Articles
Perfect Role Model
WHEN A LOT OF ARTISTS ARE WORKING ON THE SAME CHARACTER IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE OR SHORT, IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THE CHARACTER LOOKS THE SAME IN EVERY SCENE. ENTER THE MODEL SHEET. Model sheets, also known as character sheets, are reference guides used to standardize the appearance, pose, and...
Candy Land (1949)
Kids and Candy, what could be a better mix? Probably the first board game for most kids is Candy Land. Created in 1949, Candy Land is a standard “racing game”, meaning that players race around the board’s path to reach the finish line first. Of course, a big appeal for...
Rooty Toots Candy
For parents, experiences with sweet candy can tour sour pretty fast. Candy companies seem to be especially out to get parents. It’s bad enough that they get kids sugared up to the point that they’re practically bouncing off the walls, but some of the stuff is just downright obnoxious. Gummy...
Classic films or old films?
Will future generations be able to watch black and white films at all? It’s interesting to go back through film history and see how the art form has changed with the development of new genres and technological advancements bring about new ways of making and watching films. One of the...
Brought to you by Sunnington Morn
Where would Saturday morning cartoons be without cereal manufacturers? For most of us growing up, Saturday mornings meant sitting in front of our favorite cartoons with a bowl of sugary cereal – and there’s a good reason for that. Cereal companies sponsored a lot of children’s programming as far back...
Ringer Comics
Is it still a re-run if it’s in another medium? I’ve been re-reading some old Ringer Comics from the sixties. Though written for kids, they hold up really well reading them as an adult. And the best part is that they make you feel as if you’re watching an episode...
When it’s okay to miss the mark
Bloopers prove that the best part of something might be the mistakes. Uncontrollable laughter, forgotten lines or pranks or practical jokes by fellow cast members. For me, the Special Features are the best reason to own a DVD, and bloopers, also known as outtakes or a gag reel, are irresistible....
Fan Club Fanatic
Are you in or are you out? When you’re a kid, a sense of belonging is so important. You yearn to be included as part of the group, and being left out is the worst punishment. Fan clubs allow kids to proudly declare their membership to the world, with all...
Living like the Jetsons
The 21st century – the same as it’s always been. Watching old episodes of the Jetsons, I’m really struck by how similar life seems today as it was for the “family of the future.” Obviously there are universal truths that may never change: raising kids, working for a big company,...
Frank and His Friend: A real “Whodunit”
Place the blame wherever it will stick When you’re an only child, it’s a little hard not to take the blame for everything that gets broken around the house – since it’s pretty clear who must have done it. So single children everywhere could relate to the attempts by the...
Spaceman Jax: Born Hero
If this guy can come out on top, then there must be a chance for the rest of us. Spaceman Jax is still a perfect hero for kids. He’s dimwitted – absolutely – and causes more trouble with his rescuing than what originally put the various planets in peril in...
Gadabout in Style
Is it still possible to travel with a modicum of glamour? With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season behind us, we’ve been thinking a lot about travel. Traveling today is a colossal hassle: from the exorbitant fees for everything from in-flight meals or restroom access to the...