HBO

"I've never fired a friend before..."

Everybody at DOA 2007 had a "FIRED" story, so I guess it's time to mention Mitchell.

An ABEL Director at last, I was one of three or four asked to come up with a storyboard for a new HBO campaign. I however, was also tasked with doing the artwork and wedging for Mitchell's entry in what became an unofficial competition.

Prior to being double-tasked, I had been experimenting with bilateral symmetry using prints from the HERO AKAI clouds ("Come not in that form!"), re-wedging the Texas Instruments "Motherchip", and torturing Ed Verreaux's Trinitron, while officially drawing Brisker's coke bottle and popcorn box elements, AND working in the same room with Randy Roberts who I had named one of "The Fauves".

Mitchell once showed me a demo reel that had a "THIS ISLAND EARTH" live action transporter sequence he'd done to show his diversity to producers yet unmet.

It wasn't until "BATTLEFIELD EARTH" that I truly appreciated his ability to let me go.

And Randy... daring me like brothers separated at birth, but mentally re-arranging the furniture as Bob decided to keep the Commercial Division going.

In the end, Paru's wasn't even fun anymore.

Like Bill Murray said when leaving SNL: "5, 6 years of High School is enough."

Coming Soon: Swiftkick Studios*

*31 years later, I meet at the Solamar DOA Reunion. It is at his request, and in support of his efforts to document and share the stories that still conjure the ABEL magic, that I offer HBO - in the hopes that others whose stories may be better than mine - will do the same.

Special thanks to Tom Beattie (who would have fit right in at ABELS) for hosting herofx.com

He was there at the beginning (CO) and I think he'll be there at the end.