Usenet 1994 January/usenetsourcesnewsgroupsinfomagicjanuary1994.iso/answers/animation-faq

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From: [e-mail] (Will Bell)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.animation,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: [rec.arts.animation] Frequently Asked Questions v. 1.24
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Date: 7 Dec 1993 06:57:09 GMT
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Summary: Contains Q&A for new users of this newsgroup. Pls read before posting.
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Archive-name: animation-faq
Version: 1.24  1993/08/14

*** REC.ARTS.ANIMATION Frequently asked questions ***
*** Version 1.24  ***  Aug 14 1993
*** Mail all comments to Will Bell ([e-mail])

*** CONTENTS

1.  Introduction
2.  Questions
3.  Frequently Discussed Topics that tend to go nowhere
4.  Acknowledgements & Distribution rights

*** INTRODUCTION

Rec.arts.animation is a relatively high-volume newsgroup which is intended
to discuss animation of any kind.  No subjects are taboo, but discussion
tends to focus on cartoons of all sorts -- how they are made, how good they
are, how BAD they are :-), and any other toon-related issues.

As with any other newsgroup, there are several questions that come up
repeatedly.  This document attempts to provide authoritative answers
to some of these FAQ's.

If you have a suggestion, complaint, or any other comment, please MAIL
it to me at [e-mail].  This file is posted automatically by
machine, and I sometimes fall behind in my newsreading.  There is a
good chance I will not see your comments if you post them.  So please
email me instead.  It may take me some time to incorporate your comments
into this file.  All comments are saved and WILL be included at some point
in the future as my time allows.

This FAQ, as well as many other FAQ's appearing on the net, is posted to
news.answers.  You can ftp FAQ's mentioned in this document from
rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet.  If you do not have ftp, send a message to
"[e-mail]" with the word "help" in the body.  The server
will send you instructions on retrieving the files via email.

This FAQ is posted about every 15 days.  You may also request it via
email (give me several days to respond).

*** CHANGES FROM LAST TIME

(none)



*** QUESTIONS

Q1.  Where can I get a copy of the movie *Heavy Metal* on VHS?

A1.  Heavy Metal (the movie) is not licensed on video cassette in the US.
     From the horse's mouth:

        "We are constantly asked where one can buy the video of *Heavy
        Metal: The Film.*  You can't.  It's not available.  At the time
        the movie was made the film company, Columbia Pictures, didn't
        obtain the rights to the music.  It's been a long, arduous endeavor,
        but we are working on it, and hopefully we'll have some good news
        about a possible video in the future."

                                        Julie Simmons-Lynch
                                        Editor-in-Chief
                                        Heavy Metal magazine
                    Summer 1988 issue

     The US Pay Cable channel Cinemax shows Heavy Metal approximately every
     8 months.  The most recent showing was in November 1992.  Apparently
     Turner has acquired some rights to it;  it was shown on TNT in
     July 1993.

Q2.  But I just went to a ComicCon and a vendor had copies with color covers
     and everything!

A2.  The movie is widely bootlegged.  Some vendors dress them up to make
     look official, but the fact remains that they are bootlegs.  It's
     also believed that the movie has been released in Japan.  This is of
     course not legal to sell in the US.

Q3.  I will surely die if I don't get (MyFaveCartoon) on VHS!  Where can I
     buy it?

     If it's a Warners or MGM cartoon, there's a very large chance it's been
     released on VHS.  Check mass merchandisers such as K-Mart and Wal-Mart,
     and also check places like Suncoast Motion Pictures (a store that sells
     only videos).  Suncoast usually has a very good selection of toons.

     The best place to look for hard-to-find video is Whole Toon Access.
     WTA is a mail-order house in Issaquah, WA which specializes in
     cartoons on video.  They have thousands of titles in their catalog
     including toons from many independent vendors.  If it's available on
     video, they'll probably have it.  To contact them:
        Whole Toon Access
        PO Box 369
        Issaquah, WA 98027
        [phone]

Q4.  Any other mail order vendors I need to know about?

A4.  Warner Bros Catalog -- sells Looney Tunes material as well as
     promotional materials for their current movies and TV shows.
     The merchandise is usually overpriced and unexceptional.  (IMHO)
        Warner Bros. Catalog
        PO Box 60048
        Tampa FL  33660-0048
        [phone]

     Disney Catalog --
        The Disney Catalog
        PO Box 28144
        Shawnee Mission KS  66201-9144
        [phone]
     (any others?)

Q5.  I'm into anime (Japanese Animation).  Why don't I ever see any anime
     posts here?

A5.  They are all in rec.arts.anime, which has its own FAQ.  The maintainer of
     that FAQ has volunteered to answer queries, etc., outside of r.a.anime.
     Email to [e-mail].

Q5a. Any other toon newsgroups I need to know about?

A5a. Here are a few and what they focus on :

     alt.tv.animaniacs -- Fox-TV Cartoon "Animaniacs"
     alt.tv.tiny-toon -- Fox-TV Cartoon "Tiny Toon Adventures" (*)
     alt.tv.tiny-toon.fandom -- Looser discussion of Tiny Toons.
     alt.fan.disney.afternoon --  Syndicated cartoons in
    "The Disney Afternoon" (Goof Troop, Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck,
    Tale Spin) and DuckTales (and others?)
     alt.tv.ren-n-stimpy -- Nickelodeon cartoon "The Ren & Stimpy Show" (*)
     alt.fan.ren-and-stimpy -- a lesser-distributed newsgroup.
     rec.arts.disney -- Any and all things Disney, tends to focus more on the
        animated feature films and on theme park issues (*)
     alt.tv.simpsons -- Fox-TV Cartoon "The Simpsons" (*)
     comp.graphics.animation -- technical details of computer animation
     alt.tv.liquid.tv -- MTV show "Liquid Television"

     (*) Indicates the group has its own FAQ which you can ftp from
     rtfm.mit.edu. (/pub/usenet)

     Discussion about the Disney Afternoon also takes place on a mailing
     list as well as the newsgroup listed above.  All of the "true fans"
     are on the mailing list. :-)  The most ground-breaking news from the
     list is posted to the newsgroup.  Send mail to
     [e-mail] to be placed on this mailing list.

Q6.  Where can I get the soundtrack from *The Last Unicorn*?

A6.  The soundtrack exists, but is not released in the US.  Here's the
     pertinent info.
        "Das Letzte Einhorn"
        released by Virgin Records (in then West Germany, I believe)
        copyright 1982,  CD # 610 388-222
        running time: 38 min.

Q7.  What are the lyrics to (MyFaveCartoon'sThemeSong)?

A7.  I have lyrics for Disney Afternoon and some Jay Ward cartoons.  Mail me
     requests.  I am trying to build up a repository of lyrics and then
     stash them at some ftp site.  Contributions gratefully accepted!

Q8.  What cartoons are on *The Golden Age of Looney Tunes*?  How about the
     other tapes?  Any other laserdiscs?

A8.  I have a list which includes all the data for the current MGM/UA and
     Warner VHS tapes and laser discs.  Due to space considerations, it is
     not included here.  Email me and I will send you this list (it is
     currently about 1000 lines long).

Q9.  Does anyone have a gif of (MyFaveAnimatedScene?)

A9.  These sites are known to have cartoon/animation gifs:
        garfield.catt.ncsu.edu    152.1.43.23    (much Disney Stuff)
        wuarchive.wustl.edu    128.252.135.4
        avatar.snc.edu        138.74.0.13

     The utpapa site no longer offers gifs due to copyright concerns.
     If you know any more sites for animation gifs please let me know.

Q10. What about those of us who are really interested in the actual
     creating of animation?  Drawing, etc?

A10. The address for the animator's mailing list is
     [e-mail]; sending e-mail with a subject of
     "subscribe" will automatically join you to it.

Q11. What's the deal with editing on Tex Avery video collections?

A11. The first pressing of the Complete Tex Avery set contains two edited
     cartoons.  This was a mistake by MGM/Turner and the second pressing
     is supposed to be correct.  I wouldn't recommend buying a copy without
     first verifying it is the unedited version.  In "Droopy's Good Deed"
     look for the exploding hat, if the man continues counting out the
     money in black-face with a southern accent you have the unedited
     version.  (Thanx to Michael W. Denney for this info.)

Q12. Any good books on Animation / Cartoons?

A12. For Disney books, I refer you to part 1c of Tom Tanida's excellent
     FAQ for rec.arts.disney (see above for instructions on how to get
     this list).

     Whole Toon has a large list of animation books available, including
     many Disney books and several non-Disney books.  Some suggestions
     from the net:

     Adamson, Joe; "Tex Avery: King of Cartoons"; printed in 1975;
        A biography of Tex Avery. It has a filmography listing credits
        with a short description and rating of each cartoon. There is
        an interview with Tex Avery and a fair number  of black and
        white stills for films, character sheets.

     Beck, Jerry and Will Friedwald; "Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies" 1988;
        Ultimate reference of Warner Brothers cartoons.  Chronological
        filmography of releases with synopsis and full credits.

     Blanc, Mel; "That's not All, Folks";
        Mel Blanc's biography (I guess, I've not read it.)

     Brion, Patrick; "Tom & Jerry: The Definitive Guide to their Animated
        Adventures"; New York, Harmony Books, 1990.  A translation of the 1987
        French edition.  An extremely thorough and beautiful treatment of the
        Tom and Jerry series from 1940 to 1967.  Includes complete production
        information on each film, including music used, animators, etc.  Very
        large and gorgeous--lots of color pictures.  [Ed. Note:  If you are
        a Tom & Jerry fan, you must own this book.  It is a very well-done
        production.  I found it at a used bookstore for $10 -- lists for $40!
        Or, PSB suggests this source: Edward R. Hamilton, Bookseller, Falls
        Village, CT 06031-5000--he doesn't do phone orders, so write for a
        catalog.]

     John Canemaker, Felix: "The Twisted Tale of the World's Most Famous Cat"
        Chronicles the rise of Felix during the silent era, his fall and rise
        again as a television star.  Lots of great art, a bibliography and short
        filmography.  New York, Pantheon Books, 1991.

     Carbarga, Leslie; "The Fleischer Story" 1988;
        A chronicle of the rise and fall of the Fleischer brothers, the
        pioneering animators responsible for Betty Boop, Koko the Clown,
        Popeye among others.  Contains a complete filmography.

     Donald Crafton; "Before Mickey: The Animated Film 1898-1928";
        Cambridge, Mass., MIT Press, 1982.  The definitive scholarly work on
        the early animated film.  Lots of illustrations and a bibliography.
        The book ends where most begins--with Walt Disney's work.  Great of
        pre-film entertainments, Emile Cohl, Winsor McCay, Bray's invention
        of the cel technique, Paul Terry's Aesop's Fables, Fleischer's Out of
        the Ink-well series, Felix the Cat.  Crafton's writing is extremely
        readable considering his amazing scholarship.

     Jones, Chuck; "Chuck Amuck --- The Life and Times of an Animated
        Cartoonist"; 1990;
        An autobiography of Chuck Jones. It has a fair number of sketches,
        stories etc about the Warner Brother studios. Includes a filmography.

     Lenburg, Jeff; "Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons" 1991;
        The most comprehensive reference for theatrical cartoons and feature
        films, and television, listing individual episode titles.
        Entries include creators, directors, studios, voices, plot summaries
        and other trivia.

     Maltin, Leonard; "Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated
        Cartoons"; 1987;
        A history of the major american animation studios, focusing up
        until the 1960's studios.  Detailed filmography.  Good overall
        history of the US animation houses. Considered THE history of
        American Animation

     Schneider, Steve; "That's All Folks" 1988;
        Detailed history of the Warner Brothers cartooning.  Chapters focus
        on individual characters and a complete chronological filmography
        is included.  Lavishly illustrated.

     Sennett, Ted; "The Art of Hanna-Barbara" 1989;
        Coffee Table book thoroughly chronicles characters and series
        created by Hanna Barbara.  Lavishly illustrated with publicity
        stills and production art.  No filmography or episode titles.

     Solomon, Charles; "Enchanted Drawings: The HiStory of Animation" 1989;
        Huge art book, looks at the field chronologically as opposed to
        focusing on certain studios.  Incredible assortment of drawings
        and cels.  Expensive.

     Thomas, Frank and Ollie Johnston; "Disney Animation: The Illusion of
        Life";  "Good for the animator and non-animator alike."  575pp.

*** FREQUENTLY DISCUSSED TOPICS THAT TEND TO GO NOWHERE

"Below are a list of topics that when brought up frequently start heated
flame wars.  When discussing them, please remember that they are a matter
of personal opinion and not some absolute set of value judgements that
everyone should subscribe to -- after all it is the diversity that makes
Usenet the interesting place it is.  When flame wars get out of hand, the
moderate parties often drop out or unsubcribe to the group as a result."

*  US Animation vs. Japanese Animation (anime)
*  Tiny Toons are/aren't ripoffs of Looney Tunes
*  "(MyFaveCartoon) is the best cartoon in existence.  Flame me."
*  "(YourFaveCartoon) is a piece of <random expletive>.  Flame me."

(others?)

*** ACKS

The following people contributed to this document:
    Roger P. Ang ([e-mail])
    Priscilla Stearns Barlow <[e-mail]>
    Enrique Conty ([e-mail])
    Michael W. Denney ([e-mail])
    J. J. Kwashnak ([e-mail])
    Tad Morgan ([e-mail])
    Tony Palombella ([e-mail])
    Vince Taluskie ([e-mail])
    Emru Townsend <[e-mail]>
    Dana Uehara ([e-mail])


*** REDISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

This document, or any derivative works thereof, may not be sold or
redistributed for profit in any way without express written permission of
the editor, Will Bell.  This includes, but is not limited to, translations
into foreign languages, mass archival as on a CD_ROM, inclusion in
commercially published compilations (books), and uploading this document
to non-USENET services.

This document represents the collective effort of many USENET animation
fans.  We appreciate your honoring of this policy.
--
Will Bell -- [e-mail] -- Live from the heart of Scenic Central Texas
"Ya das is Otto von Schnitzelpusskrankengescheitmeyer!
 Ya das ist ein incredibly long name to have to try and say!"