rkish
05-11-2006, 12:03 PM
BEFORE WALT
by Ray Pointer – Inkwell Images
http://www.inkwellimagesink.com (http://www.inkwellimagesink.com/)
It’s always hard to write a review of any Ray Pointer DVD and to keep it brief. There is so much time and effort that goes into each DVD, and it shows. The wait has certainly been worth it, as this DVD may possibly be his best yet. As usual, the cover art and back jacket “biography” are insightful, relevant, and eye-catching. There is a four-page insert that comes with the DVD, that is a variation on Ray’s posted article on “The Centennial of American Animation” complete with pictures. The DVD itself was mastered/replicated on the new scratch- resistant TDK Armor disc. So Ray is keeping up with the advancing technology, which adds to the excitement. The presentation, like his other projects, is what would be called a “docu-tainment movie”, as Ray has mixed documentary narration and historical film clips with full-length cartoons. He has done a terrific job narrating this DVD, and uses original linking animation sequences that keep the material entertaining, as well as educational. The transfer and mastering of the vintage films is superior, yet challenging since he was cursed with an amount of deteriorated source material in some cases. He has once again taken silent cartoons and created authentic period-sounding tracks with music and sound effects that enhance the cartoons to the degree that they seem as if they had been a part of the original.
BEFORE WALT covers the history of animation from its Stone Age birth with cave drawings that would “animate” by the flicker of a campfire, to the concept of "The Persistence of Vision” applied by the Egyptians in The Temple of Isis; and the invention of the projector in 1840--all taking place in the “Pre-photographic Days". The development of photography leads through the experiments of Eadweard Muybridge, to James Stuart Blackton and his work with Thomas Edison, then Windsor McCay, Max Fleischer, and Walt Disney, who were considered to be the most important figures in animation of the 20th Century. In addition to the chronological order of development, BEFORE WALT contains examples that clearly illustrate the early influences on Walt Disney. Seeing this program, it becomes clear that Disney derived his boy and girl characters in PUSS IN BOOTS (1922) from the work of Wallace Carlson's DUD LEAVES HOME (1919). In addition, it appears that many of these cartoons have their original title art restored, which enhances their beauty and helps retain their "original quality."
The main program is about 60 minutes, but there are extras, that add to a solid 105 minutes with all menus working with ease. And what DVD would be complete without the “extras”? There is a Poster Gallery that includes a nice assortment of promotional art for various silent cartoons. There is also a “Profiles” section, which gives us an biographical write up on the various “fathers of early animation” done in encyclopedia style, with complete examples works by Paul Terry, Earl Hurd and John Randolph Bray. Two of these include audio commentary by Blackton and a clip from a 1967 interview with Terry. The menus navigate very well, with the bonus cartoons seen with the profiles or separately. Lastly, there is a very nice promo for Ray’s “Animation Anthologies”, and seeing it, viewers will want to purchase the rest of this wonderful series.
Ray Pointer has delivered a full-bodied look at the history of early animation, and has done it in an entertaining way that pays a respectful tribute to the 100th birthday of American Animation. This DVD is a must buy, not just for the animation enthusiast, but, for teachers, students, and those who are merely curious about the roots of animation.
by Ray Pointer – Inkwell Images
http://www.inkwellimagesink.com (http://www.inkwellimagesink.com/)
It’s always hard to write a review of any Ray Pointer DVD and to keep it brief. There is so much time and effort that goes into each DVD, and it shows. The wait has certainly been worth it, as this DVD may possibly be his best yet. As usual, the cover art and back jacket “biography” are insightful, relevant, and eye-catching. There is a four-page insert that comes with the DVD, that is a variation on Ray’s posted article on “The Centennial of American Animation” complete with pictures. The DVD itself was mastered/replicated on the new scratch- resistant TDK Armor disc. So Ray is keeping up with the advancing technology, which adds to the excitement. The presentation, like his other projects, is what would be called a “docu-tainment movie”, as Ray has mixed documentary narration and historical film clips with full-length cartoons. He has done a terrific job narrating this DVD, and uses original linking animation sequences that keep the material entertaining, as well as educational. The transfer and mastering of the vintage films is superior, yet challenging since he was cursed with an amount of deteriorated source material in some cases. He has once again taken silent cartoons and created authentic period-sounding tracks with music and sound effects that enhance the cartoons to the degree that they seem as if they had been a part of the original.
BEFORE WALT covers the history of animation from its Stone Age birth with cave drawings that would “animate” by the flicker of a campfire, to the concept of "The Persistence of Vision” applied by the Egyptians in The Temple of Isis; and the invention of the projector in 1840--all taking place in the “Pre-photographic Days". The development of photography leads through the experiments of Eadweard Muybridge, to James Stuart Blackton and his work with Thomas Edison, then Windsor McCay, Max Fleischer, and Walt Disney, who were considered to be the most important figures in animation of the 20th Century. In addition to the chronological order of development, BEFORE WALT contains examples that clearly illustrate the early influences on Walt Disney. Seeing this program, it becomes clear that Disney derived his boy and girl characters in PUSS IN BOOTS (1922) from the work of Wallace Carlson's DUD LEAVES HOME (1919). In addition, it appears that many of these cartoons have their original title art restored, which enhances their beauty and helps retain their "original quality."
The main program is about 60 minutes, but there are extras, that add to a solid 105 minutes with all menus working with ease. And what DVD would be complete without the “extras”? There is a Poster Gallery that includes a nice assortment of promotional art for various silent cartoons. There is also a “Profiles” section, which gives us an biographical write up on the various “fathers of early animation” done in encyclopedia style, with complete examples works by Paul Terry, Earl Hurd and John Randolph Bray. Two of these include audio commentary by Blackton and a clip from a 1967 interview with Terry. The menus navigate very well, with the bonus cartoons seen with the profiles or separately. Lastly, there is a very nice promo for Ray’s “Animation Anthologies”, and seeing it, viewers will want to purchase the rest of this wonderful series.
Ray Pointer has delivered a full-bodied look at the history of early animation, and has done it in an entertaining way that pays a respectful tribute to the 100th birthday of American Animation. This DVD is a must buy, not just for the animation enthusiast, but, for teachers, students, and those who are merely curious about the roots of animation.