Friday, December 18, 2020

2020 in Review

I feel like 2020 was like Sealab 2021 and I’m hoping 2021 will be like Sealab 2020. 


I’ve spent a lot of time in quarantine - 10 months. But in that time I’ve tried to turn isolation into positivity. I’ve got a draft of a book written up and working through my second; hopefully more to share about those in the future. I’ve started this blog; a long overdue habit. I’ve finished reading through Donald Crafton’s Before Mickey and am halfway through Storming the Magic Kingdom by John Taylor. I’ve also acquired quite a few more books on animation history. I have watched and grown a new affinity for a lot of early animation, a bunch of specialty discs from Thunderbean and the Cartoon Roots series by Tommy Stathes (even got to assist Tommy in setting up some livestreaming early on in the Pandemic). I watched some awesome documentaries, even got myself a replacement copy of Giant Robo and some new pairs of glasses. I even started consistently watching Sumo, which is something I’ve always meant to keep up on (the January Basho is looking to be a good one!).


Pictured - 30 BluRays from Thunderbean, Three of Tommy Stathes' Cartoon Roots, Giant Robo - The Perfect Collection, John Canemaker - Marching to a Different Toon, Spike & Mike - Animation Outlaws, Not for Resale: A Video Game Store Documentary, Donald Crafton's Before Mickey and John Taylor's Storming the Magic Kingdom.

But I look forward to 2021; primarily because of a new start in a lot of regards. A new administration, a new vaccine; hopefully lots of events with ASIFA, friends and colleagues. New projects to pursue.


This past year has taught me a lot about who I am, what I want to achieve and accomplish, and who to spend my time with. Hopefully the time away from others has served you well, too. 


I hope you, dear reader, find peace this holiday season. I hope you stay safe. I appreciate you joining me as I have started this new blogging habit. I look forward to discussing lots of interesting animation topics in 2021 and beyond; I have a lot of topics to write about already planned. 


I will talk to you again on January 4th, 2021. Until then~

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Archiving Animation with Home Media - The Final Statistical Analysis - Part 2

Animation is really hard to make. If there’s one thing you should walk away after reading any part of my blog, it’s that it takes a lot of work to make an animated series. Every show that hits the airwaves is a success, regardless if it was one season, to a 10 year+ epic, or just a single pilot. Every show is someone’s creative output and worth appreciating. We live in an era where art moves and breaths - and that is super cool. 

Every year, though, organizations highlight their choices for the best the year has to offer. To be nominated is to already be in the highest echelon of what the animation industry has to offer. What follows is a head to head of the three animation focused networks and their achievements over their lifetime in five award ceremonies: The Annies, The Emmys, Annecy, The Peabodys, and The Oscars. 


Monday, December 14, 2020

Archiving Animation with Home Media - The Final Statistical Analysis - Part 1

Of the three major channels, I was weaned on Nickelodeon, dabbled with Disney, and fell in love with animation thanks to Cartoon Network. While a lot of the Nicktoons I grew up with have been released on home media, a lot of cartoons from Cartoon Network seemed absent. I wanted to find out just how many cartoons from CN had never been released on home media and so I did what anyone would do with a task of analyzing an accumulated 50+ years of animation history - I sat on the idea for years. That is, until this year, with all the goings on in the world and my own creative frustrations wouldn’t allow me to linger on the idea any longer. Twenty-six blog posts later and we find ourselves at the end of this analytical journey. In time, it will no longer be accurate, as new series and home media releases and announcements occur on the regular. In fact, just last week Disney had their Investor Day meeting and announced a bunch of upcoming animated series including Zootopia+, Baymax, Tiana, and Moana based on Zootopia, Big Hero Six, The Princess and the Frog, and Moana, respectfully, in addition to new series, Iwájú, and plenty more.

Friday, December 11, 2020

Cartoons in Stereo

In 2013 Jerry Beck began hosting Cartoons in Stereo; an hour-long radio special held once a year on Christmas Day, broadcasted by KPFK, Los Angeles and produced by Marlena Bond. 


Cartoons in Stereo features music featured in or inspired by cartoons. That could be anything from the stellar musical repertoire of Raymond Scott in Looney Tunes (and re-orchestrated and re-contextualized by Carl Stalling) to theme music covers featured in the album, Saturday Morning: Cartoon’s Greatest Hits (1995. Featuring bands like Reverend Horton Heat, Butthole Surfers, and Sublime) and everything in-between. 

About two years ago, I took it upon myself to create annotated videos to accompany each of the five broadcasts for two reasons; one selfish and one pragmatic. The first reason was, at the time, I had only dabbled in video editing/creation and wanted a project to learn the ins and outs of DaVinci Resolve. 


The second reason, since Jerry has a deep knowledge on the background and origins of each song or cartoon featured, I felt it was a bit of a bummer to only learn about them during the breaks between songs. Having a visual element during each song’s runtime would allow me to put additional supplemental information about the subjects Jerry brought up during his commentary. This supplemental material ranged from news articles, interviews with creators, or anything else to elaborate further on the music featured and the histories shared. 


In 2019, Jerry had to skip that year's program as he was aiding in family affairs. During the early months of the pandemic this year, I took the opportunity to remaster the videos in high definition and add additional polish to all the episodes; swapping out low resolution pictures and fixing my sources utilized during the credits.


Working on the Cartoons in Stereo videos have been an absolute blast to work on over the last two years. Luckily, Jerry and producer Marlena didn’t mind my butting into their awesome project and have even aided in getting me a missing episode to annotate. You can check all the episodes produced thus far at the Cartoons in Stereo official Vimeo channel or at the bottom of this post. If you find you’ve enjoyed what Jerry and Marlena have made you can make a donation to KPFK or subscribe to the many newspapers featured in the videos and make sure you tune in this Christmas to see if these is a new episode!


Fun aside; in doing this project, I discovered Jerry had borrowed the logo for the show from the 1961 Bob Prescott album of the same name. 


Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Archiving Animation with Home Media - Cartoon Network Physical Home Media Releases - Part Twelve

Today is the final home media analysis of Cartoon Network’s original animation that is airing presently.  Before I get into the final statistical compare and contrasting of Disney’s, Nickelodeon’s and Cartoon Network’s animation availability, I’m going to take a one day break and talk about Jerry Beck’s Cartoons in Stereo that broadcasts each year on Christmas on the Los Angeles radio station, KPFK. Look forward to the full analysis next week. Also, next week will be my final week of posts until 2021, as I will be taking a two week break to enjoy the holiday season as well as wrap some additional projects I have been working on in the background. I’ll be back January 4th and I’ve already got an awesome list of topics I’ve accrued to discuss in the new year and I am very much looking forward to it, I hope you are too. Plus, it will be the end of 2020 and that’s a net positive for most people! For now, onto the final installment for the impetus for this entire project.


Summer Camp Island (2018) is currently in its third season. It’s first season premiered on Cartoon Network, season two forward has premiered on HBO Max streaming service. No episodes have been released on home media. 



Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Camp_Island

https://www.blu-ray.com/Summer-Camp-Island/1175370/#Releases

Summer Camp Island Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Summer_Camp_Island



Infinity Train (2019) is currently airing its third season through HBO Max. The first two seasons were broadcast on Cartoon Network. The first season has been released in its entirety on DVD. 



Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinity_Train#Home_media

https://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Network-Infinity-Train-Book/dp/B0851LFNY6

Infinity Train Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Infinity_Train



Steven Universe Future (2019) is a single season epilogue to the Steven Universe franchise. It is included in the Steven Universe: The Complete Collection on DVD. 



Sources:

https://steven-universe.fandom.com/wiki/Category:DVDs

Steven Universe Future Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Steven_Universe_Future



Victor and Valentino (2019) is currently airing its second season. It has not had any home media releases. 



Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_and_Valentino

https://www.blu-ray.com/Victor-and-Valentino/1168343/#Releases

Victor and Valentino Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Victor_and_Valentino



Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart (2019) is in production for its second season. It has not had any home media releases. 



Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Mao:_Heroes_of_Pure_Heart#Episodes

Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart Logo 

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Mao_Mao:_Heroes_of_Pure_Heart

Monday, December 7, 2020

Archiving Animation with Home Media - Cartoon Network Physical Home Media Releases - Part Eleven

Nickelodeon has TeenNick, Nick Jr., TV Land, and the Nicktoons Network as sister channels on cable TV. Disney has Disney XD and Disney Junior as sister channels. Cartoon Network has Boomerang - “It’s all coming back to you.” As opposed to Cartoon Network’s contemporary’s sister channels, Boomerang has pretty much stayed consistent in it’s product delivery since its inception; it’s all older Hanna-Barbera and Warner Brother cartoons, including original Cartoon Cartoons. Launched in 2000, the only aspect that has majorly changed for the channel, besides a logo change in 2015 and dropping of the aforementioned slogan, has been its delivery method. There’s now an additional online subscription service similar to Disney+ or Netflix available separate from cable packages. As someone who has only vegged out in front of the channel while visiting friends with advanced cable/satellite or at a hotel, it’s always been a fascinating unobtainable. The commercial bumpers have always been creatively impressive. Onto today’s cartoons.


Mighty Magiswords (2016) ran for two seasons. No home media releases of the 92 episode series have been released. 



Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Magiswords#Background_and_production

Mighty Magiswords Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Mighty_Magiswords



Ben 10 (2016) is a reboot of the Ben 10 franchise. It has finished airing it’s fourth season and is in production for its fifth. The first season and the first half of season two have been released on three episode compilations (Season 1, Volume 1: Villain Time, Season 1, Volume 2: Omni-Tricked, and Season 1, Volume 2: Out to Launch). 



Sources:

https://ben10.fandom.com/wiki/DVDs#Ben_10_.282016.29

Ben 10 (2016) logo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_10_(2016_TV_series)#/media/File:Ben_10_reboot_logo.png



OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes (2017) ran for three seasons. A single episode compilation has been released on DVD with the following episodes:


Season 1 Episode 1 "Let's Be Heroes" 

Season 1 Episode 2 "Let's Be Friends"

Season 1 Episode 3 “You’re Everybody’s Sidekick”

Season 1 Episode 4 "We Messed Up"

Season 1 Episode 15 "We've Got Pests" 

Season 1 Episode 16 “Legends of Mr. Gar”

Season 1 Episode 17 “Know Your Mom”

Season 1 Episode 18 "We're Captured"

Season 1 Episode 25/26 "T.K.O."

Season 1 Episode 27 “Stop Attacking the Plaza”

Season 1 Episode 28 "We've Got Fleas"

Season 1 Episode 35 "Glory Days"

Season 1 Episode 36 “Plazalympics”

Season 1 Episode 37 “We Got Hacked”

Season 1 Episode 38 "Parents' Day" 

Season 1 Episode 41 "Villains' Night Out" 

Season 1 Episode 42 "Villains' Night In"

Season 1 Episode 49 "Let's Not Be Skeletons"

Season 1 Episode 50 "Action News"


Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK_K.O.!_Let%27s_Be_Heroes#Home_media

https://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Network-K-Heroes/dp/B07CPJYRCL/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=ok+ko&qid=1607132131&sr=8-12

Ok K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/OK_K.O.!_Let%27s_Be_Heroes




Apple & Onion (2018) is currently in production for its second season. There have not been any home media releases for its first season. 



Sources:

https://www.blu-ray.com/Apple-and-Onion/1235911/#Releases

Apple & Onion Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Apple_%26_Onion



Craig of the Creek (2018) is currently broadcasting its third season. A single DVD episode compilation, Season 1, Volume 1: Itch to Explore, has been released. 



Sources:

https://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Network-Craig-Creek-Season/dp/B07LDFDBZS

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_of_the_Creek#Home_media

Craig of the Creek Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Craig_of_the_Creek


Next time; the final Cartoon Network home media analysis!

Friday, December 4, 2020

Archiving Animation with Home Media - Cartoon Network Physical Home Media Releases - Part Ten

This series of home media archiving has revealed a lot of holes in studio animation history. One aspect I have not been reporting on has been of streaming availability as streaming rights of series can expire and are not finite. That being said, of the many series missing home media releases discussed thus far, many series are still for digital purchase through iTunes or featured in Netflix and HBO Max. While this is mostly a consolation for lack of home media, any availability for some of these series is better than nothing. Onto today’s toons...


Steven Universe (2013) ran for five seasons. The first two seasons were released as single season DVD sets. The entire five season run, The Steven Universe Movie, and the sequel series, Steven Universe Future, will be released as a complete series set on DVD next Tuesday, December 8th, 2020.  



Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Universe

https://www.wbshop.com/products/steven-universe-the-complete-collection-dvd?gclid=Cj0KCQiAqo3-BRDoARIsAE5vnaLextJFzc4gSAfEbIEW_NRBNtEXHkuN7IaSXP0lkj-1nsAV7hfki6UaAqXPEALw_wcB

Steven Universe Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Steven_Universe



Mixels (2014) ran for two seasons and is based on the LEGO products of the same name. Outside of the many toys releases in the line, there have not been any home media releases of the series.  



Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixels

Mixels Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Mixels




Clarence (2014) ran for three seasons. Two episodic compilations have been released containing 24 episodes of the 130 produced. 

The episodes released are as follows:


Season 1 Episode 1 "Fun Dungeon Face Off"

Season 1 Episode 2 "Pretty Great Day with a Girl"

Season 1 Episode 3 "Money Broom Wizard"

Season 1 Episode 4 "Lost in the Supermarket"

Season 1 Episode 5 "Clarence's Millions"

Season 1 Episode 6 "Clarence Gets a Girlfriend"

Season 1 Episode 7 "Jeff's New Toy"

Season 1 Episode 8 "Dinner Party"

Season 1 Episode 10 "Dinner Party"

Season 1 Episode 11 “Zoo”

Season 1 Episode 12 "Rise 'n' Shine"

Season 1 Episode 14 "Puddle Eyes" 

Season 1 Episode 15 "Dream Boat"

Season 1 Episode 16 "Slumber Party"

Season 1 Episode 17 "Nature Clarence"

Season 1 Episode 18 "Average Jeff"

Season 1 Episode 19 "Lizard Day Afternoon"

Season 1 Episode 20 "The Forgotten"

Season 1 Episode 21 "Neighborhood Grill"

Season 1 Episode 23 "Too Gross for Comfort"

Season 1 Episode 25 "Patients"

Season 1 Episode 26 "Rough Riders Elementary"

Season 1 Episode 29 "Jeff Wins"

Season 1 Episode 36 "Dust Buddies"



Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_(American_TV_series)#Home_media

Clarence Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Clarence_(2014)



We Bare Bears (2015) ran for four seasons and a movie. The movie has been released on DVD. As far as the series goes, only a single episodic volume was released for the North American market containing the following episodes:

Season 1 Episode 1 “Our Stuff”

Season 1 Episode 2 “Viral Video”

Season 1 Episode 3 “Food Truck”

Season 1 Episode 4 “Chloe”

Season 1 Episode 5 “Panda’s Date”

Season 1 Episode 7 “Burrito”

Season 1 Episode 9 “Jean Jacket”

Season 1 Episode 11 “Shush Ninjas”

Season 1 Episode 12 “My Clique”

Season 1 Episode 13 “Charlie”

Season 1 Episode 15 “Occupy Bears”

Season 1 Episode 17 “The Road”


Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Bare_Bears#Home_media

https://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Network-Bare-Bears-Movie/dp/B08DSSCQ7R/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=we+bare+bears+dvd&qid=1606671569&sr=8-3

We Bare Bears Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/We_Bare_Bears



The Powerpuff Girls (2016) is a reboot of the original series and ran for three seasons. Two episodic DVDs were released, Tiara Trouble and The Last Donnycorn containing 24 of the 122 episodes produced. 

Season 1 Episode 1 “Escape from Monster Island”

Season 1 Episode 2 “Princess Buttercup”

Season 1 Episode 3 “The Stayover”

Season 1 Episode 4 “Painbow”

Season 1 Episode 5 “Horn Sweet Horn”

Season 1 Episode 6 “Man Up”

Season 1 Episode 8 “Little Octi Lost”

Season 1 Episode 9 “Strong-Armed”

Season 1 Episode 12 “The Wrinklegruff Girls”

Season 1 Episode 15 “Blue Ribbon Blues”

Season 1 Episode 17 “Once Upon a Townsville”

Season 1 Episode 18 “Man Up 2: Still Man-ing”

Season 1 Episode 19 “Viral Spiral”

Season 1 Episode 20 “Bubbles of the Opera”

Season 1 Episode 22 “Odd Bubbles Out”

Season 1 Episode 23 “Presidential Punchout”

Season 1 Episode 28 “The Big Sleep“

Season 1 Episode 32 “Rainy Day”

Season 1 Episode 34 “Electric Buttercup”

Season 1 Episode 39 “People Pleaser”


Season 2 Episode 1-2 “The Last Donnycorn”

Season 2 Episode 4 “15 Minutes of Fame”

Season 2 Episode 6 “Clawdad”



Sources: