As my last blog post of 2011, I'll end with a link to a very interesting blog called Long Forgotten, a blog about Disney's Haunted Mansion, and about Disney artist Claude Coats.
Coats was an unassuming Disney artist who painted backgrounds for Disney films, and later was responsible for the spooky atmosphere of the Haunted Mansion. He had a knack for creating the illusion of huge space inside small attractions. This blog post has lots of interesting pictures and facts about the design of Disney attractions, and Coats' contribution.
Firefly is a short-lived TV show that has a zealous fan base. When the professor of a college put a poster outside his door with a quote from the show, campus security removed it, and threatened him in the process.
He then put another protest poster up, which was removed as well, along with more threats. Instead of defending the professor, the campus administration backed the security chief and refused to back down. It was only after an overwhelming Internet campaign that the school finally relented.
A victory for free speech, but a tragedy that on a college campus, which is supposed to be a place for free exchange of ideas, this was necessary. Such censorship occurs on campus across the country on a regular basis.
Thank you everyone who has followed this blog over the course of the year, and commented and e-mailed me about the various posts. Below is a holiday themed post for you. Enjoy, and have a very happy, fulfilling holiday season!
Besides theFound Slides graphic novel I am putting the finishing touches on, I am doing a series of fictional book covers about Star Wars drawn in the style of a well known children's author. More covers will be coming soon.
When it comes to putting on holiday spectacles, Disney sets a very high bar, and is the best at showmanship. This year Deb and I hit Hollywood Studios with some friends of ours, and finished the evening with the Osborne Family Light Spectacular, a holiday light display that has to be seen to be believed.
But, if you can't see it, I've got you covered. I took pictures and video.
If you've been following this blog, you're aware that it's been an interesting year, particularly with the whole Found Slides, A Life Remembered adventure (which will soon be a graphic novel). Thanks to everyone who has written me, followed the blog, and told their friends about it. A very happy and safe holiday season to you and your loved ones. Thanks for reading!
Now enjoy the pics and video!
Waiting in line for Star Tours, the recently re-designed Star Wars ride
My friend Sarah feeds the dinosaur
A French street performer, they are always entertaining
A tired visitor
The Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular is the longest running live show at any of the Disney parks. After all these years, it still packs the house, show after show!
Above and below: the back lot turn includes a disaster sequence
The auto stunt show has been updated; no longer does Herbie the Love Big split in two; a new mini skit involves Lightning McQueen and one of the villain cars from Cars 2 (in this case a 1974 AMC Gremlin)
The Fantasmic show is one of the best shows Disney puts on, with pyrotechnics, flames, fans of water used a s projection screens and of course, lots of costumes.
If you go, my suggestion is to go to the first show, and get there early, because it is a packed arena every time. The line for the second show stretched down the street.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Moving Lights is something to be seen if you can. Check out the video below:
Here's another video of the spectacle. There was actually snow falling, generated by ice machines on the rooftops to enhance the Christmas atmosphere
When I was backpacking through Europe in 1992, I kept finding postcards from an artist called Mordillo. Every city I visited I found more of them, and I bought every one I could find. Mordillo's work is beautifully rendered, humorous and fun to look at. Here are the postcards I found, a few of which have been damaged in the passage of time.
Guillermo Mordillo, known simply by his last name, was the most widely published cartoonist in the 1970s, and a series of animations based on Mordillo's work was created by Slovenian artist Miki Muster from 1976 to 1981.
Magnum Arts is Michael K. Lyman, an artist, photographer and instructor who teaches cartooning & drawing in Pinellas County and is publishing his first graphic novel based on real events from 2011. He is also a member of The 501st Legion, a global Star Wars costuming organization that participates in parades and raises money for charity. See magnumarts.net for more information.
