As a high-powered animation executive, I’m often stopped by people on the street who ask me, “What was the very first single 45 record you ever bought?” The answer is, natch, Daddy Dewdrop’s “Chick-A-Boom” (I suspect the same goes for many of you). Now, what’s been nagging me is where I first heard the song. I mean nagging me for decades. For so many years, I knew it was on a Saturday morning cartoon show. While I assumed said show was Where Are You, Scooby-Doo!, something deep inside told me that just wasn’t right. Now, thanks to the Internet, I’ve now discovered the answer is not from Scooby, but rather from Sabrina and the Groovie Ghoolies. And now, for your complete and total edification and somewhat guilty pleasure, the good folks at the YouTubes have proffered the very Sabrina clip that led me on a long and winding road on my life-long love affair with pop music, Saturday morning cartoons, and chicks in black bikinis. Enjoy, purveyors of good taste!
I’m working on finishing up my syllabi for my upcoming classes at the Art Institute. I’ll be teaching both Character Animation and Advanced Character Animation. This has got me thinking about all kinds of things I want to convey to the students about not just animation, but the animation industry in general.
What are some things you wish you knew when you were getting started in the industry? What should they do first? Is there anything the newly minted animator should avoid?
Elizabeth Ito’s charming animated documentary, “Welcome to My Life”, chronicles the daily activities of a family of monsters and is super popular among Channel Frederator staff and fans. Elizabeth’s daily life looks likes it’s been pretty busy in ‘08 and will be equally jam-packed with projects in ‘09.
Channel Frederator: Whatcha been up to since we last spoke with you?
Elizabeth Ito: During the day I’ve been working on the Astro Boyanimated feature, doing storyboards. It’s due out this year, and I’m really excited to see it. I think Imagi (the studio where I work) is a great place, and I look forward to celebrating with the crew once Astro Boy is complete!
During my free time I’ve been working on my side projects. Most of my energy is being focused on my handmade plushes, posters, art, and toys that I sell through my online store. If anyone wants to check it out, I can be found at Kikutowne. Also, on a day to day basis, you can see what I’m up to on my blog, Adventures on the Animation Rollercoaster.
CF: Can you tell us about any upcoming projects?
EI: This year I will have a mass produced plush coming out called Baby Mister Monster, who I am making with Munky King, a vinyl toy and art store in Los Angeles. I really like working with them, and think they are probably one of my favorite bunch of toy people in LA. Also I’m working on an Open Mic short with Nickelodeon, that I’m not certain when it will be released, but probably also sometime this year. It’s been a blast to work on, as the people at Nick are really smart and fun to work with.
CF: What do you want to try to accomplish in 2009?
EI: I am definitely looking towards getting a children’s book out there, probably self-published, but you never know, sometimes the coolest opportunities come your way when you’re least expecting them. Also, to be honest, I really enjoy storyboarding, so I look forward to whatever cool projects come my way!
CF: Worse date: a monster who’s a really picky eater, or a human who always “forgets” their wallet?
EI: I think a monster who’s a really picky eater? I kind of wonder what picky would mean to a monster, though… hahaha…
I’d just like to thank Fred, Eric, and the whole Frederator team for including me in the Best of 08’, and wish you all the best in 2009!
Right back at you, Elizabeth! Thank you for the excellent work and Happy New Year!
You can check out Elizabeth’s “Welcome to My Life” here on Channel Frederator!
“The Bravest Warriors” Random! Cartoons
Created by Pendleton Ward
Directed by Randy Myers and Pendleton Ward
Premieres Saturday, January 10, at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT on Nicktoons Network
Frederator Postcards Series 7.19, mailed December 19, 2008
What better way to transition into 2009 than with some of our favorite films from Channel Frederator circa 2008! We’re bringing back some excellent cartoons by our favorite artists, plus updates on what they’ve done since we featured them last, what they’re doing now, and what they’ve got lined up for ’09. The past, present, and future of awesome animation is right here on Channel Frederator! Happy New Year!
“Welcome to My Life”, submitted by Elizabeth Ito – A documentary film about a family of monsters just trying to fit in.
“Boxhead and Roundhead: Brothers in Arms”, submitted by Elliot Cowan – Best friends Boxhead and Roundhead are unwittingly pitted against each other in battle.
“Pushkin”, submitted by Trevor Hardy – Sometimes it’s better to let your little lost pet stay lost.
“St Laleeloo”, submitted by Jiwook Kim – A musical monk can resolve any problem with the combined powers of song and dance!
The 8th Annual San Francisco Sketchfest kicks off on January 15th. This year there are some animation-related events sure to please. You can see the complete schedule and buy tickets to all the laugh-inducing festivities here.
January 15th at 8 PM: Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Tour 2009: $25
January 16th at 8 PM: TV Funhouse Live with Robert Smigel, Dino Stamatopoulos and Doug Dale featuring the Anipals and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog: $30
January 18th at 2 PM: Sunday with Moral Orel Panel with Dino Stamatopoulos and Scott Adsit: $15
January 31 at 8 PM: Cartoon Dump with Frank Conniff and special guests Andy Kindler and Mary Lynn Rajskub $20
If only I had deep pockets and a plane ticket in hand because there are lots of other incredibly rare ocassions that I would hate to miss, include a performance by The State (and, on another night, an interview with the group hosted by Janeane Garafalo) and a Fernwood Reunion with Martin Mull and Fred Willard!
“Call Me Bessie!” Random! Cartoons
Created by Diane Kredensor and Dana Galin
Directed by Yvette Kaplan
Premiered Saturday, December 20, at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT on Nicktoons Network
Frederator Postcards Series 7.10, mailed January 5, 2009
BuyThe Animation Journal issues. Read some of the essays online. If you think for more than a millisecond about serious issues in animation you probably already do, but for newbies, check it out.
I read the most recent issue after I was visited with Maureen Furniss‘ class at CalArts (Maureen isn’t just a animation historian and professor, she’s also The Animation Journal editor). An article about black Hollywood animation veteran Floyd Norman fed my continuing interest in the underrepresentation of minorities and women in our industry, and Maureen’s article on television for the under 2 year olds (!) frightened even my liberal attitude about kids and TV. And I caught up on some of the newest books about animation that I’d missed (I miss a lot).
I briefly started working with animation during college, when I was in my most abstract intellectual phase. I came of age over 15 years in the New York indie animation scene, with filmmakers like Eli Noyes & George Griffin. It was natural for my friends to discuss the artistic side of the equation. Reading the Journal and books like Chris Robinson’s The Animation Pimp remind me of one of the less traveled, exhilarating side of what we all do. Maybe you’ll like them too.
