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PROTOZOA DOES 26 EPISODES OF ìTHE DOG AND DINOSAUR SHOWî FOR THE BBC IN 4 WEEKS Whether you call what they do performance animation, real-time animation or motion capture, it is fast to use once the characters are created. The system uses human motions to move computer generated ìpuppets.î The kidís show started to air in England soon after work had begun on the first season. Protozoa, headed by Brad de Graf, also created a giant M&M that appeared live on national TV several times on Superbowl Sunday. Each time the confection/actor was in a different location, demonstrating the mobility of Protozoaís system. The company is also active creating new ideas for the Internet. Thep presently have a daily comic strip on the web using a streaming video technique. Www.protozoa.com and www.protocomix.com
WILD BRAIN Is a creative sponsor and official media partner of the 42nd San Francisco International Film Festival. They sponsored four feature films, a program of animated shorts, and produced the great looking trailer for this year's Festival. The trailer was a collaboration between Wild Brain and Zimmerman Crowe Design. It was directed by Gordon Clark, and animated by Phil Robinson, Dave Marshall, Lee Hong and Sam Hood.
WILD BRAIN DID A HERSHEYíS KISSES AD for Easter. It combined stop-motion and cel animation. Carl Willat directed. The stop-motion footage was shot at Custer Avenue Stages and props were built by M5 Industries.
RADIUM DOES 3D CHARACTERS for a Wrigley Chewing Gum ad featuring a rock band made out of animated toys. The ad also contains cel animation and live action footage. William Opdyke headed the Radium portion of the project. The company has also done projects recently for EA Sport's NHL 99 and NASCAR 99 games.
WESTERN IMAGES BUILDS A HOUSE for Bayer Corp. The computer generated house was for a pesticide ad being produce by Complete Pandemonium. They had to match their computer home with live action footage of the building. Mark Dippe was the director.
SILICON GRAPHICS CHANGES THEIR NAME TO SGI The 17 year old company feels people think of them mainly as a great manufacturer of workstations. Actually their product line includes a lot of other items. They were advised to change the name and logo to something that would express the diversification on their product line.
CURIOUS PICTURES DID FIVE ROUNDTABLE PIZZA ADS Michael Bade directed the spots designed with Seattle cartoonist Peter Bagge. The commercials are for a new campaign that guarantees the pizza loverís right to have fun while eatingÖ The animators working on the series were Granger Davis, Amy Nuara, and Barbara Bayne. The animation director was Nick Hewitt, the producer was Maryann McClure and the production manager was Sue Teagarden. Curious announced in April that Boo Wong will head their cgi department in New York. Wong started at Curious four years ago as an intern.
ATTIK DOES AN AD FOR THE GM ELECTRIC CAR EV1 The ad has 3D animated segments representing electric energy waves. Christian Perez was Attikís 3D animator on the project. The ad was produced through the companyís San Francisco office at 445 Bush Street, 3rd floor (415) 989-6401. They also have offices in London, New York and Sydney, Australia.
FREAK SHOW FILMS, a new stop-motion company in San Francisco, is run by Misha Klein and Michael Eder. They have done some work for Curious Pictures and a project that was on Entertainment Tonight. The latter project was sponsored by Old Navy. Their office is at 651 A, Scott Street, San Francisco CA 94117 (415) 776 -- 1076.
ZENIMATION is a new 3D computer/character animation company founded by Joe Elardy. He had directed on Vanpires, at MSH.. When MSH moved to New York he opened Zenimation. At the moment he is doing modeling and texturing on video games. He has made a pilot for a series that serves as his demo reel. PO Box 1017, Orinda CA 94563 (510) 655-8539 www.zenimation.com
FOR AN ARTICLE/DIRECTORY CONTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT 40 BAY AREA ANIMATION COMPANIES SEE THE MAY ISSUE OF ëFILM/TAPE WORLDí This is a long detailed article by Karl Cohen. It gives details about the types of work most of the companies do. For those of you looking for work or a company to do a job, addresses and phone numbers are included.
SPIKE AND MIKE continue to play their program of outstanding shorts in May in San Francisco, San Jose, and San Rafael. Peter Stack gave the show an excellent/rave review in the Chronicle. Students love the show. A few animation professionals would have liked more humor and another show-stopper or two. Don Hertzfeldtís Billyís Balloon offers a slightly twisted bit of humor, as does Pierre Coffinís Pings. One person felt Son of Bambi Meets Godzilla puts a funny twist to the Marv Newland classic (both shorts are shown) while another person argued the original should be left alone as nothing will ever top it. Everyone I spoke to agreed that Bunny is a remarkable Oscar winner and an excellent ending to the program even though it is not a humorous work. The program offers two impressive looking motion capture works. People are still debating the merits of these works, which suggests the technique has made a mark and cannot be dismissed as a fad or gimmick. Also, nobody complained about there being any duds in the program which is a compliment to the people who picked the films. In past years there has always been a dud or two that stuck out like a sore thumb. Everyone I spoke with in April felt the overall quality of the new program is good or very good (but not fantastic). If you haven't seen this program, you can see it at the Red Vic, 1727 Haight St. in San Francisco, Sunday, May 16 through Sunday, May 23. It plays at the new Rafael Film Center (a wonderful space for people who love film), 1118 Fourth Street, San Rafael, Friday, May 7 through Thursday, May 27. It will be at the Towne Theatre in San Jose until Thursaday, May 27 (opened in April)..
Friday, May 7 IDEAS IN ANIMATION, SPOOCKET ENSEMBLE AT THE LUTHER BURBANK CENTER, SONOMA MUSEUM OF VISUAL ARTS CafÈ opens at 8, film begin at dusk in the garden. (707) 527 - 0297
Monday, May 24 IDEAS IN ANIMATION, SPOOCKET ENSEMBLE AT THE RED VIC They will premiere a new film by Nina Paley and show several other works in 35 mm by Paley, Rock Ross, Dave Thomas (A Dog Cartoon), and Meredith Root from Milwaukee. Rarely herd music by Kurt Weill will be performed by Lauren, a soprano who is doing a show called Venus Envy. 668-3994
Friday, June 4, FIVE EXPERIMENTAL FILMS BY OSAMU TEZUKA 7 pm He was the creator of Astro Boy and the father of manga. He was also a great personal animator who had several films in past Tournee of Animation shows. Tonightís show features Broken Down Film, Pictures at an Exhibition, Legend of the Forest, Tales of the Street Corner and Jumping. 35 mm and 16 mm. With BLACK JACK, 1996, at 9:15 pm. The animated feature combines action/adventure with scientific detail. Based on a story by Dr. Osamu Tezuka.
Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley Sunday, June 6, KIKIíS DELIVERY SERVICE, 3 PM, by Miyazaki, in 35mm, back by popular demand. Pacific Film Archive.
RAFAEL FILM CENTER IS A MAGNIFICENT COMPLEX This multi-million dollar complex houses 3 theaters, a board room and eventually a cafe. It is housed in the shell of an art deco theater from the 1930s, but to make the center earthquake safe floors and walls were replaced with reinforced concrete. Also, the original theater only had one screen. Now there is a 350 seat hall, a 131 seat theater in the old balcony, and a new 80 seat space. Each hall is equipped with 35mm and 16mm projectors and state-of-the-art sound systems. The center was built by enthusiasts rather than commercial businessmen. They went all out when it came to little details. The lobby has sweeping art deco lines to its curved walls and no frames for movie posters that would breakup the look of this architectural gem. Missing mental hardware was replaced by copies cast from remaining original pieces. Handsome murals were either restored or new panels were painted in the appropriate style and colors. Fortunately, the people who run the center appreciate animation. They have booked numerous shows in the past at the Mill Valley Film Festival and the Lark Theater. In May one of their screens will show the new Spike and Mike program. Hopefully this theater complex will bring a great deal of animation to the area in the future.
LAW SUIT BLAMES COMPUTER GAMES FOR THE DEATH OF 3 CHILDREN In 1997 a 14 year old kid with a gun killed 3 classmates at school. He was convicted and sent to jail. Now the parents of the 3 kids are suing computer game companies for 130 million. They are claiming the games taught the boy to be ìan effective killerî but they didnít teach him responsibility.
BILL PLYMPTON IS WORKING ON HIS NEXT ANIMATED FEATURE ìMUTANT ALIENSî -- HIS BOOK, NOW IN ITS 4TH PRINTING, WAS CENSORED! Mutant Aliens is the title of the latest work-in-progress. To help raise money to pay for it he is coming out with a graphic novel of the work (pictured above). He has publishers for the novel in France and Spain. The English version is ìpending.î Billís book on Monica had 3 pages censored by the publisher before it came out. They took out the suggestion that bodily fluids were splashing about. The uncensored original art work may go on sale in New York soon, but nothing is definite yet.
SALLY CRUICKSHANK HAS HER OWN FAR OUT WEB SITE There is nothing else like it in the world or on the Internet. Go to www.funonmars.com and have fun.
IOTA FORMED TO PROMOTE AND PRESERVE THE ART OF LIGHT AND MOVEMENT Over the years the art of light and movement has been expressed in a wide range of media and techniques and has been called by a variety of names. In the world of film it's been known as absolute film and abstract animation, whereas in video art it is referred to as video synthesis or image processing. Many artists have invented their own hardware to project moving images in a live performance. Today, there is visual music computer animation software and other experiments. The Iota Research Library and collection contains materials collected by Dr. William Moritz over a 30 year period. There are original works of art by Oskar Fishchinger, James Whitney, Jules Engel, Paul Glabicki, Jordan Belson, Sara Petty and Pat O'Neill. There are 300 films in 16mm and 35mm, books, magazines, journals, tapes and thousands of other articles. For further information write 3765 Cardiff Avenue No. 305, Los Angeles CA 90034 (310) 842 -- 8704 www.iotacenter.org
KODAK/MOTION IS AN AMAZING PRODUCT - BETTER THAN HOLOGRAMS Remember how much fun it was to discover holograms? Kodak has a process that puts up to 24 frames of film (animation or live action) on to a sheet of clear plastic. The result is a moving picture sequence that can equal about 4 seconds of film. One sample of the product is a 2 1/4 by 3 1/2 card with about 10 frames of Bugs Bunny and Elmer from Rabbit of Seville. The color and movement are excellent. The process should be ideal for making unusual promotions for an animation studio if the cost is affordable. The process has been used to make posters for the features Species, Zorro and Jurassic Park. For more information call a Kodak representative as the product is not stocked by local camera stores.
FUTURAMA GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR A SECOND SEASON Fox has ordered 22 more episodes of the show.
THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY AND BULLWINKLEì GOES INTO PRODUCTION - ILM TO CREATE CGI MOOSE AND SQUIRREL FOR THE FEATURE Dave Andrews and Roger Guyett are the ILM supervisors who will turn characters designed in 1950 by Alex Anderson (J Wardís partner then) into 3D characters. June Foray will do Rockyís voice and Keith Scott (not related to Bill) will do the moose. The film will also have some inept live action characters in it. Robert de Nero will play Fearless Leader (he will also co-produce), Jason Alexander will be Boris Badenov and Rene Russo will be Natasha.
ARE YOU READY FOR AN ANIMATED ì5000 FINGERS OF DR. Tî TV SERIES? Columbia/TriStar is developing this project. Dr. Seuss wrote the film script and grew to hate it according to his official biography. I guess he would have really hated this project. Columbia/TtiStar is also producing an animated sequel to the feature Heavy Metal with music by Axel Rose, Sammy Hager, The Stone Temple and others. The feature has a $15 million budget. Kevin Eastman, who created Mutant Ninja Turtles, is co-author of the script. The film is being done in the U.S.A., Canada and Manila.
IMAX ANIMATION FROM MAINFRAME IN CANADA The company did the Rebout TV series. Imax purchased an interest in them. The first feature will be Gulliverís Travels. It will have a 2001 release date.
FILM ROMAN ENTERTAINMENT IS PHIL ROMANíS NEW COMPANY His old company has the contract to do The Simpsons. It went public and eventually the founder left. Since he has over 40 years in the business, expect to see Romanís name in the news soon.
DISNEY SECRETS may be revealed in a legal action against them by Jeffery Katzenberg. The press is waiting like vultures for tidbits to be thrown their way. They hope to learn more about profits and other business practices when the former employee presents his case. Katzenberg could be owed as much as $250 million in profits from films produced while he was head of the animated feature division. He is entitled to two percent of the profits including future earnings from toys and other things based on the films made while he was there. A judge recently ruled the case had to be argued in public and not behind closed doors. Disney wanted to keep the press and other interested parties from finding out what goes on in their corporation.
BILL LITTLEJOHN HONORED AT UCLA with an in-person tribute. He has been working in animation since the 1930s. He was with MGM for part of the ìGolden Age.î He worked with John and Faith Hubley, with J. Ward on George of the Jungle, with Bill Melendez on Peanuts, etc. He was involved with the Disney strike. He also was a co-founder of the Tournee on Animation, has been active with ASIFA-Hollywood and has served as an officer of ASIFA-International.
BOX OFFICE REPORTS - In March the Rugrats feature became the first non-Disney related product to gross over $100 million. As of April 25, Prince of Egypt had grossed $100,800,804 (out 18 weeks); King and I had grossed $10,992,604 (5 weeks); Doug had grossed $16,947,604 (4 weeks) and A Bugís Lifeís domestic gross climbed to $162,577,627 (22 weeks). The special effect feature, The Matrix, had grossed $117,082,994 in 3 weeks! King and I opened on 2352 screen so it seems an animated version of an outstanding musical isnít a brilliant idea. It may break even or make a small profit after the video is released. Meanwhile A Bugís Life has grossed well over $300 million worldwide.
SOCIETY FOR ANIMATION STUDIES CONFERENCE AUG. 3 - 6 IN AUSTRALIA For details about registration, hotels, etc. contact Keith Bradbury, Queensland College of Art, PO Box 84, Morningside, Brisbane, Australia Q 4170
ASIFA NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ASIFA-Hollywood screened a war-time Japanese animated feature from 1944. Momotaro's God Blessed Sea Warriors by Mituyo Seo stars cute Japanese animals that "happily clear an airstrip, oil machine guns, and fly their Zeros to victory while singing happy song... they humiliate evil Yankees like Popeye and Bluto!" They also showed anti-Japanese propaganda cartoons including Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips. Tom Sito and Jerry Beck were the hosts. In April Sito interviewed Phil Mendez before a live audience. Mendez talked about his career as a pioneer African American animator. He has worked for Disney, Bakshi (on Fritz the Cat), Hanna-Barbera and other studios. ASIFA-Washington showed Hoppity Goes to Town, Fleischer/1941, in March and a program of outstanding films from past ASIFA-East Festivals in April. They announced that Faith Hubley would be at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in March for a screening of work by John, Faith and Emily Hubley. ASIFA-New York showied their annual competition in April. Bill Plympton said ìeverybody was thereî and the 600 seat hall at the New School was packed. ASIFA-Central had their annual conference and retreat at a state park near Utica, Illinois April 30 - May 2. ASIFA-Israel reports that A Bug's Life has opened there in time for the Passover holiday. ìPreview screenings were met with utter enthusiasm." ASIFA-Catalunya (Barcelona) has published a small magazine for its members. It is full of festival news (about events held last year), and brief reports about the contents of other animation magazines and ASIFA newsletters from around the world. ASIFA web site was just getting started in April at http://ASIFA.net The new site Web Master is Thomas Renolder in Vienna. He is asking for feedback at asifa.austria@t).
JEAN VANDER PYL, VOICE OF WILMA FLINTSTONE dies at age 79. She did voices for several classic TV cartoon series including parts on Quick Draw McGraw, Huckleberry Hound, The Flintstones and Top Cat. She had a career in radio before she became a TV voice. She was on Amos and Andy, Studio One, The Lux Radio Theater, Father Knows Best and other shows.
EVELYN LAMBART OF THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA 1914 - 99. She joined the NFB in 1942 and was doing hand lettering when Norman McLaren asked her to help him on a film. They did 8 films together and she is listed in the credits on 6 of them as co-director. She went on to develop her own cutout techniques and directed several of her own award winning films.
DAVID McCALL, CREATOR OF SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK (1973) He was in a car accident in Albania in which the driver and all passengers were killed. There was bad weather, it was dark, etc. He was in Albania as a board member of Refugees International. He was 71 and worked in NY as an advertising and media consultant.
JOHN McGREW, WARNER BROS. INNOVATOR WAS 88 McGrew worked with Chuck Jones from 1938-43. Jones has said in many interviews that McGrew helped introduce a more abstract and designed influence background style. It was this approach that paved the way for UPAís approach to animation design. McGrew did layouts and color styling on The Dover Boys, Astro-Cats, Conrad the Sailor, Super Rabbit and other films that were considered groundbreaking and revolutionary for their time. During the war he joined the Navy. He moved to France about 1949. A book of his art was published in 1998, Un Genie Ingenu. A minor footnote: McGrew was almost impossible to trace when I researched my book Forbidden Animation. Nobody except Jones remembered him. He had been named as a person attending a meeting of the Communist Party before the war by a government ìstarî or friendly witness. The others named by the witness were called before the House Committee for UnAmerican Activities and had to testify or take the 5th. I couldnít find out what happened to McGrew and why he wasnít called. Now I know.
HOLLYWOOD CARTOONS by Michael Barrier is just out from Oxford University Press. It is 672 pages with less than 100 illustrations. This should be a major contribution to our understanding of animation history. The first reviews suggest the strength of the book is a look at the business side of the industry, especially the Disney studio during the 1930s and 40s. The author worked on this volume for almost three decades. He is one of the few authors of animation history that actually interviewed most of the pioneers of the industry. He is a very knowledgeable person and I look forward to reading his work. The book retails for $39.95, and is available from Amazon.com for 30% off.
ASIFA-SAN FRANCISCO
P.O. BOX 14516
SF, CA 94114
| 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. |
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