Fred Seibert's Blog

I’ve written often about the undeniable, larger than life influence John Kricfalusi had on me and the cartoon industry, but obviously not enough. I think it’s clear to anyone who pays attention to such things that John’s style of storytelling and animation paved the way for the biggest hits (like Spongebob Squarepants) of the last silver age of cartoons. But it’s less known that his love for the great graphic cartoon designs of the late 50s, and the merchandise spawned from it, has influenced tons of illustrative and sculptural artists too. John’s enjoyment of off-model, happy accidents, his admiration of the dozens of unsung, quality artists who participated in merchandising is legend among those who know him.

In fact, when we first met in 1992, John was excitedly telling me that Hanna-Barbera just had to license do with his vision of the art. I agreed and we licensed the first such stuff (like the great paint kit) to him and his future partner.

The great thing I see in this generation is that almost every artist and creator of the generation that came of age in the 90s has acknowledged John, both if they’re lucky enough to speak in public, and certainly in everyday conversation. Everyone thanks John and understands that without him our newest generation would’ve had a harder time getting heard and seen. Thanks bud.

Most places I go to speak everyone’s genuinely excited about what’s going on in the “new media” (I’m now old enough to have lived through at least three generations of what is always called the “new media”). If they don’t know what it is it at least holds the promise of a fun way to see new things and become involved.

But at the same large groups of those I talk to are worried. (”Fred, whether you realize it or not, you ARE disrespecting our profession…”). Worried about whether their jobs are going to be disrupted. Worried about whether they’ll even be able to get a job. Worried about whether their work will be devalued.

I figure the answer to everyone’s concerns are probably “yes.” “Yes” that is if one stands still, trying like crazy to stop the future from coming. Stop the changes from happening. And stop their brains from processing what’s happening around them.

The future is here, every minute, every day, whether we like it or not. I’m 55 and I’ve got to say that, depending on the year, “the future” is just tiring and sometimes boring. But, then there’s the day I see the light in the eyes of one of the ‘young folk’ I work with, and I can’t wait to get there.