I must say you are doing an amazing job…tip my hat to you…and I agree with what you and David Nethery were talking about in one of the earlier posts - they should have done some recordings with the top animators of that time…would have been something great, hearing what they would of had to say in their prime. Just wondering, could you possibly do an interview with one of the cleanup artist veterans like Vera Lanpher - I really agree cleanup animators are the unsung heroes of animation - THEY SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED!!! - I would love to hear about their careers and time in animation.

GREAT BLOG…KEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK!

Sarah

-Micha.

Sorry for the confusion, when I was referring to the intros and outros, I simply meant the music.

Your dialogue at beginning and end can go on for as long as you’d like, I listen to those parts in full.

I was merely referring to the intro with buzz/bugs, Joe did a good job and it sounds very pro and well produced. I actually thought it was shorter than 50 secs. so it must not be that bad to hear each episode. And of course it is the last thing to worry about.

Your content (opening & closing dialogue) are great - and listening to the voice mails are fun, along with any tidbits you can add, links like Animation Meat. Also bits of comments that you find worthy would be fine to read, most of us don’t have time to check out long posts like mine.

I’d like you to read this quote “”All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
-  Walt Disney” And ask all listeners if they know the source.

It would be really something if there was an actual audio clip of Walt saying this.

Great stuff, please keep it coming, it must be hard to juggle with work and all.

-Dan
madmanmagic@mac.com

I think the handouts you’re referring to are the Walt Stanchfield notes available at Animation Meat.

I have to admit, the intro music is running a little long (even The Intro Voice agrees). That’s going to have to be a little lower on my list of priorities for now since I want to post shows more often, but at 50 seconds, I don’t think it’s too much to bear for the time being. Besides, I think Joe did a great job of putting it together for me.

I do like the Ebert & Roeper podcast. It frees me from half and hour of tv watching. And a little secret - I edit out breaths too. The goal for me is to fit as much good stuff (IMHO) in to as little listening time as possible.

As far as intros and outros (the parts where I talk at the start and end), I’m not planning on changing them. I make sure not to take too long before the interviews. I think the intros are useful and brief, especially for people who may not know who I’m talking to. I made a concious choice to isolate the interview section of the program, so if you don’t like the audio after the interview ends, you can stop listening there. I won’t know. But again, for those who care to listen, I’ll attempt to respond to the audio messages I receive and share any other info relating to the show.

Thanks for the auido links. I’ll check them out when I get the time.

-Clay

During a part of Nik Ranieri interview, you mentioned a handout that some older Disney greats gave? And that there was a link with some of that stuff posted “that will keep us busy for hours.”

Can you post the link? Or can anyone else point me there?

Also the Walt stuff would be great to hear, anyone willing to share the link?

Show production critiques:

My 2 cents regarding the show, cut the intro music… to something like three measures of music. On the second listen, and if I am any example of a listener these get plenty of repeat listens, the opening is boring (sorry) and unnecessary.

The listener is “Psyched Up to Hear You & Your Guest” Not Buzz & Bugs, over and over. Blah. As they teach in screenwriting, just cut to the chase!

Your voice has a nice tone and I didn’t mind the scripted stuff, but ad lib is probably the best way to go. But don’t go changing your voice. I found it ironic that Deja & you had similar pacing in speaking speed. Relaxed. Very soothing. And I know Andy Gaskill (Art Director of Lion King) and he has that same soothing relaxing speech pattern. So strange given the nature of the biz you are in - face paced, kinetic.

But you guys are so Zen and I’m thinking, maybe this is why I haven’t made the leap to features, I am a Maya animator for TV. But I am on overdrive, since us one man bands have so much to master in Maya, I guess?

Then along comes Nik Ranieri and he blows the myth. All is not Zen behind the EARS! Nik has energy but you keep him on track.

Give a listen to the Ebert & Roeper PodCast, they edit out the breathing - it is insane! It just zooms by, but it is ok for them because half of what they are saying is so lame anyway.

Don’t edit out the breaths, but I’d cut the intros, outros (is that a word?).

And hope it’s ok to share some links to audio.

The Comics Journal did some interviews and used to post them as mp3 to download. You can still catch R. Crumb interview on, http://www.tcj.com/
- click on Audio Archives.

Similar fan base, comics book artist interviews - I have all the back issues if someone wants to trade for some animation interviews lost on the web!

Sorry for going on so long, I did not want to leave a voice mail, thought it would be better to post online. Easier access for others to read.

I hope you can keep up the podcast - it is a sweet treat for us animators!

Dan
madmanmagic@mac.com
Maya Animator,New Jersey! U.S.A.

Benjamin, thanks for the info. And, yes I’m working on the show right now. In fact, I’m interupting myself to post this.
You can’t blame David, though. He went to school with Nik and I think he’s mentioned in the next installment.

-Clay

@David: we’re all excited to hear the second part, but don’t be impatient, man
I bet he’s working on it as much as he can.

- Benjamin

Cheers

Ross

-Clay