Daily post 23 Apr 2013 04:11 am
Another B’Day
I thought for my birthday, today, I’d start with a recapped post. This is a story I’ve told a lot of times, however this is the only time Tissa told it, and I think it’s her version of my version.
- Today’s William Shakespeare’s birthday. It’s an odd choice of date given that there’s so little information about the guy. But since today’s also my birthday, I’ll enjoy the association by accident.
I’ve decided to post something that’s been floating around my studio for the past couple of years. It’s one of those things that never got properly put away once we moved into the new digs. But since I like seeing it, I also like stumbling across it in the morass of paper in my office.
Tissa David did a birthday card for me for my 50th birthday. She recounted, in storyboard, our first meeting. I was on my second day working for the Hubleys – my first animation job.
It’s close to being accurate, but not as nasty as the version in my head. Here’s Tissa’s board.
Helen, is Helen Komar, a lifelong assistant working in NY first at Paramount then onto lots of other places. She managed the animation area for John and Faith for a couple of years. Another great person who slips through the history books.
I had inbetweened two of Tissa’s scenes on the first day of work. Tissa came in the next day while I was busy working on more. She went to Helen’s desk and the two of them talked for a short bit. Then I heard, “Who has made these HORRIBLE inbetweens?” spoken in the most definitive Hungarian accent you’ll ever hear.
When I sheepishly admitted to it – since only Helen or I could have done them, and there was no doubt Helen hadn’t – Tissa offered to give me some lessons in how to make a proper inbetween. Those lessons seem to have been ongoing most of my life. I’m not sure I can do a really good inbetween to this day. But I sure have gained a lot of knowledge via Tissa and her caring for animation enough to spend a lot of time looking over my shoulder.
on 23 Apr 2013 at 7:10 am 1.Mark Mayerson said …
Happy Birthday, Michael. And many more.
on 23 Apr 2013 at 7:12 am 2.Stephen Macquignon said …
Happy Birthday!!
on 23 Apr 2013 at 7:50 am 3.Rudy Agresta said …
Have a Happy and Blessed Birthday Michael…All the Best to you!
on 23 Apr 2013 at 9:19 am 4.Michael Barrier said …
Happy birthday, Michael. And many more. (I copied Mark Mayerson’s greeting verbatim, but how can you improve on perfection?)
on 23 Apr 2013 at 11:33 am 5.Michael said …
Two perfectly perfect comments. Many thanks to all.
on 23 Apr 2013 at 11:38 am 6.Jonathan said …
Happy Birthday Michael!
on 23 Apr 2013 at 11:57 am 7.anik said …
Happy birthday!
on 23 Apr 2013 at 12:22 pm 8.Janet Benn said …
Happy Birthday, dear Michael! That’s a wonderful birthday card. I also remember Helen Komar, a wonderful woman, with whom I worked in many studios – a toast to Helen, wherever you are!
on 23 Apr 2013 at 12:43 pm 9.Bill Benzon said …
Happy Birthday, Michael.
on 23 Apr 2013 at 1:59 pm 10.Bridget Thorne said …
wow, that’s a perfect drawing of you in the corner drawing, that shirt even seems familiar! Happy Birthday
Michael!
on 23 Apr 2013 at 2:04 pm 11.Andrew said …
That’s a hilarious, creative, and heartfelt birthday card Tissa David did for you.
Happy Birthday!
on 23 Apr 2013 at 4:14 pm 12.Candy Kugel said …
A wonderful card– two wonderful women and a lovely tribute to your fabulous collaboration in the years to come. Happiest of birthdays to you Michael!!
on 23 Apr 2013 at 5:30 pm 13.Mark Sonntag said …
Happy Birthday Michael. All the best.
on 23 Apr 2013 at 6:54 pm 14.Thad Komorowski said …
Happy birthday to New York’s greatest living animator!
on 24 Apr 2013 at 2:48 am 15.Michael said …
Please, spare me Thad. I don’t even consider myself a good animator. I’m ok. Ed Smith is probably NY’s greatest living animator, at the moment. But thank you for our support. (I’m a pretty good director, though.)
on 24 Apr 2013 at 8:05 am 16.Pierre said …
I miss a day and I miss a lot. Happy birthday Michael!