ASIFA San Francisco, Newsletter June 1997

 

LOCAL NEWS

DANNY SHORAGO & TODD KURTZMAN'S MARYLOU WAS SHOWN AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL IN A CRITICS' CHOICE PROGRAM

The film was one of 9 shorts shown in that competition during International Critics' Week at Cannes (Zimmerman's Birdhouse was in a different competition). The event features work selected by critics from other festivals. The film is slated for a world tour after Cannes.

Kurtzman was working in Portland at Will Vinton's Studios in April on a Doritos ad directed by David Daniels. He says the studio has quite a few project in production and about 60 - 70 people on staff.

Kurtzman returned to San Francisco in late April, packed his bags and took off for Cannes with a group of 6 people for a week in the sun. He says that it cost about a grand to make a subtitled print for Cannes and to create the publicity stills and other materials needed for the event. The world tour of the film should cover the expenses and bring the work additional rentals/sales. People have been taking to Kurtzman and Shorago about possible projects.

 

WILD BRAIN WINS CLIOS FOR NIKE "DESTINATION MOON" AND MAINSTAY "UP...DOWN...UP"

"Destination Moon," a Nike ad directed by Gordon Clark and animated by Garrett Sheldrew, won a Silver award in the Animation-Film category (2nd place). The Mainstay ad directed by Wild Brain's co-founder John Hays, received a Bronze award. Clark's work is hand drawn while Hays' project combines hand animation with cgi by Little Fluffy Clouds.

The Nike ad was shown in competition at Annecy in late May along with Stickin' Around, a work made for children by Robin Steele. Steele, a partner in the company. He directed the TV series in Canada before joining Wild Brain.

 

PROTOZOA HAS MOVED to a larger space at 2727 Mariposa Street, Studio 100, San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 522-6500. Protozoa is a state-of-the-art motion capture company headed by Brand DeGraf and friends.

 

WILD BRAIN DOES TWO ADS FOR THE TENNIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION USING TOM AND JERRY AND HERCULOIDS PLAYING TENNIS WITH REAL KIDS

The ads combine stock cartoon images with recently filmed green-screen live-action footage. The backgrounds behind the kids is cartoon-like so the footage matches the animated scenes.

Gordon Clark at Wild Brain directed and Erica Jordan was the editor. Western Images did digital effects. Gary Coates was the colorist and Colleen Smith was the digital artist.

Wild Brain is currently the largest, most productive traditional animation studio in the SF Bay Area.

 

CURIOUS PICTURES SIGNS DIRECTOR CHEL WHITE

White worked in the Bay Area in the early 1980's and made an excellent film here titled Metal Dogs of India. He moved to Portland about 1985 where he has created several memorable works including Photocopy Cha Cha. White will continue to live in Portland and fly to Curious Pictures offices in New York and SF as needed.

Katie Rauh, another former Bay Area talent (with Colossal from 1984-'92) has joined The Front, a live-action division of Duck Soup in LA. She joins as Executive Producer. She received a BFA from Cal Arts in 1993.

 

SIX FOOT TWO PRODUCTIONS DID A SPOT FOR STELLER HERBICIDE

They animated the 30 second ad in 5 weeks including digital manipulation and final compositing at Varitel Video. Art director Mike Ancevic and director Robbin Atherly created the short life and dramatic death of a water hemp plant in a field of soy beans. They used life sized models of plants and props that were shot on 35mm film. The images were turned over to Steve Bellin, their digital effects supervisor who used Elastic Reality software to modify them. The work was transfered to D1 and then composited using Henry at Varitel.

Thomas Arndt was the special effects director, Steve Bellin was the digital effects animator and Marcia McLean was the producer. (415) 925-9909.

 

COLOSSAL PICTURES HAS MOVED back to their old home at 2800 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107. The lease on their 15th St. space was up and... The new general office phone number is (415) 643-1799 and the fax is 643-1699. www.colossal.com

 

SUPER MOM COKE AD IS BY WILD BRAIN

A still from the ad appeared in the SF Chronicle's business section on May 10. In the 30 second commercial Super Mom battles a meteor on a collision course with Earth and then ducks out on a press conference to fly to a grocery store to pickup cartons of Coke for her kids.

This comic book type ad is a lot of tongue-and-cheek fun. It was directed by Wes Takahashi and Mike Smith. The animators included Robert Sidrew and Robert Valley. Kevin Coffey animated some of the special effects with Takahashi using techniques that the two once used at ILM before CGI took over.

 

STORY SIGNS TWO REPS

Dan O'Brien will rep the company in the midwest and Jeff Rosen will rep them on the west coast and in southern states. Story produces animated TV commercials and has offices in Mill Valley and a studio in San Francisco. (415) 642-0230

 

CANYON CINEMA, A FILM COLLECTIVE THAT DISTRIBUTES OUTSTANDING ANIMATED SHORTS, LOST $15,000 NEA GRANT DUE TO AN ATTACK BY A REPUBLICAN - PRIVATE FUNDS NEEDED

The film distribution group has had small NEA grants for the last 15 year and has been renting films to schools and the public since the late 1960's. They distribute work by Oskar Fischinger, Len Lye, Susan Pitt, Robert and Emily Breer, Larry Jordan, Pat O'Neill, Gunvor Nelson, Paul Glabicki, Dirk DeBruyn, Barry Spinello, Bruce Connor, Stan Brackage, and others.

The $15,000 grant was to help the organization publish their next catalog that will list over 3,000 avant-garde and experimental film and video titles. The grant had been approved by the NEA, but it was cancelled when Representative Peter Hoekstra (R-Michigan), who heads the House Committee on Education and the Workforce's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, complained that the NEA funded 4 distributors that include some gay and lesbian material in their catalogs (the other groups are Brava! for Women in the Arts, Fiction Collective 2 and Women Make Movies). An article in the SF Bay Guardian (April 16, 1997) said Hoekstra "has put the dismantling of the NEA at the top of his agenda this year."

Canyon's staff is shocked that Hoekstra is using their catalog as an example of indecency in the arts. Dominic Angerame, Executive Director of Canyon Cinema, told the Guardian, "I don't think there are any films in our catalog that would justify our not getting money from the NEA... The NEA is not even funding these films, they're just supporting a catalog that advertises their distribution" (along with the films of Len Lye, Fischinger, and dozens of other artists whose work does not have gay or lesbian content).

Canyon is seeking large and small donations so they can publish their 8th catalog. Once published it will remain in use for several years. They mail out small annual updates to the catalog to keep their costs down.

Tax deductible donations can be made through Film Arts Foundation. Checks should be made payable to Film Arts Foundation and mailed to Canyon Cinema. Mark check for Catalog #8. 2325 3rd St, Suite 338, San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 626-2255.

 

AUDIENCE PICKS THEIR FAVORITE FILMS IN OUR SCREENING OF THE ASIFA-EAST ANNUAL COMPETITION - DILWORTH WINS BY A NOSE

This year's event was full of wonderful works and the voting was close between the top winner. John R. Dilworth's Noodles and Nedd won by one point over Aleksandra Korejwo's Impressions (a commercial done with colored salts for Ron Diamond's Acme Films in LA). David Wasson and Chris Miller's Voice B Gone came in 3rd. Honorable Mentions go to Michael Sporn's Champagne which won "Best Film in Festival" in New York (it was 1 point behind Voice B Gone in the voting), and Raquel Coelho's The Tapir, which won first prize in New York in the student awards category. Dilworth's film won first prize in animation in NY along with a Charles Samu Award Honorable Mention. David Wasson's Voice B Gone was voted the Best Film Under Two Minutes. Impression came in 3rd in New York in the professional films under 2 minutes design category.

Five other films came close to winning Honorable Mentions. They are John Kricfalusi's Three Little Pigs (Acme, it won a 1st prize for its animation in NYC), J.J. Sedelmaier Production's X-Presidents (which won a 2nd prize in NYC for its soundtrack), Adam Dotson's The Stomach Pump (3rd in the student category), John Serpentelli's Once Upon a Time (1st prize in NYC for soundtrack over 2 min. long) and John McInture's The Kitchen Casanova (made for Hanna-Barbera - it came in 3rd for direction in NYC).

 

EDUCATION

JANE VEEDER TO TEACH AN INTENSIVE INTRODUCTION TO 3D COMPUTER ANIMATION AT SF STATE THIS SUMMER

Cinema 660 will last 3 weeks (the last 3 weeks of July) and you don't have to be a student in a department at State to take the class. It is open to anyone through SF State Extension. Veeder will use Infini-D Software on the Mac platform and she says it helps to have a knowledge of MacGraphics before you take the class. The class will focus on both the software and basic principles of 3D animation. For details call (415) 904-7700.

 

CITY COLLEGE TO OFFER INTRODUCTION TO ANIMATION IN THE FALL

The Saturday morning class meets from Oct. 4 to Nov. 11 from 9 to noon at the Fort Mason Center. The teacher is Arcadias and the tuition is $150 plus a $45 material fee. For details call (415) 561-1860.

 

RICHARD WILLIAMS MASTERCLASS SELLS OUT - 2nd CLASS SET FOR JUNE 20-22.

The response to the class being offered in San Francisco was so great that they had a waiting list of disappointed animators who couldn't get into the first class. A second class will be held Friday, June 20 - Sunday, June 22 at Delancy Street in SF.

For details call Mo Sutton (250) 653-4502, or write P.O. Box 2055, Sidney, B.C. V8L 3S3 Canada

 

LOCAL SCREENINGS/EVENTS

 

THE REALM OF ENCHANTMENT SERIES AT THE PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVES IN JUNE INCLUDES SEVERAL WONDERFUL ANIMATED CLASSICS

The series, programmed by film historian Russell Merritt, opens Thursday, June 5, at 7 PM, with a program of early classics. The show includes Palace of the Arabian Nights, 1905, a hand-tinted Georges Melies short; Winsor McCay's Little Nemo (1911); Edison and Porter's The Teddy Bears (1907), Lotte Reiniger's Cinderella, 1922; Karel Zeman's Inspiration, and the live action feature Beauty and the Beast by Jean Cocteau, 1946. There will also be a short illustrated slide lecture by Merritt.

On Sunday June 8 at 5:30 PM, they will show The Prince and the Princess by Michel Ocelot, 1989, before the live action feature Sinbad the Sailor.

On Sunday, June 22 at 5:30 PM they will show Starevitch's The Magic Clock, 1929 (44 minutes) with a newly recorded orchestral score by Paul Dessau that was written for the film when it was first released. The film is paired with Lili, 1953, featuring Leslie Caron.

 

ANIMATION AT VENUE 9

Nic Phelps' Sprocket Ensemble with guest star Pamela Z will perform with animated shorts on June 2 at 7:30 and 9:30 PM.

On Tuesday, July 8 at 6:15 and 8:30 PM the Reel Women series of Women Making Movies presents A Night of Animation featuring Lotte Reiniger's Stolen Hearts and Harlequin (1934, 1935), Caroline Leaf's Sand and The Street (1969, 1976) Suzan Pitt's Crocus and Asparagus (1971, 1978) and Ayoka Chenzira's Hair Piece and Zajota and the Boogie Spirit, (1985, 1990). The show will run 97 minutes and all films are in 16mm.

The Women's series will also present a show of 5 Maya Deren films on July 1.

Venue 9 is at 252 Ninth Street in San Francisco. (415) 626-2169.

 

RETROSPECTIVE OF 14 QUEER ANIMATED SHORTS AT SF'S GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL ON WED. JUNE, 25

The program of animated shorts represents a wide range of styles and techniques from England, Germany, Holland and the USA. Historic work includes Arthur Dong's Public from 1970, Carol Clement's Luan Tune from 1978 and Barbara Hammer's Our Trip from 1980. The recent work includes the technically brilliant Achilles by Barry Purves, 1995. Purves' earlier works include the exceptional stop-motion puppet films Next and Screenplay.

The show also includes Adam by Andrea Stoops, 1996; Give AIDS the Freeze by Cathy Joritz, 1991 (a gem shown by Spike and Mike), Fairest of Them All by Jason Stalman, 1995; Triangle by Robert Doucett, 1989; 8 Ball Love by Andrea Stoops, 1996; Anastasia and the Queen of Hearts by Shawn Atkins, 1994; My Moon Her World by Vicky Smith, 1995; Law of Averages by James Duesing, 1996; Late at Night by Stefanie Jordan, Stephanie Saghri and Claudia Zoller, and Safe Sex: The Manual by Greg Lawson, 1993. Four of the shorts are in 35mm, the rest are in 16mm. The program runs 77 min. At the Castro, 7 PM.

Several of the shorts will also be shown before features and Charlene's Angels by Donna Quince of Canada, an 11 minute animated short on video, will be shown in the program "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at the Victoria Friday June 27 at 3:30 PM.

 

DIGITAL DOMAIN PROGRAM on Tues. June 3 at the Marriott Hotel at 8 PM (social hour at 7). Presented by SF SIGGRAPH. $5 donation asked from non-members. Supervisors of performance capture, animation and digital effects will talk. Digital Domain has worked on Apollo 13, The Fifth Element, Titanic, Interview with a Vampire, and dozens of commercials including the Budweiser Ants and a Clydesdale hourse that kicks footballs. 55 Fourth St., in Salon 8.

 

BROTHERS QUAY TRIBUTE, JUNE 4 at the U.C. Theatre in Berkeley. They are showing Institute Benjamenta and 6 shorts. Last complete show starts at 7:15.

 

SAN JOSE FILM & VIDEO COMMISSION IS TOSSING A PARTY TO PROMOTE THEIR JOEY AWARDS

Enjoy free drinks and hors d'oeuvres on Thursday, June 26 from 6 to 8 at the The Pavilion, 150 S. First Street in downtown San Jose. Meet other professionals and learn about the plans for the new and improved 15th Annual Joey Awards. Attend and get $5 off your entry into the upcoming event. RSVP to (408) 295-9600, ext. 291.

 

THE CARTOON ART MUSEUM ANNOUNCES THE FIRST ANNUAL CHARLES M. SCHULZ AWARD DINNER

The event Sat. Sept. 13 will honor 3 men who have contributed to cartoon and comic art and reside in the Western US. They are Charles Schulz, John Lasseter and Chuck Jones. Tickets to the event are $150 for general seating and $300 if you wish to sit at the same table with Jones, Lasseter or Schulz. (note: ASIFA-Washington reports Chuck Jones suffered a mild heart attack recently and is recovering - prognossis is good.)

The event begins at 6 PM at the Radisson Miyako Hotel, 1625 Post St. Send checks (or pay by credit card) to the Cartoon Art Museum, 814 Mission St., SF CA 94103 (415) 227-8666. The museum is a 501(c) non-profit organization and proceeds of the event benefit the education and exhibition funds. (I believe that means you can write off everything except the aprox. price of the meal.) United Feature Syndicate and Ravenswood Winery are contributing to the event.

 

BRAINWASH DRIVE-IN MOVIE FESTIVAL TO SHOW MARYLOU AND OTHER STUFF SAT. & SUN. JULY 5 & 6 at 9 PM.

The event, formerly known as the Cacophony Drive-In Movie Festival, will take place at SOMAR, the South of Market Cultural Center. Nic Phelps will perform live on Sunday and Bishop Joey will present the awards chosen by the "phony festival committee." (415) 273-1545

[back | home | info@awn.com | mail | next]