A conversation with Al Jaffee

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• published: 10 Feb 2016
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Al Jaffee has been drawing and writing for MAD for the last 59 years and is its longest-running contributor. He’s most famous as the mind and hand responsible for the iconic Fold-In since its inception in 1964. At 94, he’s still cranking them from at his studio in Manhattan. But, after such illustrious career, this project is the first time his work has been animated. Animation legend JJ Sedelmaier sat down with Al in his studio to discuss Al’s craft and contribution to the history of illustration. -- There’s a lot out there to distract us when we’re driving. There’s the usual stuff: texting, unruly kids, spilling a soda, etc. We’ve all experienced those. But, what are some more exotic scenarios that might lead to distracted driving? Ford put that question to three very imaginative illustrators – Al Jaffee, MK Brown and Bill Plympton – to see what they’d dream up. Their pal J.J. Sedelmaier folded them into the mix and in the case of Al and M.K. took their sketches and animated them. Bill did his own duties. We’re putting these cartoons out there to remind folks that distracted driving can lead to accidents and general mayhem. When you’re on the road, pay attention. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. Featured Illustrator: Al Jaffee Al Jaffee began writing and drawing professionally in 1940 after graduating from High School of Music & Art in New York City. He first worked for Stan Lee at Timely (now Marvel) Comics and later began his lifetime career at MAD magazine. Jaffee’s trademark feature, the Fold-In for MAD, was intended as a one time gag for the magazine, but the publishers loved it and it quickly became one of its most popular features. Jaffee is still producing the Fold-In for MAD, and to date has created more than four hundred. In addition to his work at MAD, Jaffee has published more than five dozen books of original materials and reprints of his work that has been published across for many famous properties. Featured Director: J.J. Sedelmaier J.J. Sedelmaier is responsible for many of the most talked about broadcast entertainment productions of the past two decades – the launch season of MTV’s “Beavis and Butthead”, “SNL’s “Saturday TV Funhouse”, and projects with Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, The Colbert Report, and over 500 TV commercials, animation and design pieces J.J’s design sense, technological experience and extensive knowledge of history have made him a unique creative source for sculpting a project’s foundation. Through his choice of art direction, story structure, timing and sound design, the JJSP approaching is a brand in itself. Subscribe to Ford Today: http://ford.to/1SQqRKU Follow Ford on Social: • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ford • Twitter: https://twitter.com/ford • Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ford • Tumblr: http://gofurther.tumblr.com • Ford Social: http://social.ford.com/ Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.