The Simpsons/FAMILY GUY Crossover...? "The FORCE" is Strong in DANVILLE...?

For REAL...?

Simpsons/Griffins slated for 'Duel to the Death' on "Phineas & Ferb"...?

An unimaginable event is occurring. Actually, TWO unbelievable crossovers are happening. BOTH have a connection to DAN POVENMIRE, one of the co-creators of Disney's PHINEAS & FERB.

In a never-to-be-fathomed happening, two of FOX Television Animation's biggest, longest-running, and most-popular shows are having an epic cross-over: "FAMILY GUY" stars The Griffin Family will visit Springfield to meet "The Simpsons". 

Plus, an ALSO barely-imagined merging will take place: "PHINEAS & FERB" will join with "The Force" in a STAR WARS cross-over. (If I were still a 20-year-old fanboy, my head would explode!) 

Ironically, DAN POVENMIRE once worked on BOTH "The Simpsons" AND "FAMILY GUY"...!
Read the PHINEAS and FERB article over at Animation Magazine , and about the GRIFFINS/SIMPSONS 'Battle Royale'.

WOW.

‘Phineas and Ferb’ Celebrates "Platypus Day"

Read the entire article HERE

Back to the Ol' Drawing Board.....

 Well, after a brief visit out to LA-LA-Land to visit and connect, I am back in my chair-- both at the drawing table and the computer. Mardi Gras is calling, and I must finish in order to accept other commissions.
 Oddly enough, I had been slow and had received no responses to my solicitations for piecework. The day I was leaving for Burbank, I received an offer for a caricature commission. I politely declined, citing my looming departure. I also received an offer for a one-day caricature job, for which I was unavailable.
 The REAL kicker came when, after I had arrived out West, I received an inquiry about a FOUR-DAY GIG ON A CRUISE SHIP, banking SERIOUS bucks!! Of course, it was the same weekend I was away, so I was unavailable for this job, as well.
Frustrating.

But I DID get to see CONAN.

Trip to DisneyTOON Studios!

Recently I made a trip out to L.A. to visit with my sister and her kids and to re-connect with Dan Povenmire of Phineas & Ferb fame. We toured the studio, watched an editing session, and sat in on an actual pitch meeting with the writers, animators & producers. Fascinating stuff...!!

L-R: Me, Jonah, Dan Povenmire & Hannah

My sister Gwen, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, me

Here I am, posing with Dan's "EMMY" for Phineas & Ferb.

'Phineas & Ferb’ Duo Cements Big-Screen Plans

DIRECTLY from ANIMATION Magazine:

After their project Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension delivered cable TV’s highest-rated movie of the year, Dan Povenmire and Jeff Marsh are on a roll. Hollywood Reporterrevealed today that the dynamic duo have made a deal with Disney TV to produce another season of their blockbuster animated series for Disney Channel and to develop a feature film as well. They will also develop a pilot for the cabler, which will likely be a spinoff of Phineas & Ferb.

Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh,
Creators and Executive Producers of Phineas and Ferb

On August 5, Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension attracted 7.6 million viewers and won the time slot on all broadcast networks in the ad-friendly adults 18-49 demographic.

Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension

A THRILL To See My Name In The Credits...! Busy, Busy, Busy...!

Well, the "Phineas & Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension" movie has aired on The Disney Channel, Disney XD, and ABC. I was privileged to be a (VERY small) part of the production, and tickled to actually get a screen credit for my tiny contribution!

I rendered some early-stage storyboard roughs for the musical number early in the movie where Dr. Doofenshmirtz meets his even MORE evil doppelganger from the 2nd Dimension. He is the ruler of this universe, and they perform a song-and-dance called "I've Found a Brand New Best Friend (And It's Me!)"

Working on a poster for The Order of LaShe's, one of the Mobile Mardi Gras krewes. Also roughing out comps for a "Queen's Train" for next year's Neptune's Daughters queen.

Getting ready to start the year's final parade, the Children's Floral.

Phineas & Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension Cable's Most-Watched Film of the Year

(From Animation Magazine) There’s no stopping Phineas and Ferb this summer. The show, which has been performing strongly this season, managed to set a new record this Friday: The TV movie Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2^nd Dimension became cable’s most-watched film of the year with 7.6 million overall viewers.

The popular pic was cable’s No. 1 scripted telecast in any format among kids 6-11 and 9-14 and was highest in those demos for an animated program since Nickelodeon’s Fairly OddBaby in February 2008. Across the 2nd Dimension, which also garnered positive reviews, defeated all broadcast competition from 8-9:30 p.m. on Friday with a 1.3 rating and 1.7 million viewers in 18-49.

BACK To the Old Drawing Board....

L-R: Me, Cheryl (the beneficiary), and Dan Povenmire

Well, last week's benefit for Cheryl Washington Brantley's kidney transplant was seemingly a success. Fortunately, I was able to help, and was glad to do it.

Please help by contributing at: www.giveforward.com/cherylskidneyfund

The above photo was taken at last Saturday's event. Dan Povenmire was gracious enough to sign Phineas & Ferb memorabilia and give a presentation on the show, and I drew caricatures for a small donation.

NOW, it's back to Mardi Gras designs, scheduling meetings, soliciting work, and the dreaded 'day job'. (Sigh...!)

CHARITY EVENT: DAN POVENMIRE to Appear, BRENT AMACKER to Draw Caricatures!

Time	Saturday, July 16 · 9:00am - 12:00pm
Location	E.R. Dickson Elementary School 4645 Bit and Spur Road Mobile, AL
Created By	Cheryl Washington Brantley, Linda McWhorter, Mike Brantley
More Info	Join the creator of Disney Channel's "Phineas and Ferb" at a special benefit on Saturday, July 16, for Cheryl Washington Brantley's upcoming kidney transplant. To donate online, go to: http://www.giveforward.com​/cherylskidneyfund The event, which takes place at 9 a.m. at E.R. Dickson Elementary, will raise money to help Cheryl and her family with expenses related to her kidney transplant. Dan Povenmire, who created the popular show "Phineas and Ferb," and Cheryl were classmates at John S. Shaw High School. Cheryl, who has lupus, has been in kidney failure for four years. Dan's sister Linda just found out she is a match and will be donating a kidney to her friend Cheryl within the next few weeks. Cheryl, a former newspaper journalist who retired last year because of her illness, is married to Mike Brantley, assistant online editor at the Press-Register in Mobile. They are the parents of an 8-year-old daughter. Without a transplant, Cheryl will die. In addition to a presentation from Dan, who voices the character Dr. Doofensmirtz, the event will also include a live auction of merchandise and posters from "Phineas and Ferb" and other Disney TV shows. There will also be drawings for prizes. Stay tuned for details about how you and your family can win a trip to the Disney Studios in Hollywood for a behind-the-scenes look at how the show is made. This prize will include airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to Disneyland. WPMI-TV’s Darwin Singleton will serve as host. And Press-Register Cartoonist J.D. Crowe will be the auctioneer. Admission is a donation of $10 (cash only). Additional donations can also be made for: * A signed poster from Dan Povenmire * Caricatures of you and your family by local artist Brent Amacker * A keepsake photograph of you and your family Donuts, coffee and juice will be served. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!!! Once we are full, no one else will be admitted, but we will continue to take donations and enter people into the drawing at a table set up at the entrance for any who arrive after we reach our maximum capacity.

Doggone It! LLOYD PITTS Is On "The Tonight Show With JAY LENO"!!

Spanish Fort's own LLOYD PITTS, my brother-in-law, appeared last night on JAY LENO and won a FREE MEAL for baying like a hound dog!

Accompanied by his lovely wife Gwen, their equally lovely daughter Hannah, and the beautiful and charming Clarissa Povenmire (wife of the famous DAN of "Phineas & Ferb" fame), Lloyd barked his way across America and into millions of homes!

Jonah, LLP's son, was sequestered in "The Green Room", probably due to leash laws...

I couldn't be more proud!

"Phineas & Ferb Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension" Debuts in August!

Disney's Phineas and Ferb will be featured in a full length movie this August on The Disney Channel and Disney XD. "The Phineas and Ferb Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension" will premiere on The Disney Channel on Friday, August 5th.

Read the press release and see the trailers HERE .

BIG-SCREEN "PHINEAS & FERB"..??!!

From disZine:

"PHINEAS and FERB", the Disney animated series created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh, is currently being developed for a big-screen theatrical treatment!

Read the entire article HERE !

New "Phineas and Ferb" Shorts Featured in "Variety"

Groovy write-up about new Phineas & Ferb talk show over on Variety. Read the entry HERE.

Disney Backs Phineas & Ferb Merchandising Blitz

Business blog "Fast Company" has an interesting piece about conquering the Universe-- or at least the 'entire tri-state area'....!

Disney's "Phineas and Ferb", the highest-rated show in the universe, is unleashing the iconic characters in a blanket-marketing merchandise push. After giving co-creators Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh and Dan 'The Man' Povenmire virtual carte blanche, Disney Television chief Gary Marsh (no relation) feels that the success of the show has both strengthened the network and looks to bolster the related merchandise sales.

Read the entire article HERE .

'PHINEAS & FERB' Win EMMY!

Oh, YEAH, BABY!

Disney's 'Phineas & Ferb', created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh, won an EMMY Award!! WOO-HOO!

"PHINEAS & FERB" Next 'Spongebob'...?

Image (c) New York Times

IS Disney's "Phineas & Ferb" poised to be the next 'Spongebob Squarepants' in regards to popularity and media branding? Read the New York Times article by clicking on the title of this post.

Phineas & Ferb Creators Featured in LA Times

Photo (c) LA Times

Nice article in the Los Angeles Times about Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh and Dan Povenmire, creators of Disney Channel's smash hit "Phineas and Ferb".
Click on the title of this post to read it.....!

New Link!

I've just added a nifty permanent link to a cool cartoon/comics-related blog by renowned comic and storyboard artist Sherm Cohen. The blog features cartoon, comic and storyboard info, as well as classic comic art and animation gems.

See it Here!

Mr. Cohen is an animation veteran, with a resume including "Hey, Arnold!", "The Simpsons", "Spongebob Squarepants", "Phineas & Ferb", and the new "Kick Buttowski". I will soon be picking up tips from him via his "Storyboard Elements" dvd & handouts.

Roy E. Disney Dies

Roy Disney, Known as “Soul” of the Studio, Dies at 79

From Animation Magazine:

Wednesday, December 16, 2009By: Ramin Zahed
Roy E. Disney, Walt’s nephew and longtime exec producer and senior exec at the Disney Studio passed away today (Wednesday, Dec. 16) in Newport beach, Calif. after a year-long battle with stomach cancer, reported the Associated Press.
"He was a great man who believed deeply in the art of animation. He put his heart and soul into preserving Disney's legendary past, while helping to move the art of animation into the modern age by embracing new technology," noted John Lasseter, Disney/Pxar’s chief creative officer, who first met Disney while a student at CalArts. “He was a visionary and passionate supporter of the art form."

Disney was a champion of the company’s classic animation and helped bring about the first renaissance of traditional animation in the 1980sa nd 1990s by supporting the animation teams behind classics such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. He was also recognized widely as a powerful shareholder in the company who spearheaded two successful campaigns to oust company heads (his cousin-in-law Ron Miller and later on, Michael Eisner) who he believed were taking the company in the wrong direction.
Soft-spoken and unpretentious, Disney was also seen as the “soul” of the company by many insiders. “The thing that distinguishes [Disney] from everybody else, and always has and always will, is our past,” he once said “The goal is to look over our shoulder and see Snow White and Pinocchio and Dumbo standing there, saying, 'Be this good.' We shouldn't be intimidated by them; they're an arrow pointing someplace."
Disney grew up on his uncle’s now-classic retellings of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio. He also received a sound education in finance from his father Roy Sr., who oversaw Disney Co.'s business end. Upon graduating from Pomona College in 1951, the younger Disney followed his uncle and father into the entertainment industry, working as an editor, screenwriter and producer on a host of projects, from TV's Dragnet and Zorro to the Oscar-nominated film Mysteries of the Deep.
He would also later produce 2004's acclaimed Destino, using mid-century animation Salvador Dali created for Walt Disney Co., and Fantasia 2000, a sequel to his uncle's 1940 classic.
Disney, who also founded the private equity firm Shamrock Holdings, is survived by his wife, Leslie, four children from a previous marriage —Tim Disney, Roy Patrick Disney, Abigail Disney and Susan Disney Lord—and 16 grandchildren. Following private funeral services and cremation, Disney’s ashes will be scattered at sea. Plans for a memorial will also be announced soon.

Happy Halloween!

Here is a Halloween comic I rendered and sent to Dan Povenmire a couple of years back, while Phineas and Ferb was still in development. I stuck with the 'Disney' theme, and inserted our heroes into the situation:
The premise is that the step-brothers are dressed as prominent Disney icons Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Both stay true to the look, and Ferb is a bit much for even Phineas to handle...!