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Ralph Bakshi
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Brother Rabbit
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 Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:46 am Post subject: Bakshi Board Exclusive Interview #7 |
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Interview #7 Conducted 10/30/06 ~ 9:20 AM
Bakshi:
My birthday was yesterday. Being 68 is strange. I found out what ole age is… but emotionally the person inside feels like I've always felt.
BR:
Well, congratulations.
Bakshi:
Yeah, that's what everybody's saying. (sarcastically)
On Why He Prefers to Work on His Original Works Rather Than Other's Ideas:
If I had had a large studio like DreamWorks or Pixar I'd have room for other people's films. That's what I should have done. But unfortunately that wasn't what happened. But hey, that's the business.
Besides, I've always been an independent animator. I just wasn't interested in other's stories. Either it was my movie or no movie. Why I took that position is beyond me. I guess cartoonists just tend to wanna do their own characters. They don't like to be hired out and do Al Cap forever. It gets tedious doing other peoples characters if you don't care as much about them. I guess my stance as a cartoonist is the real reason. It's because of the 1951 cartoonist that I wanted to be. In the age that I grew up the cartoons were owned by their creators, like McManus and like George Herriman with Krazy Kat..
Also, I didn't come into the industry as a filmmaker. I came in as an animator. I just chose to do my own thing. Usually the only reason you do the other thing is to make money. I'm not putting anyone down. A kid could make money and still be a great animator. It's just no fun. Spending two or four yrs on someone else's project would drive me nuts. At Terrytoons I had to do that, always working on dumb stories and bad soundtracks.
That's what did it. Yeah, I'd have to say that is what made me want to be independent and what made me get Ralph's Spot going.
The assembly line that was around in those days isn't around or at least as prevalent anymore. It's a different time now. Maybe it's time someone got something big happening though.
BR:
That's why we need a new Bakshi film today! That is what America and the world needs!
Bakshi:
No shit. (serious tone)
BR:
So, Victoria added a couple new paintings to the site. They're amazing…
Bakshi:
She did? You guys are so quick. I guess that's what comes with being young. I don't know if they're even complete. What happened was I got less serious. It took me all these fuckin' years to figure out my style. I've always looked at all the great painters in the past and attempted to paint in a way that would honor them, what they painted about and why. Then it just hit me that cartoons as an artform was what I had missed. I'm just a fuckin' cartoonist! So my new paintings are from a cartoonist's perspective.
BR:
I definitely picked up on that. (I had actually described them as, "traditional animation style fence imagery. One with a tattered backdrop") That's what I liked about them.
Bakshi:
I feel happy making them.
BR:
They seem like minimalist cartoon paintings to me.
Bakshi:
Goddamn right, you nailed that. That's exactly what inspired them was minimalist black and white animation. Paul Terry used that style. You nailed it.
BR:
There were a few book ideas floating around on the site that we're wondering about. Obviously the Wizards II graphic novel comes to mind first, but also a potential biography and a photo art book, based off of your OPB Special This Ain't Bebop. Are these projects still in production, on hold or abandoned?
Bakshi:
Nothing's abandoned. If they're [project heads] on it they're on it. If you want a book, make one. I don't crack the whip like I used to. Maybe I should? Who knows? I'm just happy painting right now. But definitely you should look into that stuff. You seem very dedicated to this stuff.
BR:
So you've mentioned on multiple occasions that you appreciate that the internet can help to bring together the global community of artists and animators. And I've told you how those artists and animators online want to see more from their favorite animation director, Ralph Bakshi. Following that logic I've created you a second home online on the most populated community MySpace.com. I've added your film trailers, a bunch of Mighty Heroes [since deleted by YouTube] and other short videos and links to petitions for your films to be released on DVD and also for soundtrack releases.
We've gotten more response to that page than I could have possibly imagined. The desire to see another Bakshi film is definitely there. We all want to know about, and I quote, "all kinds of twisted love and stupid cops". Personally, I think that's what Bakshi is meant to do in this day and age.
So, how do you want me to go about helping you get your next film produced, whatever it may be? Also, who if anybody could people contact (or deluge with letters) to get Wizards II animated?
Bakshi:
Do whatever you think is right and I'll back you. Have fun! If you get it done you'll be a producer. I would definitely do it. It's up to you. I said the same thing to John [K].
You'll fuck up, you'll make a mistake. But in the end, it's the fun of it all that makes me enjoy working at all. I think you stand better than a 50/50 shot.
BR:
I'll get right on that. (eagerness all too apparent in my voice)
BR:
(Regarding some sort of donation system to assist in film/project production.)
| Heavy wrote: | An easy way to do this would be through Paypal. You could just set up a page on the website indicating that you are willing to accept donations through it and explain people how they could do just that! I'm sure you'll be surprised at the results! There are plenty of people out there with enough dough to burn that could give you a hand or two!
And if those guys over at Fox are not very cooperative, you can send them all to hell if you've got enough money on your hands to complete it!
Ralph, you would be the Independent of the Independents! Watcha think?” |
Bakshi:
My first thought is that I wouldn't want to do that, but let me think about it.
Let's say that you raise half the money and can't make the film. If you got 70% made, how would you pay the animators? You couldn't finish the film. I guess my idea of donations is different than most people today. If you went to a millionaire and said, "Mr. Gates please give me money," that's disrespectful. I'm too proud for that.
Maybe on a shorter film so I can guarantee completion?
BR:
Understanding that all your chosen subject matter is important to you, what was the most important topic for you among those in your films?
Bakshi:
Reasonable question. Really depends on what's going on in the world or America. Same topics interest me today as interested me then... greed, bad business, the stupidity of our government, War out of control. Those are the topics that interested me. Also, in the early days, race issues cause of the 60's and integration. Michael living with Carole the big subject in those days.
(here were many good political comments which Bakshi asked that I not post, as he tries to stay away from those subjects in these interviews and focus on animation and creativity)
What's going on that bothers me is what I'd talk about.
BR:
So many of your past projects have been surrounded by controversy, do you feel too much attention has been paid to the controversy and not enough on the real purpose of your films?
Bakshi:
Absolutely.
BR:
Are you getting tired of having to answer questions about the controversies of your past films?
Bakshi:
Not yet. (laughter)
BR:
Any plans for new types of foreign releases for your films?
Bakshi:
Not from us right now. I wouldn't be averse to it though if the studios wanted to do more foreign releases.
BR:
Is there any connection between the classic film The Jazz Singer and American Pop?
Bakshi:
Yeah, in a sense… the Jewish tradition, the old days, coming from a Jewish ethnic background. So of course there was.
John Garfield made a lot of live action pictures like that. That culture is gone. America isn't that country it used to be, a real melting pot. Giving up your roots to live in America.
BR:
| Spazzadder wrote: | | I'm wondering what Bakshi's plans for the school are, his personal involvement, when some serious classes are going to start(?) |
Bakshi:
When Eddie and Jess need me to lecture, I go. Eddie's doing a magnificent job. I just help.
I told Jess to go online. That's where it's at.
BR:
| Animation Freak wrote: | | How much education do you think is necessary to begin as an animator. What exactly should i focus? figure-drawing, painting, cartooning? |
Bakshi:
It's an age old question, knocked around in artist circles since the beginning of time. I might have more to say about this later.
There seems to only be two schools of thought. Too much is bad and not enough is bad.
Basically there's two types of education. Art is totally separate from intellectual, and the more you get them both, the better an artist you are. If I knew as a young man what I know now it would have made a lot of things more easy for me. Educate yourself with both.
As for being an animator or director there's two things. Read the great books as much as you can. Great books classic and contemporary. Basically take reading and music seriously. You've also got to understand current events and what ideas there are. And for the most part you don't need German, French or calculus.
Read everything you can get your hands on. Listen too. Listen to how people are full of shit or real people. English, writing and reading.
Definitely get art training, which is different for each person. Figure drawing obviously. Painting learning about different painters… Goya, Rembrandt, Hopper. Their art had things to say that are very important.
Just study animation and other serious artforms. Also different great artists though. There's too much junk in animation. You can't watch Rocky and Bullwinkle the rest of your life. You have to expand your knowledge of art. They have books on this. That's where the reading comes in.
Education in animation shouldn't be just animation. How did the others get to where they are and make the great paintings.
Look at other artforms if you want to be original. Don't do what so many animators did and just plagiarize someone else. Look what they did to John Kricfalusi. So much of contemporary animation is just ripped off from John's style. It'd be okay if he had a studio and was making a million dollars. But he's not, and I get angry.
It's a compliment if you are copied. But too many people owe an awful lot to John's style and their basically, taking credit for it being theirs. I haven't spoken to John in awhile. He has changed the face of the industry.
BR:
Do you remember who did the narration for the Lord of the Rings trailer? People think it may have been Orson Welles.
- question from dnvillalpando
Bakshi:
No, I don't, but not Orson Welles. It didn't jump to mind. If Orson was doing narration I would know.
BR:
| Zevaluz wrote: | | If you're looking to find folks to do voices (non professional, like off the street voices like Mr. Bakshi did in so many projects) and you finally find someone, how much is fair payment? How do you set payment and figure it out without being extravagent or insultingly low? |
Bakshi:
Well, two ways. First budget of the film, how much money and who is financing is most important. Set budgets according to financing. If you're financing it yourself, paying for everything, and not a billionaire, you have to take that into account. If Warner Bros is financing, it's a whole different ballgame.
What part of the film do you have left to do? Can you afford to do it? If you're paying the guy a little for a low budget film but the guy has artistic aspirations, give him very big credit. Credits are payment too. Voiceovers can be a very lucrative field. If he does a good job, credit is equivalent to an extra $500 payment to some. Never pay out too much so that you can't finish the film. If it's a guys first time job and he wants to make it a career, that's a very big deal. You may be paying him a little financially but he's getting a lot out of it.
If Warner Bros is financing and its big budget and they're only paying a little then feel guilty.
BR:
Now I'm just going to throw out a couple films to see if you have any thoughts. We get these sorts of questions a lot and I know you'd rather chat about the industry but maybe if you have time?
Bakshi:
Sure go ahead.
BR:
Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) - Steamboy? - ibaraki
Bakshi:
Yes, two feelings. I saw it on tv the first time. I thought it was brilliantly executed with incredible scenes. But also that it was sluggish and even to the of boring. But I didn't catch the whole film so I'm not sure what I missed either. The technical end was brilliant. Visually it was like pulling levers forever.
BR:
Frank Miller's - Sin City? - Heavy
Bakshi:
Yes, ok it's good question. First of all, the first viewing. In theater I was stunned by the technique, though it was over the top and dumb sometimes. The more I watch it the better it's become. I figure Sin City is better the first screening, the day after it's stupid. But the more I watch it the more it grows on me. The same thing happened to me with Bladerunner.
BR:
Me too on the Bladerunner point.
It's been amazing chatting with you, as usual.
~Interview Ends
Well, I have to say this was my favorite so far. (Or do I say that every time)
I meant to post this earlier, but the regular members posting dipped during the holiday season and I wanted everyone to be back here before posting this and the next interview (already conducted).
Hope You All Enjoy!
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Last edited by Brother Rabbit on Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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time4akshun
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Joined: 16 Aug 2004
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| Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:52 pm Post subject: |
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Well done Rabbit. Would agree your best so far. Why no mention of Last Days....????
time
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Brother Rabbit
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Mike
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Joined: 25 Jan 2005
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Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:36 am Post subject: |
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Great interview! Can't wait for the next one.
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"A stripper putting her clothes on ain't beautiful unless she's ugly to begin with!"-American Pop
"Farewell, friend. I was a thousand times more evil than thou!" -Stormbringer |
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SpencerTracy
Joined: 04 Feb 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject: Great stuff |
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Great work, BR...keeps me coming back to read...I've often wondered why, with as little resources as it takes to do computer animation these days, why Bakshi doesn't just go out there and do a new film, rather than waiting on someone else to green light. Seems to me that it no longer takes teams of animators if one is willing to take some time to build his own puppets, etc...I suppose it is perhaps that he doesn't want to work that hard...but I know a lot of indies doing very interesting stories and self financing, and I'm pretty sure Bakshi could do it if he so desired, particularly short films that can then be made into features later.
Either way, I'll be waiting for the next installment...while picking up cels on ebay from the good ol days...lol...
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dnvillalpando
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| Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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Great interview, as ever, Rabbit!
I gotta say, though, that I've heard from a couple different sources (not including my own ears, 'cause it sure as hell sounds like him) that it was Orson Welles, but I could certainly be wrong, and Bakshi's right, if someone of his calibre was to do narration for a preview for one of his films, you'd think he'd hear about it.
david |
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