Cookies notification for new European Union privacy laws

Trying to understand and comply with the new European Union privacy laws for EU visitors, and their information about cookies they may encounter on this blog. I'm not spying on anyone, but I'm not sure what third party apps are doing. Here is Blogger's statement:

"European Union laws require you to give European Union visitors information about cookies used and data collected on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require you to obtain consent.

As a courtesy, we have added a notice on your blog to explain Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies, and other data collected by Google.

You are responsible for confirming this notice actually works for your blog, and that it displays. If you employ other cookies, for example by adding third party features, this notice may not work for you. If you include functionality from other providers there may be extra information collected from your users.

Learn more about this notice and your responsibilities."

https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/6253244?visit_id=1-636628719556599042-3922312531&p=eu_cookies_notice&hl=en&rd=1

"Don't run, we are your friends!"

L.A. ACM SIGGRAPH - An Evening at the Technicolor Experience Center

 As an animation artist originally from the traditional pencil and paper world, I felt like I was in a classic James Bond movie when I visited the Technicolor Experience Center in Los Angeles. This was back on Tuesday May 8th, 2018


I must admit, VR headsets I've tried a few years ago gave me headaches and eyestrain, not to mention motion sickness. But the headsets at Technicolor seemed to agree with me, and the motion simulation chair worked in a very smooth, but dynamic way. The sensation of flying was pretty convincing. I was placed in the Alien: Covenant in Utero, a virtual reality experience. Not for the squeamish.

http://tec.technicolor.com/projects/alien-covenant-utero

It looks like VR games can be downloaded same as  downloading a movie, or any other video game. For Oculus, Vive and Stlan? Playstation? I'll try to clarify and update this ASAP.

Digitally insert an actor into a scene when their schedule prevents them from being filmed during a production.

VR stage for filming and tracking at Tecnincolor. The camera rig transmits its angle and position to Technicolor's tracking system. This can be matched up with the original camera's motion data.

Augmented Reality: objects from a video can appear to be in the room with you, if you have the AR app on your phone or tablet.

The reason is jobs, jobs, jobs! This is where the future is. Will update, correct and try to flesh out more details on this post soon.

Many thanks to L.A. ACM SIGGRAPH, and the staff at the Technicolor Experience Center!

http://tec.technicolor.com/about

 http://la.siggraph.org/events/title/evening-technicolor-experience-center

http://la.siggraph.org/

Technicolor Experience Center
3237 South La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016

(323) 648-3619

VR: Game Changer. Virtual Reality on NPR

Can VR be used for more than just blasting bad guys? Joshua Johnson hosts the show "1A" where he interviews Stamford professor Jeremy Bailenson, and discusses his new book "Experience on Demand". Tune in and find out!

https://www.scpr.org/programs/1A/2018/05/07/59796/

ASIFA-Hollywood’s General Membership Meeting - Animation Educators Forum 2018

Here's video that was live-streamed concerning the future of animation jobs in games, VR and new media. http://www.asifa-hollywood.org/animation-educators-forum-general-membership-meeting-will-take-place-may-5-2018/

Pixar - Exorcist mashup: The Pixarcist

Okay, I had to goof off, and blow off a little steam, especially after seeing that "Pixar Fest" is coming to Disneyland. Surprised no one else has thought of this!

With apologies to director William Friedkin,
and writer William Peter Blatty.

(copyright Pixar and Warner Bros.)

And of course, apologies to Ed Catmull, John Lasseter and Steve Jobs.
And I forgot about Woody doing the head turn thing!

http://i.gzn.jp/img/2016/01/08/pixar-tribute-cinema/026.jpg

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/

The First Cintiq

(The first Cintiq from 2001?)
 
An issue came up where no one could recall exactly when the first Cintiq appeared on the scene. After some digging, this PC Magazine article from January 15, 2002 sings the praises of the new device as a practical drawing tablet where the artist actually can see their art directly on the tablet.

https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1172347,00.asp

 So I'm assuming this 15 inch unit with 512 levels of sensitivity came out in 2001. It's more of a trivial pursuit, but if anyone has an earlier sighting of a video drawing tablet, please let me know here. Technology changes so fast, and in my job I need to keep track of this.

Here's Wacom's new Cintiq 21from February 18, 2005.

 https://newatlas.com/go/3716/


https://wacom.com/en-us 

The Mobile Studio Pro is pretty awesome! 

USC's end of the year show - First Frame - 2018

 Phenomenal student work from USC's animation department! A bit chopped up so the viewer only gets a tiny taste of each project, but worth further investigation. Try the Vimeo link below if the embedded video is still blocked.

Trailer First Frame 2018 from Hench DADA on Vimeo.

https://vimeo.com/263436786

Animation Artists - Sexual Harassment

Hello, I'm still working on changing the direction of this blog, so that it presents relevant material regarding the animation business, and general artistic training. While I'm trying to steer away from trivia and doodles, there have been major shifts in our business, and society in general that need some commentary here.

(copyright Jen Sorensen)

John Kricfalusi is the latest animation mogul to be accused of sexual harassment. No more heroes anymore? After the accusations against John Lasseter and some other animation heavy hitters, most studio employees may still be in the dark about what the boss does behind closed doors. Go along to get along, to hold on to a cool animation job, sure. But I still hold the people in the know responsible, especially those in management. How can the victims be compensated, if that was even possible?

Yeah, it's Hollywood, and "dirty deeds happen all the time".
But I can never look at my favorite animated films the same way again.

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/200-women-l-s-animation-industry-demand-studios-end-sexual-harassment-workplace-154100.html

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-entertainment-news-updates-women-in-animation-industry-write-memo-1508441980-htmlstory.html

http://time.com/5221876/sexual-abuse-accusations-john-kricfalusi/

 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ren-and-stimpy-john-kricfalusi-creator-sexual-abuse-allegations-under-age-girls-a8281241.html

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/03/30/ren-and-stimpy-creator-john-kricfalusi-is-the-latest-animation-leader-accused-of-misconduct/

CGI Dreamworks Animation Studio Pipeline

Hello group, 2018 has been off to a rough start for me, and I'm behind as far as re-purposing this blog for education, and updates on animation technology in general. DreamWorks has been kind enough to put together a presentation on the CG pipeline for us. Enjoy!

Net Neutrality

Ready to spend more, and enjoy it less?

https://www.battleforthenet.com/

https://www.savetheinternet.com/net-neutrality-what-you-need-know-now

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-11-23-games-could-be-hit-hard-by-net-neutralitys-death

Contact your senators and congresspeople

and the good folks at the FCC.

https://www.fcc.gov/about/contact

Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov
Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov; Brendan.Carr@fcc.gov; mike.o'rielly@fcc.gov

Wild Wild West Star Trek Mashup

Surprised on one has come up with this yet.

(original copyright CBS)

With apologies to Robert Conrad, Ross Martin and Gene Roddenberry.

#inktober Girlie Space Monster

Okay Inktober, here's a Halloween nightmare for you:

I give you-

SPACE GIRLIE MONSTER VENUS!

I told you it was weird.

Enjoy!

#inktober Bear and Athena and the Falling Star

Slice of life on the planet Solstice-

#inktober Cubcake Vs Dragon_V02

And here is another Inktober offering, no real story here, except it could be a dream Herman Bear is having while he is stranded on the planet Solstice. 

#inktober Cubcake Vs Goopface

Hello Damsel Fans, and webcrawlers and 'bots too!

Here's a crack at "Inktober"-

Cubcake plays the role of a dashing aviator who accidentally gets an alien device attached to her left arm while battling a "melting man" type character.


Enjoy!

Mark Twain - Star Wars - Jedi Knight - Lightsaber

Hello blog, things have been hot and hairy in August, so here's a Halloween idea as we enter into Autumn:

(Light saber copyright Disney/Lucasfilm)

Some hastily done Photoshop bashing. 

With apologies to Mr. Twain, and the unknown photographer.

Enjoy!

Martin Landau - Artist - Cartoonist!

And a belated tribute to Martin Landau.

(Martin Landau hitting the inkpots! photographer unknown)

I didn't know the commander of Moonbase Alpha was also an artist!
The writers on these links really do him justice.

Rest in Peace Martin Landau, your presence on screen brought me hours of pure enjoyment.

http://potrzebie.blogspot.com/2010/11/martin-landau-cartoonist.html?m=1

http://www.newsfromme.com/2017/07/16/martin-landau-r-p/

Falling Hare - 1943 - The Gremlin

Hello blog, it's been a busy spring and crazy June, so I haven't posted in a while. Finally having some time to muse, a stray thought struck a spark, which kindled a small, but revealing flame:

What happened to the Gremlin in Bob Clampett's 1943 Merrie Melodies "Falling Hare"? And is he still a trademarked character of Warner Brothers? I worked at Warner Classics in the 90's and I missed seeing his model sheets and other references around the studio. But a post on Facebook lead me to the fate of this cute little saboteur, and who owns him now:

(original copyright Warner Brothers)

http://www.thegremlin.com/about.html 

According to this news, Steven Grossfeld of Gremlin Fine Arts Galleries in Vermont has secured his claim to the Gremlin back in 1990. Steven related to me that since this cute little stinker was used in a U.S. Army Film Corps propaganda short, he was never copyrighted. I didn't know that he was originally created by author and RAF pilot Roald Dahl.

Dahl's books were later used for animation with James and the Giant Peach and The Fantastic Mr. Fox. And you can't forget Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, (except for, maybe Tim Burton's version.)

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gremlins

https://www.roalddahl.com/global/roald-dahl-titles 

To heap more shame on my ignorance, I learned that Disney wanted to use the little guy for a feature, even bringing in Walt Kelly of Pogo Possum fame. (I think Kelly was a Disney artist at the time). 

But when Disney could not secure the copyright, Warner's took over, and the Gremlin floated in legal limbo for years, until he was acquired by Steven.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falling_Hare

http://looneytunes.wikia.com/wiki/The_Gremlin

According to Steven Grossfeld, Steven Spielberg was given the okay to use the Gremlin in a couple of  "Tiny Toons." I've never seen them, but nothing can beat "Falling Hare", 

and the "Gremlins from the Kremlin" short "Russian Rhapsody".

 (original copyright Warner Brothers)

So, for this Fourth of July celebration, try to laugh with the first seven notes of "Yankee Doodle", in spite of what is going on in Washington D.C. And remember, the Gremlin was the only character who ever got the better of Bugs Bunny. ("You know how it is with these 'A Cards' ".)

 (original copyright Warner Brothers)

Happy Independence Day everyone.

UPDATE:

Steven also mentioned that Virgil Ross was the key animator and character designer on the Gremlin. Ross told Steven in secret that working on the Gremlin was one of his most favorite projects. So keep it under your hats folks! Loose lips an' all that.

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/254411461352100/permalink/1217100878416482/?comment_id=1217138998412670&reply_comment_id=1217875545005682&notif_t=group_comment&notif_id=1498987944477939

R.I.P. Adam West

Well, whether it be comics, TV or animation, Batman always held my attention. I didn't get the campy attitude of the 1960's TV show, especially when the cliffhanger endings meant to me that the danger was REAL. My parent's chuckling, and rolling their eyes was lost on me. But here's to Adam West who kept a six year old in suspense every Wednesday night on ABC. To me, the Bat-Signal will never go out.

(Batman's symbol done in Maya. copyright DC comics)

The History of Cartoon Network

Compiled by Saberspark.