Showing posts with label TV Animation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TV Animation. Show all posts
Friday, March 17, 2023
Friday, December 16, 2022
Paul Rugg and I are Hired at Warner Bros. v.6
And I Have the Memories to Prove It
Today, December 16, marked 27 years since Paul Rugg and I were offered jobs at Warner Brothers TV Animation. We were over at Paul's house watching Zontar: Thing From Venus, drinking coffee, eating chocolate donuts, and smoking. We'd just turned in scripts for some new show called Animaniacs. (Mine was "Draculee, Draculaa.") Paul's wife was off earning money as a social worker, while my future wife was still employed at the magazine I'd quit two months earlier. Rugg and I were performing improv and sketch comedy at the Acme Comedy Theatre. (Along with cast member Adam Carolla.) Money was very tight. The payment for one script would really help out my Christmas.
Then Kathy Page, Tom Ruegger's assistant, called to offer us staff jobs and the trajectory of our lives veered sharply into an unexplored cosmos.
We were amazed, stunned, numb. Walking outside, we smoked more and talked it over. Should we take the jobs or would they pollute our comedy pureness by turning it commercial? We would accept the work immediately.
Now it all seems opaque. If it weren't for the Web and talking to Paul Rugg yesterday, I'd swear the whole experience never happened. But I'm glad it did. (Paul, too.) So thanks to Tom and Sherri Stoner. (And her husband, M.D. Sweeney, our Acme director, who recommended us.)
Note: After thirteen years of blogging, I'm running out of life events to chronicle.
Notes: 2019
A little hyperbole last year. I have plenty of life events and more on the way. Now then, Paul's episode was about a pet shop, I believe. In 1991 I wrote on a Mac Classic. (They look so quaint now, like a fancy radio from 1938.) Jeffrey Dahmer, Silence of the Lambs, Thelma and Louise, the unraveling of the Soviet Union and the number of computers on the newly commercialized Web reached one million.
Notes: 2020
A little hyperbole last year. I have plenty of life events and more on the way. Now then, Paul's episode was about a pet shop, I believe. In 1991 I wrote on a Mac Classic. (They look so quaint now, like a fancy radio from 1938.) Jeffrey Dahmer, Silence of the Lambs, Thelma and Louise, the unraveling of the Soviet Union and the number of computers on the newly commercialized Web reached one million.
Not mine, but similar. |
What a year! (Wednesday will be 29 years, but close enough.) Pandemics, riots, politics. It's like 1968 on crystal meth. What's new? Well. You can now obtain the Top 5 Dating Tips of H.P. Lovecraft. Yes, that weird horror guy. For details, go to this nifty spot. Actually, try THIS nifty spot for my mailing list, should such an act spur you.
Notes: 2021
NOW it's 30 years. After three decades, events merge together into a clot of time. But I'll never forget that day. A life-changer.
Notes: 2022
Paul has moved to Virginia. I remain in crumbling California. People on Twitter keep the memory of Animaniacs alive. I thank them.
Friday, October 15, 2021
Sunday, June 28, 2020
John P. McCann Discusses Himself
Yes, it's me. |
What could be better for an hour?
A lot of things, come to think of it: soft music, a pie, a cat and Gorilla glue. But if you'd like to hear a story of the rise, fall, and plateauing of one TV animation writer, then give a listen to my audio interview by Joshua Murphy over at JM Archives.
I discuss my Warner Bros. days, post-Warner Bros. career, and writing books and short stories. If you're thinking of writing for a living, here's a great resource on how not to do it. Give a listen, leave a comment, enjoy rose water and ham.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Seven Things Not to Say in a Pitch Meeting
For the novice starting a TV animation career, here are seven diamond-encrusted ways to turn your big chance into a cautionary tale for others.
1. Why doesn't this studio ever buy anything I bring in here?
In the animation world, ask and you shall not receive.
2. How many dim bulbs get to make notes on the scripts?
This query ensures you won't remain around long enough to count them.
3. My agent says you have fecal incontinence.
Possibly so but a seasoned animation veteran leaves medical issues for a more relaxed time.
4. Pilots are for timid losers. Do you have the nuts to go directly to 65 half hours?
Brashness can lead to ample free time.
5. I worked hard on this pitch and all you do is smile and nod like a dog hanging out a car window.
Pithy observations are best shared with peers and not animation executives.
6. Hey, this office has a killer view. I can see the car I'm living in!
Sadly, economic prejudice is alive and well in Hollywood.
7. When I worked here before, I would lock my office door and inflate a plastic woman.
This sort of provocative anecdote demands a strong response such as 'be silent and go away now.'
Image: 50 Tips to Making It in Hollywood
1. Why doesn't this studio ever buy anything I bring in here?
In the animation world, ask and you shall not receive.
2. How many dim bulbs get to make notes on the scripts?
This query ensures you won't remain around long enough to count them.
3. My agent says you have fecal incontinence.
Possibly so but a seasoned animation veteran leaves medical issues for a more relaxed time.
4. Pilots are for timid losers. Do you have the nuts to go directly to 65 half hours?
Brashness can lead to ample free time.
5. I worked hard on this pitch and all you do is smile and nod like a dog hanging out a car window.
Pithy observations are best shared with peers and not animation executives.
6. Hey, this office has a killer view. I can see the car I'm living in!
Sadly, economic prejudice is alive and well in Hollywood.
7. When I worked here before, I would lock my office door and inflate a plastic woman.
This sort of provocative anecdote demands a strong response such as 'be silent and go away now.'
Image: 50 Tips to Making It in Hollywood
Saturday, November 05, 2011
Carmine San Diego?
Carmen San Diego may be headed once again to the big screen with the title character played by Jennifer Lopez. Maybe it's my hearing, but I always thought the character was named Carmine San Diego and was being pursued for the murder of a bookie.
h/t and artwork: The Inquistir
Friday, May 13, 2011
A Variety of Pitching Experiences
'We Don't Laugh Around Here. We smile politely.'
No one came out and said that, but such a message was clearly conveyed yesterday afternoon as I pitched an animated TV show idea to a pair of execs. I could feel my energy draining like air from a punctured volleyball.
It made for a long pitch.
Oddly enough, last week I was at CBS for a meeting with two different execs. where I didn't pitch a thing. Nevertheless, they laughed at my every jest and bon mot no matter how tepid. While leaving I said I had to attend a child's funereal. They roared.
Meanwhile, a second animated show pitch to a different studio—involving a different idea— looms on Monday.
What reaction I'll receive is unknown.
But I'll exchange non-laughter for a development deal any old day.
No one came out and said that, but such a message was clearly conveyed yesterday afternoon as I pitched an animated TV show idea to a pair of execs. I could feel my energy draining like air from a punctured volleyball.
It made for a long pitch.
Oddly enough, last week I was at CBS for a meeting with two different execs. where I didn't pitch a thing. Nevertheless, they laughed at my every jest and bon mot no matter how tepid. While leaving I said I had to attend a child's funereal. They roared.
Meanwhile, a second animated show pitch to a different studio—involving a different idea— looms on Monday.
What reaction I'll receive is unknown.
But I'll exchange non-laughter for a development deal any old day.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Ruegger Recalls HB-WB Mashup
Tom Ruegger recalls his show idea to combine HB and WB classic characters—and he has the artwork to prove it.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Numbers Game
The producer yesterday liked several of my ideas, but now the ideas must be approved by the execs. A very subjective process. What the producers favor the execs may reject for various whimsical criteria. ("Too many notes.") Fortunately, I brought many ideas, improving my chances of going to script. Hopefully, I'll find out by week's end.
via prestoagitato2
via prestoagitato2
Monday, May 17, 2010
Score!
Congrats to Steve and Julie Bernstein and Rob Paulsen for a great performance in Cincinnati.
via Steve Bernstein on Facebook.
via Steve Bernstein on Facebook.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Animaniacs Farewell Video
Editor extraordinaire Al Britenbach cut this farewell sequence, scored by the master, Richard Stone.
h/t: Daily Motion (Stephanie O'Keeffe) via Tom Ruegger
h/t: Daily Motion (Stephanie O'Keeffe) via Tom Ruegger
Monday, April 12, 2010
Tomorrow Bear
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Paulsen's Loose
Voice actor and bon vivant, Rob Paulsen darts behind the Orange Curtain to Anaheim Comic-Con, April 16 - 18 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Ask him to do his real voice. He has trouble with that.
h/t: Rob Paulsen on Facebook.
h/t: Rob Paulsen on Facebook.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Congrats to Bruce Timm
Winner of the Annie's Winsor McCay Award in recognition of career contributions in animation. (Jeffrey Katzenberg and Tim Burton also received McCays.) Complete 37th Annie winners list here. I'm more amazed that Timm lasted over two decades at Warner Bros. (Along with Alan Burnett.) There should be an award for that. In a way, I guess there is. It's called a 'paycheck.'
Monday, February 01, 2010
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