The Finster/Finster Show

Production is going well on “The Finster Finster Show!” episode entitled “Store Wars.”
Everyone is working real hard and having a good time working on the show. Things are better than I envisioned!
It’s a continued pleasure doing a show with Fred, Eric, Larry, Therese and all the gang at “Oh Yeah!” cartoons. It’s been a continuing blast! Thank you.
With all running smooth, I thought I’d share a bit of my history I’ve had with my mentor and good friend, Chuck Jones.
I guess you can say, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Chuck Jones.
After finishing business college in NJ I decided to follow my dream as an animator, put my portfolio together and was accepted at Cal Arts in early 1980. During my first semester at Cal Arts I wanted to meet my animation hero, Chuck Jones. Out of nowhere, I called his Tower 12 studio in Hollywood and was greeted by his daughter Linda, and expressed my wishes in meeting her father, Chuck Jones. She would see what she could do. The next day I received a phone call at my dorm room. It was Chuck Jones and he had invited me to his home in Newport Beach the following Tuesday for lunch! I couldn’t believe it, as I stood there in shock and amazment. Chuck Jones had opened the door for me. I couldn’t believe it.
The following Tuesday, I took the most important journey of my career. To Chuck Jones’ home. There, we had lunch and drew at his desk. This was the beginning of my mentorship and wonderful friendship with a man that would teach and share his learned life wisdom with me, Things that I would keep with me for a lifetime, and then some. Chuck followed my progress at Cal Arts and allowed me to pitch ideas and show my films to him. One of the films I pitched to him was the film I’m doing for “Oh Yeah!” right now, entitled, “Store Wars.” Chuck really liked the board and the 5 minutes of animation I produced at school. I graduated Cal Arts in 1983, couldn’t get a job and ended up back in NJ trying to open small animation companies, working in advertising and working in retail management. I kept in touch with Chuck Jones over the years. Then one night in late 1989, I received my break from Chuck.
I began developing early property of his and produced backgrounds for the limited editions Linda Jones produced for art galleries. Eventually I moved to California with my family and the rest is history.
It was an extreme honor and privilege to work with an animation legend and good friend as Chuck Jones. His conversations with me, his wisdom of animation and life are still with me as I continue my journey on the path of animated passion.