Posted by cartoon-guy at ppp194-147.smartlink.net on April 28, 2000 at 23:39:59:
In Reply to: Since you're around.. posted by Darth Dobbin2 on April 28, 2000 at 21:48:18:
: What's the word around the campfire?
I don't have a crystal ball, so your guess is as good as mine.
: Now, I *do* understand that there was some bad mojo in the move to May (Sorry about using your art to enact my own very special animation, BTW),
I'm not sure I understand. What animation?
:Is there a "wait and see" attitude, or have you heard any talk of encouragement from "the inside?"
Again, i don't have the inside track on the thinking of the network execs. I think it's a good sign that ABC wants me to draw some promos for CLERKS. It shows that they are going to at least promote it.
: Also, are you aware, as an animator and a guy who has worked on TV projects in general, of any grass-roots movement that has kept a show on the air that would have been otherwise axed? i.e. What works? Letters to the network, or to advertisers?
I've actually never worked in tv before this, I'm primarily a feature guy. But it seems to me that if Samual Adams beer advertises on CLERKS, and you buy a ton of Samual Adams beer, the sponsors would want more CLERKS shows to advertise on. And if it doesn't work, at least you would have had a good time drinking all that beer. Positive letters couldn't hurt either. But whatever you see advertised on CLERKS, buy a ton of it.
Come to think of it, I think a letter writing campaign kept the original Star Trek on tv for a second year, but am not sure of any others.
: Glad to see that you are still "lurking around." The art on the "official" cartoon site looks really, really nice. There's a clean, fun feeling to it that makes it seem whimsical, but also very contemporary. There's something about how THE SIMPSONS has evolved; it is so stylized and consistent that it becomes very watchable.. and all the characters, it seems have been streamlined for maxiimum "likability", if that makes sense. Like I thought that the CRITIC was funny, but never watched it much because the character design seemed creepy, and made it feel crappy. Same with KING OF THE HILL. But your figures are aesthetically pleasing and "rounded" without seeming too kiddy. Anyhow, that's how it seems in stills.
Thanks. I think you hit upon exactly what we were trying to do. We were just hitting a stride with the design of CLERKS with our last episodes. If the animated adventures of Dante and Randal continue, I think the look will evolve in very cool ways.
There is already an evolution in the first six shows. As they progressed, we were hitting the mark more and more. The very last shot of the very last show is my personal favorite. It's of Bob and Jay. The drawing is great, the background is great and their expression is perfect!