Archive: The Origin of the Golden Book Style

Illustration: Gustaf Tenggren and the Genesis of the Golden Book Style
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Today At The Archive: The Animation Business in Boy Comics 1942

The Animation Business in Boy Comics 1942
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Today At The Archive: Big Boy and the Power of Licensing

Comics: Big Boy and the Power of Licensing
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Today At The Archive: Rhapsody of Steel

Eyvind Earle and Maurice Noble collaborate on John Sutherland's The Rhapsody of Steel
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Archive: The Top Ten Topics Of 2007

As the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive completes its second year in operation, it's time to review the accomplishments of the past year. Here's a countdown of the ten most important subjects we've covered in 2007. See if your list matches mine. Click on the links to read more on the topic.

THE TOP TEN TOPICS OF 2007

• 01 Carlo Vinci
• 02 Grim Natwick
• 03 Clair Weeks
• 04 Advice For CG Animators
• 05 Originality vs Ripoffs
• 06 Milton Caniff
• 07 Modern Animation
• 08 Writing Cartoons
• 09 Cultural Literacy
• 10 Milt Gross

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NUMBER 10: MILT GROSS

Milt Gross is one of the greatest cartoonists who ever lived, but most of his work has been out of print for many years. He was a master of both words and images. His books Nize Baby, Dunt Esk, and De Night In De Front From Chreesmas are classics of ethnic New York dialect humor. His masterpiece, He Done Her Wrong, which Gross described as "The great American novel- and not a word in it- no music too", tells a story entirely in funny pictures... Read More

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NUMBER 9: CULTURAL LITERACY

Zutty Singleton, Cootie Williams, Zoot Sims, Bubber Miley, Papa Jo Jones and Dizzy Gillespie weren't just guys with funny first names... they were some of the most creative individuals who ever walked the earth, working in the greatest new artform from the past 100 years... Jazz. And they weren't the only ones worth studying. The 20th century sparked an explosion of creative expression in the fields of filmmaking, music, the performing arts and dance. All of these have a direct relation to your work as an animator... Read More

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NUMBER 8: CARTOON WRITING

One of the principle catalysts for discussion on the net is John Kricfalusi's blog, All Kinds of Stuff. A series of John's posts on writing for animation created a wave of comment across the "blogosphere". A prominent cartoon scriptwriter vehemently disagreed with John's opinion that cartoons should be written by cartoonists. But when he was asked to name his favorite golden age cartoon writer, the scriptwriter was unable to come up with a single name... This isn't particularly surprising because THERE WERE NO CARTOON SCRIPTWRITERS prior to 1960... Read More

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NUMBER 7: MODERN ANIMATION

Amid Amidi's great book, Cartoon Modern: Style and Design in 1950s Animation stirred up a recent revival of interest in 1950s stylized animation. Just about every animation related blog had posts dealing with the subject. Back in May, a firestorm of controversy erupted around a fascinating series of articles on John Kricfalusi's blog, All Kinds of Stuff. The informed and impassioned arguments on both sides of the issue spilled over into Michael Sporn's Splog and Amid's Cartoon Brew... Read More

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NUMBER 6: MILTON CANIFF

Milton Caniff has been referred to as "The Rembrandt of the Comic Strip", and oft by himself as "an Armchair Marco Polo", but in fact this whirlwind of a comic strip innovator and writer was essentially a sincerely nice man who loved to draw. He created and drew Terry and The Pirates from 1934 to 1946, which set the standard for the adventure comic strip. He raised the bar with Steve Canyon, which unlike Terry, he owned lock stock and barrel from the first daily strip in January 1947 through to June 1988, the final installment published shortly after his death. Caniff worked rain or shine, seven days/strips a week for 54 years, even from his hospital bed, the deadlines never ended... Read More

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NUMBER 5: ORIGINALITY vs RIPOFFS

Ethics may not be the first subject that comes to mind when you think of the challenges facing cartoonists, but it's an important issue. I addressed the students who read this site and gave them some useful advice on thinking for themselves in an article titled "Chaplin's Shadow"... Read More

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NUMBER 4: ADVICE FOR CG ANIMATORS

In 1914, Max Fleischer invented the rotoscope as a time and labor saving way of producing animation. He soon came to realize that although the device was a great aid in effects and technical animation, it was a poor substitute for character animation...


In 1986, engineer Ernie Blood developed motion capture techniques as a time and labor saving way of producing animation. A decade and several mocap features later, many CGI animators are coming to the same realization that Max Fleischer and his staff had more than a half century ago. Read More

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NUMBER 3: CLAIR WEEKS

The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the family of Disney animator, Clair Weeks. Weeks was a missionary's son, born in India, who moved to America in the early 30s and ended up working as an assistant animator on Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Weeks went on to work on Bambi, Cinderella and Peter Pan. He eventually returned to Bombay, India to establish the animation community there... Read More

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NUMBER 2: GRIM NATWICK

Grim Natwick is undoubtedly one of the most influential animators who ever lived. His career spanned the entire history of animation- from its earliest days in New York to Richard Williams' Cobbler and the Thief in recent times. He animated in every style, but was able to maintain his own personal flavor, regardless of whether he was animating for modern studios like UPA or cartoony ones like Fleischer. If one had to define the single element that set his animation apart, it would have to be that his characters always seemed to have a genuine spark of life... Read More

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NUMBER 1: CARLO VINCI

The history of animation is populated by scores of remarkably talented animators. But Carlo Vinci was much more than just an animator. "Legend" is a word that has been overused in recent times, but when applied to Vinci, it's perfectly apt. Carlo Vinci left behind a lot more than just classic cartoons. He left behind a legacy that will inspire and enlighten artists for generations to come... Read More

Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive
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Archive: Who's The Fairest One Of All?

In honor of the 70th anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the family of Clair Weeks donated a treasure to the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive. Read about it...
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Guess Who's Fifty Years Old Today!

Guess Who's Fifty Years Old Today!
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Today At The Archive: CGI Animators Should THINK Like Artists

WHAT CAN AN ILLUSTRATED BOOK THAT IS NEARLY A CENTURY OLD TEACH SOMEONE WORKING IN COMPUTER ANIMATION?

Click To Find Out!
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Archive: Grim Natwick Exhibit

Grim Natwick is undoubtedly one of the most influential animators who ever lived. His career spanned the entire history of animation- from its earliest days in New York to Richard Williams' Cobbler and the Thief in recent times. Grim worked at many of the major studios- Hearst, Fleicher, Iwerks, Disney, Lantz, UPA, Jay Ward, Melendez and Richard WIlliams. He animated in every style, but was able to maintain his own personal flavor, regardless of whether he was animating for modern studios like UPA or cartoony ones like Fleischer. If one had to define the single element that set his animation apart, it would have to be that his characters always seemed to have a genuine spark of life.

The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive is pleased to present an exhibit of artwork from Grim's personal files. Stop by the archive anytime during regular hours (Tues-Fri 1pm-9pm) to view the exhibit.

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THE ONLINE EXHIBIT CATALOG

• Introduction: Grim Natwick's Scrapbook


• Part One: Grim's Early Years In New York (Hearst/Krazy Kat/Fleischer)
• Anatomy Studies
• "Swing, You Sinners" (1930)
• "Mariutch" (1930)


• Part Two: The Golden Age of Animation (Iwerks/Disney/Lantz)
• Disney's Offer
• Natwick on Iwerks
• Iwerks Model Sheets


• Part Three: The Modern Era (UPA and beyond)
• UPA Model Sheets
• Post-UPA Commercials


• Part Four: The Greatest Animator Who Ever Lived (Studio Gag Drawings and Caricatures)

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Assistant Archivist, Joseph Baptista views the exhibit.
GRIM NATWICK'S SCRAPBOOK
An Exhibit Presented By The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive
2114 W Burbank Bl
Burbank, CA 91506
Now Showing, Tuesday through Friday 1pm to 9pm

Many thanks to the Walter Lantz Foundation for providing the facilities for this exhibit, and to the Walt Disney Animation Research Library for providing the mattes.
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Archive: Bozo And His Rocket Ship

Illustration: Bozo And His Rocket Ship
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Screening: Raggedy Ann & Andy Reunion Nov 17th

Raggedy Ann & Andy Reunion
November 17th at 3pm
Mark Goodsen Auditorium
American Film Institute
2021 N. Western Bl
Hollywood, CA

ASIFA-Hollywood is planning a special screening and panel discussion in honor of the 30th Anniversary of Richard Williams' Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure. This event will take place on Saturday November 17th in the Mark Goodson Auditorium at the American Film Institute in Hollywood. At 3pm, a rare CinemaScope 35mm print will be screened, followed by a panel discussion at 5pm with a large group of production personnel. Light refreshments will be available.

Williams' Raggedy Ann was the subject of John Canemaker's first book, and the film was unique at the time, as it was based in New York (with satellite studios in L.A. and London). Veteran animators, such as Art Babbit, Grim Natwick, Emery Hawkins, Tissa David, Gerry Chiniquy, Willis Pyle, Corny Cole, Irv Spence and Williams himself, were joined by a who's who of talented newcomers including Michael Sporn, Eric Goldberg, Tom Sito and Dan Haskett. This event is a benefit for the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive. Admission will be $15 for ASIFA members, $20 for non-members.

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The Archive Turns Two!

THE ARCHIVE IS TWO YEARS OLD!
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Event Oct 19: June Foray Birthday Party

ASIFA-Hollywood invites ASIFA members and a guest to special June Foray Birthday Celebration



Friday, October 19, 2007, 7-10 p.m.
Pickwick Gardens
Terrace Room
1001 Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91506

7 p.m. Cocktail Reception (no host bar)
8:30 p.m. Cake Cutting
Admission $25 per person

This celebration is for ASIFA-Hollywood members and their guests only. Tickets will be sold at the door, however you must RSVP by emailing juneforay@asifa-hollywood.org, in order to attend. The deadline to RSVP is Friday, October 12, 2007. In lieu of presents, June has requested that you make a donation to the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive.

Proceeds from this event to benefit the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive.

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Event Oct 21: Archive Treasures Screening in Hollywood

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood is embarked on an ambitious project-- building a library, museum and digital archive dedicated to the art of animation. On Sunday October 21st at 2.00 pm, ASIFA-Hollywood will be presenting a screening at the Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax as part of LAAF 2007, the Los Angeles Animation Festival. The program is titled "Treasures of the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive", and it will include rarely seen cartoons covering a wide spectrum of animation's rich history.


"Hollywood was the place animation reached its absolute peak" says ASIFA-Hollywood President, Antran Manoogian, "and it's still the place to be for an artist looking to break into the business. Technological advances and an upsurge in interest in the medium indicate that cartoons will be even be even more a part of our lives as time goes on. The ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive is making that happen by providing much needed resources to students and artists working in the field."


"The goal of our project is to help artists build on the accomplishments of the past, rather than reinventing the wheel." says Stephen Worth, Director of the ASIFA-Hollywood Archive. "There's no better resource for doing that than our archive." Located on Burbank Bl. in Burbank, ASIFA-Hollywood's Animation Archive is open to the public four days a week, with thousands of animated cartoons and images available for viewing in an interactive computer database. "Something like this has never been attempted before." says Worth. "Our archive is like the Library of Alexandria or the Louvre- just for cartoons!"


The program of animated films will include classic cartoons by many of the most famous names in animation. It will also put the spotlight on artists you might not have ever heard of, but who were responsible for creating the cartoon characters you know and love. After the program, there will be a reception in the Silent Movie Theater's beautiful Spanish Patio with special guests. Proceeds from this event will be going to support the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive project.


Because of the limited number of seats available, it is suggested that you purchase admission in advance. Any remaining tickets will go on sale one hour prior to showtime. Advance tickets are exclusively available online. (Click on Program 5.)

http://www.ticketalternative.com/VenueDetail.aspx?facility=542

Treasures of the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive
Sunday October 21st at 2.00 pm
Tickets $10 (includes after party)
Silent Movie Theatre
611 N Fairfax Av
Los Angeles, CA 90036


For the full schedule of the Los Angeles Animation Festival 2007, visit...
www.laafest.org/

For more information on the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive, contact...
Stephen Worth, sworth@animationarchive.org
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Archive: Over One Million Served

Yesterday, our hit logs registered our one millionth unique visit to the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive. By next week, our page view count will reach 2.5 million articles served. We started counting traffic on November 11th, 2005, and our traffic more than doubled in our second year. It's poised to do so again this coming year.

FEEDBACK TIME!

I'm going to be working on preparing our upcoming exhibit on Grim Natwick, and that will keep me away from the computer for the next week. In the meantime, please email me at sworth@animationarchive.org and...

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your interests

Post a link to your work and/or website

Pick your favorite Animation Archive post from the past two years

Tell us how the Animation Archive has helped or inspired you

Let us know if you have any suggestions

...I'll post some of your comments on the Archive Blog so everyone can see them.

Thanks
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive
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Today At The Archive: Bakshi on 2D vs 3D

Opinion: Bakshi on 2D vs 3D
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Today At The Archive: The Training of a Golden Age Animator

Biography: The Training of a Golden Age Animator
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Today At The Archive: Learn To Draw Like Segar Did!

Education: W L Evans Cartooning And Caricaturing Course Part One
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Today At The Archive: Milt Gross Dave's Delicatessen

Comics: Milt Gross' Dave's Delicatessen
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Today At The Archive: Willy Pogany's Drawing Lessons

Life Drawing: Willy Pogany's Drawing Lessons
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Today At The Archive: Propaganda

Theory: Propaganda
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Today At The Archive: Messmer's Felix 1932

Comics: Otto Messmer's Felix The Cat 1932
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Today At The Archive: Virgil Partch's Wild, Wild Women Part Two

Comics: Virgil Partch's Wild, Wild Women Part Two
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Today At The Archive: Harvey Kurtzman Comic Books

Comics: Kurtzman's Comic Books
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Today At The Archive: George Lichty's Grin And Bear It

Comics: George Lichty Grin And Bear It Orgy!
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Today At The Archive: Complete Guide To Magazine Cartooning

Cartooning: Complete Guide To Cartooning Part Six- Magazine Cartoons
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Today At The Archive: Terrytoons Home Movies

History: Terrytoons Studio Tour 1939
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Today At The Archive: Ward Kimball in Escapade

Biography: Ward Kimball- Escapader Cum Laude
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Today At The Archive: Chic Young's Blondie

Chic Young's Blondie Sunday pages from 1931.
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Email: Archive Update

Check your email box for our latest email blast rounding up the archive articles from the last month.

If you're a member and you aren't getting our emails, please let us know. It's important that we have your email address, because all of our correspondence with our membership now goes out via the internet. Members, please send your contact info to membership@asifa-hollywood.org.

Non-members can join our public email list...

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Keep in touch, and keep involved with ASIFA-Hollywood!
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Archive: Virgil Partch's Wild, Wild Women

Today At The Archive...

Virgil Partch's Wild, Wild Women
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