(Found this on the Animation Guild's blog)
My only beef is they left out George Pal's "Time Machine".
Friday, May 16, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
The Iron Giant vs Max from Cats Don't Dance
More screwing around. Darla Dimple has returned, out for revenge! And she has found a growth serum that turned her malevolent man-servant Max into a 50 ft monster. Their plan is to destroy old Hollywood, and the only thing standing up to them is the Iron Giant, and Hogarth Hughes.
Couldn't resist this. Work in progress.
(images copyright Warner Bros.)
With apologies to Mark Dindal and Brad Bird.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Illusion of Life by Cento Lodigiani
I found this link on the Animation Guild blog this morning.
Clean, clear, simple, direct, yet very watchable demo by Cento Lodigiani.
How he brought the 12 principles of animation to life is amazing.
The illusion of life from cento lodigiani on Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/93206523
Clean, clear, simple, direct, yet very watchable demo by Cento Lodigiani.
How he brought the 12 principles of animation to life is amazing.
The illusion of life from cento lodigiani on Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/93206523
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Donna Dodson sculptures
A few
years ago, I stumbled across Donna Dodson's work while researching female characters. Dodson sculpts supernatural beings that fuse animal spirits
with potent, yet gracious female archetypes. Her work also has a subtle sense of humor:
These appear to be women of power, and yet the simplified animal heads gives them a mysterious sense of appeal, and even playfulness.
(Art copyright Donna Dodson, photographer unknown.)
Most of Dodson's figures seemed dressed for important social occasions. They wear long gloves, and the way Dodson works with the natural flow of the wood grain suggests they are wearing sophisticated, well tailored evening gowns. Even though they seem to come from some distant past, their supernatural poise puts them in touch with contemporary style and classic fashions. If they were entering a hotel or restaurant, I would be sure to hold the door open for them.
Dodson's sculptures are also, well, voluptuous. I gather that Dodson's aim is to show that humanity needs to reconnect with nature and sensuality. It's somewhat suggestive yes, but I can see a Joseph Campbell flavor running throughout her work. The sculptures remind me of native American art with just a little Vogue magazine blended in.The bold shapes and stony silence of the pieces may make Dodson's work disturbing to some people. But I think the concept of cultured, powerful, yet vulnerable female beings is what our society needs to pause and reflect. Especially now in our violent and power hungry culture.
http://donnadodsonartist.blogspot.com/
(Art copyright Donna Dodson, photographer unknown.)
Most of Dodson's figures seemed dressed for important social occasions. They wear long gloves, and the way Dodson works with the natural flow of the wood grain suggests they are wearing sophisticated, well tailored evening gowns. Even though they seem to come from some distant past, their supernatural poise puts them in touch with contemporary style and classic fashions. If they were entering a hotel or restaurant, I would be sure to hold the door open for them.
Dodson's sculptures are also, well, voluptuous. I gather that Dodson's aim is to show that humanity needs to reconnect with nature and sensuality. It's somewhat suggestive yes, but I can see a Joseph Campbell flavor running throughout her work. The sculptures remind me of native American art with just a little Vogue magazine blended in.The bold shapes and stony silence of the pieces may make Dodson's work disturbing to some people. But I think the concept of cultured, powerful, yet vulnerable female beings is what our society needs to pause and reflect. Especially now in our violent and power hungry culture.
http://donnadodsonartist.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, April 09, 2014
Heartbeat Heartbleed Bug
First XP bites the dust, now this-
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jameslyne/2014/04/08/heartbeat-heartbleed-bug-breaks-worldwide-internet-security-again-and-yahoo/
http://www.businessinsider.com/heartbleed-bug-explainer-2014-4
Addition: Here is a list of sites listed by Steve Dyer, head of Woodbury University's IT department-
9. Twitter.com: Not vulnerable.
10. Craigslist.org: Not vulnerable.
11. Bing.com: No SSL.
12. Pinterest.com: Not vulnerable.
13. Blogspot.com: Not vulnerable.
14. Go.com: Not vulnerable.
15. CNN.com: No SSL.
16. Live.com: No SSL.
17. PayPal.com: Not vulnerable.
18. Instagram.com: Not vulnerable.
19. Tumblr.com: Was vulnerable. Tumblr was vulnerable to attack, but Yahoo has since announced that it has been patched.
20. ESPN.go.com: Not vulnerable.
21. WordPress.com: Not vulnerable.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jameslyne/2014/04/08/heartbeat-heartbleed-bug-breaks-worldwide-internet-security-again-and-yahoo/
http://www.businessinsider.com/heartbleed-bug-explainer-2014-4
Addition: Here is a list of sites listed by Steve Dyer, head of Woodbury University's IT department-
1. Google.com: Not vulnerable.
2. Facebook.com: Not vulnerable.
3. YouTube.com: Not vulnerable.
4. Amazon.com: Not vulnerable.
5.
Yahoo.com: Was vulnerable. Yahoo Mail was vulnerable to attack but has
since announced that it has been patched, along with other main Yahoo
sites such as Yahoo Search, Finance, Sports, Flickr and Tumblr.
6. Wikipedia.org: Not vulnerable.
7. LinkedIn.com: No SSL.
8. eBay.com: No SSL.9. Twitter.com: Not vulnerable.
10. Craigslist.org: Not vulnerable.
11. Bing.com: No SSL.
12. Pinterest.com: Not vulnerable.
13. Blogspot.com: Not vulnerable.
14. Go.com: Not vulnerable.
15. CNN.com: No SSL.
16. Live.com: No SSL.
17. PayPal.com: Not vulnerable.
18. Instagram.com: Not vulnerable.
19. Tumblr.com: Was vulnerable. Tumblr was vulnerable to attack, but Yahoo has since announced that it has been patched.
20. ESPN.go.com: Not vulnerable.
21. WordPress.com: Not vulnerable.
22. Imgur.com: Not vulnerable.
23. HuffingtonPost.com: No SSL.
24. reddit.com: Not vulnerable.
25. MSN.com: No SSL.
The end of Windows XP
Windows XP has been a good trooper, kind of like your first car, or your favorite pair of sneakers. Trouble is, your old car, favorite sneakers and operating system are worn out, and may not be safe to get around in anymore.
Many users here and abroad are still hanging on, and they are trying to stay afloat on a leaky boat.
http://www.zdnet.com/windows-xp-support-ends-survival-tips-to-stay-safe-7000028188/#photo
Others say to move on. At any rate, back up your files, and don't use XP for important online work.
http://mashable.com/2014/04/08/windows-xp-upgrade-or-switch/
I may take my old laptop up to Win 7, maybe that will give it a boost. But that's a rainy day project for later.
Stay safe folks. Good luck to us all.
Many users here and abroad are still hanging on, and they are trying to stay afloat on a leaky boat.
http://www.zdnet.com/windows-xp-support-ends-survival-tips-to-stay-safe-7000028188/#photo
Others say to move on. At any rate, back up your files, and don't use XP for important online work.
http://mashable.com/2014/04/08/windows-xp-upgrade-or-switch/
I may take my old laptop up to Win 7, maybe that will give it a boost. But that's a rainy day project for later.
Stay safe folks. Good luck to us all.
Thursday, April 03, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Digital Village Radio on KPFK
Check out Digital Village on KPFK.
http://www.digitalvillage.org/
Even though they hardly discuss animation, this show is a good source of info regarding how people and technology can work together.
http://www.digitalvillage.org/
Even though they hardly discuss animation, this show is a good source of info regarding how people and technology can work together.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Ernest and Célestine - Prejudice is Manufactured
Finally saw Ernest and Celestine. I can't say I loved it completely, but it was still a good team production from France, Belgium and Luxembourg. I had been feeling run down from work, but Ernest and Celestine had already left the Valley/LA area. I had to drive down to Long Beach to see it, but it was worth it. The version I caught was in English. Oh yes, spoiler alert for folks who haven't seen it yet.
(Artwork copyright-)
http://ernestetcelestine-lefilm.com/
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/feature-preview-ernest-et-celestine-62824.html
http://cinema.jeuxactu.com/video-conference-de-presse-ernest-et-celestine-9797.htm
In their world, mice fear being eaten by bears. Lauren Bacall lends her voice to "The Grey One", the elderly matron mouse who runs the orphanage where Celestine lives. "The Grey One" reinforces their fears by telling the mouse children horror stories about the bears. In their initial meeting, Ernest attempts to eat Celestine, but only because Ernest is literally the starving artist. I think. Celestine brings Ernest back in line with a quick smack on the nose, sort of the way Dorothy did with the Cowardly Lion.
My feeling is that their prejudices are manufactured: Bears are portrayed as voracious monsters, and mice are shown to be greedy little parasites that would run amok. This seems to benefit the bears who dominate the surface, but the mice seem to be trapped underground. This obviously gives control to the leaders on both sides, and keeps each population subdued. After being underground all her life, Celestine is struck by the beauty of the surface world after the snow finally melts.
I like the matter of fact way in which one bear father runs a candy store, and his wife runs a "tooth boutique" across the street. Creative destruction is good for business it seems. However, the bear couple forbid their cub from eating candy. They have a little racket going, and they don't want their son being one of their victims. Strangely enough, getting new teeth is just like buying a new flash drive for the bears. Just plugin and go!
The emphasis on the mice children gathering teeth from the bears left me squirming in my chair a bit. The mice need replacement teeth, since chewing and gnawing is the only way to build and maintain their infrastructure. Dentistry is big business, and William H. Macy did a sublimely insidious job as the voice of the head dentist in the English dub. Most mice children are expected to become dentists, since so much of their population spend a lot of time in the chair!
I did like the open line, freehand artwork and the watercolor art style. All the animation was done on Cintiqs with good old Flash. With all the expensive overhead, and dependance on cutting edge technology and software, the production of Ernest and Célestine is a refreshing return to what makes us love animation. They still used current technology, but the story, design, color and character animation make Ernest et Célestine a nice little gem.
http://ernestetcelestine-lefilm.com/
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/feature-preview-ernest-et-celestine-62824.html
http://cinema.jeuxactu.com/video-conference-de-presse-ernest-et-celestine-9797.htm
In their world, mice fear being eaten by bears. Lauren Bacall lends her voice to "The Grey One", the elderly matron mouse who runs the orphanage where Celestine lives. "The Grey One" reinforces their fears by telling the mouse children horror stories about the bears. In their initial meeting, Ernest attempts to eat Celestine, but only because Ernest is literally the starving artist. I think. Celestine brings Ernest back in line with a quick smack on the nose, sort of the way Dorothy did with the Cowardly Lion.
My feeling is that their prejudices are manufactured: Bears are portrayed as voracious monsters, and mice are shown to be greedy little parasites that would run amok. This seems to benefit the bears who dominate the surface, but the mice seem to be trapped underground. This obviously gives control to the leaders on both sides, and keeps each population subdued. After being underground all her life, Celestine is struck by the beauty of the surface world after the snow finally melts.
I like the matter of fact way in which one bear father runs a candy store, and his wife runs a "tooth boutique" across the street. Creative destruction is good for business it seems. However, the bear couple forbid their cub from eating candy. They have a little racket going, and they don't want their son being one of their victims. Strangely enough, getting new teeth is just like buying a new flash drive for the bears. Just plugin and go!
The emphasis on the mice children gathering teeth from the bears left me squirming in my chair a bit. The mice need replacement teeth, since chewing and gnawing is the only way to build and maintain their infrastructure. Dentistry is big business, and William H. Macy did a sublimely insidious job as the voice of the head dentist in the English dub. Most mice children are expected to become dentists, since so much of their population spend a lot of time in the chair!
I did like the open line, freehand artwork and the watercolor art style. All the animation was done on Cintiqs with good old Flash. With all the expensive overhead, and dependance on cutting edge technology and software, the production of Ernest and Célestine is a refreshing return to what makes us love animation. They still used current technology, but the story, design, color and character animation make Ernest et Célestine a nice little gem.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Bob Hope Burbank Airport project 2014
(Photo copyright LA Times/UCLA Archive, used for editorial purposes only)
http://framework.latimes.com/2011/12/23/bob-hope-entertains-the-troops/#/0
Sunday, March 02, 2014
VFX Solidarity at the Oscars 2014
https://www.facebook.com/VfxSolidarityIntl
http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-visual-effects-march.html
Update:
http://www.salon.com/2014/03/02/injustice_at_the_oscars_the_controversies_that_hollywood_doesnt_want_you_to_hear_about/
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/oscar-protest-visual-effects-protestors-take-to-streets-1201123929/
http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-visual-effects-march.html
Update:
http://www.salon.com/2014/03/02/injustice_at_the_oscars_the_controversies_that_hollywood_doesnt_want_you_to_hear_about/
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/oscar-protest-visual-effects-protestors-take-to-streets-1201123929/
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
VFX Workers protest at Oscars 2014
After the "Life of Pi"/Rhythm and Hues fallout last year, the strife goes on...
http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/oscars-vfx-rally-visual-effects-adapt/
("Modern Times" copyright Roy Export SAS)
http://www.charliechaplin.com/en/contacts/articles/130-Roy-Export-SAS
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/documentary-2/life-after-pi-documentary-exposes-flawed-vfx-business-model-96579.html
http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/26/oscars-2014-protest-vfx/
Of course, the police are concerned with any potential outbreaks of violence. As though a bunch of computer art geeks are going to cause another L.A. riot...
http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/rally-again.html
Undercutting to get film deals, and maybe due to not developing original properties? And the "big" studios squeezing every penny they can to get those blockbusters...
http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/oscars-vfx-rally-visual-effects-adapt/
http://www.charliechaplin.com/en/contacts/articles/130-Roy-Export-SAS
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/documentary-2/life-after-pi-documentary-exposes-flawed-vfx-business-model-96579.html
http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/26/oscars-2014-protest-vfx/
Of course, the police are concerned with any potential outbreaks of violence. As though a bunch of computer art geeks are going to cause another L.A. riot...
http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/rally-again.html
Undercutting to get film deals, and maybe due to not developing original properties? And the "big" studios squeezing every penny they can to get those blockbusters...
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Space Jam 2 - update
Too much up in the air. No one can confirm if LeBron is in or out. If it means jobs in Los Angeles, that's fine. But there must be a way to give Bugs and Daffy relevant exposure without turning them into second bananas to celebrities who will become quickly outdated.
Story ideas: Have Bugs take on world hunger, organic foods and factory farming? Put Daffy Duck on Wall Street? (He should have gone there years ago after Chuck Jones turned him into a whiny, greedy, little backstabber). Have Elmer Fudd confront the NRA? The sky's the limit, but remember the grief Brad Bird went through with the Iron Giant.
http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/warner-bros-developing-space-jam-2?utm_source=asDaily_newsletter&utm_medium=sailthru_newsletter&utm_term=Blogs%3A%20asDaily%20V2&utm_campaign=Blogs%3A%20Animation%20Scoop%20Daily%202014-02-22
Update:
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/space-jam-sequel-is-in-the-works-96410.html
(My cleanup of Taz for a Kool-Aid commercial, Taz copyright Time/Warner)
Story ideas: Have Bugs take on world hunger, organic foods and factory farming? Put Daffy Duck on Wall Street? (He should have gone there years ago after Chuck Jones turned him into a whiny, greedy, little backstabber). Have Elmer Fudd confront the NRA? The sky's the limit, but remember the grief Brad Bird went through with the Iron Giant.
http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/warner-bros-developing-space-jam-2?utm_source=asDaily_newsletter&utm_medium=sailthru_newsletter&utm_term=Blogs%3A%20asDaily%20V2&utm_campaign=Blogs%3A%20Animation%20Scoop%20Daily%202014-02-22
Update:
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/space-jam-sequel-is-in-the-works-96410.html
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Space Jam 2
Back in the 1990's, I was still new to animation. My days working at Warner Brothers Classic Animation were some of my happiest and proudest times of my life. (Although some folks there thought I was a naive fool for believing that. That's their problem.)
(Foghorn Leghorn copyright Time-Warner)
Here's one of my cleanups of Foghorn Leghorn in a Space Jam uniform. It's actually from a McDonald's TV ad we did at Warner Classics, although I did freelance on the film.
But the news of a Space Jam sequel leaves me with mixed feelings. Will it be hand drawn? Will the work be done in the U.S.? Will it be a dud like Looney Tunes-back in Action? (Although I appreciate the work in LT-BIA. I even sort of like it, especially the scenes on the Warner backlots, and the plot device of Daffy Duck getting "fired" to go on an adventure with Brendon Frasier.)
At the time, I was glad to be working on another animated feature. Then a friend pointed out that a star like Bugs Bunny (yeah, he's a fictitious character) should NEVER play second banana to any live action actor or sports celebrity. After taking her to see a private screening at the Warner lot, she nearly clawed my eyes out. It seems I helped write a big corporate love letter to Micheal Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Oi vey.
I admit, the excitement and hoopla at the time completely carried me away. I wanted to show my devotion to animation, and the success of the project. Live and learn I guess.
Just recently, there was a rumor that LeBron James might be in the sequel. But now the news is he is out already. Being a Cleveland area native, it's even harder these days to root for my home teams, especially after LeBron abandoned the Cavaliers. Hey, it's just business right?
http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/lebron-james-space-jam-sequel-dick-ebersol/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/254411461352100/
http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/22/space-jam-2-is-happening?utm_campaign=fbposts&utm_source=facebook
(Foghorn Leghorn copyright Time-Warner)
Here's one of my cleanups of Foghorn Leghorn in a Space Jam uniform. It's actually from a McDonald's TV ad we did at Warner Classics, although I did freelance on the film.
But the news of a Space Jam sequel leaves me with mixed feelings. Will it be hand drawn? Will the work be done in the U.S.? Will it be a dud like Looney Tunes-back in Action? (Although I appreciate the work in LT-BIA. I even sort of like it, especially the scenes on the Warner backlots, and the plot device of Daffy Duck getting "fired" to go on an adventure with Brendon Frasier.)
At the time, I was glad to be working on another animated feature. Then a friend pointed out that a star like Bugs Bunny (yeah, he's a fictitious character) should NEVER play second banana to any live action actor or sports celebrity. After taking her to see a private screening at the Warner lot, she nearly clawed my eyes out. It seems I helped write a big corporate love letter to Micheal Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Oi vey.
I admit, the excitement and hoopla at the time completely carried me away. I wanted to show my devotion to animation, and the success of the project. Live and learn I guess.
Just recently, there was a rumor that LeBron James might be in the sequel. But now the news is he is out already. Being a Cleveland area native, it's even harder these days to root for my home teams, especially after LeBron abandoned the Cavaliers. Hey, it's just business right?
http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/lebron-james-space-jam-sequel-dick-ebersol/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/254411461352100/
http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/22/space-jam-2-is-happening?utm_campaign=fbposts&utm_source=facebook
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
“Life After Pi” Rhythm & Hues
Christina Lee Storm and Scott Leberecht's film about the final days at Rhythm & Hues.
From the trailer, it reminds of "Dream on Silly Dreamer".
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-on-location-20140218,0,7566544.story#axzz2tpIqwyK0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX81NlqWSxU
More here on Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hollywood-Ending-Movie/588975024522824
From the trailer, it reminds of "Dream on Silly Dreamer".
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-on-location-20140218,0,7566544.story#axzz2tpIqwyK0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX81NlqWSxU
More here on Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hollywood-Ending-Movie/588975024522824
Monday, February 17, 2014
Ric Heitzman at Curve Line Space gallery
Made it to the opening reception back on Saturday, February. 15th to see Ric Heitzman's illustrations at the Curve Line Space gallery in Eagle Rock. Ric is an Emmy award winning designer, and has worked over seven years on painstaking ink drawings of the various palms growing around southern California. His use of fine line work along with brush and washes make each plant a complex design, and into illustrated characters as well.
Ric's work will be on display till March 8th. There was a good turnout at the Curve Line Space gallery, just the right amount of space for this exhibit. (I especially liked the Felix the Cat faces on one palm tree.)
http://www.curvelinespace.com/
Tue-Fri 10-6pm . Sat 12-4pm
323.478.9874 . tim@curvelinespace.com
1577 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90041
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Gustavo Duarte graphic novel and comics!
Someone brought in a copy of Gustavo Duarte's graphic novel "Monsters! and Other Stories" to the lab today. All I can say is-watch out Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes), Ben Balistreri (Seaweed) and Jeff Smith (Bone)! Bold, yet subtle inking on ironic characters and brilliant visual storytelling without any dialog. Very clever sense of humor.
Little bit of Michel Gagne or even some Vaughn Bode' in there too. Hurry up and get a copy soon!
(Artwork copyright Gustavo Duarte)
http://mangabastudios.blog.uol.com.br/
http://comicsalliance.com/dark-horse-gustavo-duarte-monsters-and-other-stories-january-preview/
UPDATE: There is some disturbing (but still cool) imagery in "Monsters! and Other Stories. Just in case the little ones are curious. (Now all the Bart Simpsons will want to see it.)
Little bit of Michel Gagne or even some Vaughn Bode' in there too. Hurry up and get a copy soon!
http://mangabastudios.blog.uol.com.br/
http://comicsalliance.com/dark-horse-gustavo-duarte-monsters-and-other-stories-january-preview/
UPDATE: There is some disturbing (but still cool) imagery in "Monsters! and Other Stories. Just in case the little ones are curious. (Now all the Bart Simpsons will want to see it.)
Sunday, February 02, 2014
3d Printer World Expo in Burbank
Got to see some interesting machines; got to get the stereo lithography plugin to work in Maya!
http://www.3dprinterworldexpo.com/
http://www.3dprinterworldexpo.com/
Creating Glass Shatter Effect using Maya nCloth
Very handy tutorial on breaking stuff in Maya! This may save the day for the project Woodbury is animating for the Bob Hope airport in Burbank.
http://www.dreamsin3d.com/glass_tutorial.html
Copyright Azhagu Raj Pandian
Hey, it can't all be doodles and sketches, right? Besides, the Super Bowl isn't holding my attention. Not that I'm a Denver fan, but the game is no fun when when one side gets steamrollered.
http://www.dreamsin3d.com/glass_tutorial.html
Copyright Azhagu Raj Pandian
Hey, it can't all be doodles and sketches, right? Besides, the Super Bowl isn't holding my attention. Not that I'm a Denver fan, but the game is no fun when when one side gets steamrollered.
Saturday, February 01, 2014
Year of the Horse 2014
Happy New Year folks, late again. Spoiler Alert! Obsidian, the Pegasus, meets Herman Bear. I don't know if I'll ever finish this comic, but I'm proud of this splash page.
I didn't want just another horse-guy with a super hero body, so I gave Obsidian a deeper backstory. However, I haven't settled on how he lost his legs, and how he gained his wings. Visually, I think he stands out more, and he's not just another "petting zoo person".
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