Get to Know Marc Brown: the man behind the aardvark

By Kaity Gruenling

Author and illustrator Marc Brown talked to SCAD students about his life with his “Arthur” book series Oct. 15.

A line at the door sprouted up an hour before the lecture and the enthusiasm for his arrival was met only by his own enthusiasm to talk to young artists.

Brown told his audience stories from his career and how Arthur came to life. When the lecture ended the line reached out the door to get an autograph, a picture and a hug from the beloved author. Brown answered every question, signed every book and sketchbook, and warmly hugged the fans that had grown up with Arthur.

Brown grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania and based most of his characters off his third grade classmates. The frightening Mr. Ratburn was based off of Brown’s math teacher Mr. Rathburn. Brown always had an interest in art and attended the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Despite his art background, Brown took on numerous jobs that didn’t quite fit and he said that he was fired from every one of them. These jobs ranged from flower deliveryman with a bad sense of direction to a cook at a diner who couldn’t speak the kitchen lingo.

His favorite “fired” story to tell is when he was a TV art director and was asked to art direct the weather set. He came up with the idea of the “weather fairy” that asks the wishing well what the weather will be like. He says after pitching this idea to his producer he found a pink slip on his office door the next morning.

The lovable Arthur didn’t come to life until his son, Tolon, asked for a bedtime story about a “weird animal.” Brown said he decided that aardvarks didn’t get enough attention

Arthur the aardvark was born and “Arthur’s Nose” was published in 1976. Since then, over 65 million Arthur books have been sold and the hit television show has won five Emmy awards since its debut in 1996.

Through the years Arthur has gone through a makeover. When asked how his style has changed throughout the years he says that Arthur’s nose got shorter out of necessity. He had to draw Arthur facing forward and talking but his nose kept getting in the way of his mouth.

Brown’s style of art in general has changed to a less rendered approach. He says he learned to see children’s books through a child’s eyes.

When thinking back to the style of his first book Brown cringed a little and said, “I look at this now and feel like I’m going to a party in my underwear.”

Brown was eager to meet the students and offer any insight into the illustration business he could. He stressed a need to understand the business of illustration, and how to properly read a contract.

He also stressed how important it was for an aspiring artists to do their research about the business and how it takes determination and assertiveness to break into it.

When asked what the best piece of advice he’d ever received he replied with, “Do what you love and don’t give up.”

When asked what was the worst piece advice he’d ever received he thought for a moment, smiled, and said, “Stay within the lines.”

Brown now lives in Hingham, Mass. with his wife Laurie and still works on the Arthur television series.

Contact Kaity Gruenling

SAC wants you

By Kaity GruenlingStaff Writer

Most students have heard of SAC, but don’t always pick up on the acronym. SAC? SAC of what? Potatoes? Wait, do they mean in the SAC? Can SCAD do that?

SAC stands for Student Activities Council and is a student programming board at SCAD. They plan both educational and recreational events on campus. These range from lectures, to comedians, to musical performances, dances and movies.

The idea behind the council is to improve the college experience while fostering a stronger sense of community among SCAD students. Members of SAC also benefit from the opportunity to improve their leadership skills through involvement and event planning.

SAC was in charge of all Welcome Week events including the hypnotist, Fall Fest, the comedian Kyle Grooms, the SAC showcase, the C.L. Lindsay lecture and the “Star Trek” movie night.

They also host weekly and yearly events. Coffee House, for example, is at the Student Center every Wednesday night at 9 p.m., where students can listen to local musicians perform, drink coffee, get some homework done and socialize.

The yearly Masquerade Ball is an SAC creation and invites students to celebrate Halloween and dress to the ghoulish nines. Spring quarter boasts Films at Forsyth where movies ranging from James Bond to “Finding Nemo” are screened in Forsyth Park for all Savannah residents.

Every event is planned out months in advance and carried out seamlessly by the SAC officers and the general members.

You might be wondering who’s currently running the show at SAC. The executive board has six members. Third year advertising design major Lauren Lenart is the current director, with second year advertising design major Vince Salpierto as the publicist.

Third year advertising design major Cayla Hanousek handles lectures and second year art history major Tyler Green is in charge of music.

Second year graphic design major Rachel Clarke fronts pop culture, and third year illustration major Karen Flipus-Luyckx is head of special events. These students team up in hibiscus-colored polo shirts to bring the student body entertaining and enjoyable events.

SAC meets every Tuesday at the Student Center at 9 p.m. All officers are in attendance as well as a substantial group of general members. The meetings always begin with an icebreaker to welcome in first time members.

Lenart, usually initiates this by asking members to stand, state their names, and a list a humorous fact about themselves such as who they went to prom with or what superpower they’d most like to have.

After introductions, they discuss the turnout of past events, the plans for currents events, and often brainstorm ideas for future events. Members are constantly trying to come up with new event ideas that appeal to a wide range of students for a larger turnout and a better sense of community.

Bringing SCAD students together is the name of the game, and SAC is swinging for the fences.

Contact Kaity Gruenling

Savannah to hit the big screen as Washington D.C.

By Kaity Gruenling

Hollywood actors looking for work can now try their luck in Savannah.

Starting October 12, the American Production Company will commence production of Robert Redford’s new movie, “The Conspirator.”

In the film, based on a true story, boarding house owner Mary Surratt is charged with conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln, a time when the city was bent on avenging the death of the president.

Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth, and six other men plotted the assassinations at Surratt’s boarding house.

Aiken reluctantly takes on the task of defending Surratt’s case before a military tribunal. As the story plays out, he begins to believe in her innocence and realizes she might be being used as bait to lure out the one conspirator that has yet to be caught: her son.

Surratt will be played by Robin Wright Penn, and James McAvoy will play her on-screen protector Frederick Aiken.

The company decided to shoot the film in Savannah because of the city’s upkeep and the feel of the historic district.

“[Savannah] is a perfect stand-in for 1865 Washington D.C. The production is currently planning to film at several locations including Fort Jackson, Fort Pulaski, the US Custom House, The Andrew Low House and the Davenport House Museum,” according to a press release by publicist Dee Poku.

These locations provide historical accuracy of the time period as well as the ability to shoot onsite instead of building an set.

Needless to say, the incoming production will have an effect on the Savannah community and those residing in it. Production will provide jobs for Savannah locals.

Calls for extras in the film have been listed and auditions will take place at Oglethorpe Mall.

Like any other movie or event in Savannah, the filming of “The Conspirator” will help Savannah’s largest source of income: tourism. The film will potentially boost the popularity of historic sites once they hit the big screen.

Fans of Redford, Penn and McAvoy may visit hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite actors and director.

The use of historic sites in Savannah may inspire more filmmakers to migrate south and once again embrace its charm.

This isn’t the first movie shot in Savannah this year; during summer, Miley Cyrus stayed on Tybee Island filming her new movie.

The film is still seeking background extras. To apply, send a non-returnable photograph, height and weight measurements, clothing sizes, daytime phone number and email to:

Conspirator Productions
c/o Extras Casting
12020 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419

Additionally, you may email a digital picture along with height and weight measurements, clothing sizes, daytime phone number to conspiratorcasting@gmail.com.

Contact Kaity Gruenling