So, getting to see Jerry sing on live TV last night was a treat! I instantly grabbed my sketchbook and started drawing what I saw on my screen. The MDA telethon is supposed to go most of Labor Day today, too, so there will probably be more opportunities to catch the funny man in action. It’s amazing to see how many decades he has been working for this organization, raising all that money for “Jerry’s Kids.”

Jerry Lewis singing on the MDA telethon on September 4, 2010.

One of these days I need to sit down and do a classy illustration of Dean and Jerry together – my favorite all-time comedy team.

- Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865)

The key, boys and girls, is to moisturize.

Feeling saggy? Feeling baggy? Perhaps you can relate to this sketch I whipped up last night. There was no rhyme or reason for it – just felt like drawing an elephant in the ol’ sketchbook, and happened to find a great elephant quote from Abraham Lincoln this morning. Though, I’m not quite sure what kind of experience Lincoln had with elephants – outside of the Republican party, that is.

The cast from Steve Czarnecki's entry in the Walt Disney Studio's employee LOST video contest held in May of 2010. Click on image to enlarge it.

While most of my posts here on my blog have to do with my drawings and paintings, once in awhile I get to play in other genres of the creative arts. This past spring provided just such an opportunity through my good friend Steve Czarnecki when he called me to see if I’d lend him a hand with a video contest his employer was hosting. His employer was Disney, and they were asking their employees to submit 30 second homemade videos pertaining to the end of their hit television series LOST on ABC. Today, the final season of LOST is released on DVD, so I thought it was a good day to show some of my behind-the-scenes photos of the LOST Series Finalè Event Promo Shoot culminating in showing you the final winning video!

When Steve called me, I could hear the hesitation in his voice. “Hey Chad, um, I………want you to play ‘Hurley’ in my video.” “Why the hesitation?” I thought. Was it because I had won the lottery and then was abandoned on an uncharted island? Nope, haven’t done that. Perhaps because I say “Duuude” a lot? Nope, I don’t say that (much). Perhaps because he knew I had a collection of plaid shirts? Nah. Perhaps we’ll never know.

The backyard was literally littered with airplane parts for "LOST" atmosphere.

The director (at left) surveying his set.

Some details could ruin your appetite.

Steve’s shoot took place all day on a beautiful Saturday. My call time was early in the morning when my speaking part would be filmed. When I arrived, you could see that Steve pulled out all the stops. He had borrowed airplane parts from a salvage yard and had strewn them across his backyard. He had borrowed costumes (I – ahem – brought my own wardrobe), had made props, fog machines, a quality camera, and folks who knew how to use them! This was going to be quite a production!

Not only was the set looking mighty fine – Steve had arranged for some other surprises as well. The reason for my early call time was so that I could work with Daniel Roebuck who actually played Dr. Leslie Arzt on the actual show. Danny was a good sport about coming out and reprising his character for Steve’s short film. Without giving it away, his involvement really made the contest entry sparkle!

Daniel Roebuck (on the right) known for his various roles from "Matlock", "The Fugitive" and many other shows and movies.

Director of Photography Josh Turchetta shooting a scene with Steve Czarnecki, Daniel Roebuck, and another friend playing a Dharma Initiative worker.

Dr. Leslie Arzt (Daniel Roebuck) and Hugo 'Hurley' Reyes (Chad Frye) with a bucket of Mr. Cluck's Chicken.

After our morning shoot, I was able to take off for a couple of hours while the guys worked on some special effects shots, then I came back for the party scene. And what a scene! Other folks imitating characters from the show were there, along with three more performers who had small parts on the actual LOST show. Instead of babbling on about it here, I’ll let the pictures tell the story….

Inside the house, Steve Czarnecki is seen here directing his cast on how they should act when a steady cam will roam around them.

Many details were a part of the set such as food items with Dharma Initiative labels, and this drawing of "LOST" producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse with a polar bear.

Sterling Beaumon who played the young Ben Linus on "LOST" was a part of the contest shoot.

Yes, we even had Dharma Initiative scientists - some with battle damage!

The real Nadia (Sayid's doomed love on "LOST") came out to play with us - Andrea Gabriel. And no, that's not my real hair, though I do think that is Andrea's real hair.

We even had Walt's dog in our shoot. I had charge of him in some shots. He was very easy to control since I was holding that bucket of chicken all the time. That's also his real hair.

Erin Cottrell, known for her role of Missie LaHaye in movie adaptations of Janette Oke books.

As I mentioned above, Steve Czarnecki did win the grand prize in the studio contest for his work. You can watch the video below. My only complaint is that with all the great stuff and talent at our disposal – the video is too short. But contest rules are contest rules, so 30 seconds it is! (Complete with voiceover at the end by Bill Rogers, the official announcer of Disneyland!)

]]> http://www.chadfrye.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2097 1 http://www.chadfrye.com/blog/?p=2091 http://www.chadfrye.com/blog/?p=2091#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:21:20 +0000 Chad Frye http://www.chadfrye.com/blog/?p=2091 While I know that it has been really hot across the United States these past few months, Southern California has had one of the most mild, beautiful summers in all the years I’ve lived here – until this week. This has been a sweltering week in Los Angeles, so of course, as that great leader of jurisprudence known as “Murphy” would have it, my air conditioning ceased to condition my air.

In sitting here waiting for the arrival of the repair men, I was thumbing through my sketchbook and came across this polar bear sketch drawn earlier this year. Even though he came from my own pencil, I couldn’t help but wonder if his smug little expression was coming from the fact that he was enjoying crisp, cool temperatures while I most definitely was not. He just stood there mocking me.

A polar bear enjoying the cool degrees of his summer. Either that or he's listening to Barry Manilow. Hard to tell, really.

So, now the repair men have come and performed their patriotic duty. My air is working just in time to keep the paint from peeling off the walls, and I’m standing in front of my vent with a satisfied stance not unlike my fuzzy friend above.

Over the past number of years, the animation business has adopted the philosophy that if an artist’s portfolio does not look like their product, the artist must not be able to draw their characters. And if they think there is a glimmer of hope in the pencil wielder, the studio will require a remunerationless drawing test that usually is a good week’s worth of work. In essence, they make the artists try out for the team.

Perhaps these ideas came along because artists would lie on their resumès, or maybe it’s because hiring is usually handled by human resource agents that don’t truly understand the drawing process. I don’t say this as a slam on them by any means. With budgets being slashed, with many animation jobs leaving our borders, and with a local workforce greater than the amount of available jobs, companies want to know if you can draw what they need. I just wonder why, when a resumè has legitimate claims of having drawn things as diverse as characters for Disney, Pixar, Warner Bros., Hanna Barbera, Mercer Mayer, Fisher-Price, and superheroes that one would assume that artist cannot draw new things? Just last year I was turned down for a job with the stated reason that they didn’t think I could draw their characters.

So, that being said, when I apply for a new job in animation, I try to find out a little of the style of a show and see if I can quickly add some drawings to my portfolio that would key the bosses to the fact that I can draw their characters. They need to know that I can play ball with them.

The following is an example of just that. You’ll notice that this baseball boy is not exactly like the style of my other personal work here on the blog. He was created as a part of my portfolio customized for a job application earlier this year. Started as a rough sketch in my sketchbook, he then became an inked drawing with some color added in Photoshop for good measure. I didn’t get that job, but I did have fun trying to broaden my horizons a bit.

This baseball boy is a rough sketch taken directly from the pages of my sketchbook.

And here's a more finished look at the sketch. Click on the image to see it larger!

Ironically, despite what I wrote above, I didn’t have to “try out” for a character design position I currently hold. Based on the reputation of my past work, I am grateful to be helping bring Zhu Zhu Pets toys to life in the animated realm. Sometimes the resumè and a good pitch from colleagues alone can help get the game play going. Then you have to step up to the plate and prove you deserve to be swinging the bat.

PLAY BALL!

Good ol' Delbert keeping up with where the fish are biting via his video phone.

I’m not sure exactly why I drew Delbert with a mobile phone when I haven’t even leapt off that technological precipice quite yet.  When it comes down to it, I suppose I just don’t like being that accessible to folks.  What is accessible to me every day, however, is my collection of plaid shirts. So I’m already halfway to becoming Delbert in real life!

At any rate, enjoy this little submission from my sketchbook of random musings.

Our evening started at an Italian restaurant where we felt we would be having our last meal. Enjoying every cheesy, tomatoey bite, we slowly psyched ourselves up for the night of instruction and scolding we were about to receive. “Psyched” is right – arriving at the “class”, we were annoyed to discover that it was a group therapy situation instead of traditional teacher/class learning.

I guess the first lesson in food choices was whether or not I wanted a Milky Way, Butterfinger, or Twix when the “teacher”/therapist offered us a bowl of candy without a hint of irony behind his offer. He genuinely wanted us to enjoy ourselves. I refused any of his maniacal sweets  thinking it was all a trick. One look around the room revealed that not a soul trusted that man’s candy.

That same look around the room revealed that my friend and I were two of the three youngest participants in the room. Large senior citizens occupied the majority of the chairs that had been circled together like a nocturnal wagon train protecting the central occupants from an attack of savage high fat foods. The other young participant was a skinny young woman who thought she was fat. She bolted at the first sign of a questionnaire, possibly running off to join a bulimia class down the hall. We weren’t exactly sure.

The "preacher" extolling the virtues of healthy eating that he clearly had been practicing in his own life.

Since it was a group situation, we were all encouraged to express our feelings to the whole group about food. While everyone was able to get a few words in, one gentleman across from me (possibly in his 80’s) began a food monolog not entirely unlike a sermon. He preached all about the heavenly things we should be eating, and condemned the food that brings us down. He knew it all – probably because he had been through this class several times before as we later discovered.

I was so glad that I had the foresight to take my sketchbook along with me. I had anticipated sitting at a desk facing a boring teacher at night and needed something to keep me awake. The circular seating arrangements made for a much more interesting life drawing session by far. While everyone else was taking notes about how self-esteem will make you thinner (please see my last blog post for thoughts on THAT subject), I was busy wielding my pen around creating these ink sketches of the “preacher” and his lovely wife.

The "preacher's" wife, not to be confused with a Whitney/Denzel movie of the same name.

So, that night I learned that (alleged) bulimia is bad, vegetables are good, self-esteem classes don’t help repeat attendees, eat a good solid meal before going to a health clinic, and never EVER forget to take your sketchbook to night school.

- Candice Bergen (1946 –     )

The Airport Diva getting her texting done out of the way so she won't crash an airplane by doing it in flight.

I was recently in an airport and noticed this girl sitting across from me. She was dressed to the nines in designer clothing, an expensive handbag, and pricey purchases she was going to carry on to the plane. She was quite young, probably in her early 20’s, and had an air of snootiness about her. I know it’s not really fair to ascribe to her a haughty personality without having met her, but it did get me thinking about other people I have actually known in recent years that looked like her.

I’ve noticed a certain sense of entitlement amongst people in America. They have to be first. They have to have the best. They have to have the latest in technology. They have to dress only in name brands. They have to drive expensive cars. They roll their eyes at people they feel are beneath them. The list can go on.

I have a theory….We are bombarded by media messages that “you are beautiful the way you are”, “you deserve the best”, “you can have it now and probably pay for it much later”, “self-esteem, self-esteem, self-esteem!” Parents buy into these philosophies, and teach their kids that not only can they have it all, but they absolutely will. They buy them the latest toys, video games, and movies the second they come out. The material cravings are met right away without having to either wait for it or work for it. The kids grow up into adults expecting everything to just come their way, and often don’t care who they push aside on their quest to get what they want. I wonder if the current crisis of housing foreclosures aren’t, in part, a result of these “must have it now” ideals ignoring the inevitable consequences of such arrogant thinking.

Quite frankly, self-esteem flies in the face of care for our fellow man. Even in a passage of the Bible written roughly 2000 years ago, Philippians 2:3 says “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” And what is commonly known as “The Golden Rule” flies in the face of self-esteem teaching. It often is quoted as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This “others first” philosophy has roots in the Bible as well. Amongst several passages that relay it, Luke 6:31 says, “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” The opposite of self-esteem is humility.

I don’t typically get so heady in my blog posts, but this is something that bothers me quite often. Interesting that a random airport sketch could serve as a reminder to “think of your fellow man, lend them a helping hand…”

My own Superpop (perhaps with a little artistic license on the physique) with his new Father's Day grill. (And no, the flag is not on fire. It's behind the grill.)

When it comes time for gift giving, why do fathers fall into a stereotype that they are hard to shop for? It is probably why the common Father’s Day gift is a tie because the kids don’t know what else to get the man who seems to not have a single need (not that he needs another tie, either). Plus, if your father is the primary breadwinner, all the money you have to spend is his anyway.  When you grow up into adults, you now have your own hard-earned money, but the need to find the perfect gift for Dad is still a challenge.

This year, I and my three adult siblings all faced this common dilemma, but we decided to attack it together. Mom and Dad moved out of our childhood home last July where they had a built-in grill. Now, that sounds more glamorous than it really was. The grill was there when they moved to that house in 1974. Usually you had to clear it of wasps, then you would turn on the gas and light the single burner with a match, put your meat on the one small rack inside hoping this time the rack didn’t fall down onto the lava stones, and it had a wooden shelf off the front that Dad made (and was now weather warped) so you had a spot to rest the plate. Highly unglamorous.

Since that utilitarian grill could not be taken to our parents’ new home, the folks have been grill-less for almost a year now. We banded our forces together for the cause of good to spring for a decent grill. Grills come in many sizes and varieties now, and the new house deserves to have some open flame and smoke out on the deck.

A week ago my sister gave our dad the money so that he can choose a grill he’d like. All is now right and good in the land, so long as a fire extinguisher is close at hand.

To all you fathers out there, Happy Father’s Day. Especially to mine.

This year marked the first time that three days of seminars were held during a Reubens. Yes, count ‘em up – 1, 2, and 3 days of seminars. I, for one, was excited about it. Each year the convention is held in a different city, but as far as I’m concerned, where it is held is inconsequential because rarely do I leave the hotel until  the conclusion of the convention. Every seminar had a bit of gold in it as my colleages had many great things to share on different aspects of our very cool business.

Sunday, May 30

This view greeted us from the top floor of the hotel. In the foreground is a historic train station, just beyond that is Ellis Island where relatives of mine entered this country, and then a familiar green statue.

My personal experience this fine sunny morning was to attend a breakfast business meeting with the NCS Foundation, of which I am a board member. The Foundation serves to give financial support to worthy causes in relation to our profession, as well as helping cartooning colleagues who have need of financial assistance due to dire circumstances. Earlier this year we ran a fundraiser called “Help the Hodges” to help a cartoonists family in need. In addition, each year we bestow the Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship Award to a worthy college junior or senior who displays a knack for possibly joining our profession upon graduation. (The award is substantial, and includes a trip to The Reubens.)

The first activity for all the convention attendees came by way of a panel discussion led by MAD Magazine’s Tom Richmond discussing a trip many of our members took with the USO to draw for our troops at war. Joined by Pearls Before Swine’s Stephan Pastis, Baby Blues‘ Rick Kirkman, and Family Circus‘ Jeff Keane, Tom shared many photos of their ten-day trip to Germany, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Rick Kirkman and Tom Richmond talking about their USO trip to draw for American troops overseas.

Stephan Pastis ("Pearls Before Swine") caught in a candid moment during the talk about the USO trip to arid Iraq where, apparently, he developed a fear of running out of water.

Doug Bratton with Chad Frye who were acquainted in high school days in New Jersey, only to discover that each had gotten into cartooning all these years later when meeting up for the first time in over 20 years.

Animation artist Mark Simon who found a creative way to display "The Family Circus" 50th anniversary pin from our goody bags.

The second seminar of the afternoon celebrated the tenth anniversary year of the comic strip Six Chix. If you aren’t aware of this strip, it’s a daily humor strip written and drawn by six terrific female cartoonists – each taking different days to do their thing. Four of the Chix (Rina Piccolo, Anne Gibbons, Isabella Bannerman, and Stephanie Piro) were on the panel to talk about their work.

Rina Piccolo, who is also known for her comic "Tina's Groove", talking about her experience as one of the "Six Chix".

Anne Gibbons of "Six Chix" doing her best Apple laptop ad.

Isabella Bannerman sharing her tales of being a part of "Six Chix".

Speaking of comic strips, many folks who draw them happen to be members of the National Cartoonists Society, and many comic strip artists were in attendance at this year’s convention. In a cruel, yet darkly humorous twist of fate, the local Jersey newspaper, The Newark Star-Ledger, delivered their supply of Sunday papers to the Hyatt that morning FORGETTING to include the comics section.

Brian Crane (artist of the "Pickles" comic strip) about to do a blindfolded drawing experiment for David Folkman.

The Hudson River flowed beneath us crowded with Sunday boaters including a Mark Twain era paddlewheel boat!

"The Secret of Kells" character designer Barry Reynolds as he adds a creepy something special to my sketchbook collection of monster drawings.

The last seminar of the convention was conducted by my friend and extremely talented character designer Stephen Silver. Stephen teaches character design for the online school called Schoolism.com. Lately he has taken it upon himself to film great cartoonists in their studios talking about their work, and even doing full-blown drawing demos all for some documentaries viewable only on Schoolism.com. The first documentary about Mort Drucker is completed, and Stephen is currently editing ones on Archie Comics’ Stan Goldberg and The Lockhorns‘ John Reiner. After showing a teaser on all three documentaries, John Reiner, Stan Goldberg, Lockhorns writer Bunny Hoest, and former MAD Magazine editor Nick Meglin (representing Mort Drucker who could not attend) all joined Stephen on stage to discuss these documentaries.

Animation character designer Stephen Silver talking about his documentary series about great cartoonists.

John Reiner and Stan Goldberg seem to be eyeing Bunny Hoest's hat to make sure it doesn't spring to life.

Nick Meglin as he talks about the Mort Drucker documentary that Stephen Silver put together.

Illustrator Ed "King of New York" Steckley in the foreground, while the Empire State Building punctures a little rain cloud in the background soaking three blocks of NYC.

A nice closer view of The Statue of Liberty taken from the Jersey City Hyatt with a little of the main building on Ellis Island in the foreground.

After the last seminar of the day, it was time to have one last night of fun together. The NCS gathered in the main ballroom of the hotel for some dinner and a show. The show was a fun time led by The New Yorker Magazine cartoonist Matt Diffee. Matt had several cartoonists on stage (David Sipress, Emily Flake, Mike Lynch, Drew Dernavich, Jeff Stahler, and Michael Kupperman) for a bit of improv comedy cartoonists style.

As is common with improv comedy, folks from the audience shouted out various nouns and adjectives, and Matt had the six guest cartoonists draw a cartoon based on those suggestions in a battle to the  death. Well, not death exactly, but it was a mildly cutthroat battle of wits, except minus the cutthroat part. What it was, was FUNNY.

"New Yorker Magazine" cartoonist Matt Diffee hosting the "Gag Smackdown" Sunday night at the Reubens.

Those entertained by the "smackdown" were Linda Houden, "New Yorker" cartoonist Mort Gerberg, and David Folkman.

The great Mell Lazarus ("Momma") enjoying the on stage doodling.

Cartoonists Mike Lynch and Drew Dernavich in the throws of battle.

To keep the audience entertained while the cartoonists drew their instant cartoons, Matt Diffee had invited the comedy duo of  Stuckey & Murray. Together with an accordian player, Stuckey & Murray delivered their comedy by way of humorous songs they wrote. A few too many of us cartoonists in the audience could relate to one they sang about a grown man who can’t stop wearing his Looney Tunes shirt. At any rate, these fellas will be appearing on Last Comic Standing on NBC this season, so perhaps all will get to know the names of Stuckey & Murray very soon.

The comedy team of Stuckey & Murray with their accordianist. No comedy team should go without one.

Peter Gallagher ("Heathcliff"), Patti Pomeroy (part of the "B.C." team) and Greg Walker ("Hi & Lois" and "Beetle Bailey") among the many in the room.

NCS President Jeff Keane enjoying the last night's event that he didn't have to work.

Matt Diffee, the Stuckey & Murray team, and Chad Frye. (One item of trivia for you folks at home - Chad and Matt have known each other since college where they were both art majors and brothers in the same fraternity.)

Following the show, the socializing continued into the night in the hotel’s lobby. Here are a few bonus shots from that part of the evening:

In an attempt at getting a candid shot of Tom Gammill chatting with Matt Diffee, Wendy Peng jumped into the shot just as the shutter was clicking.

Humorous Illustrator Bucky Jones chatting with Wiley Miller ("Non Sequitur" comic strip).

"Foxtrot" cartoonist Bill Amend

Jerry Van Amerongen ("Ballad Street") explaining the minutia of something to "The New Yorker Magazine's" Matt Diffee and George Booth.

The following morning many departed for their homes across the globe. One last parting shot of New York City might be in order….

New York City, Memorial Day weekend, 2010

You know, many artists work at home by themselves in a fairly isolated environment. Connected only by the phone and the internet, we create our art, send it out, and many of you get to see the results. These annual treks to the Reuben Awards are such a welcome opportunity to break away from the seclusion to greet friends and colleagues for several days. We’re just people enjoying the company of each other, swapping back slaps and stories.

Arriving back in Los Angeles, I had one final reminder of the amazing impact our isolation can have. Not two days before I was chatting as colleagues with Steve Brodner, a pretty cool guy who does pretty cool art. As I was going down an escalator in the LAX airport on my way to the baggage claim area, I glided under this giant signage illustrated by Steve. The world of cartooning sure is fun!

A large ad (perhaps 50 feet across) by Steve Brodner in the LAX airport.