Exclusive Bakshi Board Interview #10
Hiya Bakshi Blog Readers,
So, the book is on the way next year. That may start to get the ball rolling on other projects as well. Bakshi is still busily painting away in his studio. (just the way he likes it)
I did this interview with Ralph back in March and since then he has also said some things related to his thoughts in this interview in two opinion posts at the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive blog. HERE, and HERE
Remember to send us all Ralph Bakshi related info you find that you haven't heard from us to rabbitATralphbakshiDOTcom. You may see it on the blog or myspace page. (with credit or anonymous)
Here's the interview.
(questions quoted from ralphbakshi.com/forum/ as well as www.myspace.com/ralphbakshi)
~~~~~
Interview #10 Conducted 3/14/07 ~ 12:00 PM
BR:
Question from kurtamayaguy -
Does Ralph have any comments regarding sketching characters on a Tablet computer using sketch software like Alias Sketch, Mirage, or whatever ..vs... doing it the good old pencil/paper way?
Bakshi:
Once you get used to it, you get used to it. I'm used to the old fashioned way. The good old fashioned way has proven itself. There's a difference drawing on tablets. You'd have to know if it was the right method for you. It really doesn't matter how you get it on the screen as long as you like the results. It's always a question of personal taste. I would find it hard to use a tablet as I'm used to paper. People who start with tablets, that like what they see, that is what they should do. Paper has a standing, over the history of animation. Paper did ok, now can tablets?
BR:
Question from chbrubaker -
I've heard rumors that you did the opening for the US version of "8th Man." Is this true?
Bakshi:
No.
BR:
Question from Mike -
What are Ralph Bakshi's favourite novels? The ones that most influenced him? And what books did he enjoy when he was in his teens?
Bakshi:
On the Road... Before that A Stone for Danny Fisher... The Amboy Dukes, about the streets of Brooklyn. Very obscure book. You asked me a question; I'm giving you very obscure answers. (laughs)
BR:
Question from time4akshun -
Would love a best guess as to what voices Bakshi himself actually did in his several animated films. I heard him alot in Coonskin (Simple Savior, Zingarelli Looking Cop) and in Heavy Traffic (Lingerie Factory scene) but would love a definitive answer of voiceovers he has personally done in his animated films. Or at least as best as he can remember!
Bakshi:
Um… Hmmm… It was very random, I don't really remember too well. Let's see… "Heavy Traffic", the guy that Michael kills. Also, a voice over during the garment district scene. In Fritz I was the cop. They come up here and there.
I'm very much into natural voices. I knew I wasn't a great actor. I was very much into, in those days, how a real person talks. Not how a guy who does voices for cartoons talks. In "Coonskin" I loved Barry White and Charles Gordone. Whenever I shot off my mouth I knew it was real and real was what I was looking for. That's the way Charley [Charles Adler] talked. Charley was sensational. God bless him. Funny guy.
THE STATE OF ANIMATION TODAY:
The state of animation today is in total disarray. I've been too nice for too long.
I am watching tv and seeing the same old tired cgi animal characters doing the same old tired stuff time and time again. When I came into this business in 1955 all the UPA and all the modern design, stylization for the sake of stylization was going on everywhere. Animator's weren't caring about story.
When I was working we tried to create something worthwhile. Style wasn't what animation was about, it was about content. Same was true in comics and painting. People finding their own voices.
The state of animation today is right back where it started everyone's talking about style and noone's talking about content. Noone's making anything that's worth anything. And I'm getting mad. You don’t have to make a picture like me. But everyone is making rehashes. Dreamworks pictures are absolutely disgusting. Television work is all stupid. Everyone's copying John K. Copying everything that's happened before.
I'm just waiting for someone to use the technology in some new way and make an amazing story. With all this equipment all these computers at your service how can you not put them to good use?
Academy awards being given to films that weren't even animated. Happy Feet my ass! With everything that's going on today, Global Warming, War and you're making your stupid little pictures about nothing? I've waited and I'm now getting angry. I'm letting you guys know that through my site, because I think you can change things.
I don't want to see a buncha animal character's break out of a zoo. What the hell are you doing out there? The world is falling apart?
And I know the guys that are trying to do that work are getting heard. John K got heard, I got heard.
The structure of the big companies, paying the young rebels to create shit just doesn’t work. UPA, Cartoon Network, everything looks the same. I'm disgusted. I just wish they'd raise the bar and I'd help them if they asked.
I’m really really trying. People are very angry at me in Hollywood. A lot of the companies don't want this to happen.
I snuck in the first time (laughs) and this time they see me coming. These people are stopping me at every turn.
I'm very much behind younger people and they have much better ideas than older people. But that doesn't mean I won't keep trying to do better and try to making stories that I really feel. I'll keep trying. Will you?
Who cares about Terrytoons. That's what they were talking about when I first came into the industry. Their time is over, it's time for something new.
Basically I've been reading so much on the internet. I'm sure there are things out there that I don't know about.
As far as the people running American animation right now, their selling the old stuff again now. It's like "Heavy Traffic" and "Coonskin" never happened.
On the 23rd and 24th they are playing "Coonskin" at Beverly Cinema. Tarantino is showing his favorite films. People should go and have a good time.
The book, Art of Ralph Bakshi is coming. The deal is closed and I'm gonna make another pass at filming a film. Maybe this time someone will listen.
BR:
Question from White Boy-
did bakshi ever drop acid?
Bakshi:
None of your business.
Listen... I'm a grandfather with 10 grandkids, I have them to think about. Next question?
BR:
MCPlatinum-
In Cool World, Was the theme of Frank abstaining from sex and Jack giving in to his lust an example of how the moral values of the newer generations have disappeared? Frank Harris being an old school "good guy" from the 40's that tries to do the right thing and Jack being the new generation of people who gives into temptation? Finally, after years of waiting Frank can "do it" with Lonette because he turned into a doodle. Is this an example of how to be patient and to get married before you have sex? And the people who rush into things will suffer the consequences? (i.e, getting someone pregnant or getting a sexually transmitted disease.)
I understand your original script of a man who has sex with a cartoon chick and has a half breed child was never used. Your original script touching on the subject of father responsibility. I'm just wondering since you were not able to use that script that you had something to do with the [use] of [the] old vs. new generation theme and their stand on moral values.
Bakshi:
Yes, huge part of the film, fathers and sons and kids. I snuck that one in there. You never squeak stuff in if you're not in total control. There's no magic bullet that's gonna do it. The quality of animation is no substitute for ideas. There's no reason to spend that much money on an animated feature.
BR:
Question from John Pannozzi-
Why don't you help make a Ralph Bakshi video game in the style of the Grand Theft Auto series, but set in the universe of Heavy Traffic, Coonskin, Hey Good Lookin', etc.
Bakshi:
That's a good fuckin idea. I didn't think of it. When I was doing films there was no such fucking thing. Sure I want to do that. Ok, why not. *
BR:
Question from HandBehind-
[Regarding "Wizards" composer Andrew Belling] Wonder if he would be considered for Wizards II?
Bakshi:
Yes he would. I would use him in a heartbeat.
BR:
Question from Matthew-
A number of us had been discussing how much we loved the 1978 LOTR, pining for the sequel, and so on. Then someone mentioned having gone to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade that year, and seeing a float with Mt. Doom and a bunch of ringwraiths on horseback. Are there any photos of this???
Bakshi:
I didn't do it. Maybe Saul Zaentz did? (www.zaentz.com)
~~~~~
* This has been proposed to Newgrounds.com. Send them emails if you want to see a flash game.
* If you are in the game programming industry and want to send us some examples of what you can do, contact projectsATralphbakshiDOTcom.
A Place to Direct Your Questions + Older Interview Links:
Interview Links
Remember you can ask questions that may be included in a future interview by:
1) Joining the forum (contact rabbitATralphbakshiDOTcom to join the forum)
2) Posting or sending a message via the myspace page www.myspace.com/ralphbakshi
3) Emailing Brother Rabbit (rabbitATralphbakshiDOTcom)
Lot's of new videos on the MySpace page too if you haven't seen them, definitely check'em out.
www.myspace.com/RalphBakshi
Posted by Rabbit at
09:50 PM
|
Comments (0)
