Mind Your Business: Begging with Invoices
In this months Mind Your Business, Mark Simon tackles the ins and outs of a freelancers dreaded necessity invoicing.
Dr. Toon: Prophets, Coal Blacks, Jewcanos and the Five Freedoms
Martin “Dr. Toon” Goodman takes on taboo racial topics in light of the debut of Adult Swim’s Minoriteam.
One Hundred Years Ago Animation Began
Tom Sito reflects back on the birth of animation, which dawned 100 years ago with The Humorous Phases of Funny Faces from James Stuart Blackton.
Cartoon Movie 2006: The Quiet Animated Feature Revolution
Ron Diamond and Iain Harvey attend Cartoon Movie, reporting back about the growing revolution in animated features that has begun in Europe.
Animators Unearthed: 'Never like the First Time!' by Jonas Odell
Chris Robinson excavates Jonas Odells Never Like the First Time! and discovers the first sexual experiences of four people in this months Animators Unearthed.
AFF: The Truth Behind the Festival Controversy
Animation veteran Thom Richardson travels to the inaugural AFF event, uncovering the truth about the controversy that has swirled around the new traveling festival.
'Ice Age: The Meltdown' — Where Fur Meets Water
There was no meltdown at Blue Sky Studios when it came to creating all-new fur and water technology for its Ice Age sequel. Bill Desowitz gets the scoop from first-time director Carlos Saldanha and others. Includes a QuickTime clip!
New Frontier: Direct-to-DVD and Video
Janet Hetherington looks at the hot direct-to-DVD and video market, which seeks to woo viewers with classic content and original programming.
Experimenting with Animated VOD
Karen Raugust looks into how a number of recent video-on-demand initiatives by the studios show their interest in this still-problematic but potential-filled distribution method.
The Dawn of High-Def DVDs
Karen Raugust looks at the two high-def DVD formats, HD DVD and Blu-Ray Disc, set to launch this spring and how it will affect the home entertainment industry.
“Inspiration” Starts with “I”
Nancy Cartwright remembers how speaking up and following through can be the key to attaining your dreams.
Book Review: 'Design First for 3D Artists'
Tara DiLullo talks with Tippett Studios Tom Schelesny about the transformation vfx that transpire in Disneys The Shaggy Dog.
Fresh from the Festivals: March 2006’s Reviews
Taylor Jessen reviews five short films Clara by Van Sowerwine, Fumi and the Bad Luck Foot by David Chai, Book of Visions by Annie Poon, The Boy with No Name by Adam Smith and The Flooded Playground by Lisa Crafts. Includes QuickTime movie clips!
The Animated Scene: Classical Hand-drawn Special Effects Animation — Facing Extinction?
This month in the Animated Scene, Joseph Gilland looks at the facing extinction of hand-drawn special effects animation.
Film Festival Submissions — Part 3: The Agony and the Ecstasy
In the final installment of the festival series, Sharon Katz lays out a basic guide to applying to festivals including rules, recommendations and resources.
Anime and Animation at the New York’s New Comic-Con
Joe Strike attends the first New York Comic-Con, reporting back on an event that hopes to become a sci-fi, comics and fantasy Mecca with an east coast flavor.
Toy Fair Trend: Opportunities for Animators
Karen Raugust was game for the New York International Toy Fair and reports back on all the wonderful toys and opportunities for animators.
WonderCon 2006 Beckons Hollywood to the Bay Area
In the past 20 years, WonderCon in San Francisco has become a major event for the Hollywood hype machine to promote films. Andrew Frago shares some of the highlights and a few crowd hassles at this event.
Dr. Toon: Duck and Cover-Up
Dr. Toon recounts how terrifying a toon can be when one is young and impressionable, as he harkens back to when he first saw Duck and Cover, now ensconced in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.
Animators Unearthed: 'It Pains Me to Say This' by George Griffin
Chris Robinson digs up It Pains Me to Say This by George Griffin for close inspection in this months Animators Unearthed.
Animex 2006: Bridging Animation & Games in the U.K.
Tara DiLullo tackles the vfx commercials, which wowed viewers during Super Bowl XL, to see how the top artists scored such magic.