Bailing out

Don Selders and Ric Gonzales, by Ric Gonzales.

A work cartoon from the animation biz's glorious past (one more in our continuing series)... This one shows artists Don Selders and Ric Gonzales when they were working on "Alvin and the Chipmunks" at Format Productions, circa 1961. Don and Ric were then doing assistant work, and apparently having something less than a swimmingly good time. (The old "two steps forward, three steps back" routine seemed to be in full swing.) Don and Ric worked all over the industry for years and years. Gonzales spent time as head of the model department at Ruby Spears, and passed away in 1993. Don ended his career doing breakdowns for Disney Feature Animation. Prior to that, he was a key assistant for Hanna-Barbera. Selders died in 1998.