Category Archives: Television

by Martin Mulrooney | 27/11/2009 · 12:00 pm

INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Merlin Crossingham, Lead Animator At Aardman Animation

By Marty Mulrooney

This interview was originally published within the print version of Alternative Magazine Online, going towards my media degree (on my 21st Birthday actually, January 09). Since then, Aardman (who recently celebrated their 20th anniversary!) have kindly given me permission to reproduce the interview in full on Alternative Magazine Online’s rapidly growing site. I hope you enjoy it!

One thing that Alternative learnt during it’s pursuit of an interview with an Aardman employee, was this: they are always busy. But we persevered, and that is how this interview came to fruition. The fact it is conducted via mobile phone whilst the interviewee is on a train only further drives home our point, but we think the results were worthwhile.

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Filed under Alternative Musings, Film, Television

Tagged as A Close Shave, A Grand Day Out, A Matter of Loaf and Death, Aardman Animation, Chicken Run, Fluffles, Merlin Crossingham, Nick Park, Shaun the Sheep, Stop Motion, Studio Ghibli, The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit, The Wrong Trousers, Wallace And Gromit

by Martin Mulrooney | 21/11/2009 · 12:00 am

INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Philip Hunt (Studio AKA, Director Of Lost And Found)

By Marty Mulrooney

I recently watched an animated short called Lost and Found with a good friend of mine called Jamie. He is 4 years old. What amazed me was that, although this film is aimed at children (it is based on a children’s book that my little pal Jamie loves) it totally enthralled me as an almost-adult (I don’t think I’m there quite yet!)

I then went and read the aforementioned book and found the artwork and story as equally beautiful as what was shown in the film. I hope people can look beyond any initial preconceptions they may have and just appreciate what is ultimately a fantastic story. This 24 minute film is an absolute treasure.

It is therefore a great pleasure to be able to present a conversation between myself and the director of Lost and Found, Studio AKA’s Philip Hunt, put together exclusively for Alternative Magazine Online.

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Filed under Alternative Musings, Film, Television

Tagged as Jim Broadbent, Lost And Found, Lost And Found DVD, Lost And Found Review, Max Richter, Oliver Jeffers, Philip Hunt, Studio AKA, Varmints

by Martin Mulrooney | 18/11/2009 · 12:00 am

INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Everett Peck, Animator, Cartoonist And Creator Of Duckman

By Marty Mulrooney

DUCKMAN DVD COVER

As a huge animation fan, I must confess that my favourite animated series of all time is cult-classic Duckman. An animated sitcom that ran from 1994-1997, Duckman was an adult cartoon that told the story of a private detective duck and his sidekick, Cornfed, a Joe Friday-esque pig. Rather than being adult just for the sake of it (I’m looking at you South Park!) Duckman had a lot to say, and was actually quite sophisticated with its humour and plot.

Sadly, the show seemed to falter ratings-wise due to the adult nature which made it so very different from everything else in the first place, and the frankly moronic assumption that cartoons are just for kids. It was cancelled after only 70 episodes, but still retains a cult following even today.

Duckman was (and still is) adult entertainment of the highest order, a show that makes me laugh out loud whenever I’m feeling low. Recently, Alternative Magazine Online was lucky enough to speak to series creator Everett Peck about his hilarious creation. Here is what he had to say!

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Filed under Alternative Musings, Television

Tagged as Animation, Cornfed, Dark Horse Comins, Duckman, Everett Peck, Frank Zappa, Gregg Berger, Jason Alexander, Klasky Csupo, Paramount, South Park, Squirrel Boy, The Simpsons

by Martin Mulrooney | 30/10/2009 · 2:54 pm

TV REVIEW – Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 7 Episode 3

By Marty Mulrooney

*Warning! Due to the nature of the show, this review may contain mild spoilers.*

Episode 3: The Reunion

Episode 3 of Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 7 may excite Seinfeld fans even more than fans of Curb: this is the episode that has been hinted at for the last two weeks after all. Yes, that’s right, in last night’s episode aired in the UK, the main cast of Seinfeld all appeared in the show! Continue reading →