Brian Maffitt
@bmaffitt.bsky.social
Adobe Guy. Former Technical Director and Animation vfx Supervisor at CBS: "Tooning Out the News", “Our Cartoon President", "Late Show" specials, the film "In and Of Itself". Ask me anything about After Effects.
He was also an extraordinarily-hardcore alcoholic, who had to travel with handlers who would try to prevent him disappearing on multi-day benders when he toured in various theater roles. A fascinating fellow.
The book "My Thoughts be Bloody" is a great bio of the Booth brothers.
The book "My Thoughts be Bloody" is a great bio of the Booth brothers.
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
He was also an extraordinarily-hardcore alcoholic, who had to travel with handlers who would try to prevent him disappearing on multi-day benders when he toured in various theater roles. A fascinating fellow.
The book "My Thoughts be Bloody" is a great bio of the Booth brothers.
The book "My Thoughts be Bloody" is a great bio of the Booth brothers.
We used to dine at the Old 76 House, where Andre was imprisoned, which is now festooned with Andre and Benedict Arnold engravings (with Arnold's hung upside down). We also visited the nearly farm where Andre was hanged, and which briefly served as Washington's headquarters.
November 24, 2025 at 11:55 PM
We used to dine at the Old 76 House, where Andre was imprisoned, which is now festooned with Andre and Benedict Arnold engravings (with Arnold's hung upside down). We also visited the nearly farm where Andre was hanged, and which briefly served as Washington's headquarters.
In the pre-internet days SIGGRAPH was the only way to see a collection of this stuff in a full theater with people who shared the same interests. Now everything is online and the sense of shared discovery is long gone.
November 23, 2025 at 1:59 PM
In the pre-internet days SIGGRAPH was the only way to see a collection of this stuff in a full theater with people who shared the same interests. Now everything is online and the sense of shared discovery is long gone.
A lot of the presentations were very technical, but occasionally something magical would slip into the program... and this was definitely one of those times.
November 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
A lot of the presentations were very technical, but occasionally something magical would slip into the program... and this was definitely one of those times.
The Electronic Theater was always a popular ticket in the 80s and 90s, a chance to see cool new techniques, renderers, algorithms etc. Flocking! Displacement! Physics! Technology was moving so fast back then.
November 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The Electronic Theater was always a popular ticket in the 80s and 90s, a chance to see cool new techniques, renderers, algorithms etc. Flocking! Displacement! Physics! Technology was moving so fast back then.
It was thrilling, miraculous, like nothing else that audience had ever seen. 30 years ago today the final film, "Toy Story", was released to the public, and changed the world of animation forever.
November 22, 2025 at 10:45 PM
It was thrilling, miraculous, like nothing else that audience had ever seen. 30 years ago today the final film, "Toy Story", was released to the public, and changed the world of animation forever.
The scene featured little plastic army men, on a serious reconnaissance mission to investigate a child's birthday presents.
I was there. 2/3
I was there. 2/3
November 22, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The scene featured little plastic army men, on a serious reconnaissance mission to investigate a child's birthday presents.
I was there. 2/3
I was there. 2/3
They can squeeze into very tiny spaces, so good luck!
November 20, 2025 at 12:08 AM
They can squeeze into very tiny spaces, so good luck!
He's only announcing this now because the Supreme Court is about to rule that his Tarriffs are illegal. Then, Trump can point at the decision and say "they took your money away".
November 11, 2025 at 12:19 AM
He's only announcing this now because the Supreme Court is about to rule that his Tarriffs are illegal. Then, Trump can point at the decision and say "they took your money away".
This is beautiful work
October 25, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This is beautiful work
...Ish. He's working on Squirrel (Premiere Mobile) and I'm working on AE 3D. But when I first started I brought you up in a 1:1 meeting, and he said he would rehire you immediately if I could convince you to come back. Perhaps we should talk more in a private channel...
October 24, 2025 at 7:41 PM
...Ish. He's working on Squirrel (Premiere Mobile) and I'm working on AE 3D. But when I first started I brought you up in a 1:1 meeting, and he said he would rehire you immediately if I could convince you to come back. Perhaps we should talk more in a private channel...
Simons (and I) would welcome you with open arms!
October 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Simons (and I) would welcome you with open arms!
Wanna come back and work with me? :)
October 24, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Wanna come back and work with me? :)
In two months I'll be sober for 5 years. I worried about missing out on social events, but consistently seeing you and others at the Ed Sullivan having a good time without drinking was very helpful. Congratulations!
October 14, 2025 at 12:52 PM
In two months I'll be sober for 5 years. I worried about missing out on social events, but consistently seeing you and others at the Ed Sullivan having a good time without drinking was very helpful. Congratulations!
Aha. Yeah, last year I introduced my nephew to Terminator 2. He'd never watched it because he had seen the recent Terminator movies and didn't like them.
September 27, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Aha. Yeah, last year I introduced my nephew to Terminator 2. He'd never watched it because he had seen the recent Terminator movies and didn't like them.
Hard to believe that is possible
September 27, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Hard to believe that is possible
Meanwhile I'm a Bruce: I rarely work properly but when I do I'm impressive
September 21, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Meanwhile I'm a Bruce: I rarely work properly but when I do I'm impressive
Can confirm: I've 1) worked for Colbert since 2017 and 2) am not a millionaire.
September 19, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Can confirm: I've 1) worked for Colbert since 2017 and 2) am not a millionaire.
Six Flags Wild Safari
September 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Six Flags Wild Safari