Tex Avery's unit of Michael Lah, Walt Clinton, and Grant Simmons has to be my favorite of all time. Though Bob Clampett's unit with Bob McKimson and Rod Scribner and Manny Gould would be right behind them. So, I figured I'd try and put together some clips featuring each animator. I started with Grant Simmons, well I assume that this is all Simmons. It's mostly clips from cartoons with Spike as it's easier to spot by the way he draws him. Though this could very well be a Walt Clinton reel since I can say for sure which name should be attached to the animation. I'm going to stick with Simmons though. If you spot any clips by a different animator please point them out.
whoa! what an awesome concept and post! i know there's a few people out there who try and animator id but it usually seems kinda snooty or something like "look how much i know" you know what i mean? this is great! it's more "check out how awesome this guy's stuff is!" the reel concept is cool too!
ReplyDeleteit'd be fun to see more like this! or a cartoon with the animator's scenes pointed out. totally great!
i feel like i should start paying more attention to this stuff, it's really important for understanding the way these things fit together!
thanks kevin!
Hey Smo, glad you liked the post. Though Thad's been posting these way longer than I have. I wish I had actual animator drafts to go by. I guess I'll just have to keep eyeballing it. Hopefully those who are better at identifying different animators will point out any mistakes I may have made.
ReplyDeleteI have a Michael Lah reel that I'm going to post this week. I also made one of Pat Matthews Lantz animation that you might like. He's got his own label on the sidebar.
Walt Clinton animated the apple scene in Cock a Doodle Dog, but everything else is correct!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kasey, I was definitely not sure on that scene.
ReplyDeleteKevin, what specific traits should I be looking for to spot Simmons' work?
ReplyDeleteYowp
Well with Spike Simmons usually draws those toothy grins and he draws Spike's feet entirely different than Michael Lah. Overall though his animation seems a lot more elastic than the other two.
ReplyDeletethis is so awesome! thanks for sharing!!1
ReplyDeleteman. tex avery always reminds me what cartoons are about. FUN
Grant seems the closest to Tex's peronsal style.
ReplyDeleteHello there,
ReplyDeleteI am Grant Simmons' granddaughter, and it is a pleasure finding your blog and reading such comments about him. Thanks to Google for making it all possible. He passed away before I was born, so I pieced together his life through my father's stories. I now realize that there is a great body of knowledge about his work available in the public domain, and I really appreciate having access at it. Also, to be able to read yours and your colleagues reviews of animation is very enlightening. Thanks so much. If you have anything related to his work that you think is worth sending, I'd appreciate it. Kelly
Hi Kelly, I'm glad you liked the reel of your Grandfather's animation. I wish I had more to share in the way of drawings. I think some of the Layouts in a Tex Avery book may have been his but I can't be positive. I have this on DVD and would be happy to send you a copy. Just send me your info in an email if your interested.
ReplyDelete-Kevin
Timeless "funny" animation.
ReplyDeleteEverything from posing, timing and exageration.
I agree with David, these are what cartoons are supposed to be about.