ZAGORO MOJA
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Hrvoje Bubić; SARA FRAZETTA INTERVIEW
Hrvoje Bubić
Sara Franzetta je unuka čuvenog ilustratora Franka Franzette. Za SolinLive govori o sebi, svom djedu, kao i o njegovoj ostavštini
1. First, could you introduce yourself to our readers and say something about yourself?
I’m Sara Frazetta, Frank Frazetta’s granddaughter. A few years after my grandfather passed away my mom and I cofounded Frazetta Girls to honor his legacy. In 2017, my life partner, Joe Weber, joined me and brought his vision to take our brand to new levels. It’s been amazing working with Joe. On a personal note, I’m someone who simply loves to create. Whether it’s getting lost in my sketches, writing, dancing, acting, or creating short films – these are the things that fill my days. I’m far from disciplined in any one of these arts, but being creative is where I feel most at home. Like my grandfather, I love music, films, being active and being in nature. I live with two precious, human-like German Shepherds, Bruce and Theo and my beautiful partner, Joe, in Sarasota, Florida. I’m incredibly grateful for my life.
2. Your grandfather is Frank Frazetta, so please tell us something about him.
Reflecting on my grandfather, I realize I could talk about him forever, and it would never be enough. Every story I share about him feels like keeping a piece of him alive. He was such a magnetic person, completely present in every moment, radiating creativity! He had this beautiful way of seeing me for who I am. He was a cornerstone in my life, guiding me towards the arts. I miss those moments with him. He had this incredible energy, a kind that you don’t come across often. He was a once in a lifetime kind of human being. I miss him. The world misses him.
3. F. Frazetta showed talent in drawing from an early age. Could you tell us, as an artist, who were his greatest influences and role models?
Growing up, I heard stories about how my grandpa’s love for comics and art began in his childhood. He loved the works of Milton Caniff, Hal Foster, Joseph Clement Coll, and J. Allen St John. Caniff’s panels in “Terry and the Pirates” and “Steve Canyon,” Foster’s “Tarzan” and “Prince Valiant,” St John’s paintings and Coll’s pen-and-ink work – they laid the foundation for Frazetta. But it wasn’t just these artists who influenced him. His friends Roy Krenkel and Al Williamson were mentors and guides when my grandpa first ventured into the world of professional illustration.
4. Together with your mother Holly, you founded Frazetta Girls, a company dedicated to preserving the heritage of F. Frazetta. Please tell us about Frazetta Girls.
Back in 2013, a couple of years after we lost Grandpa, my mom came to me with an idea. She wondered if I’d be interested in starting a business to honor my grandfather’s legacy. I was immediately on board – how could I not be? We began humbly, starting small, and it wasn’t until much later that this small tribute blossomed into a real business venture
5. Death Dealer, Vampirella, and Ice & Fire are comic series based on the works of F. Frazette, in collaboration with Glen Danzig, Leonardo Manco, and Bill Willingham. Tell us how the collaboration came about, as well as the idea for the comic series.
When we started our brand, one of our key aspirations was to explore areas that my grandparents wished to but couldn’t. Storytelling was one such avenue. They loved the outcome of the ‘Fire and Ice’ film, but always felt it was held back by budget constraints, particularly in character and world development. So, we thought, why not create a prequel comic series to fill in those gaps? We were certain that Bill Willingham, known for his incredible work on ‘Fables’ for DC, was the perfect writer for this series. And here we are, just two issues in, but already so excited for fans to experience all six. Bill’s work is nothing short of remarkable. Then there’s Leonardo Manco, our artist, who’s nothing less than a wizard. His artwork is taking a bit longer, but that’s exactly how we want it. We’re keen on keeping him on board to bring our vision to life just as we imagined, and he’s doing just that.
6.F. Frazetta is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, whose works sell for a million dollars at auctions. I was wondering what is your opinion about the legacy of F. Frazetta?
I’ve grown up witnessing firsthand the impact my grandfather has had on the world of art. His legacy is not just in the artwork he created, but in the way he revolutionized fantasy and science fiction illustration. His work is the gold standard in the genre. I see his style and ethos in modern movies, video games, table top games, graphic novels etc. His influence is a testament to how ahead of his time he was and how his vision continues to resonate with people across the globe.
7. Last, what are your future projects? What would you recommend to our readers?
Oh boy, do we have an array of projects on the horizon! I’m so grateful for each of our collaborations with the owners of the intellectual properties that Frank Frazetta brought to life with his art. It’s been our mission to work hand-in-hand with these IP owners, creating official collaborations that Frazetta’s fans love. Building these partnerships has been a dream come true for us. We’re going to share some big news in the first week of 2024 regarding a collaboration!Additionally, we’re looking forward to expanding our Frazetta Icon Collectibles line, along with a few more surprises we’ve been working on – announcements coming early 2024! This is just the beginning for our brand. We will continue to hold onto that promise – to keep reaching higher, to keep the legacy alive! We’re reminded every day that in the world of creativity, there’s no ceiling – only endless possibilities – especially with the artworks of Frank Frazetta
HRVATSKI PRIJEVOD
1. Za početak, možete li nam se predstaviti našim čitateljima i reći nešto o sebi?
Ja sam Sara Frazetta, unuka Franka Frazetta. Nekoliko godina nakon što je moj djed preminuo, mama i ja smo osnovali Frazetta Girls u čast njegove ostavštine. Godine 2017. moj životni partner, Joe Weber, pridružio mi se i donio svoju viziju podizanja našeg brenda na novu razinu. Bilo je nevjerojatno raditi s Joeom. Osobno, ja sam netko tko jednostavno voli stvarati. Bilo da se gubim u svojim skicama, pišem, plešem, glumim ili stvaram kratke filmove – to su stvari koje ispunjavaju moje dane. Daleko sam od discipliniranosti u bilo kojoj od ovih umjetnosti, ali kreativnost je ono u čemu se osjećam kao kod kuće. Kao i moj djed, volim glazbu, filmove, aktivnost i boravak u prirodi. Živim s dva dragocjena, čovjekolika njemačka ovčara, Bruceom i Theom i mojim prekrasnim partnerom, Joeom, u Sarasoti na Floridi. Nevjerojatno sam zahvalan za svoj život.
2. Vaš djed je Frank Frazetta, pa nam recite nešto o njemu.
Razmišljajući o svom djedu, shvaćam da bih o njemu mogao pričati zauvijek, i nikad ne bi bilo dovoljno. Svaka priča koju podijelim o njemu kao da održavam dio njega na životu. Bio je tako magnetična osoba, potpuno prisutan u svakom trenutku, zračio je kreativnošću! Imao je prekrasan način da me vidi onakvu kakva jesam. On je bio kamen temeljac u mom životu, usmjeravajući me prema umjetnosti. Nedostaju mi ti trenuci s njim. Imao je nevjerojatnu energiju, kakvu ne srećete često. Bio je ljudsko biće koje se događa samo jednom u životu. Nedostaje mi. Svijetu nedostaje.
3. F. Frazetta je od malih nogu pokazivao talent za crtanje. Možete li nam, kao umjetniku, reći koji su bili njegovi najveći utjecaji, uzori i utjecaji?
Dok sam odrastala, slušala sam priče o tome kako je ljubav mog djeda prema stripovima i umjetnosti počela u njegovom djetinjstvu. Volio je djela Miltona Caniffa, Hala Fostera, Josepha Clementa Colla i J. Allena St Johna. Caniffove ploče u “Terry i gusari” i “Steve Canyon,” Fosterov “Tarzan” i “Princ Valiant,” slike Svetog Ivana i Collov rad perom i tušem – postavili su temelj za Frazettu. Ali nisu samo ti umjetnici utjecali na njega. Njegovi prijatelji Roy Krenkel i Al Williamson bili su mentori i vodiči kad je moj djed prvi put krenuo u svijet profesionalne ilustracije.
4. Zajedno s majkom Holly osnovali ste Frazetta Girls, tvrtku posvećenu očuvanju baštine F. Frazetta. Recite nam nešto o Frazetta Girls.
Godine 2013., nekoliko godina nakon što smo izgubili djeda, mama mi je došla s idejom. Pitala se bih li bio zainteresiran za pokretanje posla u čast djedove ostavštine. Odmah sam bio uključen – kako ne bih bio? Počeli smo skromno, počevši od malih nogu, a tek mnogo kasnije ovo malo priznanje preraslo je u pravi poslovni pothvat
5. Death Dealer, Vampirella i Ice & Fire su strip serije temeljene na djelima F. Frazette, u suradnji s Glenom Danzigom, Leonardom Mancom i Billom Willinghamom. Recite nam kako je došlo do suradnje, kao i ideje za strip serijal.
Kad smo pokrenuli naš brend, jedna od naših ključnih težnji bila je istražiti područja koja su moji baka i djed željeli, ali nisu mogli. Pripovijedanje je bio jedan takav put. Svidio im se ishod filma ‘Ice & Fire’, ali su uvijek smatrali da ga koče proračunska ograničenja, osobito u pogledu likova i razvoja svijeta. Dakle, pomislili smo, zašto ne bismo napravili prequel strip seriju da popunimo te praznine? Bili smo sigurni da je Bill Willingham, poznat po svom nevjerojatnom radu na ‘Fables’ za DC, savršen pisac za ovu seriju. I evo nas, tek dva izdanja, ali smo već toliko uzbuđeni da obožavatelji dožive svih šest. Billov rad nije ništa manje nego izvanredan. Tu je i Leonardo Manco, naš umjetnik, koji je ni manje ni više nego čarobnjak. Njegov rad traje malo duže, ali to je upravo ono što želimo. Želja nam je da ga zadržimo na brodu kako bismo našu viziju oživjeli baš onako kako smo zamislili, a on upravo to i čini.
6. F. Frazetta se smatra jednim od najutjecajnijih umjetnika 20. stoljeća, čija se djela na aukcijama prodaju za milijun dolara, pa me zanima kakvo je vaše mišljenje o ostavštini F. Frazetta?
Odrastao sam iz prve ruke svjedočio utjecaju koji je moj djed imao na svijet umjetnosti. Njegovo nasljeđe nije samo u umjetničkim djelima koje je stvorio, već iu načinu na koji je revolucionarizirao ilustraciju fantazije i znanstvene fantastike. Njegov rad je zlatni standard u žanru. Vidim njegov stil i etos u modernim filmovima, video igrama, stolnim igrama, grafičkim romanima itd. Njegov utjecaj svjedoči koliko je bio ispred svog vremena i kako njegova vizija nastavlja odjekivati među ljudima diljem svijeta.
7. Za kraj, koji su Vaši budući projekti? Što biste preporučili našim čitateljima?
Bože, imamo li niz projekata na vidiku! Jako sam zahvalna za svaku našu suradnju s vlasnicima intelektualnog vlasništva koje je Frank Frazetta oživio svojom umjetnošću. Naša je misija bila raditi ruku pod ruku s ovim vlasnicima IP-a, stvarajući službene suradnje koje obožavatelji Frazette vole. Izgradnja ovih partnerstava za nas je ostvarenje sna. Podijelit ćemo neke velike vijesti u prvom tjednu 2024. u vezi sa suradnjom! Osim toga, veselimo se proširenju naše linije Frazetta Icon Collectibles, zajedno s još nekoliko iznenađenja na kojima smo radili – najave dolaze ranije 2024! Ovo je tek početak za naš brend. Nastavit ćemo se držati tog obećanja – nastaviti dosezati više, održati nasljeđe živim! Svaki dan se podsjećamo da u svijetu kreativnosti nema stropa – samo beskrajne mogućnosti – posebno s umjetničkim djelima Franka Frazetta
