Escape Studios Launches Unreal Engine Fundamentals Course
New five-week program covers an interactive introduction to the real-time 3D platform; features a range of artistic and technical tasks with each participant getting direct feedback from an assigned tutor.
Epic Games’ MetaHuman Creator Early Access Now Open
Program now open for anyone to create unique MetaHumans for direct use in Unreal Engine; new innovative cloud-based app can create digital humans - in minutes - almost indecipherable from the real thing.
Hank Azaria Apologizes for Portrayal of Apu on ‘The Simpsons’
The actor is reaching out to make amends for his inherently racist and insulting voice work as the show’s Kwik-E-Mart owner, which for three decades he portrayed with an outrageously exaggerated Indian accent.
Final Draft 12 Now Available
Upgrade is free for anyone who purchased V11 after February 15, 2021; company is donating free licenses to two non-profits that foster diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
Sesame Workshop Names Olexa Hewryk VP & Head of Animation
Other recently announced promotions include Sal Perez to supervising producer and VP for Sesame Street Productions, and ‘Sesame Street’ EP Ben Lehmann to senior VP & head of live-action.
Re-VIEW: ‘Soul’ and the Cinematic Empathy Machine
Directors Pete Docter and Kemp Powers invite audiences to ponder their own life choices, forging a link between storyteller and spectator that reaffirms the emotional power of cinema.
‘The Way of the Househusband’ Anime Style Divides Viewers
While the plot and voice acting of J.C. Staff and Netflix’s series are well done and entertaining, audiences are complaining the unconventional visuals feels more like a motion comic than an animated show.
Maxon Releases Cinema 4D S24
New subscription-only version lets users easily browse and intuitively place assets within scenes; includes key animation workflow enhancements and sneak peek at new scene nodes and manager interface.
NVIDIA’s GTC Kicks-Off with a View of the Omniverse
Founder and CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote shares breakthroughs in building virtual worlds through a convergence of technologies; new Omniverse Enterprise 3D design platform will soon be widely available, allowing for real-time global collaboration across multiple software suites.
Hanging by a Thread on a Windy Day in Team Salut’s ‘Boom Bam’ Lyric Video
To capture the song’s beat and energy, artist Lauren Brems drew fast scribbles over video frames of her friends dancing, integrated with subtle word movement, in her 2D animation short for Universal Music Group’s °1824 division.
Crunchyroll Announces New Slate of Spring Anime Dubs
Upcoming international line-up includes multi-language dubs of popular anime including ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime,’ ‘Re:ZERO − Starting Life in Another World,’ and ‘The Rising of the Shield Hero.’
KingstOON 2021 Announces Matthew Luhn to Keynote Festival Kick-off
Prime Minister Andrew Holness will also join the event opening; free virtual event runs April 21-25; Luhn is an industry veteran storyteller, writer, and animator whose credits include the ‘Toy Story’ films, ‘Monsters Inc.,’ ‘Finding Nemo,’ and ‘Cars.’
WATCH: St. Vincent’s Groovy New ‘The Melting of the Sun’ Music Video
The most recent single from upcoming 70s-aesthetic album ‘Daddy’s Home’ features psychedelic 2D animation that is nostalgic yet gloomy.
Cartoon Network Launches ‘Be An Ally’ PSA
Final anti-racism campaign spot developed by ‘Steven Universe’ creator Rebecca Sugar and Ian Jones-Quartey discusses the importance of changing the racist system by standing up and speaking up when seeing what’s unfair.
Nickelodeon’s Interactive ‘PAW Patrol Live! At Home!’ Coming April 24-25
The 45-minute virtual event features interactive stage show, shared viewing rooms for family and friends, and an immersive pre-show experience.
Mindshow Raises $10 Million, Names Sharon Bordas President
CG animation production company announces new round of funding, new executive hires as it expands its development in proprietary animation technology and production.
Kunie Tanaka, Inspiration for Admiral Kizaru of ‘One Piece,’ Dies at 88
The beloved actor will be remembered through his memorable work in ‘Battles Without Honor,’ ‘Humanity,’ and ‘Kita no kuni kar’ (From the Northern Country), which ran on Japanese television for 20 years.
‘Tenet,’ ‘Soul’ Win 2021 BAFTA Awards
‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ wins for British Short Animation; ‘Mank’ awarded for production design.
CEE Animation Forum 2021: Juries and Awards Announced
CEE Animation Forum 2021: Juries and Awards Announced
20th TRICKY WOMEN INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL 10-14 March 2021 Vienna, Austria ONLINE
For 20 years the Tricky Women Animation Festival has been exploring social and political issues from a feminist and artistic perspective...
Animating Soft-Spoken Vocals in The White Buffalo’s ‘Sycamore’ Music Video
To capture the lyrics’ dark gravity, artist Baptiste Leroux used hand-drawn frames in TV Paint for a textured, stop-motion look, in his short fan film for Universal Music Group’s °1824 division.
Maya B Goes Quirky Collage in ‘Sink (ft. SAINt JHN)’ Music Video
In the first of a five piece series on new animated shorts from Universal Music Group’s °1824 division, AWN shows how artist Carolyn Knapp used pieces of paper, gold foil, even her own clothes, along with Photoshop and After Effects, to create an innovative 2D film.
See the Just Released ‘Hotel Transylvania Short,’ ‘Monster Pets’
Sony Pictures Animation has dropped a brand-new animated short featuring the monster-sized puppy, Tinkles, who just can’t wait to play!
WATCH: First Trailer for ‘Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One’
Experience Jensen Ackles in his debut foray as the Caped Crusader; the thrilling adventure uses ‘noir-ish’ styled animation with heavy outlining and cell shading.
Animism Studios Creates Mental Health PSA During COVID-19 Shut-Down
In a move to keep their artists busy… and employed, the Vancouver-based studio produced ‘Be There for Them,’ a PSA for the Boys and Girls Club – Canada that addresses mental health and loneliness.
