A Walkley entry requires a 400 word “accompanying statement”, which is not a requirement, but I have to say SOMETHING. Normally I would be able to string a few words together to help the judges understand why this is a work of unparalleled charm and hilarious topical magnificence that looms over Australian Cartooning like some kind of whimsical yet deadly mecha. But no, I am stuck.
It is a “statement of up to 400 words (maximum) outlining the case for consideration for an award. You may address the judging criteria and explain the circumstances in which the entry was produced.”
And the criteria for CARTOON is: Creativity, innovation, wit and style will ideally combine with newsworthiness and artistic technique for the winner of the best cartoon award.
So obviously I have it in the bag. However for some reason I simply am stuck for words and can’t get the statement together. Not normally a problem that I have.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t actually expect to win. But if I get nominated I am allowed to go to the Walkley dinner and the after party and we (Crikey) did go last year and we had an entirely excellent time. It was full of loads of famous people and I only irritated a few of them. (I wasn’t nominated last year but there was a lot of sooking so we got to go anyway – this year it is in Sydney so sooking will not help).
I asked on Twitter and I got some excellent ideas, however I still couldn’t string them together and it has been days. What is wrong with me? This is out of character, normally if I am asked to talk about myself I just go on and on and on and on and on. And on. For some reason I am having a terrible mental block about this and I have to get it in tomorrow or the next day. So eek!
I am starting with this…. “No one ever threw my bag on top of the bike shed, however Charlie Watts hit me on the legs really hard with a stick when I was in second grade. I was terrified for the entire time at Primary School. I thought this cartoon was hilarious when I drew it. Also poignant and terrible.”
And then I have another 350 words to go.
If you have any suggestions they would be appreciated. Unless they are crap. If you are actually helpful I might send you a First Dog On The Moon bookmark, unless that is against the rules.
24 Comments
127 words guaranteed to seal the deal:
This is obviously a World’s Best Practise cartoon with its stakeholders front and centre. Goal-oriented, quality-assured, and in line with organisational values, I am confident that it fulfils the needs of the marketplace, while maintaining a crystal-clear focus on ethical and attitudinal migrations within the broader social and business context.
Any subject-oriented assessment of its programmatic specificity reveals an openness to exchange of views and a juxtaposition of the macro with the micro. Educational outcomes are explored in a sensitive and considerate framework, while “out of the box” thinking is expressed thematically throughout its linear development.
I’m confident that by working together in a frank exchange of Walkley Awards between the bestowers and a premier lunar canine, the Walkleys can continue to achieve positive results, going forward.
[Nice try but no - these are Walkley Judges not corporate loopy people]
Juzzy, THIS is how you you answer a heartfelt plea for help? FD is going to sh!t all over you!
[This is no help]
Oh First Dog, you don’t need 400 words! All you need to say is:
“Matt ‘Cravat’ Preston is my BFF and he thinks it is totally and utterly excellent. If Matt Preson thinks it is excellent then it surely deserves to win.”.
[Oh poo - no]
I didn’t have much to say but i rang up Kevin Rudd and he issued this statement over twitter:
By contextualising the mainstream economic issues associated with global financial crisis and global recession in terms of Australian working families, First Dog has skillfully set forward the agenda of this government, a Labor government, to fight off the inflation genie back into his bottle in unison with the quick action of the reserve bank working with strategic interest rate cuts to provide relief for working families in this time of global recession.
Secondly on the question of debt and deficit over the economic cycle can i just say this, this government took the tough decisions to do what was necessary to lessen the impact of the global recession on the Australian economy. Therefore, the flow on effects of this action by the government has been proved time and time again to have supported the employment of a number of animal-based cartoons in this time of global recession and global financial crisis. This government sees a role for government to support and assist in anyway necessary the independent cartooning of this shit-sheet (giggles) Crikey.
Finally can i just say that this cartoon sharply brings into focus the poor judgment of the leader of the opposition. The fear and smear campaign being run by those opposite, based as it is on so called bogey words of debt, deficit, inflation and high interest rates, has been completely demolished by this cartoon from Mr On The Moon. I only say to those opposite that their tactics of fear and smear are completely baseless, their position is untenable, they should apologise and resign and i ask Mr Speaker that any further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Granted it’s an unusual entry, but it’s something :-)
[Interesting and quite thoughtful but no]
Let it be henceforth known throughout the land that TheWetMale is a teacher’s pet.
[Jealous!]
Dear Walkley Judges,
Please find attached my entry for the Walkley ‘CARTOON’ category. I had a tough time deciding which cartoon to submit this year (just ask my readers!), but I think the Global Financial Crisis and hence THE DEFICIT were one of the biggest news stories this year. People just wouldn’t stop talking about it! Poor deficit – it’s not the deficit’s fault it was born a deficit! Everyone said mean things, like how it was too fat. I think this cartoon shows that we shouldn’t be mean to unnattractive monetary issues because someday they will grow up and come back and bite us on the ass. As I said, much more succintly (and with excellent pictures) in the cartoon itself.
I look forward to receiving the award. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this cartoon.
Sincerely,
First Dog On The Moon
(Maybe)
[At least we are traveling in the right direction now]
Okey dokey… go with more of a Jane Austen approach:
Unaccustomed to the heady world of high society, Mister OnTheMoon approached the imposing gates of Walkley Manor with great intrepidation, and yet a frisson of exhilaration. His editor had given him all the advice that one of such years could, and the advice, Mr OnTheMoon hoped, would stand him in good stead on this night of nights.
He had put on his shiniest shoes and a cravat that looked a little bit like one of Matt Preston’s. He’d washed and combed his hair to its neatest and tidiest, and as he alighted from his carriage he imagined himself as a beautiful swan, gliding down the red carpet, politely waving away the assembled photographers, and affecting a jolly “Oh, you!” as Mr Richard Wilkins asked if that cravat was, indeed a Preston. He shivered with glee inside at the realisation that at least one of his preparations had gone well!
He handed his invitation to a very crisp doorman, and as he entered the room, recited, like a Hail Mary, his mantra for the evening: “Don’t leave fur on the chair, don’t touch other people’s food, Andrew Bolt is a d!ckhead, Andrew Bolt is a d!ckhead, Andrew Bolt is a d!ckhead, don’t leave fur on the chair…” and so on.
His crikey colleagues rose to greet him as he approached their table, and his heart leapt! They were all wearing cravats too! Oh, this was going to be a wonderful night, he just knew it!
[10 points for effort! I laughed! However no bookmark for you!]
Two approaches
1. Twitter – my cartoon is a representation of the world, looking through the prisim of Aust society
Give them only 160 characters
2. Text: What is it with the underlying Xenophobia in Australia? In the majority of the western world people like D are embraced with open arms when the come ashore. The are treated with hospitality accorded to the visitor in a what which Australians never seem to do. This piece represents such an engagement – an engagement with the other so to speak, that one foreign entity that Howard managed to cleanse – as much as he would have liked to remove others, the deficit was it, the focal point. Hence, a return to the past is a re-welcoming of the deficit, someone who wasn’t allowed on the mateship express but was instead thrown overboard.
Deficit returns to find that while bought back in by the relatives it is all alone, not wanting to be owned, not getting that self-esteem boost that one generally thinks of when you are making roads, schools and hospitals. So anti-deficits are called for a war on this immigrant in the name of the land… a war on the poor little guy who was asked back after being banished but left to flounder…
[This is a nice take on it. Close, but not quite close enough Batman!]
FD, I have recovered my disappointment at your failure to select The Death of Capitalism.
No matter. In the interests of solidarity may I submit that your covering note not use up its allotment of words. Also, it’s a cartoon not a literary work of post-modern existential magic-realist cultural materialism. (Or is it?). Whatever.
I think simple and brief is good. Therefore:
“Here is my entry in the Cartoon category. I think it speaks for itself. If you struggle to comprehend it, perhaps you are not fit for judging. But I am happy to answer your questions if you are receiving mixed messages. Good luck.”
[Death to Capitalism would have been a serious contender, however it uses the word "Fucktard". I do at least need to look like I am trying to win. So insulting the judges (all of whom will be respected cartoonists I should add) might not work either.]
IIRC (given you don’t expect to win) it’s traditional to mention the constitution, Mabo and the vibe.
Seriously – there’s a splash of whimsy there with a good little gag at the end, and it’s hard to see how an explanation of why you think it’s ace will improve the cartoon’s chances – I’d chuck in a brief cover note* simply saying this is what I drew, it received a good response, hope you like. Good luck.
*Unless the 400 words makes up a condition of entry – re-reading your opening line “A Walkley entry requires a 400 word “accompanying statement”, which is not a requirement” is a little confusing.
[You make a valid point]
“No one ever threw my bag on top of the bike shed, however Charlie Watts hit me on the legs really hard with a stick when I was in second grade. I was terrified for the entire time at Primary School. I thought this cartoon was hilarious when I drew it. Also poignant and terrible.”
This cartoon deals with a very significant social issue in a way which is both subtle and serious. Treating the deficit, which is an enormous social issue, as an insignificant bullied child belies the seriousness of the issue. At some stage we have all been bullied in our lives and we can all empathise with this poor little character, which may in the future have its revenge.
Treating the deficit (which is a very powerful force) is a bullied child is very satirical which is the essence of good humour. The subtlety of Wayne Swan (aka white swan cartoon character) showing the “Deficit” to its position between interest rates and inflation further adds to the satirical tension.
The deficit as a lonely child in the playground at lunchtime underscores the general rejection of the economic deficit notwithstanding the perceived economic benefits flowing from his activity.
The final panel where the deficit is ridiculed further exacerbates this tension leading to the final sting in the tail where the Deficit “vows that some day we will all pay”.
This truism combined with the empathy one feels for the bullied child is a very powerful mixed metaphor which completes the message leaving one with a complex set of feelings in relation to our powerlessness in the face of adversity.
This message could not have been delivered without the very absurd depiction of real life issues with colourful and comic animal figures which appeal to the child in us all whilst delivering a very powerful message.
One cannot reflect on this cartoon is without having mixed feelings, having such a serious issue presented in such a simple and almost childlike representation, but containing very powerful messages reflecting on both the political process and the economic crisis in which we find ourselves.
[Ooh! This is the closest one yet!]
I liked Greg Angelo’s comments too, but will add some of my own in the hope that it’s all helpful (but I do think it’s a bit unfair that you have to argue your case – surely the cartoon should stand on its own?):
On a national scale, a deficit is a complex economic mechanism. However, after a decade of government surpluses, it is easier for those into political point scoring to argue surplus = good / deficit = bad. It is an effective way to argue because the simplicity is attractive to those who are not up with economic complexity (and who really is???). On an individual level nobody wants to be in debt, so why should we want our government to be in debt? Therefore, a government that goes into debt must be bad. The cartoon is a play on this simplicity.
Set in a primary schoolroom, it’s about childish name-calling and childish cruelty. It is a play on the commonly held notion that politics is just plain childish – that it is much easier to call the person you don’t like names rather than debate the issues.
The cartoon’s pay-off is the last line: “The Deficit vows that someday we will all pay”. Childish cruelty can cut to the bone, and often people subjected to it grow up disturbed and vengeful, or just plain dysfunctional and dependant on welfare. This is juxtaposed with the fact that we, as taxpayers, will indeed have to pay off the deficit. And maybe we will also have to pay for the lack of complex debate that only leads to a lack of understanding about important issues.
Oh FFS FD.
Enough of all this intellectual wordplay.
Just a simple note will do.
Dear judges,
Your hoodies are in the mail.
Signed Jasper.
[Not useful but funny. Perhaps a bookmark, perhaps]
I think this cartoon is in trouble. The prudes are ascendant, with Keven Rudd the self-appointed chief patron. The judges will be wary of choosing a cartoon where none of the characters are wearing pants. [I know, no help at all]
[No bookmark for YOU!]
Sigh!!! OK, a real suggestion this time.
The sheer absurdity of “visual” artists, having to plead for their work in words is obviously insane.
So hit them with a bit of “lateral creativity”.
Instead of 400 words……Explain it with another cartoon!!!
Hopefully, if they’ve got more than half a brain left. They’ll be laughing so hard, they’ll give you the prize just to stop the pain in their sides.
[I think that is against the rules, and while I am a rebel and a loner I am also shallow and frightened. And it's not really pleading for the work, it is kind of a supporting statement - an opportunity to contextualise the work. It is also probably less for the cartoons and more for illustration, photography, news stories and so on]
Anyway, I have entered so thanks to everyone who posted. If I win you can all have a pair of Jasper and Abigail socks. If I get nominated you can all have a bookmark.
So bookmarks to…. thewetmale, juzzy, our man in canberra, greg angelo, anthony thomas and paddy. I think I used ideas from these posts. I think I did. Email me your addresses and when they are printed I will send you one. Also, tagalongtess who will sulk otherwise.
Damn, FD, I am so sorry I missed this plea for help. Not that I could have come up with anything superior to some of the above suggestions. But I feel that a little bit about the art of a cartoonist wouldn’t have gone astray. Bring into play such themes as existentialism, post-modernism and the implacable dictates of political inter-feed. However, I digress.
I wish you all the best in your endeavour.
Paddy, I totally agree with you. In my other existence as a photographer I was constantly being expected to ‘explain my-self’, it’s the same for anyone in photography, I’m not pleading ‘I’m being picked on”.
At one stage I was submitting work to overseas magazines and two or more times was told that my writing was better than my photography. And that my friend is like an eye-surgeon being told he would have made a great oncologist.
It’s slights like these which make loners lonely introverts. Speaking personally of course.
In the category of “Package this up and mail it to yesterday, attention someone who cares”:
The meteoric rise of Firstdogonthemoon to one of this country’s foremost cartoon journalists stems from his unique melding of 21st century technology and child-like imagery, to capture post-modern Warholian obsessions with fame, trivia and black humour which mask a deep-seated unease with the plight of “the other” and “the future, going forward”. This cartoon captures those themes of dissociation and unease in the character of the Deficit, a stereotypical bullied New Kid who evokes a sense of pity and an underlying fear of a Columbine-style reckoning: not just economically, but perhaps also impending ecological collapse, floods of refugees and the end of the world as we know it.
Or was that just me?
On my first day of school Mum and dad moved. No, really. FD did you wrestle with using this cartoon for the deficit when it would have equally fitted Rudd.
What’s a mecha?
It’s funny and clever and that’s why it should win.
“Bye, mum, bye.”
Also heart-rending.
“Is Dog. Is Good.”
Good luck FD.