Letters to the Editor

Hey! That's Us!
For almost a year I've visited the AWN Website for the latest news. This morning I was really surprised to read: "Ottawa Awards Top Prize To Ring Of Fire." The first thing I did was to call Andreas Hykade, the director of the film to tell him the great news. He was really, really excited. I was the assistant producer of Ring Of Fire so that is how I know Andreas. Currently, I'm doing the festival and publicity work for the film.

So, I just wanted to thank everyone at AWN for their work.

With kindest regards,
Alexander Funk
Gambit
Koenigsallee 43
D-71638 Ludwigsburg
Germany
Tel. +49.7141.125-179
Fax. +49.7141.125-175
email: a.funk@gambit-film.de
http://www.gambit-ringoffire.de

Editor's Note: Thank you for reading! It always makes us proud to know that professionals out there are turning to Animation World Network for the latest news...it is also nice to know we surprise people with good news every now and then. Congratulations!

Film Review Thanks
Recently, someone from the NFB sent me your article "Sunrise Over Tiananmen Square" (Furniss, 4.1). I was so grateful to read it and I thought it's the best and most accurate writing on my film of the same name. I am truly honoured. Thank you so much indeed.

I look forward to meeting you in the future.

Best Regards,
Shuibo Wang

Pitching Help Well Received
Thank you so much for your great article "Pitching Perfect: A Word From Development!" (Kenyon, 5.6). You provided me with many of the answers I've been looking for regarding the world of pitching.

After various animation writing assignments which have included episodes of pre-existing shows and many bible and pilot re-writes, I just created my own short, comedy series called The Gert n' Jer Show, about two quirky, kvetchy husband and wife seniors who are self-appointed crime fighters. It was inspired by the rather exasperating recent experience of living with my parents (both deep into their 70s) during an extended visit.

In the past, others have been responsible for pitching material that I was hired to revise. Now that I'll be pitching my own project, your article was exactly what I needed to see!

By the way, an episode of The Gert n' Jer Show just won a writing competition (one of 3 scripts so honored) sponsored by Women In Animation. My short, comedy episode was performed by voice-over artists at the studios of Klasky-Csupo, as part of an intensive animation writing workshop on Saturday, September 23, 2000.

In any case, thanks again for your very helpful article. If you have any other pitching tips or advice, I'd love to know. (Wouldn't it be a gas if I sold my show using the exact advice I got from your article?)

Best Regards,
Rick Danenberg

Editor's Note: Then we get the first interview Rick! Good luck. We received a tremendous response to this article — mainly folks wanting more info — so keep reading and we'll try to elaborate on the topic.