ASIFA San Fransisco

October 1998 Newsletter

News | Magazines | National News | Cool Things For Sale | Festivals | Events

News

ANTZ! had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was also shown at the Ottawa Animation Festival before it opened across the USA. The CGI film made at PDI for DreamWorks was directed by Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson, produced by Brad Lewis, Patty Wooton and Aron Warner and the executive producer was Carl Rosendahl.
The film stars the voice of Woody Allen as a worker ant who doesn't conform to ant society. He sets his romantic interests on Princess Bala, voiced by Sharon Stone. He ends up as a hero of an ant revolution that celebrates individuality.
Also in the cast are Gene Hackman, Sylvester Stallone, Anne Bancroft, Christopher Walken, Danny Glover, Dan Ackroyd, Jane Curtin, Paul Mazyrsky and other stars. PDI is one of the oldest cgi houses in existence and has pioneered many of the techniques used by the industry. This is their first feature and only the second one made using computer graphics.

JOHN KRICFALUSI OF REN AND STIMPY FAME DIRECTED 2 SPOTS FOR SPUMCO/COLOSSAL PICTURES The ads were for Old Navy stores and they introduced new lines of jeans for kids. The ads were laid out by Kricfalusi, Gabe Swarr and Brian Wells and then animated in Canada by Chuck Gammage Animation, Inc. They began to air in July.

ANIMATION AND EFFECTS did a 15 second animated PSA on recycling. They also worked with Curious Pictures to do digital ink and paint on two 30 second Colorado State Lottery ads. Their animation director is Kathleen Swain and Terry O'Brien is the producer and head of the company. (650) 355-7635

XAOS PIONEERS ANIMATION IN LARGE FORMAT CINEMA, PLUS THEY CONTINUE TO DO UNIQUE WORK FOR COMMERCIALS & BROADCAST TV The staff is back from a trade show in Australia that focused on large format cinema. They showed off their new title sequences, animation and effects in the format including work for National Geographics, Discovery Channel, and MacGillivary Freeman Films. They did title sequences for Sands of Egypt, a 70mm logo for Discovery Channel Pictures, effects for the 70mm movie Wildfire, and animation showing the creation of the Himilayas. The 70mm format is wonderful medium for Xaos work as you get to see the richness and detail of it on a giant screen. For television they did 4 logos for the new network ZDTV. The series is called "Cycles." They did 3 thirty second TV ads for Money Grams. They combine animation and live action. For the Discovery Channel they created two thirty second computer animated segments for a TV show on prehistoric sharks. They created 4 fanciful and bizarre looking sharks from the Paleozoic age. Xaos is celebrating their 10th year in business. Ths company includes Arthur Schwartzberg, President; Christina Schmidlin, Executive Producer for Large Format; Bill Rogina, Line Producer; Lisa Slates, Senior Animator and Art Director; Matt Malmberg, Creative Director; Don Howe, Head of Production and Michel Fraser, Marketing Director.

CURIOUS PICTURES DOES A COLLAGE ANIMATION AD FOR HBO Chel White directed this colorful, fast paced work. Molly Moore was the postproduction supervisor and David Starr and Richard Winkler were the executive producers. The ad started to air last month.

CARTOONLAND DOES WORK FOR ZDTV, DIALING FOR DOLLARS, AND BRODERBUND Cartoonland is one of San Francisco's oldest animation studios. It is run by Kevin Coffey and they do several unusual projects each year. For ZDTV, the new television/computer network, they did 6 ten second station ids. They used a clever combination of public domain cartoon footage from the 1930's and 40's with newly created animation. The spots are currently in heavy rotation and can be seen daily. They were created, produced & directed be Kevin Coffey. Nancy Juliber of ZDTV was the executive producer. Louis Holnenstein did the original soundtrack recording at Outpost Digital Post-Production in San Francisco. For KICU, Channel 36, they created a new twenty second opening for Dialing for Dollars. The opening is so popular that it is also used in a promotion for the show that is run by the station. Coffey directed and animated the opening. Steven Gregory was the creative director for Total Video in South San Francisco. Broderbund Software hired Cartoonland to ink 14,000 Rugrats animation drawings for their Rugrats CD-Rom game, slated for Christmas release. The job was inked by Kevin Coffey, Donna Mankus and Chuck Speta. Bridget Erdman was executive producer for Briderbund Software, Novato. Cartoonland is at (415) 387-2844.

WILD BRAIN WINS ANOTHER PRIZE This time it is a bronze Cleo for their Super Mom Coke ad. Other news from the company includes the completion of Dave Thomas' short A DOG CARTOON. It will be shown in Oct. at the Mill Valley Film Festival and at our next ASIFA event. The company announced in July that Carl Willat, a former Colossal director, has joined as a commercial director. Mary Vandamme is now their West Coast sales rep, and Kitty Monaghan is their midwest rep.

SFPG MERGES WITH SHOTWELL STUDIOS, a South of Market "animation boutique specializing in desktop video applications and Internet development." SFPG, founded in 1981, has been a pacesetter in video and multimedia. They produced numerous animated works over the years including "Bud Bowl" commercials for several Super Bowls. According to Joel Skidmore, founder of SFPG, "with the decline in traditional video post-production, this seemed the best time to combine the companies and focus on desktop production solutions." Drew Fiero has become the new head of SFPG. The Bryant St studio will remain, as will the name SFPG. At present the company is doing work for Comedy Central and a Vegas attraction.

DISNEY COLLECTORS SHOW IN PALO ALTO OCT. 24 & 25 This is a chance to see thousands of new and old Disney items for sale. Four former Disney child stars will be there. So will the author of Walt Disney's Railroad Story and other Disney writers. Sat. noon to 5 and Sun. 10 to 5. $6 daily. Special 10 AM preview ticket on Sat. plus special door prizes and more available (Call 650-401-9749) The show is at the Town & Country Village.

MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL ONCE AGAIN WILL SHOW SEVERAL ANIMATION PROGRAMS At least two programs are scheduled this year. On Sunday, Oct. 4, 5 PM, there is a peek behind the scenes of RUGRATS with footage from the next season, a tour of the process used to make the show and other treats. Director Paul Demeyer will be present.
On Sat. Oct. 10, 1 PM, MEET THE MOLE PEOPLE is a 23 min. video documentary by Matt Broersma and Shari Rubin about the process. It includes Dave Thomas who will show his new A DOG CARTOON in the program. Other works in the show are WITHOUT YOU, a clay film by Ryan McCulloch; BAKER, PAINTS, CAKES by Frazier Bradshaw; HERVIC IN CLOUDLAND by Velvy Appleton plus a new work by students in Gary Schwartz's animation workshop. The workshop is for kids ages 9 and up and it is on Oct. 3 & 4. Animators will be present. The festival will present at least two animated shorts before features. The Oscar winning GERI'S GAME (Jan Pinkava, Pixar) will be shown with TRAINS 'N' ROSES on Oct. 3 & 5, and PUT ON A HAPPY FACE (Suzanne Lee Twining) will be shown with THE CELEBRATION on Oct. 3.
note: ASIFA was given incorrect information for our last newsletter about animation being shown in Mill Valley. We regret any confusion created by our having published this information.

ACADEMY OF ART CGI STUDENTS WIN AWARDS AND GET JOBS Don Zhao, a MFA student in computer arts, had his MFA project shown at SIGGRAPH. He has since been hired to work at PDI. Two students won awards in the 1998 Alias/Wavefront student competition. One was a best prize in compositing, the other a best in modeling. Another honor for 11 graduates of the department is their getting screen credit for their work at Disney on Mulan. (The feature has now grossed over 100 million dollars.) Congratulation to all for their outstanding work.

WOMEN IN ANIMATION TO SCREEN & DISCUSS THE MAKING OF ANTZ WED. OCT. 14 This will be a behind the scenes show and it is open to our members. $5. Academy of Art, 540 Powell, 3rd floor.

FILM ARTS FESTIVAL OF INDEPENDENT CINEMA, Nov. 4 - 8, always includes some locally made animation. See the festival flyer when it comes out in Oct. for details.

BRAINWASH FILM FESTIVAL FEATURING SHIRLEY SMITH'S DUNDERDECK MACHINE TO PLAY IN THE SOUTHWEST The program plays in Tucson at Club Congress Oct. 19, in Houston at Templo Oct. 23, and Notsuoh in Houston on the 24th.

BILL PLYMPTON'S I MARRIED A STRANGE PERSON TO OPEN OCT. 30 IN SAN FRANCISCO The film is set to open at the Lumiere for an open run (no set closing date - it stays here if it sells enough tickets, so see it right away in case it is a short run).

KARL COHEN IS HOME AND RECOVERING FROM HIS STROKE Special thanks to all who sent notes, cards & flowers while I was in Mt. Zion. Two month in a hospital is an awfully dull experience, so your notes did make a difference. I am now home and I feel good enough to contribute several pages to this issue.- WRITERS STILL NEEDED - My writing speed is a lot slower than it was, so ASIFA needs your help if you want to read 8 to 10 pages of news each month. I can not write that much at present. Also, since I do not go out to lots of events & parties any longer PLEASE PHONE IN NEWS ITEMS - EVEN TINY ITEMS. This is your newsletter, so let people know what you are doing one frame at a time. Call Karl Cohen (415) 386-1004.

ASIFA MEMBER TO DONATE A COMPUTER I can use one that does voice recognition to do the newsletter. At present the newsletter is done on an ancient 286 which was built long before voice systems were developed. I used to type at a rapid rate (100 words a min.?), but now I hunt and peck with one finger. Doing this issue was a slow labor of love. Special thanks to a very special member for her generous gift. If everything works the next issue will be larger.

MAGAZINES

ANIMATION PLANET #3 is an excellent 48 page magazine for fans of animation. There is a 10 page interview with Jerry Beck on the state of the industry today that is quiet honest & frank instead of being a glossy puff piece. Another 10 pages are devoted to the creators of South Park followed by other directors and producers that have pushed the envelop (from Max Fleischer to Mike Judge). The issue also is full of reviews, news, tributes to Don Messick & Mae Questel and other items of interest. This fine publication retails for $4.95. Subscriptions are $15 ($18 with a stop-motion animation yearbook) from Animation Planet, 17 Spruce St., Springfield, MA 01105 (413) 731-7928

ANIMATION MAGAZINE, Sept. 98 is their Fall TV issue, and things look great for an expanding industry. There are more networks showing animation, more shows and even a few items that may be of interest to adults who avoid animation made for kids. The best bet for mature adults is Bob and Margaret on Comedy Central. It is by David Fine and his wife Alison Snowden. It is solid dry British humor. It could play well on KQED. The creators won an Oscar for their short Bob's Birthday. For a wilder type of humor there is Dr. Katz on Comedy Central, Futurama, PJ's, Simpsons, and King Of The Hill on Fox, and possibly Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy on the Cartoon Network. The last title is by Danny Antonucci who did Lupo the Butcher. PJ's is by Eddie Murphy and the Will Vinton Studios. Futurama is the new series from Matt Groenig, the creator of The Simpsons. One of these shows may be just right for you. NBC ran their first animated prime time series since the dark ages a few month ago. I'm sorry to say Stressed Eric was a British dud. This and every issue is loaded with trade news. The editor no longer includes a section for cel collectors, so there is more coverage of the national and international market. Of special interest to me was reading about the state of the industry in India. I was also impresses with their coverage of animation in Italy. Of interest to some readers will be the Nov. issue about education in animation. It will include guides to schools and recruitment. Subscriptions are $40 for 12 issues from Animation Magazine, 30101 Agoura Ct. Suite 110, Agoura Hills, CA 91301-4301 (818) 991-3773

NATIONAL NEWS

BILL PLYMPTON GOT NICE PRESS COVERAGE FOR THE RELEASE OF HIS LATEST FEATURE Although I was in the hospital when it came out in NY & LA, I did hear a long interview with him on National Public Radio and saw a solid review in The New York Times. I also saw The New Yorker which ran a great color image that promoted the film.

ASIFA-HOLLYWOODS' ANIFEST '98 sounded like a fine event. There were lots of guests of honor including Lucille Bliss (Smurfette), Nancy Cartwright (Bart Simpsons' voice), John Kricfalusi, June Foray (Rocky the Flying Squirrel), etc. Most of the studios were there with representives. Artists did demonstrations of the traditional and electronic animation processes. Voice artists did demonstrations. New work was shown including unaired TV material. Cel were sold from TV shows, commercials, etc. This event sells original cels for much less then galleries.

ASIFA WEB PAGE WANTS 3 FRAMES FROM YOU, and/or a text, photos, drawings, etc. Contact Thomas Renoldner, ASIFA-Austria, Dapontegasse 9/A, A-1030 Wien, Austria, Europe

COOL THINGS FOR SALE

FLIP BOOKS AND RELATED ITEMS Among the latest items being offered by Optical Toys is a flip book of the Empire State Building under construction. It is 43 large pages (4 x 6"). There are 10 new Muybridge flipbooks. There are other new books available plus other unique items. One is a set of blocks that can form 4,194,304 funny faces (based on a toy from 1925). The catalog includes all the unusual items from past issues, so this is a really unique selection of things for sale. For a free copy write Optical Toys, P.O. Box 23, Putney, VT 05346 (802) 254-6115

FESTIVALS

SF FILM FESTIVAL'S GOLDEN GATE AWARDS DEADLINE IS DEC. 4 for a late April event. For information contact Brian Gordon, 1512 Eddy, SF, CA 94115 (415) 929-5014

THE 1999 NASHVILLE INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL has an early deadline of Dec. 4, final Jan. 15. They preview work on 1/2" video. Aka Sinking Creek. For details PO Box 24330, Nashville, TN 37202-4330 (615) 742-2500

WHY SPEND $90 OR MORE TO ENTER A FESTIVAL? That is the regular fee to enter a short under 15 minutes at next year's 1999 APPLE AWARDS. (Student films cost less to enter.) Is the award worth it? Only a few of their winners are shown to the public, and it takes month for them to publish a list of winners. If saying you won an Apple Award will help your career, enter. Early bird (save $15) before Oct. 16. Nov. 2 regular deadline. Late deadline is Nov. 30. National Educational Media Network, 655 Thirteenth St. Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 465-6885

EVENTS

DON'T MISS THE ASIFA EVENT ON FRIDAY, OCT. 23 at 7:30 PM. We will show new work from ILM, PDI and WILD BRAIN. It is at the Exploritorium's McBean Theatre, 7:30 PM, free, public invited. This is a program of outstanding animation by three exceptional Bay Area production houses.

ASIFA SAN FRANCISCO
P.O. Box 14516
San Francisco, CA 94117


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© 1998 Animation World Network

This issue was written by Karl Cohen, proofread by Jim Gates and laid out by Shirley Smith. Membership is $18 a year from the above address. Highlights of back issues can be found on the internet at www.awn.com in the animation village.