ASIFA-Hollywood: The International Animated Film Society
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Moving the Terry Thoren Collection
Jason Jones and Tom Sito just starting to load the truck with videos from the Terry Thoren donation from his years of running animation festivals. The films and 1 inch tapes will moved later. 10 ASIFA volunteers gave up their Saturday to move about half of this giant, one of a kind collection. Thank you volunteers and thank you Terry Thoren. My daughter forgives you for stealing her water pistol.
Jason Jones and Tom Sito just starting to load the truck with videos from the Terry Thoren donation from his years of running animation festivals. The films and 1 inch tapes will moved later. 10 ASIFA volunteers gave up their Saturday to move about half of this giant, one of a kind collection. Thank you volunteers and thank you Terry Thoren. My daughter forgives you for stealing her water pistol.
Paul Abramson, who got left out of last year`s Annie Program Book and said he would forgive us for the oversite if I made a big deal of his help on this move here on the ASIFA Blog. How`s that Paul?
What we were moving: festival entries from the events that Terry Thoren held between the early 1970`s to around 2001
Paul Abramson, Jeff Price, Jason Jones, Pat Sito, Eric Graf, Tom Sito, (not in photo: Larry Loc taking photo, Steve Gattuso who had to run the gate at AFI, Will Ryan and Tom Knott)
Shoot Out at the Roosevelt Pool
Well, I`m off to Klasky Csupo this morning to move boxes. Maybe I will find my daughter`s stolen green water pistol.
It was Saturday night of what was to be the last World Animation Celebration. The Klasky Csupo synchronized swimming team had just preformed in the shallow end of the Roosevelt hotel`s pool.
One of the vendors had been giving out water pistols and I had taken a red one for my son and a green one for my daughter (green is her color).
I was on the second floor and had just said goodbye to a friend from AXA and was heading home when Terry Thoren ran past chased by what must have been water pistol packing Klasky Csupo employees set on wetting him down.
As he passed me he said let me borrow that and snatched my daughter`s green water pistol from my right hand.
Terry, borrow means that you give it back. My daughter has been waiting for over 4 years without her water pistol. Today is your chance to return that stolen green water pistol to my heartbroken, teary eye, girl child. This is your chance to do the right thing.
It was Saturday night of what was to be the last World Animation Celebration. The Klasky Csupo synchronized swimming team had just preformed in the shallow end of the Roosevelt hotel`s pool.
One of the vendors had been giving out water pistols and I had taken a red one for my son and a green one for my daughter (green is her color).
I was on the second floor and had just said goodbye to a friend from AXA and was heading home when Terry Thoren ran past chased by what must have been water pistol packing Klasky Csupo employees set on wetting him down.
As he passed me he said let me borrow that and snatched my daughter`s green water pistol from my right hand.
Terry, borrow means that you give it back. My daughter has been waiting for over 4 years without her water pistol. Today is your chance to return that stolen green water pistol to my heartbroken, teary eye, girl child. This is your chance to do the right thing.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Cartoon Craze #14 - Available at Walmart - $1
These are all Schlesinger Merrie Melodies except for the Baby Huey filler that is on every other dollar DVD. I must have 20 copies of this im-Famous Studios clunker.
The transfers ranger from great to so-so. Clampett`s Falling Hare looks the best I have ever seen on a non Warners Box Set disk. They even minimize the jarring color shift after Bugs puts his finger on the hammer that has always driven me crazy.
But Tex Avery`s last Schlesinger cartoon All This and Rabbit Stew is muddy and faded in places.
The rest fall somewhere in between these two. Nothing too rare here. I have everything on this disk in my collection in VHS and some of it in much better transfer. Falling Hare is the find on this disk.
1. Falling Hare - 1943 - Clampett
2. Fresh Hare - 1942 - Freleng
3. All This and Rabbit Stew - 1941 - Tex Avery
4. The Case of the Missing Hare - 1942 - Chuck Jones
5. A Day at the Zoo - 1939 - Chuck Jones
6. Robin Hood Makes Good - 1939 - Chuck Jones
7. Pest Pupil - 1957 - (Baby Huey - Famous Studios)
8. Ding Dog Daddy - 1942 - Friz Freleng
These are all Schlesinger Merrie Melodies except for the Baby Huey filler that is on every other dollar DVD. I must have 20 copies of this im-Famous Studios clunker.
The transfers ranger from great to so-so. Clampett`s Falling Hare looks the best I have ever seen on a non Warners Box Set disk. They even minimize the jarring color shift after Bugs puts his finger on the hammer that has always driven me crazy.
But Tex Avery`s last Schlesinger cartoon All This and Rabbit Stew is muddy and faded in places.
The rest fall somewhere in between these two. Nothing too rare here. I have everything on this disk in my collection in VHS and some of it in much better transfer. Falling Hare is the find on this disk.
1. Falling Hare - 1943 - Clampett
2. Fresh Hare - 1942 - Freleng
3. All This and Rabbit Stew - 1941 - Tex Avery
4. The Case of the Missing Hare - 1942 - Chuck Jones
5. A Day at the Zoo - 1939 - Chuck Jones
6. Robin Hood Makes Good - 1939 - Chuck Jones
7. Pest Pupil - 1957 - (Baby Huey - Famous Studios)
8. Ding Dog Daddy - 1942 - Friz Freleng
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Move of Terry Thoren Donation
So here is the final word. The move of the Terry Thoren Donation has been moved back to Saturday, May 21, because Terry can not be with us on Sunday and we need Terry to get up on the lot.
The truck can not be picked up until 10 AM which dictates the starting time.
Everybody needs to be at Klasky Csupo (6353 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA. 90028) 5 minutes before 11 AM. (10:55) That is the only way that we can get you on the lot.
I know this is going to put some of you out of the running and I know that we have the Fred Crippen thing at AFI which may knock some other people out. But if you can make it, we really need your help.
Thank You
Larry LocDirector, ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Rescue Team
Terry Thoren has just donated his festival files and videos to ASIFA-Hollywood. We are going to need voluneers to help move this stuff. In the message below Antran talks about Saturday the 21st, but because of the availablity of the truck it looks like the move is going to be on Sunday the 22nd. (WRONG - Saturday) We need to move 850 boxes of videos and festival files out of Klasky Csypo and into a truck. We need your help. Here is the text of the massage I got from Antran. More details like time and meeting place will be coming. If you can help give me a e-mail.
Larry Loc
larry@agni-animation.com
Thank You
The truck can not be picked up until 10 AM which dictates the starting time.
Everybody needs to be at Klasky Csupo (6353 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA. 90028) 5 minutes before 11 AM. (10:55) That is the only way that we can get you on the lot.
I know this is going to put some of you out of the running and I know that we have the Fred Crippen thing at AFI which may knock some other people out. But if you can make it, we really need your help.
Thank You
Larry LocDirector, ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Rescue Team
Terry Thoren has just donated his festival files and videos to ASIFA-Hollywood. We are going to need voluneers to help move this stuff. In the message below Antran talks about Saturday the 21st, but because of the availablity of the truck it looks like the move is going to be on Sunday the 22nd. (WRONG - Saturday) We need to move 850 boxes of videos and festival files out of Klasky Csypo and into a truck. We need your help. Here is the text of the massage I got from Antran. More details like time and meeting place will be coming. If you can help give me a e-mail.
Larry Loc
larry@agni-animation.com
Thank You
===============Text of Antran`s massage=========
Hi Larry,
In speaking with Tom Knott yesterday, we need to plan on moving out this stuff on Saturday.
Therefore, we need to put the word out to the ART, to see about getting their assistance.
One of the keys to this operation, is finding a volunteer who would be willing to pick up the truck
from UHaul (Alameda & Victory) and drive it to Klasky Csupo (Sunset & Ivar), the location of the donation.
Since the storage facility is not open on the weekend, the truck will probably need to stay a Klasky Csupo over the weekend, then driven to Glendale early next week.
Another possibility would be to drive the truck back to Burbank on Saturday, after it was loaded. But I understand the weather is going to be very hot on Sunday. So I don't think it would be a very good idea having videotapes sitting in a truck out in the sun all weekend long.
That said, we should make sure that the truck can be parked somewhere in the shade at Klasky Csupo.
As Tom knows, I will be going out of town on Friday and won't be returning until Sunday evening. Therefore I won't be present during the move. Therefore, I am hoping that between yourself and
Tom, you can get this all organized and happening.
I will make the arrangements to rent the truck, and I will contact the storage facility to let them know that we will be bringing the materials to them sometime next week.
Thank you in advance for all your help. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions.
Antran
Cartoon Craze Presents Felix the Cat Woos Whoopee:
1. Felix Woos Whoopee -1930
2. Felix in Forty-Winks - 1930
3. Felix in Arabiantics - 1928
4. Felix in False Vases - 1930
5. Felix theCat in Futuritzy - 1928
6. Felix in Sculls and Skulls - 1930
7. Felix the Cat in Outdoor Indore - 1928
All of these animations are either 1928 or 1930. Just before or just after Steamboat Willie brought sound into animation to stay. Pat Sullivan was living the high life and did not want to know for sound. Felix was/is the king of silent animation. He was too buzy running is house to see his train leave the station.
The transfers are very clean on all of the subjects. The problem is the sound. At some time in the life of these silent animations someone postdubbed in half assed sound that is very irritating. It would have been nice while restoring these Felix cartoons to restore them to their silent purity as well. Background soundtrack yes, stupid voices no. An okay view if you turn the sound off on your TV and put an old 78-RPM record on your antique turntable.
$1 at Walmart:
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Cartoon Craze
There is a new cheap DVD company in town. Digiview LLC www.digiviewus.com I am not sure where the town is but the DVD pressing is happening in China and Walmart is selling them at $1, a whole penny more then the 99 Cent Only Store.
Their Cartoon Craze series seemed to be licensed material instead of public domain films. Good stuff too.
The Van Beuren Aesop`s Fables Sound Cartoons are from the very early days of sound animation 1929 to 1931, with a 1932 Schlesinger Harman-Ising Bosko cartoon and a 1949 very sad Bill Tytla famous Studio Cartoon.
What makes the Tytla so sad is the recreation of the Dopey head slosh scene from Snow White in this over sweet Leprechaun`s Gold piece of do-do.
The 6 Van Beuren sound cartoons are from the same time period as their Tom and Jerry (not the cat and mouse) classics and shares the same surreal twisted point of view as the musical bean poll and his ball shaped friend.
- A Close Call 1929
- A Dizzy Day 1933 (very twisted)
- A Toytown Tale 1930
- Animal Fair 1931
- Circus Capers 1930
- Cinderella Blues 1931 (least twisted of the group)
- The Bosko is from 1932 and is named Yodeling Yokels
- Leprechaun`s Gold is from 1949 and is of the over sweet Famous style. A small price to pay for the other films.
The transfer is very good. The image is clean and clear and the sound is pristine. All and all a good buy and a nice job of restoring.
More reviews to follow:
Animation Archive Project
Those who are interested in the Animation Archive Project will want to attend the May Act of Membership meeting at 7pm on May 25th at the new ASIFA Animation Center on Burbank Bl. We will be discussing exciting news about the progress of the archive, and will be establishing committees to get the project underway. See you there!
ASIFA-Hollywood
Act of Membership Meeting
May 25th at 7pm
2114 West Burbank Bl
Burbank, CA 91505
Steve Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Project
ASIFA-Hollywood
Act of Membership Meeting
May 25th at 7pm
2114 West Burbank Bl
Burbank, CA 91505
Steve Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Project
The week coming up is insane:
- Tonight (May 18th)
An Evening with Joanna Priestley - Saturday (May 21st)
A Master Session with Fred Crippen AFI
& Martha Sigall World Book Tour San Diego - Monday (May 23rd)
Dream on Silly Dreamer
Masagasgar - I also have an ASIFA related meeting on the 24th but you don`t have to worry about that.
- Wednesay (May 25th)
Act of Membership Volunteer Meeting (7 PM 2114W. Burbank Blvd, Burbank)
E3 is going on all week and all the madness attached to that.
All the events listed are talked about in more detail further down this page.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Good Things Come From Blog
I have been feeling good of late. An article I wrote on these pages way back in December of last year Al Zinnen has sparked interest in the life and work of a forgotten Disney layout artist. I spent last week putting John Canemaker in touch with Al`s family.
To be truthful, John was already looking into the work of Disney layout artists when he found my reference but now he is thinking of doing another article just on Zinnen. And it makes me feel good that I had something to do with this coming to pass.
To be truthful, John was already looking into the work of Disney layout artists when he found my reference but now he is thinking of doing another article just on Zinnen. And it makes me feel good that I had something to do with this coming to pass.
Riding That Train
I read this great article yesterday over at Jim Hill Media. Then today I get a link from Kellie-Bea Cooper to the same article. It is about an act of kindness by John Lasetter to his mentor Ollie Johnston. Jim talks about the other motives of some of the side people in the story but the core of the story is about friendship and caring of one animator for the person that help train him. train
Sunday, May 15, 2005
An Evening with Joanna Priestley
Wednesday May 18th - 7:30 pm
ASIFA-Hollywood presents
An Evening with Joanna Priestley
Jonanna Priestley In Person; Moderated by Craig Bartlett Indie Toon Queen Brings Innovation, Imagination and Squiggly Lines For Her Los Angeles Premiere!
"I Have Enjoyed Her Work for Years. You Have to See This!"
--Gus Van Sant
"She is the Queen of Independent Animation!"
--Bill Plympton
Acclaimed animator Joanna Priestley celebrates 20 years of innovative work as filmmaker with a retrospective screening of her best works at the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:30. The event, which is co-sponsored by ASIFA-Hollywood, will include many of Priestley`s most acclaimed works including VOICES (1985), SHE-BOP (1988), GROWN UP (1993), UTOPIA PARKWAY(1997) and her newest short DEW LINE (2004) as well as a question-and-answer session moderated by Craig Bartlett, creator of the hit animated series Hey, Arnold! The evening will also include a new documentary short about how Priestley created her most recent and most cutting edge animated shorts.
Working out of her studio in Portland, Oregon, Joanna Priestley has created a career out of making truly independent and iconoclastic animated works that are deeply personal while being thoroughly universal. Using a wide variety of media sand, glass, candy, hands and paws, and more her animation is wickedly alive and full of depth and strangely organic motion. Eschewing traditional character animation in favor of exploring human behaviors in fascinating new ways, Priestley has created a bold look for her films, which have humorously and touchingly riffed on the range of human fears, the goddess within, prison life, the delights of turning 40, and the pitfalls of romance. Her recent work has grown more abstract and innovative, drawing inspiration from rural Spain, Yucatan dives, and the sculptor Joseph Cornell, among others.
Joanna Priestley has produced and directed 17 films, all of which have screened at top film festivals all over the world, including the New York Film Festival, the Sundance Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival, just to name a few. In addition to her own animated films, Priestley has also created animation for wide variety of projects, ranging from "Sesame Street" to music videos for Tears for Fears ("Sowing the Seeds of Love") and Joni Mitchell ("Good Friends"). Joanna Priestley is the founding president of ASIFA-Northwest, and she runs an apprenticeship program through her studio in Portland, Oregon.
Wednesday May 18th - 7:30 pm
The American Cinehatheque
THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE
between Highland and Las Palmas
6712 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
For tickets and information, please visit the Cinematheque website or call 323/466.3456
TICKETS: $9 General; $7 Cinematheque and ASIFA-Hollywood Members. $7 Seniors (65+ years) and students with valid ID card. Must be shown at box office at time of purchase.
ASIFA-Hollywood presents
An Evening with Joanna Priestley
Jonanna Priestley In Person; Moderated by Craig Bartlett Indie Toon Queen Brings Innovation, Imagination and Squiggly Lines For Her Los Angeles Premiere!
"I Have Enjoyed Her Work for Years. You Have to See This!"
--Gus Van Sant
"She is the Queen of Independent Animation!"
--Bill Plympton
Acclaimed animator Joanna Priestley celebrates 20 years of innovative work as filmmaker with a retrospective screening of her best works at the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:30. The event, which is co-sponsored by ASIFA-Hollywood, will include many of Priestley`s most acclaimed works including VOICES (1985), SHE-BOP (1988), GROWN UP (1993), UTOPIA PARKWAY(1997) and her newest short DEW LINE (2004) as well as a question-and-answer session moderated by Craig Bartlett, creator of the hit animated series Hey, Arnold! The evening will also include a new documentary short about how Priestley created her most recent and most cutting edge animated shorts.
Working out of her studio in Portland, Oregon, Joanna Priestley has created a career out of making truly independent and iconoclastic animated works that are deeply personal while being thoroughly universal. Using a wide variety of media sand, glass, candy, hands and paws, and more her animation is wickedly alive and full of depth and strangely organic motion. Eschewing traditional character animation in favor of exploring human behaviors in fascinating new ways, Priestley has created a bold look for her films, which have humorously and touchingly riffed on the range of human fears, the goddess within, prison life, the delights of turning 40, and the pitfalls of romance. Her recent work has grown more abstract and innovative, drawing inspiration from rural Spain, Yucatan dives, and the sculptor Joseph Cornell, among others.
Joanna Priestley has produced and directed 17 films, all of which have screened at top film festivals all over the world, including the New York Film Festival, the Sundance Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival, just to name a few. In addition to her own animated films, Priestley has also created animation for wide variety of projects, ranging from "Sesame Street" to music videos for Tears for Fears ("Sowing the Seeds of Love") and Joni Mitchell ("Good Friends"). Joanna Priestley is the founding president of ASIFA-Northwest, and she runs an apprenticeship program through her studio in Portland, Oregon.
Wednesday May 18th - 7:30 pm
The American Cinehatheque
THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE
between Highland and Las Palmas
6712 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
For tickets and information, please visit the Cinematheque website or call 323/466.3456
TICKETS: $9 General; $7 Cinematheque and ASIFA-Hollywood Members. $7 Seniors (65+ years) and students with valid ID card. Must be shown at box office at time of purchase.
