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

Satina Wants a Glass of Water

                                
Welcome to the Ninth Level where dysfunctional families can still get together and get the most out of life. Or the After life, as the case may be. Meet Satina, the cutest little demon who manages to keep her hapless parents on the run!

Satina, her simmering Demon Queen mother Lucia, and lovable doofus dad Dave are created by Hannah Daigle, a student at the Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts. It's great how a project can take on a life of its own, plus Hannah's music choices help support the comical situation.

Hannah has lovable characters in one of the worst marital situations of all time, namely, what do you do when your fling with the devil ends up with such an adorable child? Stay tuned, and check Hannah's patreon page. I'm hooked and now I'm a supporter! But don't let the boss catch you.

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

You can also get to Hannah's youtube channel here-

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1fjSSxPEEHb7WqAdd6xChQ

Disney Acquires 21st Century Fox for $71 Billion

Grrr... The next mega-merger! So the Mouse finally owns the rights to the original Star Wars? Someday soon there will be just only one channel/theater/website. Less choices, less jobs!

None of the links below talk about lost jobs and only mention employees briefly.

Shows you where their priorities are.

UPDATE:

"Thousands of layoffs expected"

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/read-the-memo-disney-ceo-bob-iger-sent-to-employees-after-closing-the-dollar71-billion-fox-deal/ar-BBV0D1Y?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout

(copyright Disney, of course)

https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/disney-fox-deal-complete-1203167374/?fbclid=IwAR30g3HSqxs0_UD2dUeesGohV3WLlZhV9HuFbIz46EmL27iaBmTHpyjKtCA

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/disney-closes-dollar71-billion-deal-with-fox/ar-BBUYFq5?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/business/media/walt-disney-21st-century-fox-deal.html

http://www.talkmedianews.com/featured/2019/03/19/ryan-joins-board-of-foxs-newly-established-public-company/

Director James Gunn Reinstated For ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy 3’

 After the political hit job, and much clutching of pearls over past sins, and past payments for sins, Guardians Of The Galaxy Director James Gunn is reinstated by Disney. We may finally get proper introduction of Adam Warlock in the MCU.

 (artwork copyright Marvel/Disney)

https://deadline.com/2019/03/james-gunn-reinstated-guardians-of-the-galaxy-3-disney-suicide-squad-2-indefensible-social-media-messages-1202576444/?fbclid=IwAR1c4alcrxcBsdLozrWMmLmg-k9S7NYUt0LWQW3tStjBvcxj09pcp8d8G40

T-Mobile and Sprint merger

Well, I only just found out about the T-Mobile and Sprint merger at a St. Patrick's Day party.
Another merger, and I feel like we're being boxed in, and losing our choices.
And it's more dough for a privileged few.
No mention on the usual news sources.

https://www.cnet.com/news/t-mobile-and-sprint-are-merging-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/

https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/14/18223819/t-mobile-sprint-merger-regulators-congress-hearing

https://www.wired.com/story/t-mobile-sprint-merger-is-scrambling-telecom-politics/

https://consumerist.com/2014/02/12/why-sprints-case-for-t-mobile-merger-is-logical-but-bad-for-consumers/