Charlie Brown animator Bill Melendez dies
p2pnet news view | TV:- Jose Cuautemoc “Bill” Melendez, the man who animated Peanuts, has died at the ripe old age of 91.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, producec by Melendez and his partner Lee Mendelson for CBS, “established the format of the half-hour animated special — and began one of the most popular franchises in animation history,” says the Los Angeles Times, going on:
“Animating Schulz’s simple drawings posed problems. ‘Charlie Brown has a big head, a little body and little feet,’ Melendez said in a 2000 interview for The Times. ‘Normally, a human takes a step every 16 frames — about two-thirds of a second. But Sparky’s [Schulz's] characters would look like they were floating at that pace. After several experiments, I had them take a step every six frames — one-fourth of a second.”
Success, “was hardly assured” when A Charlie Brown Christmas was broadcast, says the Washington Post.
“Network executives feared it would be a colossal flop, with no laugh track, a jazz musical score by pianist Vince Guaraldi and a religious message that Mr. Melendez thought at first was too overt.”
But, “Much to everyone’s surprise, the show was a huge hit,” says the story.
Memorial services will be private, says the LA Times, adding, “Donations can be made in Melendez’s name to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.”
Los Angeles Times – Bill Melendez, ‘Peanuts’ animator — and voice of Snoopy — dies at 91, September 4, 2008
Washington Post – Bill Melendez, 91; Award-Winning ‘Peanuts’ Animator, September 4, 2008
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September 4th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Another great part of the “Peanuts Family” has gone on….
They just don’t make them like Bill any more.
Happiness is a warm puppy, but it’s hard to be happy right now ( )”•)