Barker from Cheatin'

Women face design for Cheatin'

Cheatin' Production Blog - Episode 3

In this episode I discuss the importance of a strong storyboard and how the panels relate to the scenes in the finished film.

Lisa Lou from Cheatin'

Lady from Cheatin'

“Dark Shadows” and “The Avengers”

Two new films that really interest me just opened theatrically, and I'd like to comment on them.

I vaguely remember watching “Dark Shadows” on TV when I was in college in Oregon, but the production values and soap-opera sensibilities turned me off. Later, my friends raved about the show, so when I had the opportunity to see the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp theatrical version, I decided to give it another chance.

The art direction and visuals are wonderful, as is Johnny Depp's 18^th century dialogue – but the story is very weak and too talky. But, I suppose they wanted to recreate the feel and style of the 1960's TV show. Unfortunately, TV doesn't work in the movies. The film should have been more cinematic. I give it a C+.

“The Avengers”, however, has style and action up the wazoo. I loved the film, even though I'm not a fan of any of the comic-book characters, except for Iron Man. Joss Whedon did an excellent job with the storytelling and the extravagant battles. You've got to see the scene where the Hulk battles Loki, it's priceless.

The only problem I found with the film was the stupid gobbledygook technical jargon that's totally confusing and time-wasting. They should have edited out all of that technical bullshit and let the characters get on with the story.

I give it an A-, and as you may have heard, be sure to stay until the end of the credits.

More Character sketches for Cheatin'

Lady Sketch for Cheatin'

Character sketch

My New Book!

I'm very excited! My new book from Focal Press is arriving at the end of May. It's called, "Make Toons That Sell Without Selling Out", and I just received an early copy. It looks terrific!

It's far different than the wonderful coffee table book about me from Rizzoli, "Independently Animated, Bill Plympton". That book is more of a career roundup of my life in illustration and animation with lavish prints of art.

The Focal Press book is more of a "how to" -- it's essentially my master class, with much more detail and drawings illustrating my creative process. This book is mandatory for all animation students, designers, or anyone who loves cartoons!

I talk about how I make a living creating short films, how to make people laugh, and more importantly how to draw. I packed the book with sketches and drawings from my life drawing class and animated films -- those alone are worth the price of the book!

So please pick up a copy of "Make Toons That Sell Without Selling Out" by Focal Press
(I give it an A+)


Order on Amazon!

Jake sketch

On-looker from Cheatin'

Portland Shows

Tomorrow, I'm off to Portland to introduce the Oregon premiere of “Adventures in Plymptoons”.  Alexia Anastasio and I will be introducing the film at the McMenamin's Mission Theater, one of those cool venues that lets you order and eat food while you watch the film.

 It's the start of a whole Oregon Road Tour for the film, organized by my good buddy and crack promoter, Steve Tenhonen.  Here are the cities and dates:

May 19 - McMenamin's Mission Theater, 1624 N.W. Glisan, Portland OR
May 20 - McMenamin's Old St. Francis School Theater, 700 N.W. Bond St., Bend OR
May 22 - McMenamin's Kennedy School Theater, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave., Portland OR
May 23 - McMenamin's Grand Lodge Compass Room Theater, 3505 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove OR
May 24 - McMenamin's Olympic Club Theater, 112 N. Tower Ave., Centralia WA
May 25 - McMenamin's Edgefield Power Station Theater, 2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale OR
May 26 - McMenamin's Bagdad Theater & Pub, 3702 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland OR
May 27 - McMenamin's St. Johns Theater & Pub, 8203 N. Ivanhoe, Portland OR

 All screenings include Q&A with director Alexia Anastasio and producers Steve Tenhonen and Kevin Sean Michaels with special guests and activities to celebrate "Keeping it Weird" in Oregon.
 Unfortunately, because I'm busy trying to finish “Cheatin'”, my new feature, I won't be able to attend the screening at the Bagdad Theater on May 26, which has been declared “Bill Plympton Day” in Portland.  Wow, what a cool honor!

 The screenings at the Bagdad on May 26 will be preceded by celebrations that will benefit the Oregon Media Production Association.  Doors will open at 2 pm and 6 pm, screenings will begin at 3 pm and 7 pm.  For tickets, please visit:


http://mcmenamins.com/events/u/Great_Northwest_Film_Tour

 But, if you're in the great Northwest around those dates, please stop by and check out this amazing inside look into my life and career. By the way, I'm going to premiere one of my new shorts at the Mission Theater screening, and, as is my custom, I'll be giving everyone who attends a free Bill Plympton drawing.

 See you there!

Cheatin' Production Blog - Episode 2

In this episode I discuss my writing process via outlines and thumbnail drawings.

Robert Mitchum

Hand Foot Studies

Paintings of Bo Bartlett...

Some amazing imagery as well as technique here.. enjoy..

Adventures in Plymptoons in Portland!

I have more good news -- "Adventures in Plymptoons", the revelatory documentary by Alexia Anastasio about my life and career, is finally opening in my hometown of Portland, Oregon. And I'm flying out there to make a special appearance.

For all you people who live in the northwest area, please come and say hello! It's Saturday, May 19th at the famed Mission Theater:

1624 N.W. Glisan St.
Portland, Oregon 97209
503-223-4527
between NW 16th and NW 17th

I'll be signing my new book from Focal Press, "Make Toons That Sell Without Selling Out" and my brand new deluxe DVD of "The Flying House".

I'm also planning to show my new TV Pilot, "Tiffany the Whale".

So please tell your friends and bring your folks to the Mission Theater for "Adventures in Plymptoons" Plus, everyone who comes gets a free Bill Plympton drawing. See you there!

Laura

New Rockin' Jelly Bean for yaz_all...

Always rad.

Happy Girl

Favorite Thrasher Covers..

 

Some of my favorite Thrasher Magazine covers (aesthetically speaking) over the past 20 years.. dig.

Directors' Height Contest

As to my famous directors "Guess Their Height" contest, I got some negative feedback on it -- a good friend of mine (a famous film writer who's a friend of Scorsese's) asked me why I was doing this. He thought I was trying to insult these famous men.

I said that I didn't come up with this contest as a put-down. I just thought it was curious that all these brilliant genius directors were shorter than average. Then someone said to me that there are other great Hollywood directors from the past that were also short -- Billy Wilder and Michael Curtis, for example. Maybe these directors feel that to compensate for their lack or height they must take on dominating positions in films.

Anyway, according to my research:

Peter Jackson is 5 foot 6 and a half inches.

Roman Polanski is 5 foot 5 inches.

Martin Scorsese is 5 foot 4 inches.


I love all their films and perhaps I would be a better director if I wasn't so tall.

Facial Studies Blue Ink

BeachGirls

George Griffin's Digital Mutoscope..

This is great.. I'm a big fan of George's film "Viewmaster" and here he took that piece and made a really nice interactive installation. Enjoy.

Runner

Kirsten Rothbart..

Some cool, thought provoking in a delinquent way, images from German artist Kirsten Rothbar.. enjoy.

Cheatin' Production Blog - Episode 1

In this first installment, I introduce the "Cheatin' Production Blog" and discuss my inspiration for the film.

ShadowFace