3rd party spam

Hello readers, it is with regret that I must close down this blog due to it being flooded with 3rd party spam. I don't know if I can fix it, or if Animationre-creation will come back as something different altogether. I've enjoyed sharing my art and ideas here, and I hope to see you all again soon.

Best,

Ken Roskos

Inktober 2019 Part 2

Two more.

Inktober 2019

Some quick ink drawings for the

Animation Guild's post-it note art show coming in December.

Too cute, I know. It's a curse.

Studio Showrunners and Talent jumping to Streaming Services

New gold rush? New brain drain? Streaming (a.k.a. the new cable TV) seems to be the technology we should focus on. The L.A. Times reports on how showrunners are leaving TV production for the streaming service companies. This is concerning since good animation jobs will depend on these new studios. On Star Trek, the Next Generation, commander Data mentioned that television became obsolete by 2040 as a popular form of entertainment. Looks like it will be much sooner than that.

 (By Thomas Suh Lauder and David Ng)

https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-et-netflix-job-report/?fbclid=IwAR0cF6erLuldRlG_jD92KuistK69yGS_7ZMyW0b8TRyhop2VPCVPAIgJa00

In the meantime, Carl Beu created this nifty chart showing how timers form the heart, or maybe the backbone of TV animation employment.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10102690632423247&set=p.10102690632423247&type=3&theater

Carl used Gephi to create this cool chart.

https://gephi.org/ 

Streaming Animation - Rights for Artists and Viewers

Credit where credit is due: I think this article by Alex Dudok de Wit on Cartoon Brew gives a thorough rundown on the situation of streaming sources and their rates. Excellent research.

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/streaming/the-ultimate-guide-to-streaming-animation-comparing-netflix-amazon-prime-video-hulu-disney-apple-tv-hbo-max-177645.html

 Alex's article took me back to my concerns about the rights of animation artists working in new media, and the rights of consumers. It looks like we have simply gone back to paying for a new type of cable TV, on top of paying our internet bills. And will the new media studios try to continue in nickel and diming the artists to death? My Spidey-Sense says yes.

https://animationre-creation.blogspot.com/search/label/corporate%20mergers

And then there's this: After months of negotiations with ShadowMachine, animation artists finally succeeded in signing a Guild labor contract on Bojack Horseman. Now, after a six year run, Netflix is pulling the plug on the show.

(copyright Netflix)

https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/28/aaron-paul-says-netflix-decided-end-bojack-horseman/

https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/bojack-horseman-final-season-netflix-1203351456/ 

https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2481223/why-is-netflixs-bojack-horseman-ending-aaron-paul-seems-to-have-a-different-explanation

With the financial and technology situations changing so rapidly, I can see why the studios want to hedge their bets on labor and other production costs. But I still think animation artists and technicians need representation in new media, and citizens still need a Digital Bill of Rights. Especially when it comes to our savings, and our privacy. And just our plain old satisfaction when we plunk down in front of whatever screen we choose for entertainment.

https://www.awn.com/news/bojack-horseman-crew-votes-unionize

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/breaking-bojack-horseman-crew-is-victorious-in-unionizing-with-animation-guild-176148.html

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflixs-bojack-horseman-animators-push-union-wages-1205833

Superhero sketches summer 2019

Just some quick sketches, thinking of the good ol' days...

Lightbox Expo photos

Some snapshots from the first Lightbox Expo held at the Pasadena Convention Center. They had a good sized crowd on Friday. It looks like ProCreate from Apple was a major sponsor. Fun time, lots space, many demos going on. The hosts went all out for a big convention. This may be a rival to the CTN Expo this year.

The burning question: who are the organizers of Lightbox?

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/artist-centric-lightbox-expo-debut-september-2019-1155037  

Jim Demonakos, founder of the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Washington, and Bobby Chiu, who set up Imaginism Studios in Toronto (Ontario, Canada)

https://www.imaginismstudios.com/

https://www.emeraldcitycomiccon.com/

 

I thought this was going to be a much smaller venue, but animation artists, students, schools, studios and vendors were all in attendance. Good mood, lots of energy there. And I only heard about it through Facebook. This event seemed to be arranged and promoted solely through social media. I was just used to the buzz generated around CTN.

Procreate from Apple had the largest display, promoting their artistic app for the iPad.

 Alan Bodner had his table there with his original art, and art from his time as art director at Warner Classic Animation.

Almost continuous demos going on in the hallways...

 Wacom, with their latest Cintiq tablets...

 Sony pictures, with their Oscar winning
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse!

 

 Warner Brothers Animation Group, and their beloved heroes of old...

 ASIFA-Hollywood had a good position with their table...

Netflix, looking for talent, and/or pitches...

 And an amazing amount of crowds in the other hall, waiting for demos and lectures!

Again, to me, this convention seemed to come out of the blue.
And yet, it got some decent media coverage:

https://variety.com/2019/artisans/news/lightbox-expo-spotlights-industry-artists-1203325672/

https://www.animationmagazine.net/events/lightbox-expo-brings-the-ultimate-art-celebration-to-pasadena/

Some more fun stuff:

 From left to right, artwork above by Tuna Bora and Pernille Ørum.

 And from left to right, artwork above by Robert Kondo and Stephen Silver.

Why the giant pug means death, maybe because Hasbro has aquired Death Row Records. 

Whatever you do, don't stare into its eyes too long!

Good mood, and a great creative vibe!

I applaud Jim Demonakos' and Bobby Chiu's success, 

and looking forward to next year.

The first LIGHTBOX EXPO Pasadena 2019

I may check it out...

https://www.lightboxexpo.com/

(copyright LIGHTBOX EXPO)

(from their website)

LIGHTBOX EXPO

SEPTEMBER 6-8, 2019 

"Over 250 of the best artists from the ANIMATION, LIVE-ACTION, ILLUSTRATION and GAMING industries coming together for the ultimate celebration of art."

LOCATION: PASADENA CONVENTION CENTER

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/events/the-first-lightbox-expo-is-taking-place-this-weekend-in-pasadena-179111.html

Raya and the Last Dragon

I'm a couple weeks late on this, but I learned about Disney's upcoming animated feature, Raya and the Last Dragon from a friend on Facebook. And at first I thought "okay, ha ha, cute". Another Disney princess animated feature, it ought to do well.

But then, with the success of anime', and films like Mulan and Kung Fu Panda, it made me realize the size of the business prospects of the southeast Asia movie audience.

(copyright Disney, taken from polygon.com, taken from Twitter during D23 in Anaheim.)

Long ago, TV and movies have made me a fan of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Speed Racer, not to mention Osamu Tezuka and Hayao Miyazaki. Anime and Kung Fu action movies already have a foothold in the U.S. with a healthy fan base, and animated features like Kubo and the Two Strings, and The Princess Mononoke have shown positive and empowering examples of female characters.

While older anime' films and TV shows may have brought a distorted, and cliched view of Asian culture to me and the west, I hope that it has made Americans more aware of current events happening overseas. Not to mention giving Hollywood more cash flow. 'Nuff said!

https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/24/20812723/raya-and-the-last-dragon-disney-animated-movie-release-date

Another factor seems to be the news of protests in cities like Hong Kong show a demand for democracy, although the authoritarian governments there are clamping down hard on free speech and human rights. In a backhanded way, Hollywood may be helping to bring democratic values and human rights to our tattered world.

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mulan-cast-d23-boycottmulan-1203311115/

https://time.com/5653973/mulan-boycott-liu-yifei/

And then, cliches and stereotypes may be scrapped, and new life may be brought to beloved Asian characters:

https://www.businessinsider.com/marvels-shang-chi-could-be-huge-at-china-box-office-2019-7

But it all comes down to business. I hope they can continue to entertain, while respecting cultures and maybe helping humanity in the long run. I've only scratched the surface on this subject.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/movie-box-office-in-china-now-bigger-than-us-as-domestic-films-draw-big-audiences-2018-05-21

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-china-movies-20181213-story.html

https://screenrant.com/american-movies-better-china/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_films_in_China

https://variety.com/2018/film/asia/china-box-office-global-biggest-first-quarter-2018-1202742159/https://www.salon.com/2019/07/13/the-international-movie-market-is-transforming-hollywood_partner/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/filmart-a-market-by-market-169343

Visual Effects Artists Rough Timeline

Here's a rough chart of the visual effects artists and animators I put together during my years at Woodbury University. From what I learned, these are some of the key the people who built the foundations of the computer and traditional animation we have now, and their connections with each other as the film business progressed.

And give a big thanks to organized labor this Labor Day, especially in a business like animation!

Richard Williams - March 19, 1933 – August 16, 2019

The second to last time I saw Richard Williams in person Friday was evening October 4th, 2013 at thethe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles. It was part of the Marc Davis Celebration of Animation.

"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" was the film that finally got me to move to California, and get into animation. I think this was the last time I felt the magic. I kind of envied how Richard made his own way in the business, and definitely how he developed his own style.

I did manage to get his autograph years ago, but I forgot when and where this was *UPDATE* at the LA film school near the Cinerama dome in Hollywood. I'm guessing it was in the mid 1990's. Charles Fleischer signed my VHS tape cover as well. I thought I saw Richard at the Animation Guild a few years ago, for an ASIFA or Women in Animation event. I think he noticed this VHS cover sitting in the window above the computer lab door. He was gone in a flash, and I don't remember the date.

He will be missed, but he won't be forgotten!

(copyright Amblin Entertainment, Touchstone Home Video)

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/richard-williams-dead-who-framed-roger-rabbit-animator-was-86-1232785

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49382175

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Williams_(animator)

(copyright Motion Picture Academy)

(copyright Motion Picture Academy)

https://animationre-creation.blogspot.com/2013/10/richard-williams-at-motion-picture.html


 https://animationre-creation.blogspot.com/2009/03/richard-williams-survival-guide-micro.html

Kyoto Animation arson attack

Trying to read more into the arson attack on Kyoto Animation in Japan, and it's wearing me down. Most of the victims were women. 

(copyright Kyoto Animation)

A comment I saw on reddit speculated that the suspect claimed the studio was stealing his ideas. Maybe this is why we fixate on having superheroes around. That way we don't feel like sitting ducks waiting for the next wacko with a chip on his shoulder to attack.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-fire/japan-officials-hunt-for-reasons-behind-fire-that-killed-34-idUSKCN1UH08I

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/kyoto-animation-suspect-arrest-1203275096/ 

http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/en/

Apollo 11 Anniversary

Okay, before the Eagle landed today, some other famous characters made it to lunar orbit first to test the procedures needed to make that historic landing. This was actually the Apollo 10 mission where the lunar module was nicknamed "Snoopy," and the command module was given the title "Charlie Brown."

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/50-years-ago-charlie-brown-and-snoopy-in-lunar-orbit

 

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/features/snoopy.html 

 

(original copyright United Features Syndicate)

( Photo Credit: NASA)

 

Tom Stafford, the commander of the Apollo 10 mission

is seen off by Snoopy and Jamye Flowers (Coplin).

 

San Diego Comic Con

(swiped from Facebook)

 

Sometimes I still get the fear of missing out on Comic-Con, but the stress and expense are too much. And a lot of trains have left the station since then. Comic-Con used to be about talking to artists and writers, and just scrounging thru boxes of back issues, but since it "went Hollywood", the bloom is off the rose for me. I can't deny the success of the MCU. The giants like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created a modern mythos that Joseph Campbell would understand. But to me, the original Marvel Bullpen seems to be becoming hazy legends like Homer and the Odyssey, or even Shakespeare.

Those times were from my crazy youth, and I'll always cherish them.
But it's time to move on now.

Looking back on the Con from 1994(?)

 Still, enjoy the day!

Missing Link stop motion by Laika Studios | behind the scenes

Incredible behind the scenes of stop motion at Laika studios.
I hope you can open this link on facebook!

(copyright Laika studios)

https://www.facebook.com/Movjis.com.pe/videos/vb.1268800513168300/2556394721300624/?type=2&theater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4zoaZ1CR_Y

SIGGRAPH 2019 Computer Animation Festival: Electronic Theater

                                         
One Night Only: Don’t Miss the SIGGRAPH 2019 Computer Animation Festival Electronic Theater.

Microsoft Theater, located in L.A. LIVE, on Monday, 29 July at 6:30 pm.

https://blog.siggraph.org/2019/06/one-night-only-dont-miss-the-siggraph-2019-computer-animation-festival-electronic-theater.html/

Summer cold

Trying to take a break from everything else,

some new virus came to town and won't leave me alone.

Here's my take on it.

 

Needed to post a sketch after all this time.

Bernie Sanders Favors Unionization of the Video Game Industry

 Courtesy of Digital Village on KPFK and Gamerant.com

https://gamerant.com/bernie-sanders-video-games-unionize/?fbclid=IwAR2Om5y5D8zpZVmLHc25VKNvO6k-GL8NwZUbUWhVVIZmH3dVorLJfp0pgLM

https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/19/bernie-sanders-calls-for-video-game-industry-unionization

 

Computer Graphics Master Academy - THE ART OF CREATIVE COMPOSITION AND ART DIRECTION

The CGMA, the  Computer Graphics Master Academy, had their seminars and gallery exhibit at the Animation Guild's Gallery 839 on Saturday June 8th 2019.

https://www.cgmasteracademy.com/about#about-school

(copyright Computer Graphics Master Academy)

Will get updates on art photos asap

UPDATE: Here's a brief rundown on the instructors:


Mike Hill

Art Direction, Design Consultant, Mike Hill Design

 Mike has designed work for film, TV and video games.  His film credits include Blade Runner 2049, HBO’s Game of Thrones, the upcoming Halo TV series and Dune feature film.

https://events.cgmasteracademy.com/speaker/mike-hill/ 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5423889/

Dean Gordon

Art Director / Sony Pictures Animation

Dean is a veteran of the Walt Disney Animation Studios working as as an art director and background supervisor. But his most recent work as art director comes from Sony Pictures Animation's feature film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Nuff said!

 https://events.cgmasteracademy.com/speaker/dean-gordon/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3090027/

Khang Le

Ceo and Game Director, Dreamlit Entertainment

Khang has developed game titles such as Project Offset, Hawken and Dreamlit Entertainment’s most recent announcement of TOWERS. Khang's other film and game credits include Star Wars the Last Jedi, Rouge One, Ready Player One, The Black Panther, The Dark Crystal, Age of Resistance, Issac Asimov’s Foundation and Monster House.

https://events.cgmasteracademy.com/speaker/khang-le/

https://www.dreamlit.games/

* * *

https://animationguild.org/gallery839/find-it-inside-art-by-kelly-perez/

https://www.facebook.com/cgmasteracedemy/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARBvj9XU4HW7Lu11B3ApwTYni7FXYuZdg_tZfRwdKVpYN1ReKiAesLAHCf5tSU3m3Llkc2IOMLXx5Uqr

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff

https://harryshearer.com/june-02-2019/

 https://www.amazon.com/Age-Surveillance-Capitalism-Future-Frontier/dp/1610395697/ref=asc_df_1610395697/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312143020546&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5004727009873349778&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031010&hvtargid=pla-608244850048&psc=1

Got this tidbit from Harry Shearer's Le Show. Businesses like Google and Facebook claim the right to your personal experience, not only to make an extra buck off your shopping habits, but also the right to control your feelings... and your behavior. "Hey, now buy this!"

https://harryshearer.com/le-show/

Maker Walk LA - behind the scenes in DTLA

Just found out, need to tune in to twitter or instagram.

https://makeitinla.org/makerwalk/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2Ty5rjHVyE

https://www.kpfk.org/archives/

Is CGI Getting Worse?

Good commentary by Center Row.

3D Modeling and Animation Group on Facebook

Very informative group on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3dmodelingandanimation/?fref=nf

Discord - the Uber/Facebook/Kickstarter of Animation?

The next big change in animation?
The future of animation?
Meet Discord - the Uber/Facebook/Kickstarter of Animation

https://discordapp.com/

While designed as an online app for gamers, I met a student who was doing animation for the new animated TV project "Hazbin Hotel". It looks like it's being funded and managed through this system. I didn't ask, out of manners, how they were being paid. I'm wondering if this could sidestep the entire current studio system. I'm just concerned that labor is being managed this way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeOWxqYp80A
 (Caution - adult themed material)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discord_(software)

Here's my animation history rant in a nutshell:

 First, the Zoetrope invented by William E. Lincoln,
Next, animation drawn with pencil and paper, shot on black and white film,
Then acetate cels, shot in color,

Next, animated features,
Multiplane cameras,

TV limited animation,

Then came the first computer animation made with old military technology,

Soon, video games,
The internet and world wide web,

Next animated features Tron, Toy Story,

Massive layoffs of traditional artists - "Learn Maya"

Virtual reality and Augmented Reality

Games and animation for smartphones,

Plus, streaming new media.

And now, Discord.

Not that Discord!

Are you ready for what's next?

STAR WARS Episode 9: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Trailer (2019)

Not to be left out...
(copyright LucasFilm/Disney)

SIGGRAPH 2019 Keynote Speaker Victoria Alonso from Marvel Studios

First rumblings of Siggraph, which will be in L.A. this summer.

Being a comic book geek, I'm kind of anxious to hear one of the keynote speakers, Victoria Alonso, Executive Vice President of Production for Marvel Studios.

 

(photo copyright Siggraph)

From her bio in the first link below, Alonso started at Digital Domain, then joined Marvel as Executive Vice President of Visual Effects. She has won awards from the Visual Effects Society (VES), and the Harold Lloyd Award from the Advanced Imaging Society.

No info yet on the time or date of her talk.

The main dates for Siggraph I've found are from Sun, Jul 28, 2019 to Thu, Aug 1, 2019.

Will try to update more asap.
 

UPDATE: Victoria Alonso is scheduled to speak Monday, July 29, 2:00 - 3:15 PM.

Special thanks to Ginger Alford for the info!

https://s2019.siggraph.org/conference/programs-events/keynote-session/?fbclid=IwAR3z1lhDp0cOmGdTezMNUmKfVlfRqOzE9lLN3cfAXMUTWN7nXh3ZVEEQJC0

https://s2019.siggraph.org/ 

https://blog.siggraph.org/

Dragons and Unicorns - Stuffed Productions

On Sundays I need something fun and witty to look at, so check out "Stuffed", the misadventures of a little girl and her stuffed animals. Sibling rivalry breaks out when the little girl's favorite toy becomes jealous of the newcomer who steals the little girl's heart.

 

(copyright Stuffed Productions)

 

The kicker is that the toys are still inanimate, while still being able to observe their situation, and become sort of a Greek chorus to the little girl's adventures while making witty remarks to each other.

 

Sort of a Toy Story meets Calvin and Hobbes.

Enjoy!

 

https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/stuffed/list?title_no=215575&page=1

 

 https://www.facebook.com/StuffedTheComic

And plush toys are also available as well. I support them on Patreon, in the cheapskate section.

https://www.patreon.com/stuffedthecomic/posts