Curious George at Liberty library this morning!

Winter Film Festival : Viewing fun for the whole family: Watch Curious George in “A Very Monkey Christmas.” 10 a.m., Mid-Continent Public Library, 1000 Kent, Liberty. 816-781-9240


Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/20/3328295/community-calendar.html#storylink=rss#storylink=cpy

Featured Artist: Brandon Waltman

He's an L.A. based animator with roots right here in Kansas City.  Brandon Waltman runs a series of blogs and has an impressive resume fresh out of the Kansas City Art Institute.  Take a moment to look at his resume reel and drop by his blog for more of his captivating work.

B Waltman 2011 Reel from Brandon Waltman on Vimeo.

For more of his work and projects Brandon is working on, here are his blogs:

CAB Thesis Production Blog

Brandon Waltman Portfolio 2009

Brandon Waltman Portfolio

Writing for the Media

Celebrate the Season with a MAPA Movie Night!

JOIN MAPA FOR THE HOLIDAYS

with A Christmas Carol: The Movie!

Read below about this animated classic re-telling of the Dickens classic tale below.  This film features the voices of Simon Callow, Kate Winslet and Nicolas Cage.

DATE: Saturday, December 17th
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION:
KSHB-TV Wormington Room
4720 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO
ADMISSION: $5.00
Sodas available for $1:00
All proceeds go to bringing more MAPA events to the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

We will be watching Christmas Carol: The Movie (2001)
The film begins with a live-action sequence set in Boston in 1857, the site of a live reading by renowned novelist Dickens. As he begins his 'story of ghosts' a woman in the audience screams because she has seen a mouse and Dickens points out that this is appropriate since his story begins with a mouse. At this point the story turns into the animated version and Dickens explains that the mouse, named Gabriel, carries a glimmer of hope amidst the glaring co-existence of rich and poor in the streets of London. Throughout the subsequent unfolding of the well-known story Gabriel acts as a miniature Greek chorus, providing younger members of the audience with a point of entry into the story and, in the case of the potentially frightening elements (the Ghosts of Past, Present and Future), a place of refuge. Written by John Nickolaus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259929/

Autodesk Hosts 13th Annual 3December Celebration

Press Release from Autodesk

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Nov. 29, 2011 – From December 5 to 8, Autodesk Inc., together with the support of HP, AMD and Xsens, will host 3December 2011, the company's annual celebration of 3D computer graphics and the artists who create them. The event website will be the virtual home for celebrations, providing 3D artists with the opportunity to actively participate through events streamed live, watch free MasterClasses, view Autodesk tutorials and connect with fellow artists in user group meetings held in cities around the world.


3December Live Celebrations

On December 8, Autodesk will host a live event in Montreal, Quebec from 6 to 8 p.m. EST. The event will feature presentations by key artists in the media and entertainment industry highlighting the use of certain Autodesk tools . Modux FX will explain how scenes from the feature films Source Code and Immortals were created using software in Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites. Artists from MOTOR VFX will present how Autodesk 3ds Max, together with Autodesk Softimage and Autodesk Flame Premium software, were used to create and finish commercials shot entirely on blue screen. Digital Dimension/Meduzarts will also hold two presentations about a high resolution print campaign that used 3D to promote Elder Skolls Bethesda and how the Mortal Kombat game cinematic was created. During the event, Autodesk will announce the recipients of the peer-nominated Autodesk Masters Award, as well as the first-ever Autodesk Junior Master Award. The live event will be followed by an Electronic Theatre presentation from the Montreal ACM SIGGRAPH Chapter from 8 to 10 p.m. EST. For the complete list of presentations that will be taking place in Montreal, visit area.autodesk.com/3dec. Registration for the event in Montreal is required and can be completed online.

Live 3December celebrations will also take place in Toronto on Dec. 7 and in Tokyo on December 8. For a complete list of local user group meetings celebrating 3December, visit the event page.

3December Online

Artists are invited to join the virtual celebrations on AREA, the Autodesk online entertainment and visualization community. All presentations and demos from the Montreal event will be livestreamed on AREA TV and will be available on demand. Online content will include free Masterclasses, tutorials, exclusive web features, The Best CG Image of the Year contest and much more.

MAPA Job Alert!!! Video editor/Motionograher Position

Kansas City production company Scenic Road Productions seeks a creative video editor/motionograher for fulltime employment. Successful candidate is a story teller and artist who is self-­‐motivated and detail oriented. He will also have excellent file management skills.

Just click DOWNLOAD on the viewer to get a PDF of the job description.

Job Description10-31-11

NEA delivers bad news to Kansas Arts Commission

TOPEKA The Kansas Arts Commission is absorbing a setback from the National Endowment for the Arts.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/27/3231918/nea-delivers-bad-news-to-kansas.html

Anima Brussels Announces 2012 Dates

Press Release from Anima, the Brussels International Animation Film Festival

The next Anima, the Brussels International Animation Film Festival, will take place in Flagey from February 17 to 26, 2012.

Over one hundred and fifty films in the international competition (shorts and features, commercials, music videos), retrospectives, exhibitions, lessons, workshops for the kids, the Futurama professional days, round-table discussions, numerous guests and concerts make Brussels an international appointment not to be ignored. It's also the place to find out about Belgian animation with a national competition and screenings in panorama. Add to that a very "Animated Night" full of films, a special animation Cosplay show, and Anima easily confirms itself a "must" for the thirty five thousand spectators that flock to Flagey, the prestigious cultural centre of Belgium's capital city.

Anima 2012 Competition:
-Awards for Best Feature
-Awards for Best Shorts Films
-Awards for Best Advertising Film
-Awards for Best Music Video
-Nomination for the Cartoon d'Or

The 2012 poster, was created by the Belgian illustrator Peter Elliott. His work includes a number of comic books published by Pastel / L’Ecole des Loisirs, such as Poussin Noir or Barbedure, along with the series Les chouettes aventures de Ringo, Nénette et Napoléon, in collaboration with Rascal and published by Delcourt. He also regularly works for the press.

Salute to "Superjail"

"Superjail" is one of the best kept secrets in the world of cartoons.

It's twisted & hilarious.

All of you need to check it out.

The Resident Film Snob Reviews A Film That Has Nothing To Do With Animation

Okay, this film has absolutely nothing to warrant talking about on a blog devoted to animation, but art is art and "Womb" elicited such a strong reaction from me that I wanted to share.

So please enjoy my thoughts on this beautiful, heart-breaking film that will give you the creeping willies.

And please don't forget to visit your Resident Film Snob.  I'll be talking about Lars von Trier's brilliant "Melancholia" very soon.

Live art stream By Arie Monroe

HOBO STEW by Beejay Hawn

Click panel for larger view

About Beejay (from her blog)

At age 5, I already had an extensive collection of Mickey Mouse, potato head, and mermaid doodles. By age 12, I already had 14 years experience drawing quick sketches, my own comic books, and gift illustrations. I’m currently thirty-mmmhuh years old and am starting both my 10th season in retail caricatures with Kamans Art Shoppes at Worlds of Fun.

In recent years I’ve joined the National Caricature Network (NCN) which went international in 2010 and is now known as the International Society of Caricature Artists (ISCA).

I’ve competed in the 2007 minicon and the 2007, 2009, and 2010 ISCA conventions. At the 2009 ISCA competition I placed in the top 11 in the speed competition. Then in the 2010 ISCA competition I took second place in the 3D technique category with my mixed media cut outs, and was in the top 8 of the speed competition.

I have also competed at the 2008- 2011 Cripple con competitions. I won the 2009 CCN best theme piece then in 2011 I won third place best theme piece and the second place in the sick and twisted category.

I wear clean socks every day, quilt, love BLTs, and perform Broadway musicals in my shower for standing room only audiences. My hobbies include growling at my Chipotles, stealing paint chips from the hardware store, and over-zealously yelling “I’m debt free!” along with my AM favourite radio program.

Until the rise of the zombies, I can be found in Kansas City, Missouri along with my 2 beautiful daughters.

Cell-a-Bration 2011 Photos

Painting by MAPA director Arie Monroe

By artist Darryl Woods

Artist Darryl Woods with his painting

Cell-a-Bration 2011

It is currently 9:39.  There is over an hour left to come join us here at Screenland Crossroads at 16th & Washington.

It's a heck of a party.

For those of you who are missing it, pictures will be posted soon.

Love, your Resident Film Snob

"Happy Feet Two" comes to KC in November!

SYNOPSIS:

The sequel to “Happy Feet,” the Academy Award®-winning animated smash hit, “Happy Feet Two” returns audiences to the magnificent landscape of Antarctica in superb 3D.

Mumble, The Master of Tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven—a penguin who can fly! Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model.

But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces.

Erik learns of his father’s “guts and grit” as Mumble brings together the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures—from tiny Krill to giant Elephant Seals—to put things right.

“Happy Feet Two” is directed by George Miller, who won an Oscar® as the creator of the original “Happy Feet.” The film features the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Alecia Moore (P!nk), Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Sofia Vergara, Common, Hugo Weaving, Richard Carter, Magda Szubanski, Anthony LaPaglia and Benjamin “Lil P-Nut” Flores, Jr.

George Miller co-wrote the screenplay with Gary Eck, Warren Coleman and Paul Livingston. Miller is also producing the film, along with Doug Mitchell and Bill Miller. Chris deFaria, Philip Hearnshaw, Graham Burke and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers. Tap phenom Savion Glover rejoins the production to create the dances that will be performed onscreen by the penguin characters. The cinemtographer is David Peers and the animation director is Rob Coleman. The film features vocals by P!nk, with music by John Powell.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller Mitchell production, with Dr. D. Studios, a George Miller film, “Happy Feet Two.” The film will be released in 3D and 2D in select theaters and in IMAX on November 18, 2011.

Dana Collins
Allied–THA

HOBO STEW by Beejay Hawn

Click panel for larger view

The Pioneer Series: Those Who Paved The Way

Thought this was a fun little talk.

The Pioneer Series: Those Who Paved The Way from Creative Talent Network on Vimeo.

MAPA in the News!!

The rest of the artists work were feature new the end of the news show today. That was not included in this segment.

HOBO STEW by Beejay Hawn

Click panel for larger view

Hobo Stew by Beejay Hawn

Click panel for larger view

HOBO STEW by Beejay Hawn

Click panel for larger view

HOBO STEW by Beejay Hawn

Ottawa International Animation Festival 2011 Next Week!

About the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF)
From September 21st to 25th, the nation's capital will once again become the center of the animation universe. The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is the largest event of its kind in North America, a major film event attracting attendees from around the world. Film buffs, art lovers and cartoon fans won't want to miss this year's great line up of screenings taking place at ByTowne Cinema, National Gallery of Canada, Empire Theatres Rideau Centre and Arts Court Theatre.

JURIES:

INTERNATIONAL JURY FOR SHORT PROGRAM, STUDENT, AND COMMISSIONED ANIMATION

Mati Kütt
Mati Kütt, painter and director, is one of Estonia's most talented animators. A budding artist since childhood, he abandoned a career in engineering and began in animation in 1981 with Monument, one of the sections in the compilation film 1+1+1. After collaborating for many years with Avo Paistik at Joonisfilm, in 1989 he embarked on a career as an independent filmmaker with Labyrinth and began one of the most complex and variegated esthetic quests in contemporary animation. His films (including Institute of the Dream, Button’s Odyssey Smoke Sprat Baked in the Sun) combine different techniques such as stop motion, oil painting and pixilation.

Jan Pinkava
Jan started at Digital Pictures in London, animating and directing TV ads and graphics. Inspired by tales of glory he moved way out west in 1993 to a town called PIXAR. There he got a big hug from John Lasseter and directed several award-winning commercials before striking Oscar® gold in 1998 for Best Animated Short Film Geri’s Game, which broke new ground in the computer animation of crazy old men. Jan also pitched in on a number of Pixar’s early features, animating on A Bug’s Life and storyboarding on Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc. When invited to create a feature, he eventually came up with Ratatouille, the story of a cooking rat, for which he shared an Oscar® nomination for “Best Original Screenplay” in 2008. More recently, Jan has been working on another original story about a boy and his unusual dog, titled Little White Lie.

He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and two sons.

Aaron Augenblick

Aaron Augenblick founded Augenblick Studios in 1999. He has served in a variety of roles since the company’s inception, including director, writer, designer, and voice actor. Augenblick’s productions have garnered numerous awards, critical praise, and popular success. Augenblick served as the animation director for two seasons of Wonder Showzen on MTV. Augenblick Studios garnered widespread notoriety for their spot-on parodies of classic cartoons, leading to Augenblick being named as a rising star of animation in 2005 by Animation Magazine.

Comedy Central’s Golden Age was created, written, and directed by Aaron Augenblick. The ten episode web series was later released as a 22-minute short film, playing in numerous film festivals throughout the world. Golden Age was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival and was awarded the grand prize for commissioned films by the 2007 Ottawa Animation Festival.

Augenblick was the animation director and executive producer for Superjail on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.

The latest production from Augenblick Studios is the Comedy Central horror/comedy series Ugly Americans. Aaron Augenblick is serving as the animation director, designer, and supervising producer.

INTERNATIONAL JURY FOR ANIMATED FEATURE FILMS

Anne Brotot

A fine arts student, Anne graduated from the National School of decorative arts in Paris (ENSAD), where in 1984, she first experimented with computer graphics in the brand new CG post-graduate course. She was one of the first students in France working on a CG animated short film, which received an award at Eurographic in 1985.

Anne has worked for various French computer graphic companies, including “Fantôme”, TDI, and Médialad. From 1991 to 2000, Anne taught Computer Graphics at ENSAD and ENSCI (National school of Industrial Design). In 2000, Anne was involved in the creation of the new Supinfocom School in the south of France (Arles) as the managing director.

In 2008, Anne became the managing director of Supinfocomgroup in Valenciennes which consists of three schools: Supinfocom for Animation, Supinfogame for Vidéo-game and ISD for industrial design.

Biljana Labovic

Biljana studied graphic design at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade and started her career as a children's book illustrator in Serbia. She made her first animated short Non-Stop in 1995 and two years later moved to New York to study animation at the School of Visual Arts, and pursue a career in animation.

For more than ten years, Biljana has been collaborating with Bill Plympton on numerous short films, commercial projects and three feature films. She produced the Academy Award nominee Guard Dog, and produced and co-art directed the award-winning feature, Idiots and Angels. Biljana has also collaborated with director Emily Hubley on the animation for Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Hubley’s feature debut, The Toe Tactic. Her motion graphic work can be seen in the Academy Awarded documentary Freeheld by Cynthia Wade. Currently, Biljana is the animation producer on The Ruined Cast, an animated feature film in pre-production, directed by Dash Shaw and produced by John Cameron Mitchell. She has also been teaching at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Claude Cloutier
Born in Montreal, Claude Cloutier studied printmaking and worked as an illustrator before turning to comic strip art, mainly for Croc magazine. He has cultivated an absurdist sense of humour based on shifts in meaning and has gained recognition for the meticulous execution of his drawings, which are suggestive of engravings. He joined the NFB in 1986 and directed The Persistent Peddler, an adaptation of his comic strip album La Légende des Jean-Guy. The film was selected for screening in competition at Cannes in 1989. His next film, Overdose (1994), which is part of the Rights from the Heart series, competed in the 1995 Berlinale. In 1999-2000, he collaborated on the Gémeaux Award-winning Science, Please! series. After From the Big Bang to Tuesday Morning (2000), he directed Sleeping Betty (2007), a short animated comedy that received wide public and critical acclaim and swept up 23 international awards, including a Jutra and a Génie. With his last animated short The Trenches (2010), Claude Cloutier delivered an anti-war film in which archival World War I images were reconstituted and contemporized through his artistry brushwork. He is now currently working on a new production with the National Film Board of Canada.

Each year, the Ottawa International Animation Festival commissions an artist to create original artwork for celebration and promotion on an international scale.

FESTIVAL POSTER:

The 2011 Festival Poster was designed by renowned illustrator and animator Gary Leib.

Gary has won wide praise for his work as an animator and cartoonist, including a 1994 Harvey nomination for his comic book Idiotland. His illustrations and cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker, Musician Magazine, The New York Observer, Raw, Blab and as weekly features in The New York Press for many years. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and has taught in the graduate computer animation program at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.

Gary has been generous enough to create two variations of this year's festival poster: the grown-up version you see here, and a family-friendly version which you can check out on the Toon Apprentice website here.

The grown-up poster will be available to purchase at the Aniboutique at this year's Festival. Be warned: if you look under 25, we will ask for ID!

Festival Facts:
Last year's event had a total attendance of over 27,000.

Over 1800 delegates from the animation community attended last year including animators, production executives, educators, students and fans.

During the week of the Festival, there are 92 screenings and 46 professional development events at six venues across downtown Ottawa.

You don't have to work in animation to attend! Tickets for screenings are $12 and can be purchased at the door. It's as easy as going to a movie. If you want to attend everything - there are day, weekend and full passes available. We also have a ticket six-pack.

The OIAF is a division of the Canadian Film Institute, a charitable organization.

In addition to the main Festival - the OIAF runs a number of outreach events and activities such as our:

• Toon Apprentice high school lecture series
• Animation Celebration (a free screening for elementary classes)
• Animation School Fair
• free NFB workshops for families and teens
• the Adobe Toon Apprentice Pass
• and our Toon Apprentice website.

We also work to help the Canadian animation industry with the Canadian Animation Directory.
Our industry side event TAC generated over 7 million dollars worth of production deals in 2009.
The Festival has been running since 1976. Read about its history here.

AND GET YOUR CALENDARS READY!!! Here are some other Animated Festivals coming up soon courtesy of Animated-festivals.com:

ANIMAFRIK Animation Festival
Ghana 25th Oct 2011 - 28th Oct 2011
Competitive - No Fee Submission Deadline: On-going Details >

ANIMACAMPUS TALLINN 2011
Estonia 15th Nov 2011 - 19th Nov 2011
Non-competitive - Fee Required Submission Deadline: 5th Sep 2011

Animation Film Festival Animated Dreams
Estonia 16th Nov 2011 - 20th Nov 2011
Competitive - No Fee Submission Deadline: 15th Aug 2011

Anilogue International Animation Festival
Hungary 23rd Nov 2011 - 1st Dec 2011
Competitive - No Fee Submission Deadline: 15th Sep 2011

Martin Sheen Confirms His Return As The Illusive Man For "Mass Effect 3"

I talked to Martin Sheen about whether or not he will indeed return as the Illusive Man for "Mass Effect 3."

The Illusive Man is one of the most sinister and complex video game villains in recent memory.

Courtesy: NBC Action News

So, when I interviewed him for NBC Action News about his new film, "The Way," I had to ask him if the Illusive Man would be back.

HOBO STEW by Beejay Hawn

2011 Free State Comicon this Weekend in Lawrence, KS

Kansas City Fan Conventions Presents

2011 Free State Comicon

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

10am - 5pm

A D M I S S I O N $3

children 12 and under are FREE!

Douglas County Fairgrounds Building

#21 2110 Harper St.

LAWRENCE, KS

Rango To Be Honored at the Hollywood Film Awards

Press Release from Hollywood Film Festival

Hollywood, CA, September 06, 2011: The 15th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards, presented by Starz Entertainment, have announced that "Rango" will receive this year's Hollywood Animation Award at the festival's gala ceremony on October 24, 2011, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies feature film is directed by Gore Verbinski and stars Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Harry Dean Stanton, Ray Winstone and Timothy Olyphant as the Spirit of the West. The screenplay was written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan with the story by John Logan, Gore Verbinski and James Ward Byrkit. Produced by Verbinski's Blind Wink Productions, Graham King and John Carls, "Rango" also marks the first animated feature film for award-winning special effects house Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).

The announcement was made today by Carlos de Abreu, Founder and Executive Director of the Hollywood Film Festival. "It is a great pleasure to recognize "Rango" as the recipient of our animation award. This piece of cinematic treasure borders on surrealism and "Rango" will be a classic for generations to come."

Past recipients of the Hollywood Animation Award include "Cars," "Ratatouille," "Toy Story 3," "UP," and "Wall-E."

About "RANGO"
From the director of "The Pirates of the Caribbean" comes RANGO, featuring Johnny Depp in an original animated comedy-adventure that takes moviegoers for a hilarious and heartfelt walk in the Wild West. The story follows the comical, transformative journey of "Rango" (Depp), a sheltered chameleon living as an ordinary family pet, while facing a major identity crisis. After all, how high can you aim when your whole purpose in life is to blend in? When Rango accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt, a lawless outpost populated by the desert's most wily and whimsical creatures, the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt . . . until, in a blaze of action-packed situations and encounters with outrageous characters, "Rango" starts to become the hero he once only pretended to be. With a cast that includes Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Harry Dean Stanton, Ray Winstone and Timothy Olyphant as the Spirit of the West, Rango is an exciting new twist on the classic Western legend of the outsider who saves a town, and himself in the process.

About Starz Entertainment, LLC:
The festival and awards presenter is Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service provider operating in the United States. The company offers 17 premium channels including the flagship STARZ and ENCORE brands with approximately 19 million and 32.9 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs in total more than 1,000 movies and original series every month across its pay TV channels. Starz Entertainment is recognized as a pay TV leader in providing HD, On Demand, HD On Demand and online advanced services for its STARZ, ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX brands. Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation and is attributed to the Liberty Starz tracking stock group (NASDAQ: LSTZA).

Help Us Out!!! Donate to MAPA!

If you would like to help MAPA continue to provide services to artists and the arts community throughout the Midwest, you can make a donation using the button on the right of this screen.  Help us keep bringing you great animation exhibitions and workshops! 

Thank You for Supporting MAPA!!! ;)

Dylan Dietz
Director, Midwest Association of Professional Animators

MAPA JOB ALERT: FLASH WEB DESIGNER/SEO EXPERT NEEDED!!!

A local construction firm needs a new webpage.  They have a couple of concepts and need heavy Flash work and optimization.  If you want more information and would like to big for the job, please email mapa@themotionstation.com.  We will provide a description of the project so you can include costs for initial website optimization; ongoing optimization is recommended.

Dylan Dietz
MAPA Director
816-267-0719

4Kids, 4sight to Present Lineup at Brand Licensing Europe 2011

Press Release from 4Kids Entertainment International

Among the hit brands being presented is Yu-Gi-Oh! - the global phenomenon that boasts millions of fans across the world and has inspired several hit TV shows and a series of best-selling trading card games. Currently celebrating its tenth anniversary, the franchise is more popular than ever, with the latest series, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s broadcasting across Europe along with the previous generations Yu-Gi-Oh! and Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. A brand new series, Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL, is set to launch across the continent soon, whilst a movie, Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time, was successfully released earlier this year. An extensive licensing programme covers sectors such as toys, video games, apparel, costumes, calendars, publishing, BTS, stationery, games and puzzles and trading card accessories. The popularity of Yu-Gi-Oh! has been boosted even further by the recent launch of a new global web hub – www.yugioh.com – where fans can read about their favourite characters, download exclusive wallpaper and screensavers and find out about all the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! merchandise and games.

Another exciting 4Kids property at BLE 2011 will be Max Adventures – a popular kids’ brand aimed at 6-10 year olds that features Max the Lion and is currently making a mark across Europe. A TV show has been snapped up by key European broadcasters and a Max Adventures ice cream range is proving extremely popular and is available through retail, restaurants and leisure parks in most European markets, supported by Max-branded POS materials. This presence is being bolstered by marketing activities including print and TV ads, DVD promotions, online cooperations, and costume character appearances and themed activities at leisure parks and outdoor events. The brand is also promoted through digital channels, with a seeding strategy targeting children’s websites and video streaming pages such as YouTube. Additionally,, a dedicated Max Adventures website has launched across Europe and is adapted for each market in which the brand is present, featuring games, activities and a sing-along animation. 4Kids is acting as a brand consultant for the property and is currently exploring a number of potential categories for licensing, including publishing, collectibles, promotions, mobile applications, digital content and accessories, stationery, BTS and amusement park attractions.

4Kids will also be presenting Dinosaur King – the popular animated series that chronicles the adventures of Max, Rex and Zoe, known as the ‘D Team’, who search the world for dinosaur cards that have the power to bring dinosaurs back to life. The show is broadcast across EMEA, enabling 4Kids to build a strong and varied licensing programme. Publishing has been a particularly successful category for the property and partners include Signature Publishing and Egmont. Other sectors represented include stationery, apparel, toys, collectibles, confectionary, BTS, homeware, gifts, novelties and sporting goods, whilst Quick recently used Dinosaur King in a promotion across its chain of European fast-food restaurants.

4sight licensing solutions, a subsidiary of 4Kids that specialises in brands geared primarily to adults, teens and tweens, will also be presenting a strong range of properties at BLE 2011. These include aspirational fashion property Chicaloca, which is proving to be a big hit across Europe and represents an independent, fun-loving, confident and trendy attitude that embodies the mindset and lifestyle of today’s teen and tween girls. Licensees have been quick to realise the property’s potential and 4sight is building up an impressive European licensing programme. In the UK, Celestial Imports, Peers Hardy and SLG are on board to produce an exclusive range of Chicaloca lines for BHS that include toiletries, gifting items and accessories. In Spain and Italy, BLGS Hometextile is developing beach products including 42 different designs of beach towel and 10 designs of flip-flops that are set to launch in 2012. September will also see the launch of a new multi-platform Chicaloca game, which can be played via iPhone, Android, Facebook and online gaming portals. Players enter a virtual world where fashion rules – they can choose a virtual fashion model, buy Chicaloca clothes and accessories using virtual money, dress their model and take part in fashion shows where they compete for unique prizes against other users.

Another 4sight licensing solutions brand at the show will be the popular animal photography franchise Artlist Collection: The Dog and Friends. Featuring The Dog, The Cat and The Pig, and newcomers The Duck, The Rabbit and The Hamster, the property is based around irresistibly cute and expressive pictures of the animals, which are taken using a fish-eye lens to produce a trademark 70:30 head-to-body ratio. The franchise is hugely popular and this has enabled 4sight to put together a strong and varied licensing programme covering a vast range of categories, from plush to apparel to digital. One of the most successful licensees has been partworks specialist Eaglemoss, which has used The Dog and The Cat to create a partworks range that is proving very successful across Europe. There have also been a number of highly successful promotions involving the lovable animals with partners including McDonalds and Quick Restaurants, whilst The Continuity Company (TCC) is enjoying huge success with a loyalty campaign using The Dog plush that has been picked up by leading grocery stores and petrol stations worldwide.

Two other properties in the 4sight line-up are the Kennel Club and Crufts, two separate brands that are closely linked. The Kennel Club is specifically dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs, with a broad remit to protect and promote their general wellbeing. At its heart are programmes and investments in education and health initiatives to ensure that dogs are healthy, happy and long-lived. The Kennel Club also organises and hosts Crufts, the world’s most famous dog show, which is attended by dog lovers from the across the globe who come together to experience the competitions and events that celebrate the diverse role dogs play in society. The response from the licensing sector has been very positive and 4sight has developed a dedicated licensing programme, with more than 12 licensees now on board. Categories represented include dog bedding and accessories, branded pet tags, publishing, greetings, collectibles, digital content prints and canvasses.

Pachanga is also part of the 4sight portfolio - a distinctive and beautiful set of artwork, illustrations, drawings and designs by Ecuadorian artist Belen Ména, which has been created from the natural designs and colour patterns found on the wings and bodies of over 300 different species of South American moths. The artist spent five years in the forests of Ecuador observing, photographing, drawing and cataloguing the moths, which served as the inspiration for the collection. A growing licensing programme includes A3 Media for digital content, Atlas Wall Coverings for wall murals and Art.com for fine art canvas prints and posters. Other key sectors being targeted include home textiles, home décor, tableware, stationery and publishing.

”We are looking forward to what promises to be a very positive BLE 2011 and are hoping to build on the success of all our brands by presenting them to potential partners from across the licensing spectrum. There should also be a few new third party acquisitions revealed at the show” said Sandra Vauthier-Cellier, Managing Director, 4Kids Entertainment International and 4sight licensing solutions.

WonderCon Moves to Anaheim

Press Release from Comic-Con International

WonderCon, part of Comic-Con International's (CCI) family of conventions, today announced that the 2012 show will be held March 16-18, and Anaheim, California, will play host to the long-running comics and popular arts convention. San Francisco's Moscone Center, WonderCon's traditional venue, will undergo renovations in early 2012, leaving the 25-year-old show in the unenviable position of either being canceled or finding a new venue.

In a move to help alleviate an overcrowded calendar, ReedPop's C2E2, which has been waiting to announce dates for its own show in March 2012, will now seek alternative dates while Wizard World has announced that it will postpone its April 2012 Anaheim show.

"It certainly was not our wish to move," commented David Glanzer, director of marketing and public relations for the nonprofit event. "However, when faced with the prospect of canceling the show for a year or moving locations, after careful consideration we decided to keep WonderCon on the 2012 calendar at a venue that could accommodate our needs."

"We fully understand the challenges of trying to secure dates at any venue, let alone one undergoing renovation," said Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President of ReedPop. "In an effort to minimize the impact on exhibitors and attendees we are currently looking to shift C2E2 from our traditional March dates."

Gareb Shamus, CEO of Wizard World offered a unique solution to offset any potential conflict for fans and exhibitors: "All of us who produce conventions know securing dates can often be a frustrating experience especially when you find yourself having to move to a new city." Shamus continued, "Because of their long history, Wizard World has decided to accommodate WonderCon and postpone our April 2012 Anaheim show."

"We appreciate the efforts of Lance and Gareb for going above and beyond in making the WonderCon transition more manageable," said Glanzer.

MAPA CELL-A-BRATION MOVED TO OCTOBER 7th!!!

OK...after some trouble here and there, we are officially moving the MAPA Cell-a-Bration 2011 Animated Art Show to October 7th at Screenland Crossroads for First Friday! (Thank you Butch Rigby and Patrick Matthews!)  That means the deadline for submissions is extended until September 28th!

Keep working on those pieces and expect more surprises for the show to come!

Dylan Dietz
Director
Midwest Association of Professional Animators

Submission forms below:

Cellabration2011Entry.pdf

Hobo Stew by Beejay Hawn

Click panel for large view

HOBO STEW by Beejay Hawn

GOOGLE BUMPED OUR ART SHOW!!!! Submission deadline extended!

SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR CELL-A-BRATION!!!
Due to the almighty Google bumping our Art Show originally scheduled for Sept. 2, we are now moving the show to Oct 1.  That means more time to get your submissions in!!  Now all pieces must be submitted no later than Wednesday, Sept 28.

Please download a copy of the submission form below:

Cellabration2011Entry.pdf

Hobo Stew by Beejay Hawn

Click panel for large view

HOBO STEW by Beejay Hawn

Lucasfilm and Sony Pictures Imageworks Release Alembic 1.0

Press Release from Sony Pictures Imageworks

Vancouver, B.C. – August 9, 2011 – Alembic 1.0, the open source project jointly developed by Sony Pictures Imageworks and Lucasfilm Ltd. was released to the public today, it was announced at ACM SIGGRAPH conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Alembic is the computer graphics interchange format developed by the two entertainment giants last year and focused on efficiently storing and sharing animation and visual effects scenes across multiple software applications. It was designed to handle massive animation data sets often required in high-end visual effects and animation, which are routinely developed and produced by companies such as Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic and Lucasfilm Animation Ltd and Sony Pictures Imageworks. The studios each saw the need for a tool like Alembic, something that would fit within existing pipelines and allow for customization at the facility level without impeding the ability to share work.

In addition to the features announced at last year’s SIGGRAPH, Alembic 1.0 includes automatic data de-duplication. The software automatically recognizes repeated shapes in complicated geometry and only writes a single instance to disk. This makes Alembic 1.0 use dramatically less disk space than promised without requiring any extra steps on the part of the user and can improve both write and read performance as well. In the case of hero deforming humanoid characters, including hair, shot caches have been reduced by more than 70%. For complex, deeply hierarchical and mostly rigid assets like the Transformers characters, tests have shown cache reduction in the order of 98%.

The code base for Alembic is available for download on the project’s Google Code site and more information can be found online at: http://www.alembic.io

Joint development of Alembic was first announced at last year’s Siggraph by Lucasfilm’s visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic and Sony Pictures Imageworks. The companies joined forces when it became apparent that they were independently developing software designed to solve a problem universally faced by the visual effects and animation production community: how to easily share complex animated scenes across a variety of disciplines and facilities regardless of what software was being used.

Alembic includes tools that allow collaboration while working with a generic, extensible, data representation scheme. In essence, it distills complex and often proprietary, animated scenes into application-independent files with baked geometric results. These baked results can be fully re-importable across the range of supporting software.

“Alembic addresses a fundamental issue in a world where assets are shared across many companies. Alembic’s production-ready ability to seamlessly translate shapes across a wide variety of applications saves time and resources,” said Rob Bredow, CTO of Sony Pictures Imageworks. “By releasing Alembic as an Open Source project, users have the opportunity to improve the software based on their needs and experience. We're really starting to feel the positive effects of Open Source, as a community of visual effects and animation professionals come together to solve problems more effectively today than ever before.”

“Alembic is giving us space efficiencies beyond our most optimistic expectations and at effectively the same time cost as before. This is sure to have a significant impact for anyone who uses the format and we are excited to be able to share this with the Open Source community,” said Tommy Burnette, Head of Global Pipeline at Lucasfilm Ltd. “Previously each facility had to produce their own unique solutions to the problem of efficient caching and scene handoff, but the beauty of Open Source is that with strong collaborative efforts we can effectively provide solutions for everyone.”

Both studios have made strides with open source software and recognize the importance of such initiatives, ILM with the industry standard OpenEXR format and Imageworks with OSL, Open Color I/O, Maya Reticle, Field3D, Scala Migrations and the newly release PyP.

Alembic is being offered via the New BSD License and is written in C++ and Python, leveraging the boost and HDF5 C/C++ libraries heavily, as well as OpenEXR.

For more information visit: http://opensource.imageworks.com/ or http://www.alembic.io/

About Sony Pictures Imageworks

Sony Pictures Imageworks is the Academy Award® winning visual effects and animation unit of Sony Pictures Digital Productions known for live-action visual effects and character animation, all-CG animation, and stereoscopic 3D imagery. The company is currently in production on OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, MEN IN BLACK III, and the animated features ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (3D) and HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA. Other recent credits include the hybrid live-action/animation film THE SMURFS (3D), THE GREEN LANTERN (3D), ZOOKEEPER, ALICE IN WONDERLAND (3D), and CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (3D).

For more information, please visit http://www.imageworks.com/.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully-integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual-effects and audio post-production; LucasArts, a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide; Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties; Lucasfilm Animation, which is currently producing content for film and television, including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, a CG-animated half-hour television series; and Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses. Additionally, Lucasfilm Singapore, produces digital animated content for film and television, as well as visual effects for feature films and multi-platform games. Lucasfilm's motion-picture productions include three of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and more than 60 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif.

Career Coach: Hot Tips for Conferences, Festivals and Conventions

Need a new direction for your animation career.  Coach Pamela Kleibrink Thompson shares some hot tips on attending conferences, festivals and conventions.

Published on AWN By Pamela Kleibrink Thompson: Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 12:44 pm

Hobo Stew by Beejay Hawn

About Beejay (from her blog)

At age 5, I already had an extensive collection of Mickey Mouse, potato head, and mermaid doodles. By age 12, I already had 14 years experience drawing quick sketches, my own comic books, and gift illustrations. I’m currently thirty-mmmhuh years old and am starting both my 10th season in retail caricatures with Kamans Art Shoppes at Worlds of Fun.

In recent years I’ve joined the National Caricature Network (NCN) which went international in 2010 and is now known as the International Society of Caricature Artists (ISCA).

I’ve competed in the 2007 minicon and the 2007, 2009, and 2010 ISCA conventions. At the 2009 ISCA competition I placed in the top 11 in the speed competition. Then in the 2010 ISCA competition I took second place in the 3D technique category with my mixed media cut outs, and was in the top 8 of the speed competition.

I have also competed at the 2008- 2011 Cripple con competitions. I won the 2009 CCN best theme piece then in 2011 I won third place best theme piece and the second place in the sick and twisted category.

I wear clean socks every day, quilt, love BLTs, and perform Broadway musicals in my shower for standing room only audiences. My hobbies include growling at my Chipotles, stealing paint chips from the hardware store, and over-zealously yelling “I’m debt free!” along with my AM favourite radio program.

Until the rise of the zombies, I can be found in Kansas City, Missouri along with my 2 beautiful daughters.

New Comic Strip by Featured Artist Beejay Hawn this Friday!

A new comic series from Northmoor artist Beejay Hawn starts this Friday on http://www.kcanimators.com/  Tune in at 7:00 AM for Hobo Stew!

About Beejay (from her blog)

At age 5, I already had an extensive collection of Mickey Mouse, potato head, and mermaid doodles. By age 12, I already had 14 years experience drawing quick sketches, my own comic books, and gift illustrations. I’m currently thirty-mmmhuh years old and am starting both my 10th season in retail caricatures with Kamans Art Shoppes at Worlds of Fun.

In recent years I’ve joined the National Caricature Network (NCN) which went international in 2010 and is now known as the International Society of Caricature Artists (ISCA).

I’ve competed in the 2007 minicon and the 2007, 2009, and 2010 ISCA conventions. At the 2009 ISCA competition I placed in the top 11 in the speed competition. Then in the 2010 ISCA competition I took second place in the 3D technique category with my mixed media cut outs, and was in the top 8 of the speed competition.

I have also competed at the 2008- 2011 Cripple con competitions. I won the 2009 CCN best theme piece then in 2011 I won third place best theme piece and the second place in the sick and twisted category.

I wear clean socks every day, quilt, love BLTs, and perform Broadway musicals in my shower for standing room only audiences. My hobbies include growling at my Chipotles, stealing paint chips from the hardware store, and over-zealously yelling “I’m debt free!” along with my AM favourite radio program.

Until the rise of the zombies, I can be found in Kansas City, Missouri along with my 2 beautiful daughters.

Stock Footage Sale!!!

 

August MAPA Meeting at Trinity 3D!!!

AUGUST MAPA MEETING AT TRINITY 3D!!!

Tuesday, August 23

7:00pm - 10:00pm

Trinity Animation

672 SE Bayberry Lane

Lees Summit, Missouri

Join us as Jim Lammers and Matt Tyree take us into the world of Trinity 3D! We will discuss the studio's latest projects and witness the craft first hand.

For a preview of what's in store, check out the link below:

http://www.trinityanimation.com/

Submissions open for MAPA "Cell-a-Bration" 2011 Art Show

KEEP THOSE SUBMISSIONS COMING!!!

Friday, October 7, 2011
7:00pm - 11:00pm

Screenland Crossroads

1656 Washington
Kansas City, MO

THERES STILL TIME TO ENTER!!!

We are very proud to announce Elizabeth Alex from NBC Action News will be our guest M.C. for the evening!!!  With her help, the MAPA Cell-a-Bration 2011 Animation Art Show is now sponsered by NBC Action News and KMCI: 38 The Spot. 

If you are interested in submitting work for the show, entry forms can be found on the blog: http://www.kcanimators.com/. All submissions must be turned in no later than Wednesday, September 28.


If you are interested in submitting work for the show, entry forms can be found below.

Digital/media exhibitors must provide a playback device (i.e. PlayBook, iPad, laptop, etc.) You have the option of providing headphones for spectators, or using computer speakers. We will try to spread the media entries apart to allow for experience. We will allow mutliple entries, we just need all the proper information for each. TV's and projectors are permitted, but we may have to limit the number of media entries if space becomes and issue.

Cell-A-Bration 2011 Submission Form

If you prefer to have the form as a .PDF, download below:

Cellabration2011Entry.pdf

NVIDIA to Showcase the Latest in Computer Graphics at SIGGRAPH 2011

Press Release from NVIDIA

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — July 21, 2011— NVIDIA, the company that awakened the industry to the power of computer graphics when it invented the graphics processing unit (GPU) in 1999, will be at SIGGRAPH, being held this year from August 7th through 11th in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Visitors to the NVIDIA booth (#453) will see how the latest capabilities of NVIDIA’s industry leading graphics solutions are powering a range of new applications that empower engineers, designers and digital content creation professionals to reach their maximum potential. Industry leaders such as Autodesk, Adobe, and Dassault Systemes will be on hand to highlight new tools and techniques that take advantage of NVIDIA professional graphics solutions, which are designed to transform critical production workflows. In addition, NVIDIA will be sponsoring and hosting an array of technology talks, panels, contests, and presentations to provide students, researchers, and industry professionals with many opportunities to interact and discuss state-of-the-art visualization and rendering techniques with industry thought leaders.

Autodesk Student Experience, sponsored by NVIDIA
On Sunday, August 7th at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel, Autodesk, with the support of NVIDIA, will host an exclusive event for students, the Autodesk Student Experience, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PDT, with a reception to follow. The Autodesk Student Experience is a series of targeted workshops and presentations designed to improve student skill sets through use of Autodesk 3D animation tools, including Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Softimage software, which will be running on workstations equipped with the latest NVIDIA Quadro professional graphics solutions.

NVIDIA “Tech Talks”
On Monday, August 8th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PDT in the West Building, Room 220, NVIDIA will host seven interactive “Tech Talks” that will explore the impact of GPUs on state-of-the-art CG and interactive design, including panel discussions and technical ‘deep dives,’ covering everything from advanced ray tracing, photorealistic rendering and simulation to tessellation.

Highlighting the NVIDIA “Tech Talks” will be an expert panel discussion from 1:45 to 3:00 p.m. PDT, “VFX Trendspotting: Unlocking GPU Performance,” where attendees will be able to tap into the some of the most brilliant minds in visual effects R&D and learn how the GPU is being leveraged to enable dramatic performance gains in rendering, lighting, fluid and particle simulations. Attendees will learn more about how to integrate GPU acceleration into their VFX production pipelines.

“As usual, NVIDIA will be at SIGGRAPH to showcase the latest research and innovation in computer graphics,” said Jeff Brown, general manager, Professional Solutions Group, NVIDIA. “We and our many hardware and application partners look forward to providing an incredibly rich, powerful, interactive and compelling experience for show attendees.”

NVIDIA Innovation Theater
The NVIDIA booth will feature the NVIDIA Innovation Theater, sponsored by HP, with technology and product demonstrations held on all three days of the SIGGRAPH exhibition (8/9, 8/10, and 8/11), highlighting the latest work from NVIDIA partners and customers such as Adobe, Dassault Systemes, Digital Domain, Geomerics, LookFX and Viewpartners, with demonstrations running on the half-hour throughout show exhibit hours. NVIDIA Technology Theater presentations will also be streamed live on the NVIDIA Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/NVIDIA.

NVIDIA Sketch Match
NVIDIA will again host its popular Sketch Match competition, sponsored by Dell, inviting SIGGRAPH attendees to show off their creativity. Contestants race the clock to compete against fellow illustrators, animators and designers for great prizes, including NVIDIA® Quadro® 4000 professional graphics solutions courtesy of PNY, and software provided by Adobe, Autodesk, and Luxology. The competition will run all three days of the SIGGRAPH exhibition in booth #603.