Binocular Briefs - Spotlight on Collage
The latest survey takes a break from the usual focus on new shorts to highlight classic films connected by a specific technique.
Tagged With: Independent Animation
Pablo Berger Talks His Oscar-Nominated ‘Robot Dreams’
The director of the Annie Award-winning 2D feature, his first animated film, about a lonely dog who buys a robot companion, discusses how his live-action experience helped him focus on crafting emotionally nuanced character performances.
Why is the Nature of Animation in Europe So Different from What is Being Created in the U.S.?
The second of three essays written by noted historian, author, and educator Karl Cohen to bring awareness to the present state of indie animated shorts and to stimulate a discussion that might lead to improvements; we continue with a discussion of how and why animation made in the U.S. and Europe evolved in such different directions in the second half of the 20th century.
Help! I Love Watching Animated Shorts
The first of three essays written by noted historian, author, and educator Karl Cohen to bring awareness to the present state of indie animated shorts and to stimulate a discussion that might lead to improvements; we start with a discussion of the ways these shorts have reached the public since the decline of theatrical cartoons.
In 2D, 3D, Digital Media, Event, Festival, Films, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All, North America
Binocular Briefs – January 2024
The latest survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently traveling the festival circuit or new to online viewing.
DK and Hugh Welchman Talk ‘The Peasants’
The team behind 2017’s Oscar-nominated ‘Loving Vincent’ returns with a vibrant new oil painted and rotoscoped animated feature about a young woman, Jagna, whose determination to forge her own path puts her on a tragic collision course with her 19th century Polish village community, opening in U.S. theaters on January 26, 2024.
A24 and Prime Video Share ‘Hazbin Hotel’s ‘Poison’ Lyric Video
Watch the animated short featuring the series’ 2nd single, with vocals by Blake Roman; the new series streams January 19 on Prime Video with early access January 12 on A24’s app.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Music Videos, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Binocular Briefs – December 2023
The latest survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently traveling the festival circuit or new to online viewing.
Lightfold Releases ‘Godspeed’ Pilot on YouTube
‘Final Space’ creator Olan Rogers raises $100K on Kickstarter within hours of releasing series’ pilot, ensuring funding for new episodes; reveals legendary Tom Kenny as part of voice acting lineup.
In 2D, Business, CG, Community Outreach, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Go Behind-the-Scenes of 'Disney Legend’ Andreas Deja’s ‘Mushka’
9 all-new ‘Making Of’ vignettes showcase the design and production of the animation master’s directorial debut, a beautifully hand-drawn short film about a young Ukrainian girl who discovers an orphaned baby Siberian tiger and realizes she must either raise him or leave him to the perils of the snowy wild.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
‘Aikane’: An Eclectic Love Story Highlighting Cultures Around the World
In the new short from Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, and Daniel Sousa, the team behind the award-winning ‘Kapaemahu,’ an island warrior who descends into a strange underwater world after being wounded in battle falls in love with the shapeshifting octopus that saves his life.
‘Teacups’ Begs the Question - Can a Simple Act of Kindness Save a Life?
Alec Green and Finbar Watson’s Oscar-qualified 2D short poignantly captures the true story of Don Ritchie, who over the course of almost 50 years approached hundreds of people contemplating suicide on a cliff just 50 feet from his Sydney home.
In 2D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All, Australia
Disney Legend Andreas Deja Talks ‘Mushka’
The famed animator, who brought to life iconic animated characters - villains and heroes - like Gaston, Jafar, Scar, Hercules, and Lilo, talks about his time at the studio as well as the challenge of directing his first film, a beautifully hand-drawn short that tells of a young girl who must save the tiger she has raised from a cub.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People, Short Films, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
Prime Video Drops ‘Hazbin Hotel’ Official Trailer
All-new animated adult comedy series from A24 and Bento Box follows Charlie, Princess of Hell, on her mission to depopulate her homeland; early access will be available January 12 on the A24 app, 2 weeks before the January 19 Prime Video premiere.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Lightfold Shares Olan Rogers’ ‘Godspeed’ Trailer
The series, from the creator of ‘Final Space,’ follows a young woman and her sidekick bot, Bowie, as they navigate the desolate landscape and abandoned homes of their crumbling world; the studio’s inaugural project premieres December 15 on YouTube.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
‘Misaligned’: The Minimalist Observations of an Uncommunicative Couple
Marta Magnuska’s hand-drawn, charcoal on paper short carefully studies the relationship between two characters sharing the same living space and the everyday routines that define the tension in their repetitive lives.
Rotten Fruit? - Vimeo, Censorship and Creative Freedom
Canadian filmmaker Ivan Li’s animated short, ‘Fruit,’ was permanently removed from the streaming platform – that positions itself as a champion of bold cinema and art - despite endorsements from staff curators, a successful 2-year festival run, and ARTE broadcast in France; the artist hopes his case serves as a warning sign to independent filmmakers.
In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: North America
Prime Video Shares ‘Hazbin Hotel’ Guest Cast, Release Date
Vivienne Medrano’s all-new animated adult comedy series, from A24 and Bento Box, follows Charlie, Princess of Hell, on her mission to depopulate her homeland.
In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Liam LoPinto's ‘The Old Young Crow’ Short and Sketchbooks for Refugees Initiative
The first-generation Iranian-American filmmaker, who for years denied his heritage, fell in love with his culture again while on an NYU exchange program in Japan as he spent time in Tokyo graveyards and began developing the story of a displaced Iranian boy.
Podcast EP 233: Will Anderson on Animating a Fluffy Cat Called Greg in Blender
The BAFTA-winning Scottish animator/filmmaker shares how he became an independent animator and what opportunities exist for other animators who boast a unique style.
Binocular Briefs – November 2023
The latest survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently travelling the festival circuit or new to online viewing.
Exclusive: Award-Winning ‘Starling’ Making Of Episode 1 Released
Helmed by director Mitra Shahidi and produced through Pixar’s co-op program, the Tribeca Film Fest Best Animated Short winner and 2024 Oscar contender, created by a global team of 70+ artists from 14 countries, tells the story of a mischievous star spirit that travels home to Istanbul to celebrate her birthday with family one last time.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Claynosaurz Releases ‘Claynos’ Teaser Trailer
The 3DCG short tells the origin story of the colorful stylized dinosaurs inhabiting the studio’s IP; following 2 months of concept development, the team tapped Autodesk Maya and Arnold, using the Conductor cloud-based rendering service, to complete the film.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
A24 Music and Prime Video Share First Song from ‘Hazbin Hotel’
Check out ‘Happy Day in Hell,’ a devilishly cute first listen to the soundtrack from Vivienne Medrano’s all-new animated comedy; the A24 and Bento Box series premieres on Prime Video this coming January.
Binocular Briefs – October 2023
The latest survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently travelling the festival circuit or new to online viewing.
