Published by Joe on 06 Aug 2009 at 01:12 pm
August 6, 2009
Just finished the interview with Craig McCracken for my book ( which thankfully is now done, and will be going to the publisher tomorrow).
Craig is amazing, and one of these answers fits in to what we have been discussing in these last few posts.
Here it is:
Q- You were involved in the development of new creators and new shows at Cartoon Network. How do you see these new creators? Any trends? Consistent mistakes they are making in your opinion? Is it interesting to watch a wave of new talent that cut their teeth on watching our shows from the 90’s as opposed to our influences, which were the old shows of the 50’s and 60’s ?
A-What I like about a lot of the new up and coming creators is that the stuff they’re doing is so different from Cartoons that I’ve ever seen before. It is awesome and inspiring! Interestingly, when I was growing up, all the cartoons that I really loved were made before I was even born: HB, Jay Ward, and WB. There weren’t a lot of cartoons made by cartoonists for my generation. Today’s audiences have grown up with, and been exposed to such a wide range of animation. Whether it’s the Simpsons, South Park, Pixar movies, Anime, or shows on Nick, Disney, or Cartoon Network, this generation of animation fans has it better that any other generation in terms of sheer variety of content. Hopefully, the current trend of creator- driven cartoons continues into the future because I can’t wait to see what the newest generation of animators produce.
If Craig McCracken, after what he’s just been through, can remain optimistic about the future of animation and creator driven animation, it really says a lot.
I am so happy to have this book done. I’m supposed to take the ebook down tomorrow, but it may have to wait until I get back from holiday.
Dan McCormick on 06 Aug 2009 at 4:58 pm #
Congratulations on getting the book wrapped up!!! Sounds like a massive burden has finally been lifted from your shoulders.
Charles Brubaker on 06 Aug 2009 at 5:41 pm #
“Hopefully, the current trend of creator- driven cartoons continues into the future because I can’t wait to see what the newest generation of animators produce.”
I’m with Craig here. I myself can’t wait to see what the future will bring.
Hopefully, I’ll be one of the guys doing it (yeah yeah, wishful thinking, but still…)
Joe on 06 Aug 2009 at 6:01 pm #
Why not you Charles? Who better?
Joe Murray
Ricardo Cantoral on 06 Aug 2009 at 7:27 pm #
“Why not you Charles? Who better?”
Me.
Kidding, just kidding.
Seriously though. I agree the future being brighter but not because of the variety of current content. I find most of it wretched. Sorry, that is just way I feel being a 22 year old curmudgeon . However there are three critical factors that means much improvement on the way. First, creators such as yourself Joe, John K., etc. openly giving advice. We don’t have to wait for that once in a blue moon chance you have some article appear in some magazine or a book. We recieve your knowledge instanteously via the internet. Secound, the library of information that is available. Now more then ever we know more about people in the golden age of animation besides Chuck Jones or Walt Disney. Also lastly, the cost materials to produce a decent film or short subject has gone down dramatically. You can make an entire cartoon by yourself for close to nothing.
Just my two cents.
Corey on 06 Aug 2009 at 8:35 pm #
That is amazing that the politics over at CN hasn’t shaded his view on the future of creator-driven cartoons. Good on him, and good on you too Joe for the very same reason, & thanks for sharing all of these quotes.
..and it probably goes without saying that we would all love to see a new series from YOU as well as new creators. I know I’m giving it all I’ve got to get some funding to make something myself. Developing a series with a full time job is challenging. I’d like the full time job to BE my series!
cheers
corey
david essman on 06 Aug 2009 at 10:15 pm #
curmudgeonism doesn’t help anyone.
When animations are posted on blogs there tends to be quite a bit of cynical and negative comments, instead of real constructive feedback that could help the artist(s) better their future projects.
it needs to stop.
Charles Brubaker on 07 Aug 2009 at 2:19 am #
Gotta agree with David. I’ve also noticed that animation blogs seems to be nothing but bitch bitch bitch. About how stuff from the past are better than now.
That’s one of the things I try to avoid with my blog. Being stuck in the past and past only is no way to move this medium forward.
Mr. Semaj on 07 Aug 2009 at 12:49 pm #
A lot of us would love to revisit the past (read as nostalgia). I’m sure the key reason why we’re even here is because of the cartoons we grew up on and would love to experience again, if not pass on to the next generation.
After a while though, it gets boring to constantly complain about how everything today sucks, and finding any reason to invalidate everybody’s work, especially when a lot of your targets would otherwise share the same common goal of bringing creativity to animation. It’s unrealistic, misanthropic, and ultimately harms the industry when an outsider gets the drift that an animator or animation fan has no flexibility.
Brian on 07 Aug 2009 at 3:36 pm #
Congrats on finishing the book! I know how good it feels to get such a large project done.
Best,
Brian
Nightmare is Near on 07 Aug 2009 at 5:11 pm #
This should give people more hope for animation. A chance to see different worlds, dreams, and to fill the mind with imagination.
Ricardo Cantoral on 07 Aug 2009 at 5:20 pm #
I don’t think “I am stuck in the past” having a peference for classic cartoons. My point was, people could build upon that foundation to excel.
Ricardo Cantoral on 07 Aug 2009 at 5:37 pm #
Also some peoples’ reactions to one comment in my overall post is just other sad illustration of knee jerk reactions on the internet. They pick one thing they don’t like and miss the point of what is being said entirely.
John Pannozzi on 23 Aug 2009 at 4:57 pm #
Will the published book contain all the content that the e-book had?
Joe on 25 Aug 2009 at 12:12 am #
All of the same info and much more. The alternative methods of getting a series out there has been expanded, and there is more info on schedules and budgets etc. Plus lots of swell interviews.
Joe Murray