Tweet The next Cartoon Roots Blu-ray/DVD: Bobby Bumps (Indiegogo)

Dear Nitratevillains,

As I wrap up the process of getting my new Cartoon Roots "Bray Studios" Blu-ray/DVD release out to Kickstarter backers and onto the open market, it's time to move forward with the next Cartoons On Film release. The third in the Cartoon Roots series will be Bobby Bumps and Fido.

For those of you who don't know much about this pivotal silent-era cartoon series, I've written a little post for Jerry Beck's Cartoon Research blog about Bobby Bumps, his creator Earl Hurd, and the upcoming project to get 15 of these important films scanned, digitally restored, and made available on home video. Check it out:
http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/bringing-bobby-bumps-to-home-video/

And more Bobby history from the Bray Animation Project site:
http://brayanimation.weebly.com/bobby-bumps.html

Some of you may recall that funds were collected toward producing this set as a stretch goal in last year's Kickstarter for the Bray collection. Production was indeed able to begin on Bobby Bumps, but series of delays, unexpected costs, and other problems that were largely out of my control unfortunately ate into Bobby's budget. As a result, I'm now seeking finishing funds to help cover outstanding costs and ensure a speedier completion of everything.

There's now an Indiegogo campaign running to help raise these funds, and as always, I'm incredibly grateful to supporters here who can lend some help by making a pledge. It's akin to pre-ordering a copy of the collection, and you can also purchase a copy of the current Bray release (and even the original Cartoon Roots) as part of the various reward levels. Also, if you pledged toward this project in last year's Kickstarter, not to worry; you'll still receive a copy of the final product once it's completed.

Here's the Indiegogo:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/historic-bobby-bumps-cartoons-on-blu-ray-dvd-animation/

As of this writing, it's a bit over 33% funded with just under two weeks left to go. Thanks in advance to anyone here who can help advance and complete this project so I can move onto others as well. There should be some more popular characters/series in the pipeline after Bobby is released.

Sincerely,

Tommy Stathes

"To anybody who is interested in gaining a true understanding of animation's earliest days, projects such as Cartoon Roots are truly invaluable and worth supporting." -Animation For Adults

http://www.animationforadults.com/2016/ ... bobby.html

An update:

Since the campaign was only about 50% funded in 30 days, I've decided to go ahead and extend it another 30 days. This will allow me to mention it at various September live events of mine here in the NYC area, as well as promote it with new Amazon customers buying the original and Bray Roots volumes over the coming weeks. Fingers crossed that it gets near or to the 100% mark...

Thanks again for everyone's support here!

I've already started on my program for this week, but a week from Sunday I'll pitch your Indiegogo campaign and blu-rays on the Animation Resources Sunday podcast. Hopefully it will help get you closer to your goal.

I've already started on my program for this week, but a week from Sunday I'll pitch your Indiegogo campaign and blu-rays on the Animation Resources Sunday podcast. Hopefully it will help get you closer to your goal.

Many thanks--can this be heard somewhere?

I live stream to the Animation Archive Facebook group. We have 11,500 followers and I try to do a brief live screening every Sunday around 3pm. I'll make sure to link to your Indiegogo and Amazon links. We have a Facebook page called Animation Resources, and a group for filmmakers and artists called Animation Creative League as well.

Main Animation Resources Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/animationresources.org/" target="_blank
Animation Archive Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/animationresources/" target="_blank
Animation Creative League: https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativeleague/" target="_blank

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke about Steve Stanchfield's new Cubby Bear disc and showed a couple of cartoons. Steve serves on our Advisory Board.

Muchas gracias!

Ivan Shreve has just shared a nifty blog post about this campaign today:

"There’s a current campaign to raise money for what will be released as Cartoon Roots: Bobby Bumps and Fido. Bobby Bumps, a mischievous little shaver created by animator Earl Hurd, was the star of a number of cartoon shorts released between 1915 and 1925—it was the first series to use the cel animation process, which made animating cartoons a heck of a lot easier. Tommy has selected fifteen shorts for this release (he’s acquired nearly three dozen over the years; you can read about his Bray Studios restoration project here) and after starting the fundraising at Kickstarter, Operation: Bumps moved to Indiegogo in an effort to further achieve the goal."

http://thrillingdaysofyesteryear.blogsp ... -road.html

There are now only 3 days left in the Indiegogo campaign. We're 78% of the way toward the goal...and I think we can make the finish line, if not get good and close. If anyone else here is interested in supporting this project, now's the time to pledge. Thanks!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hist ... nimation#/

I didn't get a chance to do a video podcast, but I just shared your indiegogo to about 20,000 followers of Animation Resources on Facebook. Hope it helps.

Many thank-youse!

Just 4 hours to go and $5645 out of the $6000 has been raised. I think we can do this! Thanks

I want to give my sincerest thanks to any and all Nitratevillains who lent their support for this campaign. The goal was surpassed and the project can go full steam ahead now. I'll keep everyone posted on its progress over the next couple of months.

Though Im just now finally putting the finishing touches on the shop Im dying to get started. Pray tell do you guys have room for one more ubber newb?

Julie

Hello all—a quick update, since I've been fielding a few inquiries about this project recently.

In short, an illness in the family last fall and housing displacement this year translated into many months of work completely lost. I'll spare the nitty gritty details for now, but if anyone would like to read more about what happened and possibly help, more info can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/tommys-housing ... ement-fund" target="_blank

This greatly and negatively impacted my ability to manage and work on projects like Bobby Bumps. Thankfully, however, progress is being made again as of this past summer and the restorations are coming along nicely. Also, in the past few weeks, I was able to locate missing footage for a couple of the films. You can read a little more about that and see some sample images over at the campaign updates, here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hist ... pdates/all" target="_blank

I'm hoping the project can be wrapped and replicated by the end of the year so we'll all finally enjoy the results!

Finally, there will be an unrelated surprise Cartoon Roots release announced very soon. It has secretly been in development for quite awhile, its production was funded through alternate channels and it will be available for outright purchase; no crowdfunding or pre-ordering for this one. A wrap on it has been more of a possibility than on Bumps, which is why it will come out sooner. Looking forward to sharing further news when available.

Thanks again, everyone, for your support and especially your patience and understanding.

Best,
TJS

Is it too late to become a backer? It looks like perks are still selectable...?

You've got mail!

P.S. To anyone else reading: Bumps is very, very close to finally being mastered for home video and replicated.

You've got mail!

P.S. To anyone else reading: Bumps is very, very close to finally being mastered for home video and replicated.

Thank you for your response sir! I'll be backing your lovely project this Friday, which is payday. I will also be putting in an Amazon order for Cartoon Roots: The Bray Studios and Cartoon Roots: Halloween Haunts, to go along with my current order for the first Cartoon Roots Blu-ray. My mission is to collect every release you and Steve S. put out. Keep 'em coming!

Just backed this, super stoked! And, I noticed that the fabulous cover art for this release hasn't been posted, so here we go (hope that's ok; if not, lemme know and I'll delete it forthwith):

Many thanks—and that's alright by me! No trouble at all, especially if it gets others even more excited about the upcoming release.

Many thanks—and that's alright by me! No trouble at all, especially if it gets others even more excited about the upcoming release.

Excellent! And, hey, you mention that you've found around three dozen of the total number of BB cartoons that were made (61 according to my painstaking research at Google University Library). Any chance for a second volume with the rest of the BB 'toons you have access to?

Many thanks—and that's alright by me! No trouble at all, especially if it gets others even more excited about the upcoming release.

Excellent! And, hey, you mention that you've found around three dozen of the total number of BB cartoons that were made (61 according to my painstaking research at Google University Library). Any chance for a second volume with the rest of the BB 'toons you have access to?

I might have slightly more than that, but not all are complete or great looking prints, alas. Still that's far better than nothing, and a remarkable survival rate for such an early animated series.

I would love to put out an additional two volumes of Bumps. The Cartoon Roots packages all feature 15 films apiece, and I think 45 would be possible with some titles acquired from archives. The question, really, is whether the general public would be willing to crowd fund another set or two of these particular cartoons. Maybe once they finally get to see how unusual they are (and the quality of the restorations) they might give at least a second set a try!

Many thanks—and that's alright by me! No trouble at all, especially if it gets others even more excited about the upcoming release.

Excellent! And, hey, you mention that you've found around three dozen of the total number of BB cartoons that were made (61 according to my painstaking research at Google University Library). Any chance for a second volume with the rest of the BB 'toons you have access to?

I might have slightly more than that, but not all are complete or great looking prints, alas. Still that's far better than nothing, and a remarkable survival rate for such an early animated series.

I would love to put out an additional two volumes of Bumps. The Cartoon Roots packages all feature 15 films apiece, and I think 45 would be possible with some titles acquired from archives. The question, really, is whether the general public would be willing to crowd fund another set or two of these particular cartoons. Maybe once they finally get to see how unusual they are (and the quality of the restorations) they might give at least a second set a try!

Aw man, that would be fantastic! I'm betting you just might be able to make another set or two fly, as it seems you've done a really bang-up job on this set (and from your other sets according to the sterling reviews I've read), and this series is of great historical importance as well, not to mention the fact that the films are unique and entertaining! I'm hoping the fans will come through. I think they will. You've got a great track record.