new posts in all blogs
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Donna Marie Taylor, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 2 of 2
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts tagged with the words: Donna Marie Taylor in the JacketFlap blog reader. What is a tag? Think of a tag as a keyword or category label. Tags can both help you find posts on JacketFlap.com as well as provide an easy way for you to "remember" and classify posts for later recall. Try adding a tag yourself by clicking "Add a tag" below a post's header. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a 'More Posts from this Blog' link in any individual post.
This is something Donna Taylor wrote for Sprouts Magazine. Even though it was published in 2010, it still is relevant to today.
Feeling both excitement and anticipation, I passed the majestic lions and entered the New York Public Library. I was attending “From the Page to the Screen… Television Screen, That Is”, presented by The Children’s Literary Café.
Elizabeth Bird, the children’s librarian, introduced the mediator, Liz Nealon, a children’s media executive, who’d brought together the panel: Linda Simensky, VP of Children’s Programming for PBS; Diana Manson, co-founded Silver Lining Productions; author/illustrator, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and Jim Jinkins, producer of Nickelodeon’s Doug.
During the session, speakers discussed aspects of adapting picture books to TV animation, including the fact that most picture book characters can’t be adapted.
Characters can lack fullness, be too many or too few, or they or their worlds don’t lend to storylines that can carry a series. For PBS, if not inherent, curriculum must be integrated. The idiosyncrasies of a cast of characters and setting determine how drastic the changes need to be for the adaptation.
Simensky stated a key difference between writing/illustrating and TV animation: writing tends to be solitary and TV animation is collaborative. The author generally gives up his rights and doesn’t have final say. Typically the author isn’t part of the process, sometimes by choice, though Simensky stated that when the author has input, it often makes for a better outcome.
As we viewed a clip from the upcoming PBS series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That, (airing in the Fall, 2010,) Simensky described the process of staying true to the books.
Manson discussed how the suffering economy is affecting the industry. Sponsors and broadcasters cut back, making the production process even more selective. The panel agreed that TV animation production can be arduous, with years invested developing each project. She also shared clips of Nickelodeon’s Olivia, showing different style renderings.
Seeger’s take was unique, having worked in animation before writing and illustrating. She offered a clip of the adaptation for First the Egg, showing the transformation from egg to chick to chicken, retaining the look of her illustrations.
Jinkins presented all things Pinky Dinky Doo
1 Comments on TV at the Public Library, last added: 6/11/2012
The article below was written by Donna Taylor and was printed in 2011 Winter Issue of Sprouts Magazine. I thought everyone would like to read what she wrote.
It’s February. I receive my first email announcing registration for the annual NJ SCBWI Conference held in June. I get that familiar twinge of anticipation. Over the next months, then weeks, then days, conference emails arrive with goodies: updates on conference and faculty, forms for workshop/critique choices, and requests for raffle donations. The email addressing volunteer tasks gives only an “end flap” glimpse of the work behind organizing a conference of this magnitude.
For years I opted against volunteering due to obstacles: distant proximity to the event, health issues, financial restrictions and, like most people, an overflowing to-do list. As an attendee, each year I’d watch smiling volunteers hustling about, wistful to be one of them—to help and be involved.
This year circumstances enabled me to finally say “Yes!” Having done so, I am now a NJ SCBWI volunteer for life! Obstacles? What obstacles? I am hooked and I am not alone! Having surveyed a group of volunteers, from newbies to vets, the common threads make evident what a positive experience it can be.
An overall sense of pride in our New Jersey Chapter trumpets loudly, along with the desire to be helpful to attendees, but especially our fearless leaders, Kathy Temean and Laurie Wallmark, who work hard to benefit our members year-round.
Unlike experiences I’ve had volunteering in other venues, in which ego and power trips reign, this kindred kingdom is one of cooperation and a common sense of purpose. The result is a well-organized, successful and pleasant experience for all.
Being involved in any Chapter event throughout the year expands opportunity to know other members and industry professionals on a more personal level; more relationship “seeds” are likely to be planted. In reference to the nervousness that can accompany meeting editors and agents, Sheri Oshins pointed out becoming more comfortable speaking with them, having realized “they are people too, even though to us, they feel like rock stars!” Volunteering can sometimes get you a “backstage pass.”
As a volunteer, you leave gratified and fulfilled having participated. Kelly Calabrese stated that it “makes you a part of the conference fabric, woven into both the learning and social functions.” In agreement, Janet Hammond “felt like more a part of the conference rather than just a spectator.” Along with others, Beth Ann Bogert acknowledged that “life is much richer when you become involved, richer friendships and community.”
There’s a euphoric essence that permeates a conference which focuses on writing and illustrating for children. Perhaps because, at its heart, the very nature of the industry is to teach, guide and entertain youth. Attending the NJ SCBWI Annual Conference is like visiting Oz; lending a hand lets you behind the curtain. I came away richer, with a treasure chest of new friends, purpose and possibilities. And I second Diana Patton in professing I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the email-of-thanks from “The Appreciation Fairy” (a.k.a. Ame Dyckman)!
Volunteering for our New Jersey Chapter has become a priority on my to-do list.
If you attending the June conference, please look for an e-mail from Donna this week giving you the list of tasks where we need help. Right now I am adding jobs to the list. Even if you told me earlier in the year that you wanted to help this year, please make sure you respond. This has been a crazy year for me and you could have slipped through the cracks very easily.
If you aren’t attending the conference and probably never
Hey, Kathy
That was very cool seeing that article up. Thanks for posting it!
In rereading it, I remembered how, in having to cut the word count for publication, the article went from conveying an “experience” to a more flat “report.” The ambience in the room that day was spectacular. It reminded me of the kind of feeling we get when we attend our Chapter events, with all the kindred spirits passionate about the same thing: children’s literature. In this case it was children’s literature and programming. I got to meet “Maria” from Sesame Street, and the producer of the show, too. Jim Jinkins was really a sweetheart and I had been in touch with him afterwards, too, having submitted an idea to him that was sparked by a project he was involved with at the time.
The panel was fantastic and it made me wish I could afford to attend more events there. They do have a mailing list which I think you can get through nypl.org, if memory serves, though I don’t think it’s called “The Children’s Literary Cafe” anymore.
I also love seeing one of my favorite pieces of artwork here. What a treat!
Donna
P.S. Great conference, huh?