February 11, 2004

• Gene Deitch screening

  

  Another great Animation screening in Hollywood.  Tonight at The Egyptian Theatre, we had the great pleasure of attending the tribute to Gene Deitch, one Of Animation’s true innovators.

  

  Amongst the films shown, were Cinemascope versions of his Terrytoons work; ‘John Doormat’, the inspired (and incredibly neurotic!) ‘Flebus’, ‘Clint Clobber’and ‘Gaston Le Crayon’.  Clearly, the influence of UPA is evident here in the stylised art direction.  What made these a real joy, was seeing the (instantly recognisable) work of old-guard Terrytoons Animator, Jim Tyer, whose scenes leap out and take over the cartoon.  The only disappointment, was the absence of Gene’s ‘Sidney The Elephant’ cartoons.

  After screening twelve of Mr. Deitch’s works, organiser Jerry Beck introduced the man himself, who took part in a Q&A session with the audience.

  At over eighty years of age, Gene Deitch is still involved in the production of animation.  He left us with a great insight; back in the days of UPA and the dawning of TV cartoons, Animation was about being as cartoony and abstract as possible.  The trend these days is for Animation to be more and more ‘real’ and lifelike. 

  It’s a nice reminder of something that we all sometimes forget.  Here’s to the cartoons that are not afraid to remind us that they are, after all, just drawings… – Eddie

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  Photo Album update:  We have added more photos to our LA pics album. The newly uploaded batch starts at Randys Donuts. (then, click on the ‘Next’ link to see the rest…) There is also a new album with photos from  Keith’s Birthday Party 

  Tokyo Qool: Nakano Broadway - Article with links to stores which we look forward to visiting… one day…

  Los TeenAgers! - download the whole album (link from via J-Walk Blog)

  Samurai Champloo is a new TV series by Cowboy Bebop director. 

  Russel Crowe as Moe Howard? Oscar winner he may be, but he ain’t no comedian…

  Chaos Generation weblog - Kirsten Lowe interviews Fwak. This zine is soon making a debut in print.

  And don’t forget Lucha Va Voom this Thursday night at the Mayan Theatre! Featuring the magnificent Space Cadets, Los Gallineros (chicken wrestlers), Minis(midget wrestlers) and burlesque gals. If you haven’t been to a Lucha Va Voom, GO! There are still general admission tix available ($25) at Wacko or online. 

  

  It has been a long month, but at last, the Mini Cooper is fixed! We can return the rental car tomorrow and take pleasure in planning our next road trip. Seeing that it’s Valentine’s Weekend and President’s Day (public holiday on Monday), most people would be out of town… We’re stil trying to figure out where to go and how much we can fit into three days.

  • 4:26 am
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