Jurassic Punk… Poppy & I are waiting patiently
A while back I mentioned watching Netflix - Movies that made us - specifically, Jurassic Park & that I had attended Sheridan while Steve ‘Spaz” Williams was also a student. Steve created the dinosaur for Jurassic Park, as well as other movie moments that none of us will forget, including working on The Terminator, The Abyss, The Wild (I loved this Disney movie, a touch of obvious Canadian’) as well as numerous commercials & more -HOLY - quite an accomplished career!
As fate has it... Steve & I have become friends the past year & I’m grateful. He got in touch with me I felt completely at ease speaking with Steve, (he’s that kind of guy - very personable) to me, he will alway be Steve from Sheridan, when we were both in our early 20s. Remember when…. Lol It’s been 40 years since we last saw each other. How cool to have a comrade who enjoys talking about Warner Brother cartoons & is as big a fan, as I am. Steve was raised in Toronto and we reminisce about the areas, times... growing up in Toronto & how it's changed. We talk about everything - not just movies. Usually we discuss dogs, America & Canada differences, Covid… stuff! At a point when I was struggling with ‘gun mentality’, he shared his point of view & helped me understand a different perspective, which has helped immensely. Steve is quite the shot. I’ve enjoyed our conversations & friendship which feel as though no time has passed, he makes me laugh & think and I am inspired by his continued creativity.
I have to be honest & say, at first it was difficult for me. I knew what Steve accomplished and when he asked “so what have you been up to all these years?” - I drew a blank. Hahaha I think I replied, I had painted a few murals and taught kids cartooning & created a son… hee hee hee but it was me, that was struggling speaking to the guy who changed movie history. He mentioned once about creating the underwater bubbles for Red October - and I felt like a dummy - I thought they were real, that just means Steve is very good at what he did/does. It must be difficult if you ponder.. I wonder what Steve tells people if they ask: So, what do you do? Steve told me - He has simply been a messenger. He absolutely has! We can all thank him, for being scared out of our wits watching a dinosaur chomp on a jeep! Just as we were all terrified to go for a swim after Jaws.
I mentioned he has a documentary coming out called Spaz’, now changed to ‘Jurassic Punk’ which I could not believe was rejected by Toronto Tiff!? WTF? A born & raised Toronto boy makes it HUGE in the movie industry & they don't select it!? It makes absolutely no sense, a silly move on their part (politics no doubt), I think I get why it was refused, now that I understand what happened a bit better & who attended.
Phhhhhbt, no matter- You can’t stop what is meant to be seen & soon Jurassic Punk will be available on Apple December 15th. Poppy, Arrow, Ginger & I can’t wait! Popcorn, snuggle blankets - we can't wait for this movie night. At first, I said I wasn't going to watch it, because I already felt angry for what happened to Steve & with animation, I understand the blood sweat & tears that went into Steves profession & accomplishments - let alone, the bullshit. It is a difficult situation to try to understand and more so when you know the person that lived through it. I think it was a devastating time, understandably, still the proof of what he accomplished before, during & after - is proof in itself of incredible talent & tenacity.
It has opened my eyes & mind to a new level about this shitty industry that uses & abuses those in the background while a select few reap literal millions, I for one am thrilled Steve did not fit in, did not follow the crowd & spoke up & out against ‘the system’. For a while, I thought to become an animator would have been the ‘dream’ - yet for some it becomes a nightmare of constant stress with little appreciation. What happened to Steve was just plain mean. Because of his bravery (you have to be brave to share like he has, how it effected his life on several levels -I don’t know that I could) many will see & understand what it’s really like in ‘Hollywood’ & hopefully it will help change for all those behind the scenes who are rarely acknowledged for the talent they have contributed to create these Block Busters'. Oh, Steve also did the BlockBuster commercials with the rabbits & rascals. I can't even fathom all that he has created & the time it took. You can learn more about Steve in Disneys Light & Magic (episode 5 & 6) you’ll get a hint of what’s to come in Jurassic Punk.
I’m actually really grateful because of the timing… it’s not been an easy last year for a few reasons, a few close friends dying, Bow going missing, Scruffy passing, covid bullshit… Steve has been a much appreciate distraction & friend, who happens to speaks ‘Bugs bunny’ - what bonus!!
Time to get back to birdhouses! With a little Porky pig in between - you’ll see him Saturday.
A while back I mentioned watching Netflix - Movies that made us - specifically, Jurassic Park & that I had attended Sheridan while Steve ‘Spaz” Williams was also a student. Steve created the dinosaur for Jurassic Park, as well as other movie moments that none of us will forget, including working on The Terminator, The Abyss, The Wild (I loved this Disney movie, a touch of obvious Canadian’) as well as numerous commercials & more -HOLY - quite an accomplished career!
As fate has it... Steve & I have become friends the past year & I’m grateful. He got in touch with me I felt completely at ease speaking with Steve, (he’s that kind of guy - very personable) to me, he will alway be Steve from Sheridan, when we were both in our early 20s. Remember when…. Lol It’s been 40 years since we last saw each other. How cool to have a comrade who enjoys talking about Warner Brother cartoons & is as big a fan, as I am. Steve was raised in Toronto and we reminisce about the areas, times... growing up in Toronto & how it's changed. We talk about everything - not just movies. Usually we discuss dogs, America & Canada differences, Covid… stuff! At a point when I was struggling with ‘gun mentality’, he shared his point of view & helped me understand a different perspective, which has helped immensely. Steve is quite the shot. I’ve enjoyed our conversations & friendship which feel as though no time has passed, he makes me laugh & think and I am inspired by his continued creativity.
I have to be honest & say, at first it was difficult for me. I knew what Steve accomplished and when he asked “so what have you been up to all these years?” - I drew a blank. Hahaha I think I replied, I had painted a few murals and taught kids cartooning & created a son… hee hee hee but it was me, that was struggling speaking to the guy who changed movie history. He mentioned once about creating the underwater bubbles for Red October - and I felt like a dummy - I thought they were real, that just means Steve is very good at what he did/does. It must be difficult if you ponder.. I wonder what Steve tells people if they ask: So, what do you do? Steve told me - He has simply been a messenger. He absolutely has! We can all thank him, for being scared out of our wits watching a dinosaur chomp on a jeep! Just as we were all terrified to go for a swim after Jaws.
I mentioned he has a documentary coming out called Spaz’, now changed to ‘Jurassic Punk’ which I could not believe was rejected by Toronto Tiff!? WTF? A born & raised Toronto boy makes it HUGE in the movie industry & they don't select it!? It makes absolutely no sense, a silly move on their part (politics no doubt), I think I get why it was refused, now that I understand what happened a bit better & who attended.
Phhhhhbt, no matter- You can’t stop what is meant to be seen & soon Jurassic Punk will be available on Apple December 15th. Poppy, Arrow, Ginger & I can’t wait! Popcorn, snuggle blankets - we can't wait for this movie night. At first, I said I wasn't going to watch it, because I already felt angry for what happened to Steve & with animation, I understand the blood sweat & tears that went into Steves profession & accomplishments - let alone, the bullshit. It is a difficult situation to try to understand and more so when you know the person that lived through it. I think it was a devastating time, understandably, still the proof of what he accomplished before, during & after - is proof in itself of incredible talent & tenacity.
It has opened my eyes & mind to a new level about this shitty industry that uses & abuses those in the background while a select few reap literal millions, I for one am thrilled Steve did not fit in, did not follow the crowd & spoke up & out against ‘the system’. For a while, I thought to become an animator would have been the ‘dream’ - yet for some it becomes a nightmare of constant stress with little appreciation. What happened to Steve was just plain mean. Because of his bravery (you have to be brave to share like he has, how it effected his life on several levels -I don’t know that I could) many will see & understand what it’s really like in ‘Hollywood’ & hopefully it will help change for all those behind the scenes who are rarely acknowledged for the talent they have contributed to create these Block Busters'. Oh, Steve also did the BlockBuster commercials with the rabbits & rascals. I can't even fathom all that he has created & the time it took. You can learn more about Steve in Disneys Light & Magic (episode 5 & 6) you’ll get a hint of what’s to come in Jurassic Punk.
I’m actually really grateful because of the timing… it’s not been an easy last year for a few reasons, a few close friends dying, Bow going missing, Scruffy passing, covid bullshit… Steve has been a much appreciate distraction & friend, who happens to speaks ‘Bugs bunny’ - what bonus!!
Time to get back to birdhouses! With a little Porky pig in between - you’ll see him Saturday.