André Roche
Encyclopedia
André Roche, born in 1952 in France, is an artist, an illustrator and an author of comics and children's books.
. He began his career in Germany, working in various establishments in order to perfect his knowledge of German. In 1971, he decided to settle in Bavaria
while working at the prestigious Tantris
restaurant in Munich.
At this time, he was able to realize a childhood dream, learning to do film animation (animation, claymation and stop-motion) at studios located in Munich
. In 1975, he went on his own, free-lancing for publishing houses and advertising agencies.
As an artist and illustrator, with the help of a team of writers and artists, he created and drew about 160 comic stories and also did merchandising artwork for "Maya the Bee
", then others for "Wonderful Adventures of Nils
", "Taotao
", "Tom and Jerry
", "Alice In Wonderland
", "Vicky the Viking
", "Heidi
", "Mickey Mouse
", "Donald Duck
", and the "Pink Panther". For his ability to create new characters perfectly in line with the style of a series, Medien Bulletin 9/89 (Kellerer & Partners publisher) named him "best adapter of licensed characters in Germany".
In the late 70’s, he was a pioneer in the use of air-brush techniques for cartoon and animated characters and their backgrounds. This approach gave them a three-dimensional look that only became common decades later with the introduction of computer colorisation and the construction and use of avatars in 3D modeling
programs.
At the same time, he did cover art, illustrations and caricatures for various magazines such as "Das Rechtsmagazin" (legal), "Das Industriemagazin" (industry), and "Die Funkschau" (electronics), later also for "AV-Invest" (electronic equipments), which later became "AV-LIVE".
As a founding member (1981) of The German Association for Comics "ICOM", André Roche belonged to a small group of artists who, in 1984, succeeded in convincing the culture office of the town of Erlangen
that it would be a good idea to have a comic show there. This show is now held every two years.
In 1983, André Roche began creating small three dimensional characters to put in the chocolate eggs called "Kinder Surprise", manufactured by the Ferrero company
. The first ones he did were to expand the "Happy Frogs" (1986) and "Tapsy Turtles" (1987) series. He also drew the model sheets and the puzzles for the licensed series "Taotao" (="Pandi-Panda"), Pumuckl
, Disney's version of the Jungle Book characters, Maya the Bee
, Donald Duck
, the Smurfs, the Aristocats, and Mickey Mouse
.
In 1987, he created, for Ferrero, the characters "Happy Hippos", which over the years came back as "The Fitness Hippos", "The Happy Hippos' Dream Cruise", "The Happy Hippo’s Enterprise", "The Happy Hippos Get Married", "The Happy Hippos Hollywood Stars", "The Hipperium" (a send-up of the Star Wars
Trilogy authorized by George Lucas
), "The Happy Hippo Talent Show". The popularity of the "Happy Hippos" characters led Ferrero in 1993 to put new products on the market: the "Kinder Happy Hippo
Snack" and the "Kinder Happy Hippo Cacao".
More André Roche creations followed, such as "The Crazy Crocos", "The Funny Pingos", "The Tiny Turtles", "The Drolly Dinos", "The Elephantos", "The Bingo Birds", (crows playing tennis) and the "Eco Bunnies" (skiing rabbits). These series had different names from country to country. Several of them were also used in ad campaigns for other Ferrero products. André Roche directed and did the animation of the most animated cartoon TV spots used in German language markets.
Biography
André Roche received a Bachelor’s degree of Tourism, Hotel Administration and Culinary Arts (= "BTH") from the Lycée Hôtelier Alexandre Dumas in StrasbourgStrasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
. He began his career in Germany, working in various establishments in order to perfect his knowledge of German. In 1971, he decided to settle in Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
while working at the prestigious Tantris
Tantris
Tantris is a restaurant in Munich, Germany. Opened in 1971, it is regarded as one of the best restaurants in Germany. It was voted 44th best in the world in the Restaurant Top 50 2009. Chefs have included Eckart Witzigmann and Heinz Winkler. Since 1991, the chef has been Hans Haas.-External...
restaurant in Munich.
At this time, he was able to realize a childhood dream, learning to do film animation (animation, claymation and stop-motion) at studios located in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. In 1975, he went on his own, free-lancing for publishing houses and advertising agencies.
As an artist and illustrator, with the help of a team of writers and artists, he created and drew about 160 comic stories and also did merchandising artwork for "Maya the Bee
Maya the Bee (TV series)
is an anime television series produced by Nippon Animation Company in Japan. The series consisted of 55 episodes and was originally telecast across Japan from April 1975 to April 1976 on the TV Asahi network...
", then others for "Wonderful Adventures of Nils
Nils no Fushigi na Tabi
is an anime adaptation of the novel The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by the Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf. The 52 episode series ran on the Japanese network NHK from January 1980 to March 1981. The series was the very first production by Studio Pierrot...
", "Taotao
Taotao (anime)
is an anime series aired for 26 episodes on TV Osaka from October 7, 1983 through March 30, 1984. A second series with the same title was aired from October 9, 1984 through April 9, 1985...
", "Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry are the cat and mouse cartoon characters that were evolved starting in 1939.Tom and Jerry also may refer to:Cartoon works featuring the cat and mouse so named:* The Tom and Jerry Show...
", "Alice In Wonderland
Fushigi no Kuni no Alice
is an anime adaptation of the novel Alice in Wonderland which ran on the Japanese network NHK from March 26, 1983 to October 10, 1984. The series was a Japanese-German coproduction between Nippon Animation and Apollo Films...
", "Vicky the Viking
Vicky the Viking
Vicky the Viking, known as in Germany and Austria and in Japan, is an Austrian-German-Japanese cartoon series which tells the adventures of Vicky, a young Viking boy who uses his wits to help his Viking fellows...
", "Heidi
Heidi
Heidi is a Swiss work of fiction, published in two parts as Heidi's years of learning and travel and Heidi makes use of what she has learned.It is a novel about the events in the life of a young girl in her grandfather's care, in the Swiss Alps...
", "Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
", "Donald Duck
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie. Donald is most...
", and the "Pink Panther". For his ability to create new characters perfectly in line with the style of a series, Medien Bulletin 9/89 (Kellerer & Partners publisher) named him "best adapter of licensed characters in Germany".
In the late 70’s, he was a pioneer in the use of air-brush techniques for cartoon and animated characters and their backgrounds. This approach gave them a three-dimensional look that only became common decades later with the introduction of computer colorisation and the construction and use of avatars in 3D modeling
3D modeling
In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model...
programs.
At the same time, he did cover art, illustrations and caricatures for various magazines such as "Das Rechtsmagazin" (legal), "Das Industriemagazin" (industry), and "Die Funkschau" (electronics), later also for "AV-Invest" (electronic equipments), which later became "AV-LIVE".
As a founding member (1981) of The German Association for Comics "ICOM", André Roche belonged to a small group of artists who, in 1984, succeeded in convincing the culture office of the town of Erlangen
Erlangen
Erlangen is a Middle Franconian city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located at the confluence of the river Regnitz and its large tributary, the Untere Schwabach.Erlangen has more than 100,000 inhabitants....
that it would be a good idea to have a comic show there. This show is now held every two years.
In 1983, André Roche began creating small three dimensional characters to put in the chocolate eggs called "Kinder Surprise", manufactured by the Ferrero company
Ferrero SpA
Ferrero SpA is an Italian manufacturer of chocolate and other confectionery products, founded by confectioner Pietro Ferrero in 1946 and based in Alba, Piedmont, Italy. The company achieved success headed by Pietro's son Michele Ferrero, then Michele's son Pietro , who oversaw global business...
. The first ones he did were to expand the "Happy Frogs" (1986) and "Tapsy Turtles" (1987) series. He also drew the model sheets and the puzzles for the licensed series "Taotao" (="Pandi-Panda"), Pumuckl
Pumuckl
Pumuckl is a Kobold from a German radio play series for children. He is a descendant of the Klabautermänner.He is invisible to people around him except for the master carpenter Eder with whom Pumuckl lives....
, Disney's version of the Jungle Book characters, Maya the Bee
Maya the Bee (TV series)
is an anime television series produced by Nippon Animation Company in Japan. The series consisted of 55 episodes and was originally telecast across Japan from April 1975 to April 1976 on the TV Asahi network...
, Donald Duck
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie. Donald is most...
, the Smurfs, the Aristocats, and Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
.
In 1987, he created, for Ferrero, the characters "Happy Hippos", which over the years came back as "The Fitness Hippos", "The Happy Hippos' Dream Cruise", "The Happy Hippo’s Enterprise", "The Happy Hippos Get Married", "The Happy Hippos Hollywood Stars", "The Hipperium" (a send-up of the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
Trilogy authorized by George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
), "The Happy Hippo Talent Show". The popularity of the "Happy Hippos" characters led Ferrero in 1993 to put new products on the market: the "Kinder Happy Hippo
Kinder Happy Hippo
Kinder Happy Hippo is a cookie/candy made by Ferrero SpA, the same company that makes Nutella, Kinder Surprise and Tic Tacs, among other candies.- Taste :...
Snack" and the "Kinder Happy Hippo Cacao".
More André Roche creations followed, such as "The Crazy Crocos", "The Funny Pingos", "The Tiny Turtles", "The Drolly Dinos", "The Elephantos", "The Bingo Birds", (crows playing tennis) and the "Eco Bunnies" (skiing rabbits). These series had different names from country to country. Several of them were also used in ad campaigns for other Ferrero products. André Roche directed and did the animation of the most animated cartoon TV spots used in German language markets.
Sources
- Die Biene Maja (= Maya the Bee) (ISBN 38762408667) 1976 ZuijoEizo/Apollo Film, Pestalozzi Verlag, publisher
- Das neue Biene Maja Buch (= The new Maya The Bee Book) (ISBN 3876241235) 1978 Zuijo Eizo/Apollo Film, Pestalozzi Verlag, publisher
- "Die Biene Maja und die Maus" (= Maya The Bee And The Mouse) (ISBN 3876242266) 1979 Zuijo Eizo/Apollo Film, Pestalozzi Verlag, publisher
- "Nils Holgersson" 1981 (cover) (ISBN 3812281031) Merchandising, Munich, Unipart Verlag, publisher
- "Art Directors' Index to Illustration, Graphics & Design", No. 4, 1983 RotoVision SA/Ch-1211 Genf
- "Heut' kommt Micky zu Besuch!" (= “Mickey Comes To Visit Us Today”) 1983 (ISBN 3876246776) Disney, Pestalozzi Verlag, publisher
- "Who's Who in München” 1983 (ISBN 3921220483 LN) / The international red series Verlag / Zurich
- “The Creative Index Austria/Germany/Switzerland" 1993 RotoVision SA / CH-1295 Mies
- "Donalds Ducks Abenteuer auf dem Bauernhof" (= "The Adventures of Donald Duck on the Farm") 1984 (ISBN 38762247039) Disney, Pestalozzi Verlag, publisher
- "ICOM-INFO 23" (1984) (House organ of The German Comics Association "ICOM")
- "Creative City Scene München" 1992 Roto Vision SA/CH-1295 Mies
- "Die Kunst der Comics" (= "The Art of The Comics") (ISBN 3551028184) 1985 Aleph Publishing / D-8551 Heroldsbach
- "Kinder Überraschung / Bunter Sammelspass aus dem Ei" (= "Kinder Surprise / Colorful Fun From The Egg") (see page 42) (ISBN 3806814996) 1994 Falken-Verlag, Niedernhausen / Germany.
- "Das gelbe vom Ei" (= literally The Yellow of the Egg, a German play on words meaning "The Quintessence") of Holger Jenrich (ISBN 9783431037142) 2007 Lübbe/Bergisch Gladbach Publishing Group (read pages 23 to 28)
- SU-Katalog "Spielzeug aus dem Ei" (= Toy Out Of The Egg) / Publisher: Fantasia Verlag, Dreieich (Germany). This catalogue appears yearly (for example, the ISBN for 2008/2009 is 3935976510) and has text in German, English, Italian and French.
- "O-Ei-A – Preisführer" (= O-Ei-A-Price List) for example, the ISBN for the 2003/2004 issue is 3933863201 and has text in German, English, Italian and French.
- "Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace" (="DNA") No.192 "DNA reflets" of 15 March 2008 / Easter Special / page 11.
- "Mystères et boules de glace" (ISBN 978-2-35127-012-7) 2008 Cosmogone Editions / This book (in French) explains to children where the taste of icecreams comes from.