Two more.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Friday, October 25, 2019
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.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Studio Showrunners and Talent jumping to Streaming Services
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.
In the meantime, Carl Beu created this nifty chart showing how timers form the heart, or maybe the backbone of TV animation employment.
Carl used Gephi to create this cool chart.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
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.
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.
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)
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.
Monday, September 23, 2019
Sunday, September 08, 2019
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?
Jim Demonakos, founder of the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Washington, and Bobby Chiu, who set up Imaginism Studios in Toronto (Ontario, Canada)
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!
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:
And yet, it got some decent media coverage:
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.
Friday, September 06, 2019
The first LIGHTBOX EXPO Pasadena 2019
I may check it out...
(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
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.)
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!
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.
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
Monday, September 02, 2019
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!
Saturday, August 17, 2019
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)
"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,
He will be missed, but he won't be forgotten!
(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
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
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
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.
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.
Saturday, July 20, 2019
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."
(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
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!
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(?)
Friday, July 19, 2019
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)
I hope you can open this link on facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Movjis.com.pe/videos/vb.1268800513168300/2556394721300624/?type=2&theater
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4zoaZ1CR_Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4zoaZ1CR_Y
Friday, July 05, 2019
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/
Wednesday, July 03, 2019
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.
Friday, June 21, 2019
Bernie Sanders Favors Unionization of the Video Game Industry
Courtesy of Digital Village on KPFK and Gamerant.com
Monday, June 10, 2019
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
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
Khang Le
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.
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!
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.
Sunday, June 02, 2019
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff
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/
https://harryshearer.com/le-show/
Friday, May 31, 2019
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