goodeaton

Biked past the famous Winsor McCay “Hell House”.  The spray paint is long gone, but unfortunately there was a fire there not long ago.  It would be great to see it become a museum, as some have proposed.   Perhaps the way to save it is to attach a propeller and fly it away, as this couple once did to avoid a foreclosure:

I’ve made McCay the “patron saint” of the Kingsborough animation class, since it’s quite cool that he created so many of his classics so close to campus.

Twice a week I commute to teach animation at Kingsborough, sometimes via bike.  For an ocean-lover like myself, bike + Coney Island boardwalk = the best commute ever.  And all the Nathan’s hot dogs you can eat.  It’s been getting crowded lately, but all the stroller moms and Russian seniors are safe, thanks to loose boards that broadcast my approach like an army of Kodo drummers.

In this photo you can see the tripods I’ve bungeed to the bike frame, to be used for today’s cutout puppet animation exercise.  One’s a modified mic stand that makes an excellent camera stand. 

I’ve recently started up a Tumblr blog to showcase animation thoughts and particularly cool films. Take a look: goodeaton.tumblr.com.

Devil in a Mermaid

One of many striking things about the Disney documentary Waking Sleeping Beauty was the way the form of the Broadway musical brought new life to their animated features.  Their strong effect is telling in this New York magazine profile of the band Florence & the Machine. Bandleader Florence considers her childhood viewing of The Little Mermaid to be her first concert and a huge influence. 

It’s interesting how animation can give new life to other forms — like the musical, or the way that slapstick and physical humor migrated to animation.  And then these works go on to influence musicians like Florence & the Machine.  Truly, the Circle of Life.

The MTA is now run by the Riddler.  Who am I?  Riddle me this!

New cartoon on Asthmatic Kitty