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ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE - ISSUE 4.2 - MAY 1999
Events
MIPTV99: A Pivotal Market. MIP TV, the international television programme market, where sellers and buyers from all over the world exchange product, took place April 12th to 17th in Cannes, France. This year's MIP was expected to reflect a rebounding international TV market. More than 100 TV series from around the world were offered at MIP, such as Daria, Family Guy, Futurama, and Norman Normal. The calendar of events included the following animation related programmes:
MONDAY, APRIL 12TH
11 am Magus Entertainment held a press conference and presented the first episode of the animation series, Simsallagrimm.
12.30 pm EM.TV held a press lunch and presented the first episode of the animated series Twipsy with producer Javier Mariscal (Invitation only).
12 pm ITEL screened two children's animation series, 64 Zoo Lane and Foxbusters, followed by an invitation only cocktail party.
6 pm BBC Worldwide hosted a cocktail party to launch Rotten Ralph.
TUESDAY, APRIL 13TH
10 am BRB Internacional held a press conference for the launch of the animated series Fantaghiro.
3:30 pm There was a screening and press conference for the Oscar nominated The Canterbury Tales.
3:30 pm MIP TV Conference on Japan -- `Japanese Animation: Regaining Worldwide Exposure' -- was held.
5:30 pm Carlton International hosted the launch of a new series, Dream Street.
7:30 pm Fox Kids hosted a press dinner (Invitation only).
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14TH
9:30-11:30 am `Bourse Aux Co-Productions - Market Simulation,' a session dedicated to children's programmes, was held.
10:30-11:30 am Babar and Fantomette: production and sales development within the group was discussed (Invitation only).
12 pm Link Entertainment hosted a photocall with the characters of the pre-school series The Teddybears.
THURSDAY, APRIL 15TH
10 am Bandai Visual screened Jin Roh, a new thriller from the creators of Ghost In The Shell.
Among the many companies who were selling animation programmes at their stands
were: from Australia: Southern Star Sales; from Canada: Nelvana Enterprises;
from Denmark: ITE - Interactive Television; from Spain: B.R.B Internacional,
S.A., Cromosoma S.A., Neptuno Films, PPM Multimedia; from France: Canal J,
Carrere, Gaumont, Humanoids Group, Marathon International, Marina Productions,
TF1 International, Toon Factory; from United Kingdom: BBC Worldwide, Carlton
International; from Greece: Artoon S.A.; from Italy: APT-Associazione Produttiori
Televisivi; from Israel: Noga Communications; from Japan: Fuji Creative Corporation,
Fuji Television Network, Inc., Kodansha LTD., NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation),
TBS Service, Inc., TMS-Kyokuichi Corporation, Toei Animation Co., Ltd., Tsuburaya
Productions Co., Ltd., Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation; from The Netherlands:
TV Matters B.V.; from Germany: Betafilm GMBH & Co., EM.TV & Merchandising
AG, Eurocarts International; and many from the US including Films by Jove,
Buena Vista, Film Roman, Golden Books Entertainment Group, Hallmark Entertainment,
King World, MGM Worldwide Television Group, MTV Networks, PPM MultiMedia,
Saban International, Twentieth Century Fox International, Universal Television,
Warner Bros., Worldvision.
Paco Rodriguez, of PPM MultiMedia, covers MIPTV `99 in "The
Concerns of Europe from MIPTV" in this issue of Animation World.
Last Month in Animation.
* Wednesday, March 31. Burbank, California, U.S.A.
Tom Sito and author Jerry Beck (The 50 Greatest Cartoons, Warner Bros.
Animation Art) presented ASIFA-Hollywood's "Banzai! Animation and
the Pacific War," a series of World War II animated propaganda films
from both sides of the Pacific. A rare copy of Mituyo Seo's feature-length
Japanese animated film Momotaro's God Blessed Seas Warriors (1944)
and the short Spider And The Tulipan (1943) were shown along with such
wartime shorts as Friz Freleng's Bugs Bunny Nips The Nips and Famous
Studio's You're A Sap, Mr. Jap.
* Thursday, April 8. Paris, France
Animator and performance artist Kathy
Rose performed April 8, 1999 in Paris at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art
contemporain. In her unique show, Ms. Rose performed her own dances in front
of projections of her films. She presented an excerpt from Oriental Interplay,
Syncopations, a piece called Precious Metals, and three scenes
from her new performance, Kleopat'Ra, which begins its world tour this
summer. TEL: (1) 42 18 56 50; Address: 261 boulevard Raspail; Paris, France.
More information: www.krose.com also offers further details.
* Saturday, April 10. Anaheim, California, USA.
Bob Gurr, designer and veteran Walt Disney Imagineer whose designs for Disneyland
include the original "bubble-top" Monorail engine, appeared in person
Saturday, April 10, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in The Disney Gallery, New Orleans
Square, Disneyland. Gurr met with Disneyland guests and signed a specially
commissioned lithograph representing his own imaginative vision of a future
Monorail. The lithograph retails for $95.
* Sunday, April 11. Richmond, Viriginia, USA.
`Brief History of the Animated TV Commercial' featured over 50 commercials
from 1948-1993. Janet Scagnelli introduced the program, which started at 3
pm at the James River Festival.
* Sunday, April 11. Richmond, Virginia, USA.
`Pre-1950 American Animation' featured several gems including Porky in
Wackyland, Bimbo's Initiation, and Betty Boop in Snow White.
Janet Scagnelli introduced the program which started at 5 pm at the James
River Festival.
* Tuesday, April 13. Glendale, California, U.S.A.
As part of ASIFA-Hollywood's Third Annual Lecture Series, Corey Hels spoke
at the Glendale Community College auditorium about what it takes to be a technical
director. Hels has worked as a technical director or CGI animator for various
studios including Metrolight, Dream Quest Images, Turner Feature Animation,
and Warner Bros. Feature and Classical Animation. His film credits include
Cats Don't Dance, Iron Giant, The Mask, Crimson Tide and Ren &
Stimpy. Tickets were $5 in advance or $7 at the door.
* Friday, April 16. Hollywood, California, USA.
Daffy Duck finally got the respect he has longed for. On April 16, at 10 am,
many of Daffy's fans gathered at the Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood where
a U.S. postage stamp was dedicated in Daffy's honor. Johnny Grant, Ceremonial
Mayor of Hollywood and Chairman of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, also declared
the day as "Daffy Duck Day" and joined Tirso del Junco, M.D., member
of the Postal Service's Board of Governors, and Dan Romanelli, President,
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, at the dedication event. The ceremony took
place in the courtyard of the famous theater and featured the stamp being
unveiled on the background of a world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
Daffy is the third Looney Tunes character to be featured on a U.S. stamp,
joining his animated arch-rival, Bugs Bunny, and the loveable cat and canary
team of Sylvester & Tweety. The 33-cent stamp features Daffy leaning against
a rural mailbox with his trademark "that's despicable" look directed
toward two letters in the mailbox which have the Bugs Bunny and Sylvester
& Tweety stamps affixed. More than four hundred million of the self-adhesive
stamps have been printed. Daffy Duck made his debut in the 1937 black-and-white
cartoon Porky's Duck Hunt, directed by Tex Avery. A crazy little quacker
who entertains viewers with his child-like innocence, Daffy has become, over
the years, a bit more sophisticated and articulate as he tries to win fame
and success at any cost.
A collectible pictorial cancellation commemorating the stamp dedication will
be offered at the event. Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of
issue postmark by mail. To do so, fans may purchase the new stamps at their
local post office, affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address
the envelopes (to themselves and/or others), and place them in a larger envelope
addressed to:
DAFFY DUCK STAMP
POSTMASTER
7001 S CENTRAL AVE RM 051
LOS ANGELES, CA 90052-9991
After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return
the envelope through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders
must be postmarked by May 16, 1999. Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers
first day covers for new stamp issues and postal stationery items postmarked
with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual
catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers
may request a free catalog by writing to: INFORMATION FULFILLMENT, DEPT 6270,
US POSTAL SERVICE, PO BOX 419014, KANSAS CITY, MO 64141-6014, or by telephoning
1-800-STAMP-24. Callers outside the United States can call 816-545-1000 to
place orders. However, it is not a toll free call.
* Tuesday, April 20 - Saturday, April 24. Positano, Italy
The Cartoons on the Bay International Festival of Television Animation was
held April 20-24, 1999 in Positano, Italy. Shorts and series produced by TV
stations from all over the world competed for "Pulcinella Awards."
In addition, there were conferences devoted to "The Rise of TV Series
for Adults," "Songs and Soundtracks for Animation," "Animated
Feature Length Films on TV," "Commissioned Social Education Films
in Animation," and "Where is the European Animation Industry Going
with Media II?" Also, a new edition of Animathon involved school children
creating cartoons in record time as part of a team competition.
* Through April 24. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
A selection of personal paintings and production pieces from the collection
of UPA artist and experimental animator Jules Engel were exhibited at the
Tobey Moss Gallery (7321 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036) through April
24. Also included in the exhibit were his sculptures and paintings from Disney's
Fantasia.
* Tuesday, April 27. Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.A.
Roberto Kritzia gave a free slide-lecture to promote the Glenn Vilppu sketching
tour of Italy which will take place in June and July.
* Tuesday, April 27, 7:30 pm. San Francisco, California, USA.
ASIFA-San Franciso presented "Basic Principles of Traditional Character
Animation" with Mark West at the Exploratorium's McBean. Admission is
free. This evening's event was the first in a proposed educational series
by ASIFA-SF, designed for people with a limited knowledge of animation techniques.
Mark West presented an illustrated lecture demonstration, using film clips
to illustrate his points. West has been working as an animator in the Bay
Area for twenty years, at studios such as Colossal, Atari Games, and Electronic
Arts, among others. He currently teaches at the Academy of Art, and is an
animator on Midland's Robots Of Mars, an animated feature currently
in production in San Francisco.
* Tuesday, April 27, 7:45 pm. San Francisco, California, USA.
SF ACM/SIGGRAPH sponsored a presentation on animating paintings in What
Dreams May Come. Scheduled speakers include Nicholas Brooks, Visual Effects
Director; Ed Davis, Lunarfish; Mike Schmitt, Giant Killer Robots; Laura Kelly,
LA-based effects team member; Pierre Jamin and Peter Litwinowicz of RE:Vision
FX. The presentation will be preceded by a social 'hour' from 6:30 pm to 7:45
pm. Where: Fort Mason Center Landmark Bldg. A, Marina Blvd. at Buchanan St.
Cost: '98-'99 SF Chapter Members: FREE ('98-'99 SF Chapter Membership: $25);
Non SF Chapter Members: $5
* Wednesday, April 28 - Sunday, May 2. Oslo, Norway.
The 6th International Oslo Animation Festival invites both animators and spectators
to take part in five days of animated fun. The festival presents: Nordic and
Baltic films in competition, Nordic and Baltic Panorama, International highlights,
a Focus on British animation, Animation as Music, a Celebration of Lotte Reiniger,
Jury programs, Exhibitions and even more. For further information contact:
Oslo Animation Festival, P.O. Box 867 Sentrum, 0104 Oslo, Norway; or Tel:
+ 47 23 11 93 00; or Fax: + 47 23 11 93 10; or email: oaf@filmenshus.no. Also
visit www.oaf.filmenshus.no for further information.
* Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2. Utica, Illinois, USA.
ASIFA Central Midwest Animators Annual Conference & Retreat brought together
an informal group of attendees to hear featured speakers, view animation,
and discuss various aspects of the animation business. The focus of the gathering
tended to be artistic and personal, yet the commercial end of the art form
was not ignored. The Retreat also featured a competition designed to encourage
student animators. The Helen Victoria Haynes World Peace Storyboard &
Animation Scholarship Competition is unique because a portion of the prizes
are awarded to the winners for turning an idea into a completed project.
Upcoming Events in Animation.
* Friday, May 7th, 7:30 pm. Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Film Department of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will present "A
Taste of Tashlin: Early Hollywood Cartoons," cartoons by Frank Tashlin
which he made before turning to live-action and going on to direct several
of Jerry Lewis' best films. The program includes Porky's Poultry Plant,
Porky In The North Woods, Porky's Romance, The Major Lied Til Dawn, The Fox
And The Grapes, Scrap Happy Daffy, Porky Pig's Feat, A Corny Concerto, Plane
Daffy, The Lady Said No, The Home Front, A Hollywood Detour, Cinderella Goes
To A Party, I Got Plenty Of Mutton, Brother Brat, The Stupid Cupid, and
Nasty Quacks. Of particular note are the hard to see Porky's Romance,
and The Fox And The Grapes, the first entry in Columbia's Fox and the
Crow series. Animation historian Mark Langer will introduce the program.
The screening will be held in the Bing Theater at LACMA. Admission is $7;
$5 for museum members and students. For more information call (323) 857-6010.
* Saturday, May 8th, 7:30 pm. Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Film Department of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will present "Ub
Iwerks: The Man Behind the Mouse," cartoons by the early collaborator
of Walt Disney, as well as an excerpt from the documentary, The Man Behind
The Mouse, by his granddaughter, Leslie Iwerks. The films to be shown
are Steamboat Willie, Alice's Cartoonland, Cinderella, The Ocean Hop, Plane
Crazy, Hell's Bells, Skeleton Dance, Fiddlesticks, Cuckoo Murder Case, Balloonland,
Little Red Riding Hood, Trolley Troubles, Room Runners, Techno-Cracked, The
Brave Tin Soldier, Don Quixote, Merry Mannequins, Donald's Decision. Iwerks
is said to have singlehandedly animated/directed most of Steamboat Willie,
Plane Crazy, and Skeleton Dance, films that were central to Disney's
early success.
The screening will be held in the Bing Theater at LACMA. Admission is $7;
$5 for museum members and students. For more information call (323) 857-6010.
Two of the Iwerks films, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood,
were only recently brought back into the light of day. Read the full story
about their discovery in A Silent Treasure
Chest by Andrew Osmond in this month's issue of Animation World
Magazine.
* Saturday, May 15th, 7:30 pm. Westwood, California, USA.
Bill Littlejohn will appear in person at the UCLA James Bridges theater as
part of a retrospective of his work. Bill Littlejohn is a renowned animator.
If you watch animated films, chances are you've seen his work. He's worked
on several John and Faith Hubley films, including Of Men And Demons and
The Doonesbury Special; The 2000 Year Old Man; several Peanuts TV specials;
even George Of The Jungle. At this time, UCLA is not sure which films
will be shown. Call the Archive at (310) 206-8013 for a complete list of the
titles to be screened. Ticket holders will be admitted to a post-screening
party.
For more about Bill Littlejohn be sure to read June Foray's tribute, Big
Bill Littlejohn, in this issue of Animation World.
* Tuesday, May 18th, 7 pm. Rochester, New York, USA.
The RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Computer Animation Spring 99 MFA
screenings will take place in the Carlson Auditorium. For more information
contact Marla Schweppe at mkspph@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
* Sunday, May 23rd, 2 pm. Rochester, New York, USA.
The RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Film/Video/Animation Honors Show
will take place at the Cinema Theatre. For more information contact Marla
Schweppe at mkspph@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
* Friday, June 4 - Sunday, June 6. Los Angeles, California, USA.
VES '99: A Festival of Visual Effects will host several sessions devoted to
computer graphics. On Friday, June 4th, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm legendary CGI
pioneer Robert Abel will host a panel about the history of the beginning of
computer graphics. Guest speakers may include Douglas Trumbull, John Dykstra,
Richard Edlund, Richard Hollander, Charlie Gibson, Rob Legato and others.
Also on Friday, June 4th, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Ken Ralston and the team from
Sony Pictures Imageworks will describe their work for Robert Zemeckis' Contact,
as part of a session that will also include Dr. Jill Tarter and Dr. Kent Cullers
discussing the work of SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute).
Other shows include three sessions on the making of Star Wars Episode 1:
The Phantom Menace, Jim Henson's Creature Shop, and Ray Harryhausen. Tickets
are available to the general public in April and May through the Visual Effects
Society at www.vesmen.org or (818) 789-7083.
* Tuesday, June 8 - Thursday, June 10. New York, New York, USA.
The global deal marketplace for the $132 billion business of licensing takes
center stage in New York City, June 8-10, 1999, with Licensing '99 International,
the largest worldwide licensing event and the single most consolidated presentation
of properties in one place. Licensing '98 International drew a record 15,000
attendees from more than 60 countries. The show featured nearly 400 exhibitors
representing more than 3,700 properties encompassing: corporate brands, sports,
children's properties, publishing, major entertainment studios, artists and
designers, and not-for-profit organizations. Confirmed exhibitors for Licensing
'99 include Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Universal Studios Consumer Products,
Viacom, Nickelodeon, Children's Television Workshop, and more. The show is
sponsored by International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA).
Featured events include a comprehensive seminar series produced by LIMA and
conducted by licensing industry experts, and the presentation of the LIMA
International Awards For Excellence in major categories at the networking
event of the year. For information on exhibiting, contact Kim Farrell at (203).882.1300,
ext. 159, Robin Kerr (212).951.6650 or fax (203).882.1800. Information may
also be accessed via the World Wide Web at www.licensingshow.com or by e-mail
at lic@advanstar.com.
*Monday, June 21 - Friday, July 2. Umbria & Tuscany, Italy.
*Monday, July 5 - Thursday, July 15. Umbria, Tuscany and Venice, Italy.
Take a sketching tour of Italy with life drawing instructor, Glenn Vilppu.
Participants will be among the first to receive Glenn Vilppu's new book, "The
Vilppu Sketching on Tour Manual," which is currently in development and
designed specifically for the trip. Participants will go to places where most
tourists never dream of going. When traveling through major cities, Vilppu
will lecture on the local art. Everyone is promised a lot of instruction,
food and fun with great company. The group is limited to roughly 20 people.
HURRY! THE TOURS ARE NEARLY SOLD OUT. It isn't necessary to be an artist.
Contact Personalized Travel for a brochure and more information at 5455 Sylmar
Ave., Suite 902, Sherman Oaks, CA 91401, USA. TEL: (818) 994-2402 (inside
CA); (888) 994-2404 (outside CA); or Fax (818) 994-5529.
* Wednesday, June 23rd - Sunday, July 4th. Kensington Gore, London, England.
The animation students at The Royal College of Art will exhibit their
work as part of The Royal College of Art Show 1999: Design, Communication
& Humanities from Wednesday, 23 June - Sunday, 4 July, from 10am - 6pm
daily + one late night. The college is famous for the high quality of work
done by its students. For further information, TEL: 0171 590 4444; or FAX:
0171 590 4500. Also visit www.rca.ac.uk for more information.
* Thursday, August 12 - Sunday, August 15. San Diego, California, USA.
1999 San Diego Comic-Con. This year the San Diego Comic-Con International
will be held August 12-15. Comic-Con is the largest convention of its kind.
It features a huge comic book, animation, film and related items marketplace,
a slew of panels, and many special guests. The special guests currently scheduled
include Neil Gaiman (Sandman), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Art Spiegelman
(Maus, Raw), Jim Steranko (publisher of Prevue, writer and artist
of famous 1960's issues of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Captain America),
Dave Stevens (The Rocketeer), Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother),
Gill Fox (Golden Age artist), Jerry Robinson (co-creator of The Joker), Paul
Dini (Batman: The Animated Series), June Foray (voice artist for Rocky
And Bullwinkle and many other cartoons), and many others. Many cartoons
and movies will be shown, and there will be workshops on animation design
and writing. Ticket prices will increase after April 15 and again after July
2. For more information contact Comic-Con International, P.O. Box 128458,
San Diego, CA 92112-8458, USA. TEL: 1-619-491-2475; FAX: 1-619-544-0743. Also
visit www.comic-con.org for more information.
Note: Readers may contact any Animation World Magazine contributor by sending an e-mail to editor@awn.com.