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ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE - ISSUE 4.3 - JUNE 1999

Last Month in Animation

* Wednesday, April 28, 7:30 pm. Burbank, California, USA.
Tom Sito hosted an evening with Phil Mendez on Wednesday, April 28 at 7:30 pm. Phil is one of the pioneering African American artists in American animation, a designer, author, director and storyteller. He was Marc Davis' assistant at Disney during the development of some of the famous attractions at Disneyland. He has done work for Disney Feature Animation, Hanna-Barbera, Jack Zander and Phil Kimmelman, and he was with Ralph Bakshi at the beginning of Fritz the Cat and Heavy Traffic. Don't miss this opportunity to hear Phil's tales from the animation front lines in the Age of Woodstock. This event took place at the cozy ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Center, 721 South Victory Boulevard in Burbank, California, USA. For more information call (818) 842-8330.

* 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. For further information contact: ASIFA Central, Deanna Morse, School of Communications, 268 LSH, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, USA; or fax: 616-895-2700. Also visit www.asifa.org/animate

* Saturday, May 1, 1 pm. Los Angeles, California, USA.
ASIFA-International President Michel Ocelot's new feature film, Kirikou And The Sorceress, was screened as part of the DGA (Directors Guild of America) film festival, City of Lights: A Week of French Films. The story is based on native African folklore about a boy who battles a witch. One can contact the DGA by calling (310) 289 2000.

Philippe Moins reviewed Kirikou And The Sorceress in the May issue of Animation World Magazine. It is available in French and English.

* Tuesday, May 4, 7 pm. Burbank, California, USA.
Recruiter and career coach Pamela Thompson joined Women in Animation for a Dinner Meeting. The event took place at Acapulco Restaurant, 3113 W. Olive, Burbank, California. Cost was $25 member and $35 non-members. Participants were asked to bring a resume and pen. For further information call: (310) 535-3838.

*Thursday, May 6, 6:30 pm. New York, New York, USA.
Senior Thesis work from students of the Computer Art department of The School of Visual Arts was exhibited in the Westside Gallery at 141 West 21st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. The exhibit included computer animation, digital video, interactive media, digital fine art, and installations. For more information call Stuart Ginsberg at (212) 592-2011; or visit www.schoolofvisualarts.edu.

*Friday, May 7th - Sunday, May 9th, Valencia, California, USA.
Students in the Character Animation program at CalArts screened their films at the Bijou at CalArts, 24700 McBean PKWY, Valencia, California. For more information call (805) 253-7818.

* Friday, May 7th, 7:30 pm. Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Film Department of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art presented "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 included 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. Animation historian Mark Langer introduced the program. 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 presented "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 shown were 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 Manequins, and 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. 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 the May 1999 issue of Animation World Magazine.

The Los Angeles Convention Center where E3 was held. Photo courtesy of ISDA.

* Wednesday, May 12 - Saturday, May 15. Los Angeles, California, USA. Electronic Entertainment Exhibition (E3) '99 featured over 400 gaming-related exhibitors displaying new software titles and the latest hardware. Don Tapscott delivered the keynote address on Thursday, May 13 at 8:45 am about the area of digital economy and the net generation. Exhibitors included Simon & Schuster Interactive which debuted several new titles including Deer Avenger II: The Return of Bambo, Mob Rule, Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Fallen, Going to Mars, Star Trek Deep Space Nine/The Next Generation Companions, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, Wimzie's House, Miss Spider, New Millenium Children's Encyclopedia, Midnight Play, Richard Scarry Busytown 2000, Brian Tracy's How To Become a Millionaire, and Simon & Schuster Advanced Placement Companion; Greenleaf Technologies Corp. debuted Accolade Family Spectacular which includes Jack Nicklaus Golf My Way, Super Bubsy, and demo versions of Jack Nicklaus 5, HardBall 6 2000 Edition, and Test Drive (full versions of the games are encrypted on the disc, and are available for play after purchase via the internet or by phone); Humongous Entertainment demonstrated the latest Blue's Clues, The Backyard Bunch, and SPY Fox CD-ROMs; and Nelvana Communications Inc. offered The Little Bear, Franklin, both animated series, and The Wiggles, an Australian property that is being offered on video and audio. One can learn more about E3 at www.e3expo.com

Read Joe Szadkowski's E3 review in this issue of Animation World Magazine.

* Thursday, May 13, 1999, 7:30 pm. Westwood, California, USA.
UCLA offered these films as part of their series, Samurai and Outrageous Babes:
Praise Be To Small Ills (Namu Ichibyo Sokusai) (1973, 35mm, 18 min.) Directed by Tadanari Okamoto. In Japanese with English subtitles.
The Demon (Oni) (1972, 35 mm, 8 min.) Directed by Kihachiro Kawamoto. In Japanese with English subtitles.
Vampire Princess Miyu: Unearthly Kyoto (Episode 1) (1988, 25 min, laserdisc)
Vampire Princess Miyu: A Banquet Of Marionettes (Episode 2) (1988, 25 min. laserdisc) Both episodes directed by Toshihiro Hirano and in Japanese with English subtitles.
For more information about this series call UCLA at (310) 206-FILM.

*Friday, May 14th, 8 pm. North Hollywood, California, USA.
Students in the Experimental Animation program at CalArts showed their films at the Academy Plaza Theater, 5230 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, California. For more information call (805) 253-7818.

Read about the teaching philosophy of Jules Engel, CalArts' Founding Director of the Experimental Animation Program, in last month's issue of Animation World Magazine in "Jules Engel: the Mentor."

* Saturday, May 15th, 7:30 pm. Westwood, California, USA.
Bill LittleJohn appeared 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. For more information about this event, call (310) 206-8013.

For more about Bill Littlejohn be sure to read June Foray's tribute, "Big Bill Littlejohn," in the May 1999 issue of Animation World Magazine.

*Tuesday, May 18th, 12 - 6 pm. New York, New York, USA.
Works by graduating seniors of the film, video, and animation departments of The School of Visual Arts were shown at the Loews Cineplex Worldwide Cinemas (50th Street and 8th Avenue). A reception and awards ceremony followed the screenings. For more information call Stuart Ginsberg at (212) 592-2011; or visit www.schoolofvisualarts.edu.

* Tuesday, May 18th, 7 pm. Rochester, New York, USA.
The RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Computer Animation Spring 99 MFA screenings took place in the Carlson Auditorium. For more information contact Marla Schweppe at mkspph@ritvax.isc.rit.edu

* Wednesday, May 19 - 7:30 pm. Burbank, California, USA.
Tom Sito hosted an evening with Jack Zander. Jack has been in the business since the early 1930s and was one of the best Tom and Jerry animators at MGM. He worked on Looney Tunes and was the first president of the Screen Cartoonist Guild. In the early 1950s he shifted his base to New York where the new field of television commercials was growing. There he ran such studios as Focus, Pelican, and Zander's Animation Parlour. This was a rare opportunity to meet and converse with an animator who has worked with them all, and is a witty conversationalist with a dry wit to boot! The event took place at the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Center, 721 South Victory Boulevard, on the northwest corner of Elmwood and Victory, between Alameda and Olive Avenues. Admission: $5 advance, $7 at the door. For more information call (818) 842-8330.

*Wednesday, May 19th - Friday, May 21st. Los Angeles, California, USA.
Highlights of the 1999 Conference and Film Festival of the Large Format Cinema Association included a tribute to large format film pioneer Lester Novros, the Large Format Film Festival, Large Format animated films, panel discussions about theater operations and industry business, sessions exploring production and post production technology, and a screening of Lawrence Of Arabia. For more information contact LFCA at (310) 823-4901.

* Wednesday, May 19 - Saturday, May 22, 7 pm, and Friday, June 4, 1 pm and 7 pm. Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
The Rhode Island School of Design senior show included films, videos, and animation. For more information call 401-454-5233.

* Thursday, May 20, 1999 - 7:30 pm. Westwood, California, USA.
UCLA offered these films, along with a personal appearance by Gigantor Producer Fred Ladd, as part of their series, Samurai and Outrageous Babes:
Gigantor: Spider's Revenge (Episode 5) (1965, 16mm, 25 min.) Animated by TCJ Animation Center. English dub.
Giant Robo: The Black Attaché Case (Episode 1) (1992, laserdisc, 50 min.) Directed by Yasuhiro Imagawa. In Japanese with English subtitles.
Mobile Suit Gundam - The Movie (1981, Betacam-SP, 148 min.) Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino.

* Saturday, May 22, 1999, 7:30 pm. Westwood, California, USA.
UCLA offered these films as part of their series, Samurai and Outrageous Babes:
The Vision Of Escaflowne: Fateful Confession (Episode 1) (1996, Betacam-SP, 25 min.)
The Vision Of Escaflowne: The Girl From The Mystic Moon (Episode 2) (1996, Betacam-SP, 25 min.) Both episodes directed by Kazuki Akane. In Japanese with English subtitles.

North American Premieres!
Blue Submarine No.6 (Episode 1) (1998, Betacam-SP, 30 min.) Directed by Mahiro Maeda. In Japanese with English subtitles.
Cowboy Bebop: Asteroid Blues (Episode 1) (1998, Betacam-SP, 25 min.)
Cowboy Bebop: Honky-Tonk Woman (Episode 3) (1998, Betacam-SP, 25 min.) Both episodes directed by Yoshiyuki Takei. In Japanese with English subtitles.

* Sunday, May 23rd, 2 pm. Rochester, New York, USA.
The RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Film/Video/Animation Honors Show took place at the Cinema Theatre. For more information contact Marla Schweppe at mkspph@ritvax.isc.rit.edu

* Sunday, May 23rd and Monday, May 24th. Los Angeles, California, USA.
A collection that includes several Felix the Cat films, as well as more than 1,500 16mm and 35mm silent films and a vast archive of stills, large-format celebrity portraits, clippings and other memorabilia from Hollywood's Silent Movie Theater were offered at auction by Butterfield & Butterfield. For more information contact Butterfield & Butterfield, Los Angeles, Michael Schwartz, (323) 850-7500 ext. 295; or Levi Morgan, (323) 850-7500 ext. 216; or (415) 861-7500 ext. 348.

* Sunday, May 23, 2:00 pm. Westwood, California, USA.
UCLA offered this film as part of their series, Samurai and Outrageous Babes:
Project A-Ko (1986, Betacam-SP, 86 min.) Directed by Katsuhiko Nishijima. In Japanese with English subtitles.

* Sunday, May 23, 3:40 pm. Westwood, California, USA.
UCLA offered this free screening as part of their series, Samurai and Outrageous Babes:
Ranma 1/2 (Episodes 1 & 2) (1994, Betacam-SP, 50 min.) Directed by Tsutomu Nishijima. In Japanese with English subtitles.

* Wednesday, May 26, 6 pm. San Francisco, California, USA.
Academy of Art College in San Francisco opened their annual Spring Show, featuring the best work from the academic year, with a special preview party for professionals to look at the work and meet the graduates personally. The show began on Wednesday, May 26 with professional hours from 3-7 pm. The public was invited at 6 pm. The show will stay up until June 11 at 180 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco. This is a good way to recruit new talent. For more details call Susan Pelosi, Director of Career Services, at 415-274-8675; or e-mail spelosi@academyart.edu.

* Wednesday, May 26 - Friday, May 28. Vienna, Austria.
The Eurographics Symposium on Visualization featured research papers about all areas of visualization that will present original scientific ideas or significant improvements to existing techniques, as well as case studies on the successful application of visualization methods to special problems. Contact info: Eduard Groeller, VisSym '99 Institute of Computer Graphics, Vienna Univ. of Technology, Karlsplatz 13/186/2, A-1040 Wien, Austria. E-mail: vissym99@cg.tuwien.ac.at

* Saturday, May 29, 7:30 pm. Westwood, California, USA.
UCLA offered these films as part of their series, Samurai and Outrageous Babes:
Saber Marionette J: Enter Lime! The Planet Of Men (Episode 1) ( 1996, Betacam-SP, 25 min.)
Saber Marionette J: You'll Always Be There (Episode 26) ( 1996, Betacam-SP, 25 min.) Both episodes directed by Masami Shimoda. In Japanese with English subtitles.
Ghost In The Shell (1995, 35mm, 82 min.) Directed by Mamoru Oshii. English dub.

* Tuesday, June 1, 7:30 pm. Westwood, California, USA.
UCLA offered these films as part of their series, Samurai and Outrageous Babes:
The Hare Gets Revenge Over The Raccoon (Kachikachi Yama) (1936, 35 mm, 6 min.) Directed by Kon Ichikawa. In Japanese.
The Whale (Kujira) (1953, 16mm, 10 min.) Directed by Noburo Ofuji. In Japanese with English subtitles.
The Well-Ordered Restaurant (Chumon No Ooi Ryoriten) (1991, 16mm, 19 min.) Directed by Tadanari Okamoto.
Love (Ai) (1963, 16mm, 5 min.) Directed by Yoji Kuri. In Japanese with English subtitles.
House Of Flame (Kataku) (1979, 16mm, 19 min.) Directed by Kihachiro Kawamoto. In Japanese with English subtitles.
Au Fou! (Satsujinkyo Jidai) (1967, 16 mm, 10 min.) Directed by Yoji Kuri.
Speed (Supido) (1980, 16mm, 6 min.) Directed by Taku Furukawa.
The History Of Japanese Animation, Part 1 (Mango Tanjo) (1970, 16mm, 30 min.) Directed by Taiji Yabushita.
The History Of Japanese Animation, Part 2 (Anime Shinga-Cho) (1972, 16mm, 40 min.) Directed by Taiji Yabushita.


Note: Readers may contact any Animation World Magazine contributor by sending an e-mail to editor@awn.com.