Having Soul: 45 Years of Nukufilm Studio
Estonia's puppet animation studio, Nukufilm recently celebrated their 45th anniversary. Chris Robinson traces their intriguing roots.
Tagged With: Film
'FernGully2: The Magical Rescue' Storyboards
A visual supplement with several storyboard panels from the film FernGully 2.
Fresh from the Festivals: March 2003's Film Reviews
Jon Hofferman reviews five short films fresh from the festival circuit: The Affectionate Punch by Thor Adam Goodall, Les Chasseurs de Poissons (The Fish Hunters) by Rosana Liera, The Dark Side of the Morning by Erik Rosenlund, Dog by Suzie Templeton, and From the 104th Floor by Serguei Bassine. Includes QuickTime movie clips!
There's A New Vid-Kid On The Block For Indies
Independent film producers Jeffrey Sneller (The Adventures of Pinocchio) and Charles Fries have recently formed Santa Barbara Home Video to market and distribute indie films on home video. The independent distribution company is a subsidiary of Santa Barbara Filmed-Entertainment, which is co-producing the feature film Doctor Lopez in the fourth quarter of 2003 in association with Andrew Steven's Powerhouse Entertainment. The first SBHV release is the Sneller/Raju Patel produced The New Adventures of Pinocchio.
South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival
Begins: March 7, 2003
The South by Southwest Film Festival and Conference is now accepting submissions for the 2003 Film Festival. For ten years, the internationally recognized conference and film festival has highlighted the best in new independent film to enthusiastic audiences in packed houses in Austin, Texas.To apply, please submit in one package a videocassette (VHS only), a synopsis of 50 words or less, director
The Two Towers: Built on Weta's Precious Mettle
Building on their earlier achievements, the creature and visual effects teams of Weta, Ltd. are bringing to life The Lord of the Rings trilogy with work that is blowing the industry away and garnering awards at every turn. Greg Singer reports.
Brits Ring In BAFTAs
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS picked up three BAFTA awards Sunday, February 23, 2003, during the Orange British Academy Film Awards held at the Odeon Leicester Square in the heart of London's West end. The VFX epic motion picture received Orange Film of the Year (voted by the public, whereas THE PIANIST won for Best Film, voted by members British Academy of Film and Television Arts). RINGS also won for Achievement in Special Visual Effects, singling out Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook and Alex Funke for recognition.
Animated Propaganda During the Cold War: Part One
Karl F. Cohen investigates the CIA funding of animated propaganda during the Cold War, namely, in Part I of this two part series, the production of Halas and Batchelors Animal Farm.
Moondance Festival Final Call for Entries
Moondance International Film Festival 2003 invites international screenwriters, filmmakers, playwrights, short story writers, TV writers, librettists, film music composers, as well as directors, producers, distributors and investors to participate in the annual film festival and competition held in Boulder, Colorado at the historic Chautauqua Park, May 15-18, 2003. Entry form, release form, rules & regs are available online at www.moondancefilmfestival.com.
MOSTRA INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA D'ANIMACI
Begins: February 20, 2003
Animac is a non-competitive film festival intended to show the best animated cinema productions of all time, highlighting those which have best enriched and promoted animation cinema's expressive skills. Animac seeks to be a tool to promote the most committed and passionate animated film. Animac aims to present a selection that unifies the most innovating and up-to-date proposals with the most famous animators' works in history.
iO Film Has Time For Hawkey
Newly-formed digital film finishing boutique iO Film adds Adam Hawkey as a lead compositor and color timer. Prior to joining iO Film, Hawkey has been freelancing at effects and post-production houses in Hollywood, including Rhythm & Hues, Amalgamated Pixels and Catalyst FX. Hawkey helped create and run THE WUBBULOUS WORLD OF DR. SEUSS, the first virtual set television show for Jim Henson Productions and Nickelodeon.
Texas Film Festival
Begins: February 17, 2003
The tenth annual Texas Film Festival welcomes submissions of all independent film and video makers. Past festivals have been fortunate enough to screen such films as Swimming With Sharks, Like Water for Chocolate, Lone Star, Il Postino and Rejected.
The Texas Film Festival began in 1993 to promote film as an artistic medium, and our focus remains the education of students and emerging filmmakers. We are proud to say that the Texas Film Festival is the largest, student-run, film festival in the nation.
The Great Footage Fallacy
Gene Deitch believes that measuring animation in footage does not help the creative process or make much sense in these global times, therefore, he proposes to make time the global unit of animation production.
Two Find Their Way To Lost Planet
Creative editorial company Lost Planet has added editors Saar Klein and Peter Mostert. Kleins notable feature film credits include THE THIN RED LINE, which earned him an Academy Award nomination; the 2000 film ALMOST FAMOUS, which won him an ACE award and another Academy Award nomination; and the 2002 action film THE BOURNE IDENTITY.
Santa Monica Film Festival
Begins: February 13, 2003
The 2003 Santa Monica Film Festival (SM/F2) is an event that truly makes a difference. Hosted by "Deep Ellum Film, Music, Art and Noise" (DEFMAN) a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose dual purposed mission both promotes the art of filmmaking and raises funds to improve the quality of life for individuals fighting cancer. Located in Santa Monica, California, SM/F2 celebrates the visions and visionaries of American Independent Cinema, Music and Art. SM/F2.03 offers a variety of events including Opening Night Party and Award Presentation
ASU Fest Needs Animation
Arizona State University Art Museum Short Film And Video Festival.Tempe, Arizona, USA.Saturday, April 19, 2003.Entry Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2003.
The Animation Pimp: Why is it NOT DONE?
Animation festivals have sunk to a boring level of similarity, staid programming and a repetitious circle of participants. The Animation Pimp challenges a shake up.
Bibi Is Big In Berlin
Bibi Blocksberg is one of Germany's most popular and enduring characters. The story of the mischievous little witch has been adapted to a radio play and an animated series, which currently airs in Germany on ZDF. The 14-part series and an animated Christmas special has also been sold to other countries, and pre-production has begun on new episodes at Berlin-based KIDDINX Studios. Bibi has also gained fame in a live-action feature film, which premiered in Germany on September 26, 2002 and has since been seen by over 2 million people, making it Germany's most successful film of 2002.
Star Wars Fan Film Awards: Episode II!
Star Wars Fan Film Awards
Comic-Con 2003, San Diego, California, USA
Thursday, July 17, 2003 - Sunday, July 20, 2003
Entry Deadline: Tuesday, June 3, 2003
Sony Imageworks Takes Two At Imagina.03
Imagina.03, the international festival for digital images, handed out its annual awards on February 5, 2003 at a ceremony in Monaco's Grimaldi Forum. Sony Pictures Imageworks had a big night, winning awards for best direction for the short film THE CHUBBCHUBBS, directed by Eric Armstrong, and taking home best feature honors for STUART LITTLE 2. 2003 was the first year Imagina has presented a best feature film prize, and it was awarded to the feature film that had the most effective use of digital technology.
The DIY Film Festival
Begins: February 4, 2003
The DIY Film Festival honors the top independent films in drama, comedy, animation, documenataries and best screenplays. Held Feb. 4-8, 2003 in Hollywood,Ca., the DIY Film festival is part of the 2003 DIY Convention in Los Angeles, a trade show featuring panels, exhibits and workshops on independent film, music and books.
The Black Maria Film and Video Festival
Begins: January 31, 2003
The Thomas Edison-Black Maria Film-Video Festival/Competition announces its Fall 2002 call for entries and is now accepting submissions through November 28, 2002. The festival seeks alternative, expressive, diverse and fiercely independent film and videos up to 70 min. long by emerging as well as seasoned makers. The entry fee is $35 for works up to 30 min. long and $45 for works over 30 min. up to 70 min. long.
Psychomechanics & Acting for Animation Seminar
Begins: January 25, 2003
Bringing Virtual Figures to Life and Creating Convincing Animated Characters for Film and Television. An interactive intensive 2 day advanced character development workshop that dynamically introduces participants to the pre-production and production techniques that have been utilized in the most internationally successful animated U.S. films of the past 5 years.Topics:
- Character setup, profiling, development, interaction, motivation intensity, internal life & physical expression, non-verbal communication, animals & aliens.
Dahlonega Shows Filmmakers The Diff
Dahlonega International Film Festival.Dahlonega, Georgia, USA.Thursday, June 26 - Sunday, June 29, 2003.Entry Deadline: Tuesday, April 15, 2003.
Gollum and Spirited Away Are The Critics Choice
On Friday, January 17, 2003 the 2002 Critics' Choice Awards were bestowed by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) to honor the finest in cinematic achievement. This year, the Critics' Choice Awards were notable because the BFCA added a category for Best Digital Acting Performance. While controversial, the award honored the standout digital characters that appeared in some of 2002's biggest blockbusters, with Gollum from LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS winning the award, beating Yoda from STAR WARS: EPISODE II and Dobby from HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS.
