Today was Simpsons - King of the Hill day at SM's animation studio next to the Bob Hope Airport...
And I would say that 75% of everyone who talked to me asked: "So. What's with the Writers going out?"
I was happy to answer promptly. I said I didn't know.
The Simpsons crew has been cranking extra hours because of the WGA contract deadline on October 31st. A couple of layout guys said to me: "Some of us have been here late to get extra episodes done before November, but that's okay. They're feeding our faces."
When I asked the King of the Hill people if they were also speeding things up, they said no. "All the scripts are written," one artist said, "so I think we're good 'til the end of the season."
Here's hoping he's correct.
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Now that KOTH's good till the end of the season, we want our ping pong table back!
Steve,
Speaking of The Simpsons, does a company like Gracie Films have to abide by TAG rules? What about someone like Matt Groening? I hear rumors about his tantrums from friends who work on the show. People can lose their jobs if Groening is upset over some aspect of the show, without warning. Is this kosher?
I worked on the Simpsons for several years, and know of no one who lost their job because of Matt. In fact, I've never heard of him having a tantrum. More often than not he's defending the artists.
Back before the studio was union, all employment was 'at will', and I do know of some people who were fired without warning by people AT the studio. Unless you count what happened to poor Kent Butterworth after the very first show came back from Korea. And I think that was James L. Brooks that had him fired.
Matt threw a tantrum during the color screening of "Strong Arm of the Ma" because of the way muscular Marge was drawn. From what I hear (and I admit this is all second hand gossip from those who work on the show) Matt wanted the director of the episode fired, even though the "show runner" had already approved of the design months earlier.
Mark Kirkland was recently fired, even though he had been with the show for years. In his new postition as supervising director he was blamed by James L. Brooks for the overall dismal look of the show in recent years. (Brooks has suddenly become obsessed with the 3rd season of The Simpson, which he thinks looks the best.)
We all know that the directors don't have much creative control on The Simpsons. It rests with the writers and producers (who are usually head writers). The directors have to yeild to their whims. Yet when things go wrong, the artists are usually blamed. Even if Kirkland was to blame, he could have been demoted back to a regular director. (I blame Film Roman for that.) He directed more episodes than just about any other director there, and the writers & producers always seemed happy with his results. It seems to me that Kirkland was made a scapegoat for something beyond his control.
Mark Kirkland was recently fired, even though he had been with the show for years.
Mark was with the show from Season One, I believe.
Tinseltown can be -- and often is -- a cold, brutal place.
Speaking of The Simpsons, does a company like Gracie Films have to abide by TAG rules?
TAG has no contract with Gracie Films. Only with Starz Media.
Even with a c.b.a. in place, people get laid off and fired all the time. A company just has to write a person up about the infraction, wait a week, then write them up again. And it's adios.
Sometimes we fight dismissals successfully. Other times not. Depends on the circumstance.
I heard Mark KirkLand was only demoted back to director from supervising director, not fired?
"I heard Mark KirkLand was only demoted back to director from supervising director, not fired?"
I hope that's true, but the person who told me he was fired also told me that Film Roman had a party for his last day there. They also said that Kirkland was very gracious and showed no sign of being upset.
"Even with a c.b.a. in place, people get laid off and fired all the time. A company just has to write a person up about the infraction, wait a week, then write them up again. And it's adios."
Steve,
From what I understand, there are no write-ups or warnings from Gracie Films or Matt Groening. They pressure Film Roman to fire the artist in question instantly, no questions asked.
Years ago Brooks and company wanted Gabor Csupo to fire Sherri Gunther (sp?) and when he refused the Simpsons was taken away from his studio and awarded to Film Roman. I'm sure the people at Film Roman remember that lesson.
Sherri Gunther, oh my God! Why did you bring up that name? Yikes!
From what I understand, there are no write-ups or warnings from Gracie Films or Matt Groening.
The fired artist need only contact us, and we can start a Step One grievance.
I heard Mark KirkLand was only demoted back to director from supervising director, not fired?
Didn't Mark Kirkland take over as Supervising Director because David Silverman and few other directors left to do the movie? Since the movie's over, it would make sense that Mark would step down, and let David take over again.
But who knows?
Bob Anderson is now the Supervising Director on The Simpsons.
Steve,
Thanks for the info. I doubt Kirkland would complain about his circumstances, or take action against it. I just wanted to know if anything could be done for future references. I was just using Kirkland as an example.
As you know, lots of artists are timid and accept such abuse as routine.
Unless I'm wrong,the new Sup. Dir. of the Simpsons is MIKE Anderson, not Bob..
What happened to Kirkland sucks -- he was scape-goated big time.
He's a great guy and did not deserve this.
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