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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 1998)
Director of The Simpsons’ to explain animation work w MattHaney/DN By Sarah Baker Senior Reporter You’ve watched Bart write sentences on the board. You’ve watched Homer try to eat the world’s biggest hoagie. You’ve even seen Sideshow Bob turn good Now its time to see what goes on behind the L scenes. “Absolute Animation,” a presentation by David Silverman, supervising animation Vi director for “The Simpsons” makes a stop VV at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln tonight at 9. Jtnjji Silverman, who works with direc l*J\ tors and artists on animation for “The Simpsons,” said he discusses his work in more detail during the presentation. “I worked with all the facets of die animating, including the f j X \ directors, the newest artists, fjdie do’s and don’ts of the layout ' J/ composition, and I also did some fdesign and animation myself,” /£ Silverman said. f Silverman said he had worked on “The / Wj Simpsons” since the show first started. * FI “Animation has really benefited . EI from the success of ‘The Simpsons,”’ he / / said. “When the show began, we knew i g/J we had some good material, but we were Jm/ still surprised at the popularity.” Silverman said he gave much credit for 9 the success of animated Shows to “Who r I Framed Roger Rabbit?” “Before that movie, no one would have taken a I chance on an animated prime-time series,” he said. “‘The Simpsons’ is one of die biggest / j successes in animation, comparable to ‘The f j Flinstones,’ and that was 25 years ago.” Silverman said he felt he had no choice other than getting involved in the animation business. ‘1 was going to quit animation in ’ 87, and then I got involved with ‘The Simpsons,”’ he said. “I started it with the ‘Tracy Ullman Show,’ and it just continued from there, and there you go.” Silverman said he never tnougnt me Simpsons” would become what it has turned into today. “We thought it might have a cult following, and last for maybe two years, and that would be good,” he said. “What it became was an overnight success. And we were completely unprepared.” Silverman said most of the changes the show had gone through over its eight seasons were mostly evolutionary. “We have a story retreat twice a year every year, and that’s where we think of our new ideas,” he said. ‘“Let’s try it’ became a mantra for us.” Silverman said the creators of “The Simpsons” benefited from trying new things. “When we came up with a cool design or a cool voice or a weird story idea, we tried it,” he said. “Sometimes when the well is dry you have to give it a shot and see what happens. That’s showbiz.” Adam Snyder, event director with the University Program Council, said he thought Silverman’s talk would have entertainment value for almost anyone. “Anyone who is interested in ‘The Simpsons’ will really enjoy the presentation,” he said. “It’s also interesting for people interested in anima tion or graphics. But if you are big into ‘The Simpsons,’ it will be a really fun time.” Silverman said he hoped his presentation will teach the audience more about the process behind “The Simpsons.” He also said die presentation includes video clips of old episodes of “The Simpsons,” as well as some never-before-seen. clips. “It will show how the show is put together for TV and certainly about the history of ‘The Simpsons,”’ he said. “It also gives insight on the business itself. There is no right or wrong way to get into the business. You just never know how things are going to work out.” “Absolute Animation” with David Silverman, animation director for “The Simpsons,” is tonight at 9 in the Great Plains Room of the Nebraska East Union. A reception will be held following the pre sentation for anyone interested in meeting Silverman. The event is sponsored by the University Program Council and is free. Visiting bands to put the‘ska’in Nebraska By Patrick Miner Music Critic Tonight at the Ranch Bowl, you will not see Eddie Vedder. The venue will instead bring the positive vibes of three diverse ska bands. As it becomes more and more apparent that ska isn’t the next big thing to eventually die out, it’s time to just lack back and enjoy the mul tiple styles the genre can bring. Three bands, Hepcat, The Slackers, and The Gadjits, from three different regions of the country, unite tonight at the Ranch Bowl. All three acts have new albums out, with Hepcat’s and The Gadjits’ records released Jan. 27, and The Slackers’ album released late last year. The records can be found on a band has developed a blend of ska, reggae and jazz that has been turning the heads of fans all over the world. The band earned a mam stage on the Warped Tour last summer, with fans crowding up to catch a glimpse. The band’s latest release is titled “Right On Time” and features the dual vocals of Greg Lee and Alex Desert. The two frontmen compliment each other well, as well as com plimenting the solid play of the rest of the band, especially drummer Scott Abels. Abels’ versatile style is frequently remark able, as heard on such songs as “Goodbye Street” and “Tommy’s Song.” New York’s The Slackers add a soul feel to ska with their latest release, “Redlight.” The band seems to effortlessly flow through the 12-song album, beginning with the jazzy instrumental, “Cooking For Tommy,” which new label, Hellcat Records, which is a joint venture between Epitaph Records head Brett Gurewitz and Rancid’s Tim Armstrong. Hepcat has been making quite a name for itself in recent years. Formed in Sou t h e r n California in 1989, the nine-member iM ML '1WII Courtesy Photo HEPCAT, a nine-member ska outfit from Southern California, will perform at Omaha’s Ranch Bowl tonight in an all-ages show. mmu i.r m is dedicated to Skatalite’s saxo phonist Tommy McCook. Featuring gui tarist T.J. Scanlan, trumpeter Jeremy Mushlin and saxo phonist David Hillyard, The Slackers are prob ably the most relaxing of the three bands. However, on such songs as “Fried Chicken/Mary Mary” and “She Wants To Be Alone,” the band shows it is able to liven its sound up. Hailing from Kansas City, The Gadjits represent the Midwestern portion of the evening. The band offers more of the pop-ska mixture that has recently been doing very well commercially. The quartet includes the brothers Phillips; with the eldest, Brandon, on gui tar; middle Coubtesy Photo THE MEMBERS OF TIE GADJITS, a riubaMl from Kansas City, haw an aver age age tf 17. They will profane with Repeat aid The Slackers tonight in an all-ages shew at Omaha’s RanchRand. brother Zach on —— bass; and the Tracks such as “Bullet in the Mattress,” youngest of the three, Adam, on drums. The “Party Girl” and “Backup” are very catchy group is completed with Heidi Blobaum on and should convert well to the live setting, keyboards. Hepcat, The Gadjits and The Slackers . With an average age of 17 for its mem- will perform tonight at Omaha’s Ranch bars, The Gadjits don t really have the quali- Bowl, 1600 S. 72** St. Tickets for the all ty musicianship of Hepcat and The Slackers. ages show are $ 10. Doors open at 8 p.m., However, its latest release, “At Ease,” is one and the show begins at 9 p.m. of the more entertaining albums this year.
