John Lasseter, Californian Illustrator - Research Paper Example

John Lasseter In this research paper an attempt to evaluate earlier works of Lasseter and discuss someof them is made. Moreover, Lasseter is represented as a genius artist further on. A personal attitude to this artist is expressed throughout the paper. Consequently, it is found out that the greatness of Lasseter’s talent should be followed by contemporaries. His creative thinking, innovative developments in computer technology implementation in animated film making are weighty arguments to discuss Lasseter’s biography and works in detail. Introduction John Lasseter was born in Hollywood, California. This artist has been developing his skills of drawing cartoons from his childhood. His mother was an art teacher and John has often tried to incarnate his vision in animation. When he went to the church together with his family, he drew cartoons. He was amazed by Chuck Jones cartoons on TV and rushed home after school in order to watch these cartoons. In high school John was interested in reading the book “The Art of Animation” by Bob Thomas (Paik, 2007). Thus his decision to become an animator was growing in his heart for years. From Disney to Pixar Finally, he entered California Institute of the Arts and was a student of a new animation course. He was taught by Disney’s outstanding masters, such as Eric Larson, Frank Thomas and others. His first animation films were Lady and the Lamp (1979) and Nightmare (1980) (Paik, 2007). Lasseter won prizes for his first animation films. He joined Disney but after 101 Dalmatians Lasseter claimed that it was the largest masterpiece of this Studio and suggested to introduce some innovations. In the beginning of 80s Lasseter became interested in computer graphics. Lasseter felt a great potential of computer animation and propagated the idea that computers could be helpful in making movies with three dimensional backgrounds. His guidance was the book by Thomas Disch “The Brave Little Toaster” (Paik, 2007). “Where the Wild Things Are” was the first project where Lasseter and his followers decided to introduce computer graphics innovations. Unfortunately, producers saw no benefits and Lasseter was fired from Disney. It is possible to note, that all geniuses were not acclaimed at once. A process of acknowledgement requires time and patience and hard work from genius. Lasseter followed this line and step by step reached the heights in the sphere of his dream, short film animation. Lasseter rushed into searching of co-thinker, followers and professionals from computer industry. His first animation film “The Adventures of André and Wally B” was acknowledged as innovative and revolutionary animation film. A computer animated short film included computer animated characters and background. Pixar was a favorable sphere for Lasseter ideas’ embodiment. He took part in Pixar’s films as executive producer (Baillie). He was director of Toy Story, A Bugs Life, Toy Story 2, and Cars (Baillie). Fortunately, Lasseter won prizes for his animated films (Toy Story, Cars, Monsters, Inc. and many others). Knick Knack (1989) was chosen by Terry Gillian as the best animated film of all times (Schlender, 2006). Starting from 2006 Disney bought Pixar and Lasseter held a position of chief creative officer (Hill). Lasseter was responsible for many other aspects in Disney studio. His creative thinking is an interesting phenomenon, which has to be studied by contemporaries. He suggested new animated films creation in 2D or CGI (Maestri, 1996). As far as we can see, Lasseter has a great potential of innovator and his ideas are of high relevance nowadays. Modern process of high-speed computer technologies development and innovative approaches to animated films creation makes the process of animated film making an interesting and appealing to the public to the greatest extent. Earlier works Knick Knack is one of my favorite animated films by Lasseter. This animation film was shot in 3D. I’m fond of accompanying music by Bobby McFerrin (Knick Knack). The first sounds of this animated film create a positive atmosphere. The plot of this cartoon is rather simple, but there is a deep sense in it. The story is about souvenirs standing on the bookshelf. Only a snow globe Nome stands separately from other souvenirs. Knick, the snowman inside the globe, wants to reach souvenir “Sunny Miami” depicting a girl in bikini. Knick makes several attempts to free him from the globe. It’s really funny to watch Nome making clumsy attempts to free him. Lasseter uses Charlie Chaplin’s comedy method here: he gives his viewers a possibility to laugh at other’s weakness and inability to reach a goal. Finally, globe falls from the bookshelf into fishbowl. There Knick sees a beautiful mermaid; the souvenir from “Sunny Atlantis”, but the globe traps him again! It’s weird, but in this plot I saw how Lasseter supposedly draws parallels to the well-known proverb: “grasp all, lose all”. Moreover, I think that melody by McFerrin “Don’t worry. Be happy” warns Knick from the very beginning. He should have been satisfied with his place on the bookshelf at once. He should look around and see beautiful snow falling inside the globe and enjoy himself. Unfortunately, he rushed into intriguing with a girl lounging in bikini. These ideas are embodied by Lasseter in picturesque characters. His technological innovations in animated film making resulted in an exciting story. Both grown-ups and children can watch this animated film with great pleasure and each of them would find something special and interesting for him. In 1990 “Knick Knack” won the Best Short Film award at the Seattle International Film Festival (Knick Knack). This short animated film was acknowledged in the world as the best one in 2001. Critics were talking about techniques and technologies used for film creation; viewers appreciated its plot and music. In one way or another, a positive public assessment of “Knick Knack” witnesses that Lasseter is a great director, who appeals to every representative of the audience by his works. Another one of his earlier works to be considered is “The Adventures of André and Wally B.” (1984). Animation in this film was revolutionary in the beginning of 80s. Computer animation was terra incognita at that time. This short animated film is also my favorite one. To say the truth, I watch Lasseter’s works for pleasure and to have a rest but every time I get excited by animation and metaphoric plot. This short animated film tells a story about André who is evoked in the forest by Wally bee (Wally B. in the title of the short film) (The Adventures of André and Wally B.). André tries to run away from Wally, but he eventually stings him. We can only guess about it by Andre’s cry. Then Wally emerges with a broken stinger. Only after that Andrés hat catches up with Wally and we can hear laugh of the winner. We can hear “Flight of the Bumblebee" written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, a masterpiece of classical music, as the background. This orchestral interlude sets the tone of the animated film. Moreover, one of the main characters is bee or bumblebee! I’m persuaded that Lasseter chooses musical background very attentively and the result is beyond any expectations. The main idea of “The Adventures of André and Wally B.” can be interpreted by means of a well-known proverb: “Have the last laugh”. Symbolically, we hear André’s laugh in the end. As far as we can see, earlier animated films by Lasseter are full of symbolism and metaphors. In such a way the director wants to reach children’s minds with his works, tell them about ‘copy-books maxims’ in an unobtrusive and joyful manner. Animation of his short films is interesting for professionals and critics, but the audience looks for a piece of exciting and resting story embodied by picturesque characters and background with a pleasant and appealing musical accompaniment. Lasseter’s agent If I were Lasseter’s agent, I’d find the best place of work for him for sure. First of all, it would be necessary to represent his works to his potential employers. Let us imagine that Lasseter created a short film, which could bring great profits to producers and fame for the studio. Unfortunately, my client had no money and was in despair. In order to cheer him up, I’d go to the well-known producers of animation and show his sketches to them. Lasseter’s ideas in combination with his education, skills and experience would interest producers for sure. Fortunately, my client had a lot of skillful partners and they could work over their future masterpiece. Let us imagine that initial version of “Knick Knack” had to be advertised in order to appeal to the public. Children would like funny characters, relaxing music, clumsy actions of the snowman and their parents would like to watch a short animated story about the snowman’s intrigue. In case of loyal attitude of producers, it would be possible to create a number of short animated stories in the same manner. I’m sure that TV producers would find Lasseter’s short films to be the most appropriate in day time or early in the evening when the whole family is at home. They would gain profits if they aired advertising between Lasseter’s films. All members of the family would be interested in them, especially children. Of course, Lasseter’s animation requires proper financing. It would be relevant if his agent talked about Lasseter’s usage of “motion blur in CG animation and complex 3D backgrounds with the lighting styles and colors” (Hill). Lasseter has also widened technical possibilities of CG models. Thanks to his innovations, these styles have shifted from rigid geometric forms to “manipulatable shapes capable of the squash and stretch style” (Maestri, 1996). He works with modern technologies such as “a Cray X-MP/48 supercomputer and ten VAX-11/750 superminicomputers from Project Athena” (Maestri, 1996). Consequently, technical descriptions of Lasseter’s works would evoke an undisputable interest in potential producers. His works are surely perspective due to innovations introduced. His animated films embody creative thinking of Lasseter and show him as a talented artist-innovator. Works cited 1. Baillie, R. "John Lasseter king of Toon town". New Zealand Herald. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10384751&pnum=3 2. Hill, J. "To Infinity and beyond!” N.p., Blog of Jim Hill. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. Retrieved from http://jimhillmedia.com/error-notfound.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/blogs/jim_hill/print/13451.aspx 3. Knick Knack. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. Retrieved from http://www.pixartalk.com/shorts/knick-knack/ 4. Lasseter, J. "Principles of Traditional Animation Applied to 3D Computer Animation". Computer Graphics 21:4 (July 1987): 35-44. 5. Maestri, G. Digital Character Animation. New Riders Press, 1996. 6. Paik, K. To Infinity and Beyond!: The Story of Pixar Animation Studios. San Francisco: Chronical Books, 2007. 7. Pixar Shorts: The Adventures of André and Wally B. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. Retrieved from http://www.the-leaping-lamp.com/pixar-shorts-andre-wallyb.html 8. Schlender, B. What will Pixars John Lasseter do at Disney. (2006). Web. 11 Dec. 2010. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/15/magazines/fortune/pixar_futureof_fortune_052906/index.htm Read More