Deja View

Monday, March 12, 2012

Wilhelm M. Busch Originals

Last year I had the chance to purchase a few original sketches from the estate of Wilhelm M. Busch in Germany.

I was sent a disc with images of many works depicting circus scenes. Large oversized drawings that would be up for sale.

It was pure torture to select just a few, all of them were breathtaking.

These are works done on the spot at the circus, either during rehearsals or performances. (most likely during the 60ies or 70ies)

Busch didn't care about making pretty drawings here, to capture the essence of the moment was the most important thing. There is thorough observation and an honest truth in them, that makes it easy for the viewer to relive those moments.

Busch captured these "Kodak" moments in his head, then put them down on paper, a few strokes within seconds.

Fascinating what is left out, only the most essential lines define an animal like the marvellous leopard.

Friday, March 9, 2012

More Alice

Here are a couple of magazine articles which helped to promote "Alice in Wonderland" for its initial release in July of 1951. They both show a fantastic variety of photos with Kathryn and other actors at work, performing scenes for the animators. Part of the French article features Bobby Driscoll, who would soon give Peter Pan his voice. Bobby also provided live action reference for that character.

There are still a few drawings of Alice by Milt Kahl I want to share with you.

Every possible angle of her head, every hand gesture is so beautifully worked out.

It's animated realism and appeal on the highest level.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Kathryn Beaumont

Her full name is Kathryn Beaumont Levine, and her friends call her Kathy.

I am very proud to be one of them. We recently got together to take a look at some animation roughs of the character of Alice from "Alice in Wonderland".

Many of you know that Kathryn gave her voice as well as live action reference to two iconic Disney characters, Alice and Wendy from "Peter Pan". We had a lot of fun studying the drawings, they instantly brought back memories of certain sequences, and how involved the live action filming was way back on a soundstage of the Burbank Disney Studio lot.

Because the situations Alice finds herself in are often surreal, the performance in front of the camera required almost acrobatic skills. Young Kathryn had to fall -attached to a harness- into Wonderland, she moved around sitting inside a miniature house and played croquet with an imagined flamingo.

I asked her if there was ever a moment when she was scared or felt unsafe. "Never" was the short answer.

She remembered that Milt Kahl showed her how rough animation was coming along, based on her performances. It was also Milt who invited Kathryn and her mother to spend their first American Thanksgiving with his family. "That was a lot of fun" she recalls, "at the studio I worked with adults only, so it was nice to spend time with Milt's children Sybil and Peter, who were roughly my age."

Another interesting recollection came up about her costume for the filming.

Marc Davis wasn't satisfied with the way it was fabricated. The color was all wrong. Since the photostats were later printed in black & white, only a certain grey would be beneficial for motion study. And the material was too light, so the dress had to be re done with a weightier fabric.

I find all those stories fascinating, and there isn't a lovelier person than Kathy to talk to about those magical Disney years.

I hope you'll enjoy the photos and the artwork.