21 February 2013
19 February 2013
16 February 2013
The Rabbit that Roared
Walt Disney found early success with a group of animated cartoons featuring a human (the "Alice" comedies); but he really hit pay dirt with his first animated star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
Animator Ub Iwerks created Oswald in 1927 for a series of cartoons produced for distribution by Universal Studios. The quirky Oswald possessed many zany qualities. He embodied the craziness of the times and was a free spirited character unlike most other contemporary animated characters.
Disney Studios made only a few Oswald cartoons before Universal decided to take production in-house, thereby leaving Disney out of the process. (In response, Disney and Iwerks created a new character, a mouse, that would bring them their ultimate success.)Oswald cartoons would continue to be produced into the 1940s; but, despite being Disney's first animated star, he had lost all rights to the character. Oswald was finally returned to the studio of his birth in 2006.
You can find the early Oswald cartoons here.
15 February 2013
Create Space
Every creative genius has an office -- or at least a desk where s/he works. Ever wonder what the office of Walt Disney looked like? I'm talking about the real office, not the fake one you would see behind him on Sunday nights during the "Wonderful World of Disney." You can see his actual office in this photograph (click to enlarge). It's one of the many fascinating things you'll see if you go to "Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives" at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.
The exhibition is divided in two sections: the really cool early years of Disney, growing up and starting out as an artist, and the early days of the studio itself; and the more recent movies, including costumes, props, original poster art and "miniatures" from such fare as the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series, the "Tron" sequel and "The Avengers."
Personally, I most enjoyed learning about Disney's early years, including his first animated star -- no, not the ratty little mouse; rather, the cute and frolicking little bunny named Oswald, represented here by some early sketches and posters. It's what got Disney going, and I'm really glad to see some of these very rare early art pieces.
The exhibition continues through April. You can read more at the official site here.
The exhibition is divided in two sections: the really cool early years of Disney, growing up and starting out as an artist, and the early days of the studio itself; and the more recent movies, including costumes, props, original poster art and "miniatures" from such fare as the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series, the "Tron" sequel and "The Avengers."Personally, I most enjoyed learning about Disney's early years, including his first animated star -- no, not the ratty little mouse; rather, the cute and frolicking little bunny named Oswald, represented here by some early sketches and posters. It's what got Disney going, and I'm really glad to see some of these very rare early art pieces.
The exhibition continues through April. You can read more at the official site here.
09 February 2013
Cereal Warning
01 February 2013
26 January 2013
25 January 2013
24 January 2013
19 January 2013
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