Here's the scoop on the new actor to replace Steve. He is being replaced with a guy they are going to call Joe. He is going to be introduced as Steve's brother. The comment from Steve about leaving was something like "I didn't want to become Crusty the Clown in front of all of America." He also added that kids will like the new guy because he is better than Steve.

More to come.

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Here is the want ad I found a very long time ago (circa 1996!!!) I erased the employer because I don't know if they are still looking for personnel to fill these positions.

We are currently looking to fill a few positions at our production, Blues
Clues, at Nickelodeon, in New York.  Blue's Clues is a half-hour long 
computer animated pre-school program. The style of the show is cut-out, 
with a live actor composited with animation.  The entire production is run 
on Macintoshes, using Photoshop, After Effects, and Media 100, among others.
The positions are as follows:

ANIMATORS

-a working knowledge of ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS
-traditional animation background a definite plus
-animating elements created in PHOTOSHOP; working knowledge of photoshop a
plus
-layering of many different levels of animation
-embrace the simple preschool aesthetic
-able to troubleshoot and problem solve rendering and technical issues as
well as work with creative and research team

ELEMENT ARTIST

-mastery of PHOTOSHOP a must
-simple, cut-out, organic aesthetic
-comfortable with lighting and camera work; will input 2D and 3D objects
through Media 100 and scanner to manipulate, retouch, and composite
-create entire backgrounds and characters for animation
-layout of scenes; prep for animation
-knowledge of video production and animation a plus

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT

-knowledge of Macintosh hardware and software
-interest/experience in desktop video and animation
-team player and trouble-shooter

ANIMATION ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

-Mac saavy; animation experience a plus
-assistant to animation coordinator
-detail-oriented; will help organize, track, and support animation and
element art department

Please send resume, reels, samples of work, etc., to:

(Employer erased)

Have you ever wondered why Steve always wears the same clothes ever week? I have three theories. One, it helps young children feel secure in that Steve looks the same every week and does not change. Two, if you look closely they reuse some scenes every week and thus cuts down on expensive computer editing (Steve would look funny if he changed clothes at least six times in a program). Three, and this is straight from a video production person, he's superimposed over the cartoon background in a process called "chroma key." The artists evidently know that the muted green and khaki that he wears won't bleed or confuse the chroma key background. It's the same process used by weather forecasters as they stand in front of a satellite screen.

In one of the shows we were shown that Steve has a closet full of the same outfit. Maybe thats why ;)

Page last updated on August 19, 2001.

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