From: keithd@bigguy.timeplex.com (Keith Dickinson)
Subject: Alt.Fan.Mike-Jittlov FAQ
Organization: Ascom Timeplex Inc.
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 12:23:25 GMT


Archive-Name: Jittlov/faq  [...uhh, could we choose a different Arc-name?]
Last-Updated: 01 Oct 92
Changes:  Corrected mailing costs for Demo tape and my exile.


TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Who is this Jittlov guy anyway??
What is "The Wizard of Speed and Time"?
Where can I get WoSat?
Where can I get other Jittlov work?


Subject:  Who is this Jittlov guy anyway???

  Mike Jittlov is a filmmaker, he makes films.  He writes, directs, shoots,
edits, acts, animates - everything.   Mike is most famous for his classic
animations, as well as for his stop-motion animation works.  Some of these
include "Good Grief", "The Wizard of Speed and Time", "Animato", "Time
Tripper", "Swing Shift", and "A Turtle Joak (sic)".

  Mike's works have won many awards, and have been seen on national
television.  Some examples are the Disney Channel first commercial (where a
green wizard zooms to Earth to install the DC cable), and all three "Mouse
Mania" sequences on "Mickey's 50th Birthday" TV special.  For the latter,
Mike stop-motion-animated thousands of Disney products spontaneously coming
to life - as well as acting as a Disneyana collector, who was the only person
who could see this magic.

  Mike can be reached via email at jittlov@gumby.cs.caltech.edu.  Please
remember that this man is a real person, trying to make a living while he
answers this NewsGroup in his rare free time.  Though it may be exciting for
you, every message he responds to takes that much time away from his writing
and film production.


Subject:  What is "The Wizard of Speed and Time"?

  On Disney's "Major Effects" TV special, Mike also did a special effects
short, called "The Wizard of Speed and Time".  This short was in two parts.
The first part called for a wizard in green robes (sound familiar?) to run
all over the countryside, and used several different animation techniques.
The second part involved the wizard inside a film studio, using his magic to
animate all of the film equipment.  This sequence broke new ground in movie
animation, as it not only had life-sized stop-motion animation, but also had
lip-synched music by the wizard who was also being animated.  To make things
more interesting, Mike was playing the Wizard while he was also moving all
the props around between each film-frame being taken.

  To say that this short was impressive is an understatement.

  There is a second "Wizard of Speed and Time", that is a full-length movie.
This film is a behind-the-scenes comedy about the creation of the WoSaT short,
where the main character (Mike) is a special effects animator, trying to get
a job in the film industry.  He is discovered by a shady Hollywood producer,
and given a golden opportunity to have his work shown on a TV special.  The
producer, however, is secretly trying to rip Mike off by demanding a nearly
impossible project, and meanwhile pocketing all the production money.  The
movie is a wild, satirical, but genuine look at the real workings of the
Hollywood system, and at its usually hidden creative talents.

  Although this feature is based on the WoSaT short, the animation sequences
in the movie where he is running around the world were reshot in order to
update and lengthen it.  There are a couple of classic animation sequences
from Mike's prior works that are used in the movie, which definitely set the
stage for the later "work in progress" scenes that appear.

  The WoSaT movie can be ordered in VHS, via a couple of catalog companies.
Watch the NewsGroup for postings of tape and laserdisk outlets.  Mike does
not currently sell his videos, but has said that he does not mind if people
copy his work for their own libraries and friends.


Subject:  Where can I get other Jittlov work?

  The origional WoSaT short is available from Mike on 16mm film only, for
$120.  I'd email to jittlov@gumby.cs.caltech.edu to get specifics.

  Mike also has original WoSaT posters, by famed artist Frank Kelly Freas,
for sale at $25 - provided that you also send him a strong mailing tube for
the 2'x3' poster, plus return postage (currently $2.90) in stamps.  Email
him first, especially if you'd like one of his unique autographs.

  Last but not least is the "Jittlov Demo Tape".  This is a 30-minute work
that Mike once kludged together, when he had access to a video editing setup.
Although there are a couple of glitches from the editing equipment, the
over-all quality of the tape is excelent.  The copy I have is currently in
standard VHS, though I can make copies to Beta, U-Matic, and S-VHS.

  For those of you in the UK, I have access to a PAL conversion system and
can now duplicate to PAL.  Since mailing tapes "across the pond" can take
for ever, I'm looking for a sucker... er... volunteer over in Europe who
is willing to become the Jittlov Euro-Center for the tape.  If you are 
interested, please drop a line to me at keithd@psycho.fidonet.org so that
we can get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

  If you are interested in a copy, there is NO COST for it.  Simply send
a blank tape (VHS preferable) along with return postage to:

        Jittlov Demo Tape
        c/o Keith Dickinson
        5146 FoxBridge Cir, #213
        Clearwater, FL. 34620

I try to dupe the tapes every weekend, but unfortunately my job can take
me out of state occasionaly.  Currently I'm running a copy every 2 weeks with
about 4 or 5 days lag-time to get the stuff mailed out.  Postage in the US
for "Priority Mail" runs $3.00 in case you are in a REAL hurry.  Those who
want to simply send a check for the cost it's $2.50 for the tape (45 min), 
$1.5 for packaging, and $3.00 for priority mail.  Total $7.00 US.  Canadians
are in a class all their own and have to do it the hard way.

NOTICE!:  My comany has exiled me to Kansas for the next 6 months.  I will
attempt to keep up with requests via my brother, but please be prepared for
delays.  Thanks -kd

NOTICE: This offer has NOTHING whatsoever to do with Ascom Timeplex or
any of its associated companies.  (gotta say it!)

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