Channel Frederator Blog

Let’s look at the roots of modern stylized animation with this UPA commercial directed by Art Babbitt in the 1950’s. This award-winning short commercial was censored at the time due to the implications of what happens behind closed curtains. Babbitt was particularly proud of this commercial, and for him was one of the tentpoles of his animation career after Disney’s.

Remember - this was the man who animated Gepetto, Snow White’s Queen, Fantasia’s Mushrooms and pretty much single-handedly developed Goofy, all before leading the 1941 strike at the studio.

Enjoy!
-Jake

The film is called “Meet the Robinsons”, but Bowler Hat Guy steals the show.

Disney animation is back, but it still seems to be finding itself. While there was a lot of heart in “Meet the Robinsons”, also present were a few things that many recent animated films have suffered from.

[Read more…]

In the context of Passover, the upcoming Jewish holiday commemorating … well, just watch “Prince of Egypt,”… it’s important to keep in mind the modern struggles that mindless hatred perpetuate.

As this video demonstrates, Iran professors teach how “Tom and Jerry” cartoons are Disney’s way of promoting the Jewish race.

Before watching this, I’ve never been simultaneously offended as a Jew and as an animator.

But to leave you on a positive note, please enjoy this video by someone who can illustrate the beauty of Islam with ‘toons.

-Jake

part 1

part 2

part 3

Wolfgang “Woolie” Reitherman joined Disney in 1935 as an animator and director. Woolie all the Disney films after Walt’s death until his retirement. Some of his animation work included the Crocodile in “Peter Pan”, the Dragon in “Sleeping Beauty”, and the Rat in “Lady and the Tramp”.

-Floyd Bishop

Another installment of Disney for Grownups, here’s the original 1938 Oscar-nominated film, “Mother Goose Goes Hollywood,” a zany tribute to the golden age of film back when it was in its adolesence. And, of course, the film becomes a Looney Tune once the black characters with high energy show up. Predating Clampett’s “Coal Black” by 5 years. Who knows? Maybe this film inspired the crows from “Dumbo.”

Rumor has it that Edgar Bergen voiced Charley MacCarthy in this film, connecting him to the studio which would later hire him for “Fun and Fancy Free.”

Note that Chico Marx performs his patented “shooting the keys” of the piano gimmick.

Enjoy!
-Jake

If you’re a fan of the Transformers cartoon from the 80’s, you may enjoy this fan piece. If you breakout in a rash from curse words, then don’t watch this. They swear.

For those that aren’t up on their Transformers history, Optimus Prime was “killed” in the Transformers film. They did a follow up cartoon series that took place after the movie.

Optimus Prime was brought back to life in this series, several years after he was shut down, or killed, or whatever it is that happens to a sentient semi.

This piece is great because it makes fun of some of the more annoying characters that were added to the show.

-Floyd Bishop

I’m not sure what’s more interesting about this 1951 Jack Kinney cartoon, “No Smoking”: the obvious adult audience in mind, or the mildly disturbing spiral that Goofy, as Joe Average “George Geef” suffers due to withdrawl.

I never knew this cartoon existed ’til this week. It only adds to the many vices that Goofy, as George Geef, falls victim to across various films: overeating, road rage, negligant homemaking … come to think of it, Goofy’s George Geef persona is a pretty despecable character.

Enjoy!
-Jake

Episode 73

A new one this week from Channel Frederator featured favorites, “Mukpuddy! The word “stomping” is mentioned 47 times in this video, plus, “When you bang your head to this there’s no need to player hate”. You can check out some of Mukpuddy’s other work on Channel Frederator Episode 18 and Episode 56

Tim, Ryan, Alex, and Jeremy comprise The Muks”, and unfortunately, I’m never sure which one is answering the interview questions…their goodness all melts together. So I’m going to toss a coin. Ryan, you’re it! If I’m wrong, let me know!

MELISSA: What was your creative process in creating this short? How did you come up with the idea? How do you know the musician?

RYAN: “Stompin” was the first major project Mukpuddy picked up (in 2003) after finishing our 4 years of animation training. Mukpuddy had been going for about a year, trying to make waves in the web cartoon world, when we [Read more…]

Episode 73

Two chickens race through a hellish obstacle course while the cheering chefs place their bets…

As a stand alone, “Cocotte Minute” is fantastic. The fact that it was created by six students just learning CG blows me away. The filmmakers are from a French school called Gobelins, which consistently produces top of the line animation. The filmmakers responsible for this film are: Thibault Berard, Loic Miermont, Romain Vacher, Nathalie Robert, Amandine Pecharmand, and Sylvain Marc. I had the opportunity to interview one of the filmmakers and submitter, Sylvain Marc on the creation of this piece.

MELISSA: So how did you guys come up with this idea?

SYLVAIN: We sat all together and anyone could pitch about anything, the others reacting about it. A small video about people doing a toy-car race gave us the very first idea. And this very first idea is not in the film anymore.

MELISSA: How long did this film take [Read more…]

This is a great piece on Ollie Johnston. Enjoy.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

-Floyd Bishop