the statue means to them and has meant to their career. The answers will surprise you.
