I discovered a series of videos that profile New Yorker cartoonists.
Those featuring Rob Mankoff were particularly interesting. He has an informed opinion that is really worth listening to. What he has to say is fully applicable to animation. Intermixed with some of the clips are short animations produced from New Yorker cartoons. There are hundreds of those animated cartoons on youtube in the channel RING TALES
I love this line: “The line between humor and bad taste is your audience”
World class Shakespearean actor Patrick Stewart gives animators the perfect lesson in doing “takes” including the single, double, triple and more…
Here’s an interview with Paul Reubens aka Pee-Wee Herman. Reubens turns 61 today.
I recently watched the excellent documentary “Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut)” It was magnificient. Watching video from Graham Chapmans funeral was priceless.
Anyway, in the episode that dealt with their film “Life of Brian” I learned something. “Life of Brian” for anyone who doesn’t know, is about a fellow named Brian who was born on the very same day as Jesus Christ. He was even born in the manger next door to Jesus. The story follow his life as the people of the time mistake him for the messiah. The film leaves the story of Jesus completely untouched, and focuses on the foolishness of people. That fact didn’t stop the film from being protested as blasphemy by church leaders.
Terry Jones simply explained that the film wasn’t blaphemous, it was heretical. Then I understood that blasphemy is an insult to God, and heresy is an insult to the church, or reigning religion. The Pythons were making fun of religious zealots and their comical behavior. It is in the interest of church leaders to act like they are protecting God, when really they are protecting themselves.
I am not in favor of blasphemy. But I have a certain fondness for heresy. There are religions that still act like their leaders and laws can never be questioned or mocked. Maybe they need to watch more Monty Python, and understand God isn’t as delicate as they are.
Lets look at the art of gurning.
Yes, that is the Queen of England in the picture.
Why is the Queen being confronted with this? The man on the left is the very best at this sort of thing. He won the Egremont Crab Fair gurning competition, and that makes him world champion. The Egremont Crab Fair was founded in 1287, and the video below says the gurning began in 1267, so it took a full twenty years before these worthy men were recognized for their contributions to society.
The horse collar is used during the contest. Competitors put their heads through the collar when performing for the judges. Here’s a better shot of the same guy without the Queen.
Here is Mr. Mattinson explaining the history of this peculiar sport.