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UK Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito Announce June Highlights
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http://www.toonzone.net/2015/05/how-new-york-city-launched-the-aniion-industry-an-ampas-event-with-tommy-stathes-and-j-j-sedelmaier/
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How New York City Launched the Animation Industry - An AMPAS Event with Tommy Stathes and J.J. Sedelmaier - Toon Zone News
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5/21/15, 2:48 AM
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How New York City Launched the Animation Industry - An AMPAS Event with Tommy Stathes and J.J. Sedelmaier - Toon Zone News
5/21/15, 2:48 AM
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How New York City Launched the Animation Industry - An AMPAS Event with Tommy Stathes and J.J. Sedelmaier - Toon Zone News
5/21/15, 2:48 AM
The final reel in the event screened five animated shorts from the mid- to late-1920s, with names that will probably be more familiar to modern
audiences. The Fleischer Brothers were represented by a Koko the Clown Out of the Inkwell short titled Cartoon Factory, while Walter Lantz
provided a then-modern update to Cinderella. Interestingly, both these shorts flip back to hybrid live-action/animated films rather than sticking
purely to one medium or the other. The shenanigans of Felix in Astronomeows (starring Felix the Cat) and in Paul Terrys Dinner Time easily
translated to modern audiences.
Tommy Stathes
The one non-New York animated short in the program was Walt Disneys Steamboat Willie, the first animated short with synchronized sound. Disney
apparently provided a new film print struck from the original negative for this event, and the quality was absolutely flawless. Mr. Stathes also noted
that this print included a scene normally excluded from most prints of the film (where Mickey plays a sows teats like an accordions keys), while Mr.
Sedelmaier pointed out that Walt Disneys use of synchronized sound in Steamboat Willie was a conscious eort to outdo Paul Terrys Dinner
Time.
Many of these earliest short films are much less sophisticated than the average animated short today, both on technical and storytelling levels.
However, these shorts endure on their energy a certain sense of spontaneity that can sometimes go missing in modern animation. These cartoons
were exploring unknown territory, with filmmakers experimenting with this new medium to see what they could do with it. That sense of
experimentation lends the shorts a palpable and electric sense of discovery that can often overcome any perceived deficiencies in storytelling or
animation. Id also argue that many modern cartoons arent much more sophisticated than whats on display here. Both panelists noted that these
animated shorts have dated much better than many of their live-action counterparts, since its much easier to appreciate the draftsmanship and the
sensibilities of animation over many of the stylistic tics of the live-action films.
Tommy Stathes oers up a selection of early animation on his Cartoon Roots Blu-ray, and stated that hes working to bring more of his collection on
home video. You can also keep up with his Cartoon Carnival Facebook page or ask to be added to his mailing list to follow his restoration and
preservation eorts and stay up-to-date on public screenings. J.J. Sedelmaier can be followed on his studios ocial website, as well as his Facebook
group and Twitter account.
http://www.toonzone.net/2015/05/how-new-york-city-launched-the-aniion-industry-an-ampas-event-with-tommy-stathes-and-j-j-sedelmaier/
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