mini rants: random posts from other message boards

[rikki_rakko]

This one from animationnation.com:

April 08, 2005 06:13 AM                      

Is it just me, or does it seem like the more we push away from "gender steriotyping", the more we are seeing little kids dressed up in tight, skimpy outfits. And as if that's not hard enough to take, a great number of Moms seem to be dressing to try and look like their preteen daughters. And for us, it's scary. Totally lacking in any sense of appropriateness and just plain pathetic.

We miss the days when men would open doors for women. And there was a time not so long ago when women could dress up and feel sexy over the age of 25. And men could wear hats.

And what ever happened to pretty dresses? It's so refreshing to see and so rare these days. Everyone always wearing tight jeans all the way down to their crotch- squishing the natural shapes so they all look the same. Leaving nothing to the imagination.

It's a fashion nightmare, I say. And that's just the tip of the iceburg.

--------------------

Working together for the greater good.

Testify, brutha! Yeah, what did ever happen to pretty dresses? And guys, wear those hats!

[rikki_rakko]

Also from animationnation.com:

April 13, 2005 08:07 AM                      

Maybe the problems start when we look at our differences the wrong way. For instance, if I like blue hats and my neighbor likes green ones, and the people down the street don't care what about but like to use theirs as soup bowls, do we try and convince one another that our way is the only way?

Do we buffet one another about the head until all our hats fall off? Or do we nod, smile and say, "Nice hat!". And then go our merry way, marvelling at how unique people are.

What a diverse, wonderful planet we live on- a virtual tapestry of interrelationships- all woven together into what appears to be chaos. But lurking underneath is the most delicate balance, always beckoning to us if only we'd see it there.

I take back what I said in the previous post -- guys, unless you're okay with being buffeted about the head, DO NOT WEAR HATS.

[KRULL]

This is from IMDb American Dad discussion groups:

by - Crus990493 16 hours ago (Tue May 3 2005 17:00:08 )

I thought American Dad was funny in its own way. I kind of felt the same way about Futurama when it first came out, but I wasn't really expecting another Simpsons. Family Guy had me laughing to the point of me pissing my pants. A lot of people are hella bashing American Dad. Just because Seth MacFarlane created it, does not necessarily mean that it'll be another Family Guy, though there are similarities. As for Futurama, I really like that show. FOX never seemed to have given it the chance they deserved. For one thing, it was usually pre-empted because of football games, and considering the time slot it was on, it was said that it didn't have high ratings. That's funny, because King of the Hill is basically on around the same time slot, and that show is still going on. I have a feeling that American Dad might get better as episodes progress. I found myself cracking up at the pilot.

I'd look into that pants pissing situation, bud.

[roger lodge]

i peed me pants in the first grade.
it was hot. real hot.

[Cochino]

They say that American Dad is like Family Guy. I'm starting to think it's true.

-Muerto

[Sheboygan Succotash]

I think he DID expect the Simpson's, and DID expect another Family Guy...but he was surprised by the pants whizzing incident.

When Animation Domination hits, this guy drops a deuce in his pants. Any takers?

[rikki_rakko]

This from a personal blog called furrycheese.com:

Monday, January 31, 2005

On Fri I met Sheri at the Grassroots for some happy hour action. The Grassroots is almost as cheap as Mars and so much cooler I can't even begin to explain. Let's just say that there's no styrofoam at the grassroots. Except maybe in the popcorn. From there we went to this cool little Burmese restaraunt on 7th that was tasty and unbelievably cheap. From there straight to Daddy's and more likkering up.

So by Sat morning I was hungover and beat up and tired. Which was great because we had volunteered to drive Sat night for Right Rides. Let me say that I totally support Right Rides and I really feel good about driving for them because Oriah and Consuelo who started it hardly ever get a Saturday off. Plus I'm kind of a lazy bastard and the whole 'let's give something back' mentality is at least a novelty for me. But oog, going into it hongover was bad news. Luckily, by the time we actually had to drive I was fairly rested and recovered. We were pretty busy, but the people were really nice and with the exception of a couple weird calls that didn't pan out, pretty normal. This is the second time we've done it and both times it feels weird to stay up until 5 in the morning without drinking. Really, when's the last time you did that? I think I was 19.

Also, yesterday we taped Live Girls played on Nickelodeon so I'll post a video of it this week. Or maybe I'll just link to it on their site. Whatever.


"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."

-- Henry David Thoreau, "Walden", 1854

[rikki_rakko]

From clown-ministry.com:

Clown Code of Ethics - the eight clown commandments

1. I will keep my acts, performance and behavior in good taste while I am in costume and makeup. I will remember at all times that I have been accepted as a member of the clown club only to provide others, principally children, with clean clown comedy entertainment. I will remember that a good clown entertains others by making fun of himself or herself and not at the expense or embarrassment of others.

2. I will learn to apply my makeup in a professional manner. I will provide my own costume. I will carry out my appearance and assignment for the entertainment of others and not for personal gain or personal publicity when performing for either the International club or alley events. I will always try to remain anonymous while in makeup and costume as a clown, though there may be circumstances when it is not reasonably possible to do so.

3. I will neither drink alcoholic beverages nor smoke while in makeup or clown costume. Also, I will not drink alcoholic beverages prior to any clown appearances. I will conduct myself as a gentleman/lady, never interfering with other acts, events, spectators, or individuals. I will not become involved in or tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or any protected status.

4. I will remove my makeup and change into my street clothes as soon as possible following my appearance, so that I cannot be associated with any incident that may be detrimental to the good name of clowning. I will conduct myself as a gentleman/lady at all times.

5. While on appearance in makeup and costume, I will carry out the directives of the producer or his designated deputies. I will abide by all performance rules without complaint in public.

6. I will do my very best to maintain the best clown standards of makeup, costuming, properties, and comedy.

7. I will appear in as many clown shows as I possibly can.

8. I will be committed to providing an atmosphere free of discrimination and harassment for clowns of all ages to share ideas and learn about the art of clowning.

[RDS insider]

From nohomers.net, re: Simpsons Movie trailer:

"That trailer looks terrible. I can only assume it's because it was put together so quickly. If the movie looked like that I'd be gutted. But it won't."

Congrats to all who busted their asses to produce that trailer in an impossibly short time span! See --? Your hard work has not gone unnoticed by the fans!

And, yes, nohomersclub member, the whole movies going to look exactly like that! Get gutted!

[GargaMel]

AMID @ www.cartoonbrew.com writes:

My favorite anime critic, Ben Ettinger, recently wrote a piece about the long-running Japanese animated series CRAYON SHIN-CHAN and how since its debut in 1992, the animators' styles have evolved and become more distinct and personal. Initially, the show remained faithful to the comic that it was based on, which from what I've seen is rather poorly drawn, but within a couple seasons the animators were pushing the look of the show into a more experimental (and even abstract) direction. Check out the revealing stills above—left is from a 1992 episode, right is from 1996. (Ben's article also includes links to video clips.)

What strikes me as fascinating about this stylistic evolution is that it's the complete opposite of the tendencies of US series. Here, the drawing in shows—most shows, at least—tightens up with every passing season, exemplified most clearly (and sadly) in America's longest running animated series THE SIMPSONS, which hasn't had an original character expression or bit of movement in well over a decade.

SIMPSONS producers, quite unbelievably, pride themselves on putting out a show that doesn't exhibit stylistic evolution—and they certainly wouldn't stand for anything that showed personal creativity or the sign of an individual's hand in the production. Imagine a record label that asks a musician to compose one song and then replay that song for the rest of his career. No self-respecting musician would ever agee. But on the SIMPSONS, machine-like repetition of style is the order of the day. If a layout artist on the SIMPSONS draws 'off-model,' that's viewed without question as an error, never as a creative choice on the part of the artist. It wasn't always like that. THE SIMPSONS allowed artists some extent of creative feedom for quite a few seasons, especially during its earliest Klasky Csupo years, and also in some of the subsequent Film Roman seasons. By season six or seven, however, the producers had clamped down and decided that the show was going to exclusively be a platform for smug writing and dialogue, not for anything resembling art or animation. It's refreshing to find that in Japan, certain animated shows still allow for artists to be a creative partner in the production of the series. Animation producers in the US could stand to learn from this and recognize that letting artists grow with a show can only be something positive.


Ouchie! Are there any Simpsons animators out there who would care to comment?

[Animutter]

Response to GargaMel's above post ^^^

I doubt any Simpsons artists have time to respond to AMID's opinion, since most of them are too busy busting their butts working on a much loved tv series and long awaited feature film…something that Mr. A will never be able to claim.

It's easy to criticize, isn't it? Just because a show isn't your cup of tea doesn't make it any less entertaining to those who enjoy it, Mr. Cartoon Brewster.

Sorry for the serious post, jesus h, et al. Please continue your flaming.

[rikki_rakko]

Jeez, this message board used to be fun, now it's all like, "I think Simpsons sucks", and "Well Mr. Cartoon Critic, you'll never amount to anything."

Our old friend, Cochino, had a word for this kind of foolishness: "It's gettin' hot in heeeeerrrrrrrrrreeee!" It's as true today as it was then -- IMHO.

[Narfster]

As long as we are talking about the Simpsons, this is by John Krisfalusi from his blog johnkstuff.blogspot.com/

You know something I always wanted to do? Make a Simpsons cartoon with Matt-write it with him-not with a commitee of 400 "writers" and then animate it for real with actual poses, expressions and timing (all in context of character and story) and then let everyone decide whether "crappy on purpose" is an "appropriate" style for anything.

I bet I could do it for a 5th of their budget too and it would look like it cost 20 times more.

I know it will never happen but it would be the coolest thing ever!

[chili-size]

here is a link to a simpson's movie director getting his freak on with a flaming tuba...

u know the one...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd_gvR06j6s
(at least I think its David Silverman)

[Coax Cajole]

Narfster said:

As long as we are talking about the Simpsons, this is by John Krisfalusi from his blog johnkstuff.blogspot.com/

You know something I always wanted to do? Make a Simpsons cartoon with Matt-write it with him-not with a commitee of 400 "writers" and then animate it for real with actual poses, expressions and timing (all in context of character and story) and then let everyone decide whether "crappy on purpose" is an "appropriate" style for anything.

I bet I could do it for a 5th of their budget too and it would look like it cost 20 times more.

That's a great idea! I think more people should do their own versions of other people's creations! How about we get Seth MacFarlane to do his own version of Bob Clampett's "Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarves"? I know a lot of people like that short as it is, but unless we do this, we'll never know if it could have been better! I for one think it would be awesome!

How about letting Brad Bird doing a few new "Ren & Stimpys"? Or Bill Plympton could direct "South Park" while Parker and Stone remake "Geri's Game"! I know it sounds crazy, but we must know beyond a shadow of a doubt if the creator's original vision was all wrong and never deserved to be made in the first place.

And why stop there? I want Schwinn Bicycles to design the next Boeing airplane! And McDonalds to redo the menu at the Cheesecake Factory! And instead of growing oranges, I think Sunkist should replace their crops with Granny Smith apples -- I mean, they're both the same thing, aren't they? They're both fruit, right?