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Jon Hofferman's Recent Posts

Be Careful What You… Well You Know! ANIMATIONWorld

Disney’s Centenary ‘Wish’ – The Making of a Milestone Movie

Directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, and producers Peter Del Vecho and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster Jones, dish on the studio’s all-new animated musical about a sharp-witted idealist who makes a wish so powerful that it’s answered by a cosmic force - a little ball of boundless energy called Star, now playing in theaters. 

Why We Love 2D ANIMATIONWorld

‘Pencils vs Pixels’ Celebrates the Eternal Magic of 2D Animation

Producer Tom Bancroft, who worked as a Disney animator for many years, talks about the making of his new documentary, which looks at the Disney renaissance of the 1990s and the changes wrought by the rise of CG.

We Want More Zombies VFXWorld

Wētā FX Flexes its Cordyceps in ‘The Last of Us’ VFX

Visual Effects Supervisor Simon Jung and Animation Supervisor Dennis Yoo talk clickers, bloaters, giraffes, and fungi, some of the captivating and ghastly visuals they helped produce for HBO’s critically acclaimed and wildly popular series, nominated for 25 Emmys including Outstanding Visual Effects in a Season or Movie.

More Middle-earth Nastiness VFXWorld

Wētā FX Supercharges the Visuals in ‘The Rings of Power’

In its latest contribution to the prodigious ‘The Lord of the Rings’ franchise, Prime Video’s expansive series now nominated for 6 Emmy’s including Outstanding Special Visual Effects, pioneering visual effects company Wētā FX, led by VFX Supervisor Ken McGaugh, makes subterranean kingdoms pulse with life and creatures like Balrogs, Snow Trolls, and Wargs be the nastiest they can be.

Generative AI in Animation Design ANIMATIONWorld

Chad Nelson Talks ‘Critterz’ and the Future Role of AI

The writer and director of the first animated short whose imagery was entirely generated with OpenAI’s DALL-E takes a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of AI production and what this hard charging, disruptive technology could mean for M&E.

Uniquely African Sci-Fi ANIMATIONWorld

Peter Ramsey Talks Afro-Futurist ‘Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire’

The Oscar-winning director discusses the new African artist-created animated short film anthology he executive produced, filled with compelling tales of advanced technology, spirits, and monsters, now streaming on Disney+. 

Adults Can Be The Worst! ANIMATIONWorld

Tom is Still 10, Grown-Ups Still Dysfunctional in ‘Ten Year Old Tom’ Season 2

Creator Steve Dildarian discusses the past, present, and future of his acclaimed animated sitcom about a kid trying to make sense of the world and the less than helpful adults in his life, whose new season premieres today, June 29, on Max.

Anyone Can Wear the Mask ANIMATIONWorld

Fine-Tuning the Spider-Verse: A Chat with Justin K. Thompson

The co-director talks about his 'eye-bleeding' work on the visuals, and careful avoidance of excess wackiness, in Sony Pictures Animation’s acclaimed mega-hit 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,' now playing in theaters worldwide.

Anyone Can Wear the Mask ANIMATIONWorld

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Ups the Visual and Narrative Ante

Co-director Joaquim Dos Santos talks action, abstraction, and all things Spidey in a wide-ranging discussion of Sony Pictures Animation’s hit sequel, now playing in theaters worldwide.

One Last Ride VFXWorld

Wētā FX Brings a ‘Universe’ of Visuals to ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’

From giant red spaceships to tentacled, toothy Abilisks, the studio’s VFX and animation teams, led by VFX supervisor Guy Williams and animation supervisor Michael Cozens, pull out all the stops for the final chapter of James Gunn’s MCU trilogy.

Abe… Honestly ANIMATIONWorld

After a Brief 20-Year Hiatus, ‘Clone High’ Is Back in Session!

Supervising Director Anna Hollingsworth talks about the resurrection of the beloved adult animation sitcom, whose first two episodes premiered May 23 on HBO Max, with two new episodes dropping every Thursday, beginning June 1.

Earth Gets A Do-Over ANIMATIONWorld

It’s the End of the World… And It’s Way Funny in ‘Mulligan’

Showrunners Robert Carlock and Sam Means, and director Colin Heck, preview their and Tina Fey’s new animated series about learning – or not – from humanity’s past mistakes, premiering May 12 on Netflix.

Taking Over Planets is Hard Work ANIMATIONWorld

Horny Aliens, Hungry World Eaters, and the Many Travails of ‘Thoron the Conqueror’

Creators Sean Godsey and Nic Collins talk about how their own struggles laid the groundwork for their hilarious new animated short film, premiering April 15 on Adult Swim SMALLS.

Can’t get too much Seth….MacFarlane! ANIMATIONWorld

The Epochal Success - and Inexhaustible Creativity - of ‘American Dad!’

Creator and showrunner Matt Weitzman converses about the long-running 20th Television Animation comedy series, whose 18th subversively fun season is now airing on TBS.

The View from 3 Feet ANIMATIONWorld

The Babies Are Back! ‘Rugrats’ Returns for Season 2

Executive producers Kate Boutilier and Casey Leonard couldn’t be happier about the new look, the new stories, and the new characters in the all-new season of Nickelodeon's beloved series, premiering Friday, April 14 exclusively on Paramount+.

Fiery Meets Fluid ANIMATIONWorld

The Natural Chemistry of Disney-Pixar’s ‘Elemental’

Director Peter Sohn and producer Denise Ream talk about the hard work and incredibly supportive collaboration that produced Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new, 3DCG feature about a fiery young woman and a fun, go-with-the-flow guy, who together couldn’t be more different – or could they (?), premiering in theaters June 16.

On the Road to the Oscars ANIMATIONWorld

She Moves Shoed Shells on the Wee Floor

Animation director Kirsten Lepore discusses the herculean challenges of working with a miniscule mollusk in the Oscar-nominated, Annie Award-winning Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, now in theaters and streaming on Showtime.

It’s PANDA-MONIUM! ANIMATIONWorld

‘Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight’ Celebrates a Special Lunar New Year

Writer Felicia Ho and co-executive producers/writers Chris Amick and Ben Mekler discuss the essence of Po, cultural inspiration, and their collaboration process on the ‘Epic Lunar New Year’ episode capping Season 2 of DreamWorks Animation’s hit series, now streaming on Netflix.

Education Headline News

Stage 03 VFX Releases Online VFX101 Class Sampler

Featuring 6 hours of curated training material covering VFX filmmaking, Compositing, Modeling, and After Effects Animation, the VFX Sampler is a superb introduction to the global education program’s comprehensive, degreed, and accredited visual effects instruction.

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