I am taking down this post because I have more ideas to include…thanks for your ideas…

Sorry…I was bursting at the seams…sorting out my feelings about war in general - not just the current war. That, plus a health dose of Howard Zinn materials (DVD, CD and you tube, big think entries) and Memorial Day…and out came this little “work in progress“…

Now… how do I end it…any suggestions?

I can add and also delete…I made the beginning long on purpose - to make folks uncomfortable.

Please email me with suggestions: lanimate@bellsouth.net

Thanks!

Here is a clip of Rupert’s Olympic Feet produced in 1984.

This humble film was the beginning for bigger things…

It was the beginning of what became The Animation House, Inc. - a studio that at times, employed some 40 artists.

Animation on Rupert was by Bess Powell, Stuart Louder and yours truly. Stuart also painted all the backgrounds. This film was “ruff” spontaneous and full of passion. Unfortunately, a better copy is not available.

A mostly volunteer staff helped with the inking and painting on acetate cels. Folks would stay all night at our house and ink and paint. We would kick everyone out at 2:00 am when the Late Show with David Letterman was over. We even sent him an animation cel and told him he could “sponsor” our film. He never did pick up on it…wonder if he ever got the cel?

Every morning our children would enter the living room, kitchen and studio rooms where card tables covered every available space with multi-colored pieces of acetate drying ready for the camera. They were in a wonderful wonderland of brilliant hues and shiny plastic!

The film was finished on time, selected by the Academy and screened at the Festival…

Of course, years later…we see all the mistakes…but, the passion is still there.

Even more animated!!!!!!!!!!

The story of RUPERT’S OLYMPIC FEET… part 1

Here is Rupert carrying the torch- in years past it was a more welcomed job

    It was February 1st, 1984, Charles Samu from HBO was in town- and, since I was president of ASIFA Washington, we along with our wives enjoyed dinner. At one point, Charles looked at me and asked, “So, are you making a film for the Olympiad of Animation?”” Yes.” I replied.  “How is it progressing?” Charles responded. “I don’t know…” I quipped”…we begin it tomorrow!”

    He just looked at me with a quizzical, partially horrified stare.

    At that moment, I fully understood his emotions. Today was February 1st and the film had to be shipped by April 1st…that gave us just under 2 months to produce, direct and animate a film.

    The film, Rupert’s Olympic Feet (just over three minutes long) was completed in time to be shipped and was one of 28 films selected to be screened at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences theater in Beverly Hills, California.

    You have probably never heard of the Olympic Arts Festival – it is a part of every Olympics. Obviously, the athletic portion of the Olympics is the mainstay of the event.

    In the spring or summer of1983, Fini and Bill Littlejohn spearheaded the Olympiad of Animation to be a part of the Cultural Festival of the Games. Animators from all over the world jumped on board. Bill was a Vice President of ASIFA International (a French acronym for the International Animated Film Association). Fini was a ball of white energy calling people, sending out reminder cards, calling, etc. - she was amazing. Her calls ranged from pleading, to cheer leading as she and Bill kept everyone focus and on task.

    The artists themselves attempted to communicate with each other with mailings and phone calls. Remember 1984 was B.I. (before the internet).

Rupert’s Olympic Feet was the story of a torchbearer who brings the flame from Greece through Europe, across America to Los Angeles. The original storyline called for Rupert to run cross-continents. The music was composed and performed by George Michael- no the other George Michael who live in the Seattle with his wife Julie. The idea was to animated to the beats and instrumentation of the music.

The final track was VERY electronic- sooooooooooo that story changed from one that was set on land to a “run through space” sort of motif.

Then, the race really began….not the torch run - but the race against the clock to finish Rupert.

…more on that later…in part 2.