Nuts and Bolts in a MicroChip World

Art is not a thing, it is a way.

mvallas — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:00:06 -0700

I think we need to be cautious not to confuse craft with art.

Elbert Hubard said, "Art is a way, not a thing."

mvallas — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:32:45 -0700

So, can we discuss art without having a clear definition of what it is? Certainly, I’m doing it now. Think of all the opinions you've heard and consider how many other diverse views there must be - then try to fashion one that works for you. This is the fun part. Try to create a definition that supports your idea that film or moving images should be considered art as much as a painting or a piece of pottery.

"I don't know anything about art but I know what I like," he said pulling our his checkbook.

mvallas — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:30:25 -0700

More questions - Is performance a form of art or does art need to be a painting or a sculpture or what? Literature, Dance, Music certainly, photography probably, ceramics, or fashion (can a dress be seen as art and it’s designer an artist?) You may answer, “Who cares? But what fun is there in that? It leaves nothing to think or talk about. Like a road trip, the fun is in the trip itself, not the destination and so it is with any discussion about art, philosophy, film, baseball, politics and even religion.

Reality shows and the American psyche

mvallas — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:01:54 -0700

Thomas Hood, a 19th century English poet said, “There are three things the public will always clamor for, sooner or later: and they are, novelty, novelty and novelty.”

Content Market and International 3-D Society

mvallas — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:55:00 -0700

Last week I attended the Korea Media and Content Market sponsored by the Korean Trade-Investment Agency (Kotra). The event was held at the Hollywood & Highland Center and was designed to introduce a number of Korean animation and media companies and their projects to interested investors and potential partners.

Subsidies for animation in the U.S. - slim and none.

mvallas — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:48:24 -0700

Remember the old commercials for an investment house where John Houseman would declare, "We make money the old fashioned way, we earn it!"? American animation producers could stand proudly and declare almost the same thing - 'We don't need any stinking subsidies! We're American!' Whether you're proud as punch or crying in your beer - that's the way it is here in the USOFA.

Are these overseas subsidy deals really that good?

mvallas — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:37:11 -0700

I used to play poker with an older gentleman who told me, "All money is a pleasure but found money, now that's a joy!" Subsidies and grants are like that - they're found money and as much as you may appreciate money that you've worked hard for, nothing brings a smile to your face and a lift to your spirit like that roll of bills you spot on the sidewalk.

Nothing beats free money and producers love it!

mvallas — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:41:37 -0700

Money for nothing - Or how I stopped fearing the shortfall and learned to love the subsidy!

Kids or Adults for Kids v.o. roles?

mvallas — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:11:32 -0700

Kids are more work to cast and more difficult to record but if you need that pure Kid voice for the role, better go with the real thing..

Is 2-D Animation still viable or sellable?

mvallas — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:25:54 -0700

Milton Knight is a creative and talented animator who's trying to finish a 2-D project he started a number of years back... Trying to make a living always seems to get in the way but I think he's drawing a bead on it at last..