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Monday, September 26, 2005
I was invited out to Meltdown comics out in Hollywood over the weekend. It was for a taping of a small cable show out of Fresno, CA about comic book artists. It was not a spectacular event but the producer of the show did have some good questions. I have no idea when it might air or if I would be able to view it down here or not.
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Sunday, September 25, 2005
I had lunch with an artist friend the other day. He is in charge of the graphics dept of the local newspaper. Of course the conversation turned to comic books. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. We were talking about what makes a good comic and he said something to the effect of, Hollywood has made movies out of these comics so they must be good.
I am sure that when a Hollywood executive makes a decision to OK a project based on a comic, "was it a good story?" is not high on the list.
Before you say something about how they are going after the choicest of authors working in comics to supply fodder for cinema, I don't believe it. The upcoming "V for Vendetta" is just more strip mining of Alan Moore's oeuvre. Starting with "From Hell" on through "League". And they will continue missing the point of the original format again and again. Does this mean that we are that much closer to a "Watchmen" movie? Maybe. Will it be as compelling as the comic? Or make Alan Moore vomit in rage? What do you think?
Good comic book movies are entirely feasible. I hereby cite "Spider-Man I, II" and the first "X-Men" movies.
I have said as much before; that I think good movies based on good comics can only do good for both industries, comics and movies. Bad movies based on good comics cannot only do no good for either but can actually harm one if not the other. Shitty comic movies a la' Berry's "Catwoman"
can conceivably turn potential comic readers away from the medium. And if allowed to continue long enough could turn off viewers to all movies and shows comics derived.
How many households in this country have televisions in them? Ninety percent? I don't know but I am sure it is a majority. How many households have regular comic readers in them? I don't know but I know it is a small fraction of the TV viewers. Comics have always been a niche market. Perhaps no more so than now. The comic industry should take it upon itself to broker better deals with movie studios. And I don't mean for more money, not even for more control. But for trying to get people who can be as passionate about a comic book story as much as the creators and readers making these movies.
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Thursday, September 22, 2005
FOX NEWS MUST DIE!!!
I just overhead a byte of upcoming news. "Hurricanes. How can we stop them?"
Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!
Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!
Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!
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Monday, September 19, 2005
I have been doing a lot more painting lately. Illustrating in paint more specifically. And I am finding that I like it. I will be putting some of it up on the site soon. Some of it might have to wait for publication. I am not sure. I will go back and reread my contracts. But anyhow here are a few shots of me in the studio working on a paperback cover. Don't ask me the name of it or what it is about. However I will say that I definitely enjoyed working with this particular editor because he knew exactly what he wanted and how he wanted it. He even suggested some reference. All I had to do was go home and paint it. I wish more of my clients were as able to communicate what they want.
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Sunday, September 18, 2005
We went to the Los Angeles County Fair today. I have been going to the fair at least once a year almost consistantly since I was a kid. I suspect that a new company must have won the contract to supply rides in the midway. I say this because this year the carnies had new uniforms and perhaps more noticable at least to me, was the graphics painted on the rides. The huge airbrushed paintings of characters on the concessions and rides.
They were different and much better than they have been in previous years. I found myself staring at them almost mesmerized. At one point I stopped and asked myself why I was so fascinated with them. It was because of their harkening back to the comics of my youth. The exaggerated characters. The use of primary colors. The captivating themes.
Don't get me wrong. These were not great examples of fantasy art. I noticed a few amateurish goofs in some of the details. I used to work as a scenic painter doing jobs exactly like this.
But they were exciting to look at. As an artist I found myself strangely drawn to these. I am kicking myself for not taking a bunch of photos to post here.
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Monday, September 12, 2005
I know that there should be one and only one piece of theme music for any media coverage of the destruction of the gulf coast. Not any of this sappy emotional pieces swelling behind the scenes of damage. Only one piece, period. It should be Walking on Sunshine by........KATRINA AND THE WAVES.
What? Too soon? What, do you think I am afraid of hate emails? Well, I'm not.
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Sunday, September 11, 2005
ALL ABOUT THE SERPENTINE FIRE
Ok before you get all snooty I went to my first concert tonight. Yeah, yeah, I am in my thirties and have never been to a concert before. So what?
It was Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire. At first I was a little confused. I kept thinking that Chicago was still a big enough band that they wouldn't need to open for anyone else. What I didn't realize was that both bands were co-headlining. Which makes one suspect that perhaps individually they have a hard time selling out concerts but after joining forces, no problems.
Both bands start out on stage together, about twenty people all told. They jam a little and then split up, one to perform and then the other. First up Earth, Wind and Fire.
One small complaint. Apparently people at concerts like to stand up and dance. Luckily there is a giant screen where you can still see over the heads of the people in front of you. But if you are not going to dance then sit down. I didn't pay fifty dollars to see the back of some white guy just standing there swaying.
And now the reason for me reporting on the concert. Oh man. Earth, Wind and Fire. Every member of that band was having probably more fun than anybody in the audience.
They were doing what they loved and it showed immensely.
Then during "Reasons" Phillip Bailey does his trademark high note singing. And after about thirty years he still can do it. And just as well. The camera for the big projection screen was on him the whole time and rightfully so. And after this four octave wonder pauses, the crowd goes wild. And the camera closes up on him a little more.
Maybe I am projecting here but I could see such a look of appreciation coming off of Bailey. You could see that he loves music and has a great passion for it. (I would assume that all musicians do or should have an undying passion for what they do.) And he was appreciating the audience's appreciation of him. He was appreciating the fact that he is special and that several thousand people just confirmed it.
This actually made me feel incredibly lucky. Lucky in that I actually know what I am supposed to do with my life and am getting paid to do so. So many people go through this life not able to hear their calling. I am lucky, indeed.
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