Don Hertzfeldt
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- Joined: Sat May 29, 2021 7:34 am
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
I was so excited when I first (accidentaly) discovered the trilogy. Probably because I didn't expect it to be as good as it was (based on animation style). The only animation director I enjoy more is Adam Elliot.
- colinr0380
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 4:30 pm
- Location: Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, UK
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
A nice video on the Simpson's intro and Hertzfeldt's work in general.
The most interesting thing about this video is the way that it talks about the wider Simpsons series retrofitting its history in order to keep the characters immortally unchanging in the present (instead the past always has to keep moving to show the characters as youngsters in the 1970s, then 1980s, then 1990s, etc). In a sense by virtue of its longevity the Simpsons has had to (unconsciously or semi-consciously?) grapple with some of the major themes of Hertzfeldt's work, particularly the problems of immortality degrading one's original existence. Or more charitably distilling it down into its essence, which loses a lot of the specificities of context and situation but clings tenaciously on to core tenets of character?
In a way the Simpsons characters having their backstories updated to take place in the 90s makes sense if we think of the Simpsons characters as an ageless shell (or mouthpiece) for the sensibilities of a new group of writers. Whilst the Simpson characters will forever remain static, the people writing their stories behind the scenes have changed enormously, and now we have people writing for whom a 1990s High School upbringing was their past that they want to explore, as much as the 1970s one was back in the first flashback episodes of the show. Like the various clones of Emily (or like the bear in the Waldo Moment episode of Black Mirror), the mouthpiece is less important than the changeable philosophy of the people pulling the levers behind the eyes, doing so for different reasons from their different historical perspectives.
The most interesting thing about this video is the way that it talks about the wider Simpsons series retrofitting its history in order to keep the characters immortally unchanging in the present (instead the past always has to keep moving to show the characters as youngsters in the 1970s, then 1980s, then 1990s, etc). In a sense by virtue of its longevity the Simpsons has had to (unconsciously or semi-consciously?) grapple with some of the major themes of Hertzfeldt's work, particularly the problems of immortality degrading one's original existence. Or more charitably distilling it down into its essence, which loses a lot of the specificities of context and situation but clings tenaciously on to core tenets of character?
In a way the Simpsons characters having their backstories updated to take place in the 90s makes sense if we think of the Simpsons characters as an ageless shell (or mouthpiece) for the sensibilities of a new group of writers. Whilst the Simpson characters will forever remain static, the people writing their stories behind the scenes have changed enormously, and now we have people writing for whom a 1990s High School upbringing was their past that they want to explore, as much as the 1970s one was back in the first flashback episodes of the show. Like the various clones of Emily (or like the bear in the Waldo Moment episode of Black Mirror), the mouthpiece is less important than the changeable philosophy of the people pulling the levers behind the eyes, doing so for different reasons from their different historical perspectives.
- therewillbeblus
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
Email for those who added It's Such a Beautiful Day blu-ray to their orders (I found it in my 'promotions' tab rather than direct inbox, not sent directly from Hertzfeldt but on his behalf):
Hi everybody!
For anyone expecting an "It's Such Beautiful Day" Bluray in their reward tier (or have added it on), please take note there's a chance we'll need to send that one to you in a separate package in a few weeks. We're about to totally run out of copies of that Bluray and unexpected supply chain woes have delayed the new ones from arriving in time.
If we run out of stock by the time we process your "World of Tomorrow" rewards, we'll include one of the older "Don Hertzfeldt Volume 2" DVDs in your package for free while you wait.
We've also made a few improvements to the incoming edition of the "It's Such Beautiful Day" Blu, using the revised master created for the Criterion Channel. But before you ask, please don't request this edition in lieu of the current edition as we have very little control over who gets what
We expect to have these in stock to ship again sometime in late December or January.
- agnamaracs
- Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:13 am
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
The big question: how do you tell them apart?
- lzx
- Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2014 7:27 pm
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
My best guess is that the new printing won't have the booklet and postcard included in the first?
I'm more curious about what differences there are between the two masters. I haven't compared my Blu with the version on the Criterion Channel - hoping it's not another case of revisionist grading ala WKW...
I'm more curious about what differences there are between the two masters. I haven't compared my Blu with the version on the Criterion Channel - hoping it's not another case of revisionist grading ala WKW...
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- Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 1:27 pm
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
I just received the package by surprise today. No notice. I got the DVD so I guess I'll be getting the newer blu-ray at some point.
- therewillbeblus
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
Same deal here. Happy I'll be getting the upgraded blu-ray, but bummed I didn't get a random bookGlowingwabbit wrote: ↑Mon Nov 29, 2021 12:38 pmI just received the package by surprise today. No notice. I got the DVD so I guess I'll be getting the newer blu-ray at some point.
- J Wilson
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:26 am
- Contact:
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
I received my blu-ray along with a pack of stickers today. Already had the other blu-ray so I’ll be curious if there’s any noticeable difference.
- swo17
- Bloodthirsty Butcher
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:25 am
- Location: SLC, UT
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- Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 1:27 pm
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
I was one of those waiting on It's Such a Beautiful Day from his Kickstarter. My copy arrived today with no shipping notice.
- therewillbeblus
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Re: Don Hertzfeldt
Same here, so at least they're making the rounds in MAGlowingwabbit wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 6:31 pmI was one of those waiting on It's Such a Beautiful Day from his Kickstarter. My copy arrived today with no shipping notice.