Monday, May 5, 2008

Keepsake


The late Al Chiaritto animated many of my projects during the 1980s. We first worked together in MInneapolis at Bajus Jones Film Corporation, and later as freelancers FedExing artwork back and forth when Al moved to Fawn Grove Pennsylvania. Al began his animation career at Terrytoons studio working on MIghty Mouse and Tom Terrific. One day I got a package of animation from Al with this drawing on the top of the pile. I thought "Qh no, Al sent the wrong stuff!" But my initial concern disappeared when I looked through and everything was all there and in order. Al was the most efficient animator I ever worked with and astounded me how quickly he could take layouts and organize things and plow through the animation. I think his time working in a big production studio like Terrytoons trained him quite throughly in organizing and although I never achieved his level of organization he gave me something to strive for. There are lots of "Al" stories from that time, and stories of other characters to as interesting characters were always coming through and it was a lot of fun (and hard work and long hours too).

1 comment:

Gav said...

I always was amazed at how efficient Al was too. He could do more with 7 drawings than anyone I ever knew. Always loved his pornographic cartoon drawings out of field as well. That always kept things interesting.