Conversations with some of the animation industry's most celebrated independent creators.
In this second of two parts, Ralph Bakshi discusses the enormous impact and influence his films created followed by the violent controversy. In response, Bakshi turned to his first love, fantasy. Bakshi shares how his Brooklyn street smarts enabled him to get the rights to one of his crowning achievements, Lord of the Rings, where Bakshi implemented rotoscoping technique. With story after story, Bakshi shares his passion for animation, his breaking new ground in this art form and the adult themes he used in creating animated political commentary and satire.
Ralph Bakshi proves to be a master raconteur who challenges his audience and yet who believes in the power of creativity. This is the way he wanted them to be seen. Brooklyn-born Bakshi is not a passive pugilist, as this interview with the living legend proves.
Don't miss Part 1 of the conversation!
SPEAKER
Ralph Bakshi
Boss // Bakshi Productions
(Last Days of Coney Island, Trickle Dickle Down, Spicy City, Babe, He Calls Me)
Ralph Bakshi made his name and living via animated films, comic strips, advertising, and cartooning beginning from a young age. All of which was in pursuit of supporting his insatiable drive for creating art. He was either going to be living on the street as an artist or be an artist with a paycheck. Luckily he was able to marry both his artistic passions with a real job right out of Manhattan's School of Industrial Arts in NYC. Terrytoons in New Rochelle was the first stop on a long and intense career in an animated world. While gaining renown for creating and directing cutting-edge and fiercely creative films that delivered a profound social impact, Bakshi developed a work ethic that served him well in his private studio. Never failing to steal any spare, breathing moment into his studio to paint on his own canvases — apart from his enormous film studios. Notably, the artistic genius in Bakshi’s films did not escape the attention of art critics, while applauded their audacity, always raved about the brilliant artist whose hand and head conceptualized the jazzy characters and fantastical landscapes that ended up full of life on the big screen.
Over the course of his career, Bakshi has made feature films, series and continued to pursue his passion for art.
Website // IMDb // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter
MODERATOR
Keith Blackmore
Sr. Lecturer // Vancouver Film School
As an animation historian, Keith Blackmore has been a passionate cheerleader and a voice for all-things animated in the Vancouver area for almost 30 years. As one of the producers of the SPARK ANIMATION Festival and an active member of the local SIGGRAPH chapter, Keith has presented, interviewed and moderated at many festivals, local and national.
Since 1995, Blackmore has educated, entertained and inspired students in the history of animation and media studies at the Vancouver Film School. When he’s not reading, teaching or talking about animation, he’s watching it.
Conversations with some of the animation industry's most celebrated independent creators.
In this second of two parts, Ralph Bakshi discusses the enormous impact and influence his films created followed by the violent controversy. In response, Bakshi turned to his first love, fantasy. Bakshi shares how his Brooklyn street smarts enabled him to get the rights to one of his crowning achievements, Lord of the Rings, where Bakshi implemented rotoscoping technique. With story after story, Bakshi shares his passion for animation, his breaking new ground in this art form and the adult themes he used in creating animated political commentary and satire.
Ralph Bakshi proves to be a master raconteur who challenges his audience and yet who believes in the power of creativity. This is the way he wanted them to be seen. Brooklyn-born Bakshi is not a passive pugilist, as this interview with the living legend proves.
Don't miss Part 1 of the conversation!
SPEAKER
Ralph Bakshi
Boss // Bakshi Productions
(Last Days of Coney Island, Trickle Dickle Down, Spicy City, Babe, He Calls Me)
Ralph Bakshi made his name and living via animated films, comic strips, advertising, and cartooning beginning from a young age. All of which was in pursuit of supporting his insatiable drive for creating art. He was either going to be living on the street as an artist or be an artist with a paycheck. Luckily he was able to marry both his artistic passions with a real job right out of Manhattan's School of Industrial Arts in NYC. Terrytoons in New Rochelle was the first stop on a long and intense career in an animated world. While gaining renown for creating and directing cutting-edge and fiercely creative films that delivered a profound social impact, Bakshi developed a work ethic that served him well in his private studio. Never failing to steal any spare, breathing moment into his studio to paint on his own canvases — apart from his enormous film studios. Notably, the artistic genius in Bakshi’s films did not escape the attention of art critics, while applauded their audacity, always raved about the brilliant artist whose hand and head conceptualized the jazzy characters and fantastical landscapes that ended up full of life on the big screen.
Over the course of his career, Bakshi has made feature films, series and continued to pursue his passion for art.
Website // IMDb // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter
MODERATOR
Keith Blackmore
Sr. Lecturer // Vancouver Film School
As an animation historian, Keith Blackmore has been a passionate cheerleader and a voice for all-things animated in the Vancouver area for almost 30 years. As one of the producers of the SPARK ANIMATION Festival and an active member of the local SIGGRAPH chapter, Keith has presented, interviewed and moderated at many festivals, local and national.
Since 1995, Blackmore has educated, entertained and inspired students in the history of animation and media studies at the Vancouver Film School. When he’s not reading, teaching or talking about animation, he’s watching it.
