This post is Lorax approved
If it’s one thing us Portland dudes have a lot of… no, not flannel shirts. Yep, bingo: facial hair. That took you all of one guess.
The brotherhood of the beard runs strong in this crowd, especially at Portland studio Kamp Grizzly, where the beards run so thick it might even be a requirement for being hired. I’ve seen clean shaven baby faces turn into Grizzly Adams in just a couple short months at Kamp. Ah, I think I just now “got” the name, guys. Never really made the connection before. Riiiiight… grizzly. Nice.
Other than my bearded brothers that reign year round, the mustache is making a comeback thanks to the movement that is Movember. And November belongs to you, kind sirs. I owe you a Movember roundup.
It’s catching on. The concept is simple: November 1 (or more likely Halloween, after the party) you shave clean, and over the course of the month you grow out the mo’ of your choice. Handlebars? Popular. Fu Manchu? The Trucker? The Ditka? Why not close your eyes and throw a dart at the menu – test your fate? I even saw a Hitler last year. Oh yeah, because that’s one we want to bring back.
All done in the name of charity: Movember is a fundraiser for prostate and testicular cancer. People support the cause as you grow yo’ mo’. You’d be amazed at how throwing up a photo or two along the way on Facebook can score a few hundy in donations to the cause.
It’s not for everyone – some can sprout a full bushy cowboy mo’ that would make Rollie Fingers jealous. Some try and end up with little more than a dirty upper lip that itches all day. Still others end up looking more like a pedophile straight out of the 70’s. There was almost a public outcry for Portland Mayor Sam Adams to shave down mid-month. Whatever your look, you own it until November 30th. Remember, smile and the mustache smiles too. My friend & Compositing guru Steve McGee knows what time it is:
Ha ha! I love that photo. At Laika last year when ParaNorman was in full swing, we made the obvious progression and stop motion animated our growth each day. A proper website was never organized, and I can’t find mine anywhere – but never fear, here’s Jason Ptaszek’s entry, representin’ team Laikanthropes!
Movember momation from Jason P on Vimeo.
I have to say my all time favorite was animator Adam Fisher, when he mowed down probably over a year’s growth for his short film Timber. Sheer genius:
Movember: The Hairy Ladies of LAIKA/house from LAIKA/house on Vimeo.
Will Vinton
In Portland, there is a characteristic Mo that stands out wherever it goes. There is one man who can say “my mustachetation preceeds me” as he makes his way around town, endless creativity and a great deal of animation history in tow. The man, the myth, the legend… he’s the reason many of us are here in a roundabout way. I speak of course of Will Vinton. Nuff ‘said.
Lee “Bo” Henry
And for good measure, a post about mustaches wouldn’t be complete without a little Bo Henry action. Probably the greatest animated mustache of all time, with the Lorax (at top) finishing just slightly behind. Both Bo and the Lo most definitely holds a place in the Mo’ Hall of Fame. Fo’ sho’.
Mo’ virgins – make plans for next year! Study up and I’ll see you Nov 1 with a Mach 3 in hand:
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