Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations Blog Entry #10 - DR. SUESS (1904 - 1991)

"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird,

and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love" - Dr. Suess

Theodor Seuss Geisel was a children's book poet and cartoonist who wrote under the name Dr. Suess.  He published 46 children's books often involving imaginative characters and rhyme.  His most popular books were The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who! and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Some other facts on Dr. Suess:

 

 Dr Seuss: Rhymes and Reasons (2003 documentary) Part 1 of 9:

(you can find the rest of the parts on the documentary on YouTube)

Then our mother came in
And she said to us two,
“Did you have any fun?
Tell me. What did you do?”
And Sally and I did not
know what to say.
Should we tell her
The things that went on
there that day?
Well... what would YOU do
If your mother asked you?
Look at me!
Look at me!
Look at me NOW!
It is fun to have fun
But you have
to know how.
 - The Cat in the Hat

Oh me! Oh my!
Oh me! Oh my!
What a lot of funny things go by.
 - One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

The Grinch hated Christmas!
The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don't ask why.
No one quite knows the reason.

 “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas… perhaps…
means a little bit more!”

- How The Grinch Stole Christmas

 

 "Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities." - Dr. Suess

"Think and wonder, wonder and think." - Dr. Suess

 "I start drawing, and eventually the characters involve themselves in a situation. Then in the end, I go back and try to cut out most of the preachments." - Dr. Suess

 

"Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." - Dr. Suess

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go." - Dr. Suess

Next time on the Influences and Inspirations :  He nicknamed himself "A Defrocked Ghoul"!

Cheers

Ken

Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations Blog Entry #9 - RONALD SEARLE (1920 - 2011)

"There was the irresistible impulse to draw. I cannot remember wanting to be anything else other than an artist." - Ronald Searle

Ronald Searle was a famous British artist and cartoonist who lived to be 91.  Most remembered for creating the St Trinian's School books, Molesworth series and Cats books.  He produced work for magazines in the 50's such as Life, Holiday and Punch and his cartoons appeared in The New Yorker.  He also worked on advertisements and posters.  His work influenced generations of illustrators, animators and cartoonists including Matt Groening and the animators of Disney's 101 Dalmations.

"The two people who have probably had the greatest influence on my life are Lewis Carroll and Ronald Searle." - John Lennon

Here's an interview conducted in 2010 with Searle (the first interview in 35 years):

 

"Drawing for me has never been a case of therapy because I was shy, or not outstanding in physical activities, or anything else. It was a compulsion. I carried a sketchbook day and night, because I could not stop drawing. To sell a sketch was a pleasure, because it meant a little less economic worry and more freedom to explore. But if I had not sold, I still would not have stopped." - Ronald Searle

Here's a couple of animated pieces done in the style of Searle:

 

[referring to his imprisonment in Changi Prison, a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp, during World War II] "If all your generation - everyone you knew - died when they were nineteen or twenty, you've got the biggest present in the world. You live from day to day thinking "My God, I should have died when I was nineteen and I'm eighty-five now". How many presents can one have in one's life? Every day is a present." - Ronald Searle

Next time on the Influences and Inspirations : Dr. Theodor Geisel

Cheers

Ken

Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations Blog Entry #8 - RAY HARRYHAUSEN (1920 - 2013)

"I'm very happy that so many young fans have told me that my films have changed their lives. That's a great compliment. It means I did more than just make entertaining films. I actually touched people's lives -- and, I hope, changed them for the better." - Ray Harryhausen

In last week's "Influences and Inspirations" blog entry I hinted at my next entry would be about a certain "Master of Stop-Motion Animation".  This past Thursday May 7 sadly Ray Harryhausen passed away at age 92.  He single handedly influenced a generation of names in the film industry today such as Tim Burton, Stan Winston, Peter Jackson, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg to name a few.  He was first influenced and later tutored by King Kong pioneer Willis H. O'Brien.  Most famous for his work in The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and the skeleton sword fight in Jason and the Argonauts.

Ray Harryhausen FILM Highlights

• Mighty Joe Young (1949 – first technician)

• The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953 – animation effects)

• It Came From Beneath the Sea (1955 – visual effects)

• Earth vs the Flying Saucers (1956 – special photographic, animation effects)

• The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958 – associate producer, visual effects)

• Mysterious Island (1961 – special visual effects creator)

• Jason and the Argonauts (1963 – associate producer, special visual effects creator)

• One Million Years BC (1966 – special visual effects)

• Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977 – producer, special visual effects creator)

• Clash of the Titans (1981 – special visual effects creator)

VIDEO: Ray Harryhausen And His Iconic Monsters

"It’s not everybody’s cup of tea. Some people find it tedious. I’ve never found it tedious. But that’s peculiar to different people." - Ray Harryhausen on being a stop-motion animator

 "I feel it’s a tool. As you know, in a thirty-second commercial you see the most amazing images, the amazing image is no longer spectacular. It’s become mundane because it’s over used. The computer seems to be able to do anything. So people take it for granted, I think. There’s something that happens in stop-motion that gives a different effect–like a dream world–and that’s what fantasy is about." - Ray Harryhausen on CGI as a tool

Ray Harryhausen Special Effects Titan teaser trailer

This is the definitive documentary about Ray Harryhausen. Aside from interviews with the great man himself, shot over five years, there are also interviews and tributes from James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Nick Park, Phil Tippett, Terry Gilliam, Dennis Muren, John Landis, Ken Ralston, Joe Dante, Randy Cook, Guillermo Del Toro, Steve Johnson, John Lasseter and many more. For the first time Ray have provided unprecedented access to film all aspects of his collection including models, artwork and miniatures as well as Ray's private study, where he designed most of his creations, and his workshop where he built them. In addition the documentary will use unseen footage of tests and experiments. Never before has so much visual material been used in any previous documentary about Ray. This definitive production will not only display a huge part of the unique collection but will illustrate the influence that Ray's work has had on film makers during the past fifty or so years.  Written by The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation

  Concept Art from "Jason and the Argonauts" by Ray Harryhausen

Film Still from "Jason and the Argonauts"

 
 Ray Harryhausen Homages

The restaurant in Monsters, Inc. (2001) is named after him.

The piano in Corpse Bride (2005) is named after him.

 

 I paid homage in the alien spaceship episode from my web series Snowboy & Crow (2012)...the hat shop is named after him.
 

 

"1933's King Kong haunted me for years, I came out of the theatre in another world. I'd never see anything like that before in my life. I didn't know how it was done and that was half the charm. I didn't just say "Eureka, I've found what I want to do", that came over a period of time. But I'd done a few dioramas in clay of the La Brea tar pits and I saw in "King Kong" how you could make them move. Luckily a friend of my father's worked at RKO and he knew all about stop-motion, so I started experimenting in my garage." - Ray Harryhausen

 
Next time on the Influences and Inspirations :  The man who created St Trinian’s!

Cheers

Ken

Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations Blog Entry #7 - SMASHING PUMPKINS

"People always called the Cure gloomy, but listening to the Cure made me happy. There was something about the gloominess that gave me comfort, and I think we're the same way." 
- Billy Corgan

Without a doubt for me the Smashing Pumpkins were the band of bands growing up in the 90s.  The alternative rock band not only could play loud with the best of them but could play soft like not other and still integrate heart into each and every song.  This is a rare combination not be had in a lot of bands of that era.  They could play rock, heavy metal, dream pop, psychedelic, folk, electronica and still manage to make it all work together.

Formed in 1988 Chicago by original members Billy Corgan, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlain and D'arcy Wretzky went on to become one of the most successful bands of the 90's.  Now in 2013, through many iterations Corgan remains along with new band members Mike Byrne, Nicole Fiorentino (who happens to be the girl on the cover of 93's Siamese Dream) and Jeff Schroeder.

 The Pumpkins music videos were iconic in that they not only artfully captured the song but took the craft of the music video to another level.  I haven't seen a string of music videos done by one band and with as much popularity as the ones the Pumpkins were involved in ever since.

The following are my favorites along with album art covers:

 GISH (1991)

"Gish was the best representation of where we were at the time." - Billy Corgan


RHINOCEROS

SIAMESE DREAM (1993)

"As dark a records as 'Siamese Dream' is, there’s a lot of fun in it, it's almost like we’re kind of laughing at how stupid the whole thing is. It’s like, here’s my pop song about suicide and here’s my epic song about child abuse, and here’s my big middle finger to the indie world." - Billy Corgan

DISARM



MELLON COLLIE & THE INFINITE SADNESS (1995)

"It's something that we've been talking about for a long time. It just seemed like something of a challenge and we wanted to bring everything that we've been trying to accomplish with the band musically to its fruition. Just put it all out and than sort of move on to a new sound the next time around. We felt we really couldn't do that with one album." - D'arcy Wretzky

THIRTY-THREE

TONIGHT, TONIGHT





1979





ADORE (1998)

"The Pumpkins record is more of a down record. It's less about rock...It's sort of half-organic, half-electric. It's sort-of hard to say what it is, actually." - James Iha


PERFECT



 AVA ADORE



MACHINA & THE MACHINES OF GOD (2000)

"We spent most of the time trying to take the songs as far as they could be taken down a particular avenue. So if it was gonna be proto-cyber metal, we tried to make it very proto and very cyber. If it was acoustic, then we tried to not fall into the typical ballad-y kind of aspects. That's where we spent most of our time. The songs were probably written in about a day." - Billy Corgan

THE EVERLASTING GAZE



ZEITGEIST (2007)

OCEANIA (2012)

"We are the most beloved and hated band in the world." - Billy Corgan

Next time on the Influences and Inspirations : The Master of Stop Motion Animation

Cheers

 Ken

"The World of Snowboy & Crow" Story Reel to Final Episode Comparison #5 & #6 videos!

You can now watch more "The World of Snowboy & Crow" Story Reel to Final Episode Comparison videos!

http://youtu.be/9oHJR6KFLfk

http://youtu.be/NbPB36_UepU

 Enjoy!

Ken Turner Blog Series: Influences and Inspirations Blog Entry #6 - GUSTAV KLIMT (1862 - 1918)

"I can paint and draw. I believe this myself and a few other people say that they believe this too. But I'm not certain of whether it's true.”
- Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt is another artist like Gorey whose work I came upon in college.  The Austrian born painters work was very striking and his Golden Phase was his most successful and popular.  His highly decorative style was very distinct and often depicted sensual portraits of woman with symbols/patterns as the primary subject matter.

"The Kiss" is his most famous painting.

  

"All art is erotic.” - Gustav Klimt 

"Hope II"

"Art is a line around your thoughts.”
- Gustav Klimt

Some facts about Gustav Klimt:

1. Klimt was a leader in the Vienna Secession movement. Also known as the Union of Austrian Artists, the Vienna Secession was a collective of painters and sculptors that was founded in 1897. Klimt acted as the first president of the Vienna Secession and sought to unite Viennese artists in all styles for the purpose of inspiration. Even though he left the union after eight years due to differing artistic opinions, Klimt was instrumental in creating a place where brilliant young artists of the period were nurtured.
   
   
2. Femme fatales were a main focus for Klimt. Although Klimt was extremely private about his love life, women were the inspiration behind some of Klimt's most famous pieces. His focus on the female form and penchant for creating racy paintings drew criticism from both political and religious leaders. The disapproval of his work led Klimt to experiment with painting landscapes in addition to abstract portraits.
   
   
3. Egon Schiele was heavily influenced by Klimt. After he left the Vienna Secession, Klimt was still eager to mentor young talent. He saw talent in a young Austrian artist named Egon Schiele and spent many years mentoring him and assisting him with exhibitions. Schiele became a successful artist in his own right and even helped usher in the Expressionist movement, but much of his emphasis on the human form can be traced back to Gustav Klimt.
   
   
4. Iconic Klimt paintings have sold for record prices. Klimt achieved relative success while he was still alive, but posthumously became one of the most recognized artists in the world. His iconic artwork is in high demand, with prints still being produced today. Klimt's paintings even set a record when "Frau Adele Bloch-Bauer" was sold for $135 million in New York City in 2006.
   
   info via http://www.overstock.com/guides/facts-about-gustav-klimt
   

  "The Tree of Life" heavily influenced the design of the tree in my short film "TIM" (see below)

Below is a small selection of his works:

"I'm a painter who paints day in day out, from morning till evening - figure pictures and landscapes, more rarely portraits.”
- Gustav Klimt

 In 2006, a film about Gustav was released simply titled "KLIMT".  It starred John Malkovich as Klimt and has some great scenes in the film with Egon Schiele played by Nikolai Kinski.  Klimt's work had a strong influence on the paintings of Egon Schiele, with whom he would collaborate to found the Kunsthalle (Hall of Art) in 1917, to try to keep local artists from going abroad.

 

 

 

 

(photo of Egon Schiele)

Egon Schiele's portrait of Gustav Klimt in a light Blue Smock, 1913

Here is the trailer for KLIMT:

Klimt Movie Trailer from Outsider_Pictures on Vimeo.

"Whoever wants to know something about me – as an artist which alone is significant – they should look attentively at my pictures and there seek to recognize what I am and what I want.”
- Gustav Klimt

Next time on the Influences and Inspirations : *Hint "The Pumpkin Smashers"

Cheers
 Ken