In this third of a six-part series, Ellen Besen looks at how we can learn a lot about making good films from bad ones.

Rick DeMott takes a look at whether the Oscar for Animated Feature has changed the animation industry.

David Sequera investigates the Spanish animated El Cid to find out if the seven million euro feature rivals films made in the U.S.

Taylor Jessen reviews five short films fresh from the festival circuit: Maanvis (Moonfish) by Isabel Bouttens, I’m A Star! By Stefan Stratil, How To Cope With Death directed by Ignacio Ferregras, How Mermaids Breed directed by Joan Ashworth and Chainsmoker directed by Ulf Lundgren. Includes QuickTime movie clips!

Jon Hofferman again traveled to Italy to report back on his experience at the I Castelli Animati festival.

Dr. Toon looks at the beef fans have with the Looney Tunes — Golden Collection DVD and asks, “what, no gravy?”

Philippe Moins chronicles the long road taken to get Jacques Rémy Girerd’s Raining Cats and Frogs to the big screen.

Paloma Boilés reports back from the first Cineme Fest about how the new Chicago-based event measures up.

Karl F. Cohen takes us into the second leg of his journey through animated films that expound a message of peace.

The Career Coach talks about ways you can give yourself a big gift during the holidays by helping your career.

Mark Simon continues his series of 12 excerpts from his new book, Producing Independent 2D Character Animation: Making and Selling a Short Film.

Gene Deitch Associates, Inc. is possibly the most insignificant animation studio in the history of peg-holes, but Munro was born there, and it became Gene Deitch’s way station to an entirely new life. Perhaps he is the first “Born-Again Animator!”

Animation Pimp ponders the effect of comprising the Ottawa Festival’s jury with worldclass criminals instead of international intellectuals.

Fred Patten interviews some of the leading professionals who are using Flash to make TV series.

Taylor Jessen reviews five short films fresh from the festival circuit: NSPCC Cartoon by Russell Brooke, A Pesar de Todo (In Spite of Everything) by Walter Tournier, Mickey’s Buddy by Pete Paquette, Line of Life by Serge Avedikian, and Show and Tell by Mark Gravas. Includes QuickTime movie clips!

Joe Strike tries to uncover the special something that turns an animated idea into a long-running, hit television series.

Mark Simon continues his series of 12 excerpts from his new book, Producing Independent 2D Character Animation: Making and Selling a Short Film.

Philippe Moins uncovers the animated manifesto behind Sylvain Chomet’s The Triplets of Belleville, and the director’s future plans and desires.

Taylor Jessen reviews five short films fresh from the festival circuit: NSPCC Cartoon by Russell Brooke, A Pesar de Todo (In Spite of Everything) by Walter Tournier, Mickey’s Buddy by Pete Paquette, Line of Life by Serge Avedikian, and Show and Tell by Mark Gravas. Includes QuickTime movie clips!

Author Mike S. Fowler explores and defines overlay and overlay/underlay in this excerpt from his new book all about animation background layout, which includes many illustrated examples and exercises.