A special screening of short films by Japanese manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion) and an international focus on the work of top Czech animators are part of this year’s exciting lineup of the Ottawa International Festival.The 2010 edition, which takes place October 20-24, will also include a showcase of toons about furniture (including PES’ classic Roof Sex and Segundo de Chomon’s El Hotel Electrico), a round-up of the best work by Winnipeg animators, a special showcase of shorts created by women about women titled “XX in Animation” and “Let’s Go Crazy,” a wonderful collection of shorts about going crazy curated by Karl Cohen.
This year’s OIAF Signal Film is created by well-regarded design and animation studio J.J. Sedelmaier Productions (Schoolhouse Rock, Saturday TV Funhouse). The festival’s colorful poster is designed by Ottawa artist Andrea Stokes.
The deadline for submissions to the festival is June 1st. There are plenty of categories and no entry fee! For more info, visit www.animationfestival.ca
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Academy Exhibit Covers Career, Creations of Ray Harryhausen
“The Fantastical Worlds of Ray Harryhausen,” a summer retrospective exhibition focusing on the careers of the visual effects pioneer, opens May 14 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.The free exhibition, which will be shown in the fourth-floor gallery at the Academy’s Beverly Hills building, w
ill feature original models, drawings, storyboards and behind-the-scenes photographs demonstrating Harryhausen’s effects work.Harryhausen’s credits include It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955), Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956), The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Jason and the Argonauts (1963), The 3 Worlds of Gulliver (1960), One Million Years B.C. (1966) and Clash of the Titans (1981).
The Academy’s galleries are located at 8949 Wilshire Blvd., and are open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends from noon to 6 p.m. The galleries will be closed for the Memorial Day (May 29 and 30) and Independence Day (July 3 and 4) holiday weekends.
For more information call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
CTN Expo Programming Now Online; 2010 Dates Set
The CTN Animation Expo made its debut in November, attracting more than 2,800 attendees from all over the world to three days of animation heaven in Burbank.Now, for those those were unable to attend that inaugural event, the best of the educational programs, panels, demonstrations and technology showcases are now available online.
Highlights include:
• “The Pioneer Series: Those Who Paved The Way” with Legendary Award Winning creatives Don Bluth and Gary Goldman. http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/the-pioneers-don-bluth-gary-goldman/
• “Spotlight Interview with American Comic Artist and creator of Hellboy Mike Mignola” moderated by award winning Walt Disney Animation Studios Producer/Director Don Hahn. http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/mike-mignola/
• “The History of the Maquette.” A casual round table discussion moderated by master sculptor Kent Melton with the six sculptors who’s work has contributed to the success of films from Blue Sky Animation Studios, Laika, Walt Disney Animation and Dreamworks focusing on the both the history and future of the Maquette as it relates to the making of an animated film. http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/the-history-of-the-maquette/
• Plus more than 50 live presentations from industry leaders whose contributions can be seen in some of the highest grossing films in this history of animation being released weekly.
This will give you a taste of what you’ll find when CTN’s Animation Expo returns Nov. 19-22 at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center, located directly across from the Burbank Airport and Amtrak station. Tickets are available starting at $40, with discounts offered to students, active military members, and professional industry organizations. For more information, visit www.ctnanimationexpo.com.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Batman DVD Goes Under the Red Hood
Warner Premiere will debut the most recent DC Universe animated original DVD feature, Batman: Under the Red Hood, on July 27.The feature is based on a 2005 run in DC Comics’ Batman series by writer Judd Winick and artist Doug Mahnke, with Winick adapting his own story for the feature.
The film, directed by Brandon Vietti and executive produced by Bruce Timm, will feature in the voice cast Bruce Greenwood as Batman, Jensen Ackles as Red Hood, Neil Patrick Harris as Nightwing, Joe DiMaggio as the Joker and Jason Issacs as Ra’s al Ghul.
Here’s a sneak peek at the feature:
The feature will be released in three formats: a special edition Blu-ray ($29.99), a special-edition two-disc DVD ($24.98), and a single-disc DVD ($19.98).
The DVD and Blu-ray special editions also will include the second DC Showcase animated short, this time featuring Jonah Hex, soon to star in a live-action feature film. The Hex short is written by Joe Lansdale and features the voices of Thomas Jane, Linda Hamilton, Michelle Trachtenberg and Michael Rooker.
The special edition DVD also will include more than two hours of bonus features, including a featurette called “Robin’s Story,” an extended sneak peek at the next DC Universe animated feature, and two animated Batman episodes chosen by Bruce Timm.
The Blu-ray edition also will feature a segment titled “Death in the House of Batman,” to more Batman episodes chosen by Timm and a digital copy of the feature.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Shout! Factory Brings Marvel Knights to DVD
Marvel Animation has signed a deal to have Shout! Factory distribute the Marvel Knights Animation line of projects in the U.S. home video market.The Marvel Knights properties include Astonishing X-Men: Gifted, Black Panther, Iron Man: Extremis and Spider-Woman. These titles — originally released as digital comics or “motion comics” — are adapted directly from original comic book stories from such creators as Joss Whedon, Brian Michael Bendis, John Romita Jr., Warren Ellis, John Cassaday and Adi Granov and use the original comic book artwork to create a new animation experience.
The multiyear agreement builds on a previous deal for Shout! Factory to handle the home video distribution of Marvel’s hit animated series The Super Hero Squad.
Eric S. Rollman, president of Marvel Animation stated, “We are excited to expand our relationship with Shout! Factory to bring Marvel Knights Animation to home video. This offering brings the best of the best of our comic books to life using proprietary animation techniques, delivering a must see experience for both loyal and new fans.”
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Cartoon Network Orders More Ben 10, Generator Rex
The Cartoon Network series Ben 10: Ultimate Alien and Generator Rex debuted last week to strong ratings, prompting the network to order additional episodes of each series.The series’ premieres on April 23 were the top-rated programs on all television in their timeslots for boys ages 6-11 and boys ages 9-14, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research data.
Cartooon Network has ordered 32 more episodes of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien and 20 more episodes of Generator Rex.
Both series were created by Man of Action, which consists of Joe Casey, Joe Kelley, Duncan Rouleau, and Steven T. Seagle, and are produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, Calif.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Apple Defends Its Decision to Ban Flash
Steve Jobs is taking so much heat for his decision to ban Flash from iPads and iPhones, that he’s published a lengthy missive defending his company’s actions, along with spreading his fair share of misinformation. I’m no fan of Flash, but I’m even less a fan of what Apple is doing. And while I’m all for looking towards the future, my current iPhone doesn’t offer a “full web” experience and lacks functionality that could be easily remedied by Apple. I’m certainly not planning to plop down more money for a larger device that is similarly broken. Jason Scott may have put it most succinctly on his Twitter feed:
The fact Jobs can banish something from his platform on the basis the thing is not “open” means the platform is not open.
(Thanks Cartoon Brew)
La Main des Maîtres
Here’s an incredible four minute film - a student film - from France’s Georges Méliès School. The filmmakers are Vivien Chauvet (”Looky”), Adrien Toupet and Clément Delatre; their short, La Main des Maîtres (The Hand of the Masters), mixes an anime influence with steampunk and Art Nouveau. An English subtitled version is on You Tube, Vimeo version below has better picture quality:
La Main des Maîtres from flowmotionfox on Vimeo.
(via No Fat Clips)
(Thanks Cartoon Brew)
"Good, Bad, Ugly" screenwriter Scarpelli dies, 90
Screenwriter Furio Scarpelli, who co-wrote the classic spaghetti Western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and was nominated three times for an Oscar, died shortly after midnight Wednesday, son Matteo Scarpelli told The Associated Press. his family said. He was 90.Scarpelli had long suffered heart problems.
Late in his career, he co-wrote the 2003 cartoon feature film Opopomoz, an Italian-Spanish-French co-production.
In the Christmas-themed theatrical movie, Peppino and his son Rocco prepare a crib under the eyes of mother Mari, who awaits a Christmas Day baby. Meanwhile, three little devils are sent to Earth to convince a human being to prevent the birth of baby Jesus. Rocco, who is just such a candidate, leaves for Galilee, but thanks to the magic formula "Opopomoz," Rocco enters the awesome world of the crib.
Opopomoz was nominated for Italy's David di Donatello Award for Best Visual Effects, as well as the Silver Ribbon for Best Song by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists.
Sometimes known solely by his surname, Scarpelli was born in Rome on December 16, 1919.
For decades, Scarpelli and Age -- whose real name was Agenore Incrocci -- co-wrote some of Italy's best postwar films, which often brought a sense of humor to the screen. Their Il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) was directed by Sergio Leone and starred Clint Eastwood. Other films spotlighted such actors as Marcello Mastroianni and Vittorio Gassman.
Age died in 2005.
In 1965 and 1966, Scarpelli shared Oscar nominations for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen. These were for I compagni (1963) and Casanova '70, respectively. He shared a 1996 nomination for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for 1994's Il postino (The Postman).
Furio Scarpelli is survived by his wife and two sons. A funeral will be held Friday in Rome, his son said.
Free screening in NYC features 43 animated shorts
A special free evening featuring screenings of 43 animated shorts will be held from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 4 as part of the School of Visual Arts' 21st Annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards, taking place from May 2 to 7 in New York.
The festival culminates with an awards ceremony and gala at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6, and features a full roster of names from the world of film and animation.
All screenings take place at the SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues). All are free and open to the general public. To reply, call (212) 592-2124.
Presenters for the May 6 awards gala at the SVA Theatre include animator John D. Dilworth (producer, director and creator of the animated TV series Courage the Cowardly Dog, and SVA alumnus [BFA 1985 Animation]) the Traditional and Stop-Motion Animation Awards; and editor Stephen Rotter (Enchanted) the Editing Award. Additional presenters for the invitation-only event are to be announced.
The Dusty Awards are presented to the winning thesis students from the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at the School of Visual Arts. The award-winning films and animations are chosen from over 100 thesis students' works. The awards ceremony is part of the Dusty Film and Animation Festival, which also includes screenings of short films, videos and animations.
This year's Academy Award winners included SVA alumnus Michael Giacchino (BFA 1990 Film and Video) for Music (Original Score) for the Pixar animated film Up; Giacchino was previously nominated for his score for the animated film Ratatouille. In addition, SVA alumnus Jake Armstrong (BFA 2009 Animation) won the Best Undergraduate Award at the Ottawa International Animation Festival for his short The Terrible Thing of Alpha-9; and Chris Dimino (BFA 2002 Graphic Design), who creates animations for CBS's The Late Show with David Letterman, made a recent appearance on air with the show’s host for a graphics-driven comedy bit.
Updated event information will be available on the SVA/Dusty Web site, www.sva.edu/dusty.
Atlanta Casting Company Seeking Aisha Tyler Body Double for 'Archer'
Posted via Facebook by Extras Casting Atlanta on Wednesday, April 28 at 11:38 AM:
Quote:
We are looking for a body double for an Aisha [Tyler] type. 5'10"-5'11" African American Female model skinny ASAP for a MAJOR NETWORK CARTOON. Pay is at least $200 for the day.
Please submit pictures,age and phone number to: ECAAuditions@gmail.com Subject: Archer Model
To clarify, this is not for a motion capture or live-action project. ECA adds: "They are taking pictures and drawing them. It's...an on going thing, but it's going to pay a lot if you get it."
Those interested should submit ASAP.
Trade Ad For Upcoming "Batman: Under The Red Hood" Animated Feature Released
Warner Home Video has released an online trade ad for the upcoming direct-to-video Batman: Under the Red Hood animated feature.
Featuring more images from the upcoming animated feature, Warner Home Video has released a trade ad for the Batman: Under the Red Hood, the next installment in the popular direct-to-video DC Universe Animated Original Movie line. To view the trade ad, click on the thumbnail image below.
Click here to view the official press release, along with images and a trailer, for the upcoming Batman: Under the Red Hood direct-to-video animated feature.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Batman: Under the Red Hood animated feature debuts July 27th, 2010 on DVD and Blu-ray disc from Warner Home Video.
Hung Accelerates The Driver With Animated Teaser
Chris Hung, the creator of The Driver, claims that this teaser below is the precursor to a 2011 TV series. I can’t find any details about that, but it sure is beautifully produced.
Anka Creates A Bear Film at CalArts
I love this time of year. Student thesis films start pouring out of the top universities, like A Bear Film, by Kris Anka. Kris is a third-year student at CalArts, and he shows why his school boasts one of the top character animation programs in the world.
Calloused Behavior
The last couple of weeks, I've gotten more complaints than usual from artists about non-communication from studios regarding jobs.
Here's the back story about those gripes:
1) Signator Studios have a need for an artist or technician, and ask TAG for a list of available personnel in the category. TAG supplies list.
2) Studios (usually non-signator studios) ask us to e-mail an "Artist wanted" ad to our members. TAG complies. (We are not, strictly speaking, a hiring hall, but we strive to help.)
2) Studios get flooded with inquiries.
3) Studios look at portfolios and hand out tests to artists so they can "audition" for the job. (Tests are often days long.)
4) Artists jump through the hoops, do the tests, sit by the phone and wait.
5) Artists hear nothing.
6) Artists call TAG to complain about hearing nothing. ...
Rinse and repeat.
I understand that studios get inundated by inquiries, and that response times are sometimes slow as a result of the indundation. What I don't understand is why studios' human resource departments (or whichever departments are handling applicants) can't get back to people with a "Yes," "No" or "Maybe" before those people get gray hair and retire from the cartoon business. A few comments from the disgruntled:
"[Studio B] called me and asked to see my portfolio. I had worked there before, and brought it in. I didn't hear a word for six weeks. Finally I called. They said they had no openings, they'd all been filled. So I asked for my portfolio back. They had lost it ..."
"You drive to the studio to pick up a test, see that it's going to take a week to do, and spend five days making it as good as you can. Then you turn it in and never hear anything." ...
"I was up for a couple of jobs. Interviewed for them. They said they'd call back in ten days or less. Five weeks later they called to say they were going in another direction, but they might have an opening in two months, would I be interested? I said yes. They said they'd call back in a week. It's already been a week and a half. I'm not holding my breath. ..."
And so on.
Just to let you know, TAG objects to week-long tests. We have no problem with half-day tests, for we know that studios have to check somebody's drawing style against the work in that somebody's portfolio, since people have been known to represent others' drawings as their own.
But we have a strong philosophical aversion to artists doing week-long storyboard tests for free. Yet despite most studios' promises in contract adjustment meetings to cut tests down to more reasonable lengths, long tests continue to happen.
We also have a philosophical problem with studios who don't inform job applicants whether they've gotten the gig or not. Yes, we understand the thing about bottlenecks and the short-handed staffs, but the behavior of many studios is ... what's the right word here? ... piggish. They treat job applicants the way rock stars treat groupies. They use them, abuse them, then toss them away.
(Thanks Animation Guild Blog)
Cordell Barker Joins Canada’s NFB as Creative Consultant
Cordell Barker, the award winning animator of the short film The Cat Came Back, has joined the National Film Board of Canada as a creative consultant for its Prairie and North West centers.According to the organization, Barker will advise NFB producers on animation projects that come out of the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
“Cordell is a wonderful addition to our production team,” says the centers’ executive producer, David Christensen. “His breadth of experience will not only help the NFB but also benefit the animation community in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.”
Cordell Barker’s films with the NFB include The Cat Came Back (1988) and Strange Invaders (2001). Together, the shorts that have won more than 30 international awards and picked up two Oscar nominations. His most recent NFB film, Runaway (2009), was a prize winner at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and took the 2010 Genie Awards for Best Animation Film.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
SVA’s 21st Annual Dusty Fest and Awards Runs May 2-7
The 21st annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards, featuring more than 100 films from graduation students at New York’s School of Visual Arts, is set to kick off Sunday.The festival runs through May 7 and includes a Screenwriter’s Night on May 3, held in collaboration with The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre; Animation Night on May 4; and an awards ceremony and gala on May 6.
At the awards gala, Dusty Awards will be presented for documentary film, screenwriting, cinematography, sound, editing, directing and outstanding film. Animation achievement awards are presented for traditional, stop-motion, and outstanding design.
“We are thrilled to be marking 2010 and the 21st year of the Dustys — now recognized as one of the premiere student film festivals in the country — as we celebrate the many outstanding achievements of our emerging filmmakers and animators. It is always a delight to be showcasing and sharing their work with members of the entertainment industry, seeing the ‘magic’ made by the next generation of film and animation talent,” said Reeves Lehmann, chairman of the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at SVA.
All festival events take place at the SVA Theatre, located at 333 W. 23rd St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues.
Many events are free and open to the general public, but an RSVP is required for Screenwriters Night and the Awards Ceremony and Gala. For public inquiries regarding tickets, please call (212) 592-2124. Updated event information is available online at www.sva.edu/dusty.
The 2010 Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards are sponsored by Eastman Kodak, CAVA – SVA Computer Store, National Board of Review, New York Women In Film and Television, Act Zero Films, AJA Video Systems, Animation Magazine, Arri/CSC, Avid, Back Stage, Foto Care, Future Media Concepts, Gotham Sound, Keslow Television, Nice Shoes, Panavision and SCS Agency Inc.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Free Comic Book Day Returns on Saturday
It’s that time of year again — time for free comic books.The ninth annual event, set for Saturday, will see participating comic book shops offer a free selection of new sampler comics from various industry publishers as a way to promote the industry and bring in new readers.
Many stores use the event to host signings with comic book writers and artists.
This year’s new free comic offerings include:
• Archie's Summer Splash! #1, from Archie Comics
• Doctor Solar/Magnus, from Dark Horse Comics
• Fractured Fables, from Image Comics
• G.I. Joe #155½, from IDW Publishing
• Iron Man/Thor, from Marvel
• Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock, from Archaia
• Shrek & The Penguins, from APE Entertainment
• The John Stanley Library, from Drawn & Quarterly
• Toy Story, from Boom! Studios
• War of the Supermen #0, from DC Comics
Additional free samplers from such publishers as Bongo Comics, Del Rey, Dynamite, Oni Press, Radical Comics, Red 5 Comics and Top Shelf also will be available at select stores.
For more information on Free Comic Book Day, including a store locator to find the nearest participating comic book shop, visit www.freecomicbookday.com.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Larranaga and Kinney Open Saints LA
Saints LA, a new visual effects, design and motion graphics boutique, has announced its opening in downtown Los Angeles and a three-spot ad campaign with Kodak as its first major project.The facility will specialize in creating visuals for TV commercials, feature films, TV programs and promos, web content, video games and music videos.
Mark Larranaga and Zach Kinney founded the shop. Both have extensive experience in visual effects. “The economy has forced us to figure out more viable solutions on how to do better work, while concurrently keeping overhead down,” the duo said in a statement. “Moving into the Los Angeles downtown area has given us the ability to do that — not to mention the artistic vibe on Gallery Row, which is lots of fun. The amazing hotels and restaurants featured in this area makes our loft-style boutique even more appealing to all out of state producers and agencies.”
Mark Larranaga and Zach Kinney
Larranaga has been working in post-production since 1992 and has worked as a digital compositor and visual effects supervisor on a number of high profile movies, including 2012.
Kinney entered the visual effects and design business in 1994, working for R/Greenberg in New York. He later freelanced for such houses as EyeballNYC, Trollbäck, and Psyop. He also worked as senior design director with Click 3X and worked for more than 150 major clients.
More details on Saints LA can be found online at its website, www.saintsvfx.com.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Society Sets Previs 2010 Event for May 8
The Previsualization Society has announced May 8 as the date for its first ever event, called Previs 2010.The one-day event, set for Los Angeles, aims to gather professionals who use and work in previs to explore approaches, workflows and new work.
In addition to highlighting recent work on motion pictures, a round table forum will be held to discuss previs’s role in the creative and production processes.
"We have designed this event to be informative and beneficial to everyone surrounding previs, not just previs artists," said Previsualization Society President Colin Green. "Previs 2010 will be a forum for professionals to exchange ideas, ask questions and learn how previs can support all areas of filmmaking. We expect it to offer new cross-disciplinary perspectives with attendees connecting directly with peers and experts in such fields as cinematography, production design, visual effects and editorial."
Previs 2010 will take place May 8 from 2-7 p.m. at the Sofitel Hotel, 8555 Beverly Blvd., in Los Angeles. Tickets are $40 for Previsualization Society members and $100 for non members. Admission includes a dinner-and-drinks reception from 7-9 p.m.
For more information on the event and to reserve tickets in advance, visit the Previsualization Society website at www.previssociety.com.
(Thanks Animation Magazine)
Block Party Rip-Off?
Speaking of things that may or may not be rip-offs, Adult Swim recently wrapped up a nation-wide block party tour that married live music and animation, kind of like Brooklyn’s quirky long-running Animation Block Party. Having never attended either of them, I can’t speak as to how closely Adult Swim’s block party mimicked Animation Block’s style, but perhaps others can. As a sidenote, Animation Block’s submission deadline is May 28.
(Thanks Cartoon Brew)
Smokin' Jonah Hex trailer: Megan Fox and gatling guns!
The new trailer has gone live for Jonah Hex, the upcoming supernatural Western starring Josh Brolin and Megan Fox; check out it out below.
Jimmy Hayward directed the movie, based on the comic-book series, which stars Brolin as Jonah Hex, a hideously scarred bounty hunter with supernatural abilities. John Malkovich also stars. The movie opens June 18.
(Click here to read Don Kaye's thoughts on whether Jonah Hex will be the film to break the Western/sci-fi curse.)
EXCLUSIVE: Robert Downey Jr. On Chris Evans Playing Captain America And Who Will Lead 'The Avengers'
Last month, Marvel Studios finished an exhaustive casting search when Chris Evans landed the title role in "The First Avenger: Captain America." While the difficulties of casting the part for two franchises — "Captain America" and "The Avengers" — simultaneously has been previously noted, some observers questioned Evans' casting by raising concerns about his age, his body type and even his seeming lack of knowledge regarding the history of "Captain America."
However, Evans has already received the endorsement of Samuel L. Jackson, one of his co-stars in "The Avengers." During a recent press event for "Iron Man 2," Robert Downey Jr. also weighed in on Evans' new role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
