Brad Bird on Writers
As the WGA strike continues, Brad Bird would like you to know that even animation doesn’t get done without writers.
In an interview with Steven Gaydos in Variety, the writer/director of this year’s terrific Ratatouille (as well as Iron Giant and Pixar high-water mark The Incredibles) asserts that “there isn’t a giant difference between animation and live action. You need characters, stories, themes. It’s called good storytelling.”
He goes on to single out Michael Maltese for his work on so many classic Warner Bros. shorts by saying “95% of the finest days in the Chuck Jones career had Maltese attached.” Jones of course is the well known director of some of the best cartoons Warner Bros. had to offer including Daffy Duck’s The Scarlet Pumpernickel and Bugs Bunny’s What’s Opera, Doc?, both penned by Maltese.
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Easy to forget that Chuck Jones and Tex Avery needed a script to craft all those wonderful cartoons. I wonder if Bird is ever going to get the respect he (and many of the other talents at Pixar) deserve from the Academy? It was a big deal when Beauty and the Beast was nominated for Best Picture but Pixar’s work far exceeds anything Disney has done in the last 40 years and now they seem to be comfortably relegated to the Best Animated Feature Oscar. I’m glad they’re recognizing the medium, but disappointed that they don’t more readily credit the talents behind the features.
Funny to think that back in the day, MGM’s Tom and Jerry and Warner’s Looney Tunes were often fighting over Best Animated Shorts each year. That whole category has become so obscure since the movie theaters stop using them to intro movies long ago. Glad to see Pixar has brought that tradition back with their releases.
Now that animation has been ghettoized with it’s own category, the Academy no longer has to take animation seriously and they won’t.
‘Cause animation is, you know, for kids.
At least in this country.
What’s Opera, Doc? A true classic in every sense.
Indeed. I loves me some Bugs. Thought I have to admit my favorite character is Pepe Le Pew…a Chuck Jones/Michael Maltese creation, naturally.
:-)
I’m still a big cartoon watcher and will probably continue to be when I’m well into my 80’s. Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, all classics. There have been some excellent cartoons on Nickelodeon this decade, the 90’s as well. But the Chuck Jones/Michael Maltese stuff is still the best.
If anyone ever tells you you’re lacking in taste Alison, send them to me and I’ll fight ‘em.
I gave up cable many years ago (the only thing I miss is TCM) so I haven’t gotten to enjoy much of the Nick stuff. I’m old fashioned anyway. I’m all about the Looney Tunes.
I like that Brad Bird’s name could be that of a cartoon character.
Hehe, I agree Sartre, it almost sound like a superhero name
“What makes you think I’m not?”
Anyhow, I think the tradition is still somehow there. Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim makes some great stuff. But you’re right, it doesn’t get any cinematic respect. Which is too bad. Because Meltman (with the power to…..Melt!) needs a bigger audience ;-)
yep i really don’t care about pixar.as i’m sure you.. ah would have guessed.
it’s for the kids and for a adults that have 4,000 movies they want to see….