Award Winning Animator Jorge R. Gutierrez at KCAI

Image courtesy IMDB.  Scott Adsit (l) and James Hong (r) present the TV character design award to Jorge Gutierrez.

The KCAI Animation Department is honored to present Annie & Emmy Award winning animation director Jorge Gutierrez:

• WHEN:   April 8th, from 10:30am-12:30pm
• WHERE: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Atkins Auditorium

Please join us for an exciting presentation!  This is a FREE event and ALL are welcome.

Jorge R. Gutierrez

Jorge R. Gutierrez is a Mexican animator, writer, director, and cartoonista. Along with his wife, Sandra Equihua, he created the acclaimed animated television series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez and El Tigre have been honored with a Reuben Award, six Emmy Awards and two Annie awards.

Born in Mexico City and raised in Tijuana, Gutierrez is known for exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture through his films, cartoons and paintings.

He attended the California Institute of the Arts, where he received his BFA & MFA in Experimental Animation under Jules Engel. There he created the 3D short "Carmelo", which won the 2001 Student Emmy Award in animation and was screened at various festivals around the world, including Kodak’s Emerging Filmmakers Program at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. In 2000, Gutierrez worked under animation legend Maurice Noble, for the art direction of “Chuck Jones’ Timberwolf” for Warner Bros. In 2001, he began creating “Jorge Gutierrez’ El Macho”, an animated web series for Sony Pictures.

He’s directed three pilots for Disney TV animation. He has also designed characters for several animated series including Cartoon Network’s “Class of 300”, Nickelodeon’s “ChalkZone”, WB’s “Mucha Lucha”, and Disney’s “Ying Yang Yo!” and “The Buzz on Maggie” for which he was nominated for a 2006 Annie Award in character design. As a writer, he’s worked on Scholastic’s “The Misadventures of Maya & Miguel” as well as Disney’s “Brandy & Mr. Whiskers."

Gutierrez recently worked at DreamWorks Animation as a writer & director developing his own property. He's currently working at Warner Bros Animation on "MAD" and developing his dream animated feature project for Reel FX Entertainment.

Giving it a Shot

Okay, it's a bold move, but I'm going to try and make my first cartoon.

I have no idea what I'm doing, but I figure Christine O'Donnell is a good test subject.

Wish me luck. I'll let you all know how it goes.

If it ends up sucking, try not to judge me too harshly. 

Oh, fine, feel free to judge as harshly as you want.  God knows I make my share of fun of really bad crap.

Your faithful residentfilmsnob.

My Dog Tulip – Paul and Sandra Fierlinger (2010)

"My Dog Tulip" Photo Courtesy: New Yorker Films

“My Dog Tulip” is a milestone in animation. It is the first paperless, hand-drawn animated feature ever.

Of course that wouldn’t count for much if the movie wasn’t very good, but I’ll get to the analysis of the film’s content itself shortly.

Paul Fierlinger drew the film onto a digital tablet, using a stylus and Sandra Fierlinger filled in the images perfectly. She seems to know just the right colors to capture the right moods and just how much detail to use without giving too much away. They used a program called “TVPaint.”

Photo Courtesy: New Yorker Films

“Tulip” is based on J. R. Ackerley’s memoirs of how he finally found true friendship late in his life when he got his first dog, Tulip. Ackerley is voiced by Christopher Plummer. 

I have not read the book in more than 10 years, but I remember laughing out loud a lot and as I watched the film, I kept remembering bits of the book I’d forgotten.

The film, like the book, is pretentious, funny and literate. So naturally, your Resident Film Snob loved it to pieces.

Ackerley whittles the most complex human emotions and experiences down into the basest of animal urges and what he comes out with in his book, is a remarkably wise record, not only of anecdotes, but proverbs.

For example, in the midst of his meditations on Tulip’s bathroom habits, Ackerley takes her through a cemetery.  He seems to think the dead should be grateful that his dog is blessing them by using their resting place as a place to unleash her bowels.  

After all, they ought to be grateful to be serving any purpose at all, shouldn’t they?

Tulip diddles on the dead.  Photo Courtesy: New Yorker Films

The film’s style could not possibly fit the spirit of the book better. Paul and Sandra Fierlinger don’t draw “Tulip” with the realistic detail the Pixar generation has come to expect. After all, if it’s going to look so gall-darn realistic, why bother animating it? (That’s right, I said “gall-darn.” You’ll just have to pardon my French.)

Animation style dips several times into what the author sketched as he imagined his dog and sister home alone together. These sequences are simple doodles on paper.

Notice how, for some reason, as minimalist as his “style” is, he still takes the time to draw boobs on his sister. It’s either endearing or creepy. I guess it can be both. Hey, the guy wrote “The Prisoners of War,” so I’m not going to get all bent out of shape.

Photo Courtesy: New Yorker Films

 And what he projects of human sexuality onto dogs is hysterical and emphasized through this simple doodling that he does, more than it ever could through more sophisticated animated effects.

This is important, since roughly half the movie involves Ackerley trying to get his beloved dog laid.

Photo Courtesy: New Yorker Films

Again, he goes about exploring sexuality by simplifying it through the eyes of his dog and again, the stripped down animated style is perfect here. It’s equally adorable and disconcerting how Tulip is drawn in a dress, like a lady of the night.

Photo Courtesy: New Yorker Films

It’s touching how he marvels at the way Tulip allows a very small dog to hump her even though Ackerley clearly thinks Tulip is far out of the mutt’s league.

Please don’t make the mistake of trying to watch this with your kids. “My Dog Tulip” is a wonderful cartoon for adults.

This film will be showing here in Kansas City at the Tivoli for at least another few days, so you really need to catch it while you can.

If you miss it, put it in your Netflix queue pronto.

And stop by and visit your Resident Film Snob. I’ve been lonely. There, I said it.

CinemaKC Presents IFCKC’S “Fantasy Filmmaker Draft”

CinemaKC Presents IFCKC’S “Fantasy Filmmaker Draft” Project: Five Teams, Five Episodes, One Story

Friday, March 18th, 2011 at 5:21 pm

CinemaKC, a not-for-profit organization connecting film related groups in Kansas and Missouri, will host the Independent Filmmakers Coalition of Kansas City (IFCKC) 3rd Annual Fantasy Filmmaker Draft short film at the Screenland Crown Center Theater on Saturday, March 26. The program includes a brief reception at 6:30pm followed by the screenings and a Q&A with filmmakers starting at 7:30pm.

The Fantasy Filmmaker Draft Project screening showcases the hard work of five teams and over 50 participants. Created in 2009, the Fantasy Filmmaker Draft was started “…in order to showcase the vast talents of the IFCKC members, by working together on one cohesive project, with a common goal,” according to IFCKC President Brian Boye. Five team captains are selected as the Executive Producers, who then select Writers and Directors, Fantasy Football style. Writer A then has one week to complete 5-9 pages of a script, which features four main characters. The script is passed to Writer B, who has a week to continue the story arc, maintaining the four primary characters.

Teams then had until March 23rd, to complete their episode. Each team has no idea what the other teams are doing in their episode. Style, pacing, art direction are completely up to the discretion of each team, meaning each episode has its own unique qualities. It is only until the screening on March 26th where the teams will see the complete story for the first time.

“The beauty of the FFD is that it forces filmmakers and actors to work outside of their comfort zone, to work with people they are unfamiliar with,” says Boye. “Every year, new relationships are formed, new partnerships are forged, and we learn how other talented people do their work.”

Admission will be $5 for IFCKC members, $8 for non-members. For more information, contact the IFCKC’s President Brian Boye at 816-582-6061, Tim Harvey at 816-786-3354, or Jason Hunt at 816-863-9082.

###

Upcoming CinemaKC Events:
March 26, 2011: CinemaKC TV premiers on KSMO-TV, 9:30pm

April 14, 2011: CinemaKC Showcases the KU Film & Media Studies Department, Screenland Crown Center, 6:30pm Mixer, program at 7:30pm. Cost: $8, $5 Students, KU Students free with ID.

June 25, 2011: CinemaKC Showcases The Best of the Tallgrass Film Festival in association with the Kansas
Film Commission, 6:30pm Mixer, Program 7:30pm.

CinemaKC’s Strategic Partners include ArtsKC, Film Commission of Greater Kansas City, Film Society of Greater Kansas City, Independent Filmmaker’s Coalition, Kansas City Film Critics Circle, Kansas City FilmFest, Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee, Kansas City Fringe Festival, Kansas City Screenwriters, Kansas City Urban Film Festival, Kansas City Women in Film and TV, Kansas Film Commission, Kansas International Film Festival, Missouri Film Commission, Missouri Motion Media Association, Reel Spirit, Thank You Walt Disney, UMKC Film Department, University of Kansas Film and Media Studies, United Motion Picture Association (UMPA), Variety the Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City, and Women of the Motion Picture Industry.

CinemaKC’s Business Alliance Partners include Allied Integrated Marketing, Allied Theatre Craft, American Heartland Theatre, Kansas City Area Development Council, KC Stage Magazine, KC Arts Council, KC Studio, Prizm Productions, Screenland Armour, Screenland Crossroads, Screenland Crown Center, StagePort, Substream Music & Sound Design, and T2.

KCAGA user group meeting

Time	Tuesday, April 19 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location	Trinity Animation Office 672 SE Bayberry Lane, Suite 101 Lees Summit, MO
Created By	Jim Lammers
More Info	This meeting will include a presentation by Matt Tyree on Trinity's production work on the FX Comedy ARCHER (Trinity produces all backgrounds for the series). Also Jim Lammers will demonstrate Forest Pro, a plug-in for 3ds max. Door prizes include an Archer Season 2 coffee mug (a very limited edition) and a VRay t-shirt! The address is 672 SE Bayberry Lane, Lees Summit, MO 64063. Attendance is limited, please RSVP to jim@trinity3d.com if you plan to attend! Also please arrive by 7pm, as the door will be locked after that time.

 

Animator Needed - ASAP!!

Bakers Man Productions, an LA firm,  needs an artist to illustrate and possibly animate two Flash pre-loaders for an online campaign for a major restaurant chain, and will need quotes for both components.  If interested, please send urls to Erik Lundy at erikl@ http://www.facebook.com/l/00510/bakersman.com or call 913 262 4355, for more details. 

Some Festival Deadlines to Report...

Roll Yer Own 2011: Call For Submissions, deadline May 15

Atlanta's 9th annual showcase for independent animators nationwide!  ASIFA Atlanta sponsors an annual event for independently produced animated works each year.  Your entry will be automatically considered for our International Animation Day DVD, which is received and screened by ASIFA chapters across the globe.

The RYO 2011 Audience Choice Award scores an Adobe prize pack including CS5 for Mac, Premiere & Photoshop Elements 8 and LightRoom!  Visit asifa-atlanta.com for details and submission guidelines.

For sponsorship opportunities please contact Fatimah at fatimah@asifa.net.

Northwest Animation Festival 2011: Call For Submissions, deadline May 1

Films from anywhere in the world are welcome. Discounts for films received by April 1.  The festival will be held on June 3-4-5. Details and submission form: nwanimationfest.com

KANSAS ARTS COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEPARTS

For more information contact:

Henry Schwaller

Chairman

Kansas Arts Commission

785/296-3335

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2011

700 SW Jackson Street, Ste. 1004

Topeka, Kansas 66603-3774

http://arts.ks.gov/

KANSAS ARTS COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEPARTS

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Arts Commission announces that Llewellyn Crain has resigned from her position of executive director effective March 19. Crain has accepted the position of director of development with the Kansas City Symphony.

“On behalf of the Kansas Arts Commission, I congratulate Llewellyn on her new position with the Kansas City Symphony and five years of outstanding service to the people of Kansas,” said Henry Schwaller, chairman of the Kansas Arts Commission. “Under Llewellyn's guidance, the Kansas Arts Commission has become a national leader among state arts agencies and is known as responsive, innovative and forward-looking.

“Her outstanding communication and personal skills, positive approach and expansive knowledge not only about the arts but not-for-profit businesses were only outshone by her love and dedication to Kansas's communities and arts,” he said. “Personally, I have met few people in public service who are as passionate and effective as Llewellyn. We wish her the best in her new position.”

The vote by the Kansas Senate on Wednesday, March 16, in favor of Resolution 1819, retaining the Kansas Arts Commission, a move that demonstrates the strong support of Kansans for the state agency, is a testament to her leadership and skill, Schwaller added. The Kansas Arts Commission intends to move forward, working with the Legislature and the Governor’s office to maintain funding for the agency for the next fiscal year.

The Kansas Arts Commission will immediately begin a search for a new executive director with similar skills and expertise who will lead the agency into the future.

“I wish to thank the Kansas Arts Commissioners, the staff and the people of Kansas who have given me the extraordinary opportunity to serve them in the last five years,” said Llewellyn Crain. “Their creativity and dedication to Kansas and the arts have been inspiring and profoundly rewarding.

“While I move on to a new and exciting position with an outstanding orchestra poised for an even brighter future, I will continue to be engaged in the arts in Kansas both professionally and personally for many years to come,” she said.

Crain served as executive director of the Kansas Arts Commission since 2006. Her previous experience includes positions as assistant director of development, College of Arts and Sciences for the Kansas State University Foundation, director of educational initiatives at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and director of community programs at the Los Angeles Opera.

The Kansas Arts Commission is a state agency, funded by the State of Kansas and the National Endowment for the Arts, dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts in Kansas. Its mission is to provide opportunities for the people of Kansas to experience, celebrate and value the arts throughout their lives. For more information on the Kansas Arts Commission, please visit the KAC website at http://arts.ks.gov/.

The Resident Film Snob Reviews "Paul"

“Paul” reunites “Shaun of the Dead’s” Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and teams them up with an animated alien voiced by Seth Rogan.

Fair warning, the film is filled with vulgarity and potty-mouthed humor.

But it's highly recommended.

And check out thetop10blog.com for a feature from your Resident Film Snob.

"Puss" Gets His Own Movie! Watch the Trailer!

Photo Courtesy: Dreamworks Distribution

I know I've gone on and on about how much I miss hand drawn cartoons, but I'm as human as the next person and some characters are just impossible to resist.

That's right. Puss in Boots is getting his own movie!

It comes out in November.

I checked and I have no idea who the supporting cast will be, but I'd expect a lot of the "Shrek" standbys.  

And hop over to The Resident Film Snob's Facebook page.  Go on.

Kansas International Film Festival

The Kansas International Film Festival is one of the high points of the year for the Kansas City film community. It gives us a chance to preview a lot of excellent independent and international films before they are released.

And when you live in Kansas City, you never know when that will be, so this isn't a festival you want to miss.

Aside from that, there is a category for Best Animated Short.

Go check out the submission page.

Or if you don't like that submission page, you can check out this one instead, but I think it will just link you to the one you didn't like, so you might as well just click the first one.

And keep an eye on your Resident Film Snob, because I'm going to get off my lethargic butt and start complaining about something soon.

2011 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS SHOWCASES EXCELLENCE IN KANSAS ARTS

For more information contact:

Robyn Horton

Communications Manager

785/368-6542

robyn@arts.ks.gov  

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2010 

 

700 SW Jackson Street, Ste. 1004

Topeka, Kansas 66603-3774

http://arts.ks.gov

 

TOPEKA, Kan. – On March 3, the Kansas Arts Commission and a crowd of 340 attendees, honored the dedication and contributions to the arts in the state of Kansas with the 2011 Governor’s Arts Awards. Award recipients were recognized at a reception and awards ceremony from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at Washburn University’s Memorial Union, in the Washburn Room.

 

Sara Paretsky, a best-selling author and native Kansan, was honored with this year’s Distinguished Arts Award. During her acceptance speech, which drew a standing ovation, Paretsky spoke eloquently about the arts, arguing that not only is “an educated citizenry our best guarantor of continued liberty,” but that music, poetry, stories, and the visual arts have helped countless human beings through the ages “endure the dark night of the soul.”

 

Additional honorees were Arkansas City Area Arts Council (Arts Organization); Louis Copt, Lecompton (Artist); Willa Griswold, Marysville (Arts Advocate); Martha E. "Betty" Muncy, Dodge City (Arts Patron); and Linda Reimond, Lawrence (Arts-in-Education).

 

Paretsky’s speech and other Governor’s Arts Awards recipient speeches are available online at http://arts.ks.gov/gaa.

 

Artists who received Artist Innovation Grants and Artist Collaboration Grants to fund projects in Fiscal Year 2011 were also recognized. Those in attendance were:

 

•             Marcia Cebulska, Topeka, Artist Collaboration Grant

•             Kristin Beal-DeGrandmont, Wichita, Artist Innovation Grant

•             Reena Berger-Natenberg, Lenexa, Artist Innovation Grant

•             Kim Eichler-Messmer, Kansas City, Kan., Artist Innovation Grant

•             Diane Glancy, Prairie Village Artist Innovation Grant

•             Mari LaCure, Lawrence Artist Innovation Grant

•             Stephanie Lanter, Topeka; Artist Collaboration Grant

•             Gabriel Lewis-O’Connor, Lawrence Artist Innovation Grant

•             Lucia Orth, Lawrence, Artist Innovation Grant

•             Erika Nelson, Lucas, Artist Innovation Grant

•             Francisca Maria Velasco, Lawrence; Artist Collaboration Grant

 

Special guests for the event were Senate President Steve Morris and Senator Roger Reitz. Earlier in the day, Senator Reitz proposed a resolution to the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee opposing Governor Sam Brownback’s executive reorganization order to eliminate the Kansas Arts Commission. The resolution was passed 7 to 2. The resolution will now move to the full Senate for a vote on Wednesday, March 16, at 2:30 pm, in the Senate Chamber of the Kansas Statehouse. If the resolution passes, the Kansas Arts Commission remains a state agency.

 

The awards program also featured the Allegro Community Children’s Choir, Lenexa, performing Home on the Range, America the Beautiful and The Star-Spangled Banner; and Kelley Hunt, Lawrence, a 2007 Governor's Arts Awards Recipient and Kansas Arts on Tour Roster Artist, performing Over the Rainbow.

 

Attendees at the event had the opportunity to view and meet the producers of the popular viral video Sunflower. Lawrence High students Max Griffith, junior; Kathryn Lunte, senior; and Bailie Richards, junior; instructed by Jeff Kuhr, film/media teacher; produced and starred in the video.

 

“The 2011 Governor’s Arts Awards, perhaps this year more than any other, was inspirational, exciting and simply thrilling,” said Henry Schwaller, chairman of the Kansas Arts Commission. “The music, particularly by the Allegro Community Children’s Choir and Kelley Hunt, moved the audience to tears and proved to everyone in attendance the power of the arts.

 

“All the winners were gracious and eloquent in their speeches, as was our Poet Laureate, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg,” he said. “We especially wish to thank Senators Morris and Reitz for their ongoing support of the arts and the Kansas Arts Commission.”

 

The Governor’s Arts Awards are given annually to distinguished Kansas artists, patrons and arts educators, and have been given annually since 1974 by the Governor of Kansas and the Kansas Arts Commission. An expert panel selected the winners from submitted nominations.

 

The Kansas Arts Commission is a state agency, funded by the State of Kansas and the National Endowment for the Arts, dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts in Kansas. Its mission is to provide opportunities for the people of Kansas to experience, celebrate and value the arts throughout their lives. For more information on the Kansas Arts Commission, please visit the KAC website at http://arts.ks.gov.

Kansas Arts Funding in Crisis Meeting

You're Invited:

 

Tuesday, March 15th

11:45 am - 1:00 pm

Central Exchange

1020 Central

Kansas City, MO 64106

 

To register for this event, please click here.

 

For more information about Arts & Issues, please click here.

 

State arts councils and agencies across the country are watching to see if  the Kansas Arts Commission will be eliminated as a state agency.  As states and municipalities across the country wrestle with budgets, a crisis in arts funding is occurring not only at the state and local levels, but in federal agencies as well.

 

In light of this Wednesday's full Senate vote on the resolution opposing Governor Brownback's executive reorganization order eliminating the Kansas Arts Commission the Arts Council is holding a Special Arts & Issues Meeting!  Llewellen Crain, Executive Director for the Kansas Arts Commission and Harlan Brownlee, President and CEO for the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City will present the issues and well as detail specific calls for action.

 

Visit www.CentralExchange.org to register on-line or call 816-471-7560.

 

The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City strengthens and enriches the community by growing appreciation, participation and support for the arts.

To learn more about the Arts Council, visit our website at www.artskc.org or join us for an ArtsKC 360°, our free, one hour, informational tour.  For more information about an ArtsKC 360°, contact Kristy Ladd at 816.994.9240 or ladd@artskc.org.

 

News and Event Updates from SXSW on MAPA Blog!

Keep up-to-date on the 2011 South by Southwest Interactive Festival.  SXSW Conferences and Festivals started Friday in Austin, TX.  It continues until March 20.

March MAPA Meeting

 

 

 

MAPA Coffee & Cartoons

 

Midwest Association of Professional Animators

	Monday, March 28 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Broadway Cafe

4106 Broadway

Kansas City, MO

KCVideoCore Meeting: PAWN'S MOVE Q&A

Time:

Tuesday, March 15 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

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Location:

JCCC

12345 College Blvd.

Overland Park, KS

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Created By:

Kcvideocore

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More Info

6:00 - 6:30 Social Hour

6:30 - 7:00 Intro, AE Boot Camp recap, state of the union

7:00 - 7:45 Special presentation/Q&A with Caleb Vetter on his second feature film Pawn's Move!

7:45 - 8:00 Door prizes!

8:00 - 8:30 Stick around chat!

NEW SPONSOR! VIMEO.COM! In addition to a couple books, I'll be giving away a free year of Vimeo PLUS! 5GB upload limits per week! Unlimited HD videos and lots more embedding features!

CALL FOR ARTISTS!!

Contact:Janet Simpson, Executive Director

The Kansas City Artists Coalition

201 Wyandotte Kansas City, MO 64105816.421.5222

kcacnews@kansascityartistscoalition.org

________________________________________

A CALL FOR ARTISTS!

DEADLINE MARCH 15th 2011

16th Annual Student Juried Competition

Mallin and Jacqueline B. Charno Galleries

201 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Missouri 64105

Calendar

Entries due on http://www.callforentry.org/ (available NOW)

March 15 Entry submissions due at http://www.callforentry.org/

March 18 Notification of artists begins

April 2 Artwork due, 11-4pm

April 8 Exhibition is open to the public and Opening Reception, 5-8pm

April 22 Exhibition ends

April 23 Pick up works, 11am - 4pm

Awards

The Leigh Rosenberg Earnest Memorial Fund will award a total of $500 in scholarship/s.

Eligibility

Open to currently enrolled undergraduate college students in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas.

Media and Specifications

Students may enter 1-3 artworks. All media is eligible. Entries must be original work, completed in the last two years and not previously shown in KCAC Galleries. 2-D work must be framed and wired for installation; works on paper should be framed under plexiglas. Sculpture must not weigh over 150 lbs.  If accepted, video artists must provide display equipment for the duration of the exhibition.

To Enter

The Artists Coalition is now using CaFÉ at http://www.callforentry.org/ for show entries. The site will walk you through Image Preparation and the Application Form. Begin your image prep right away, you can save your portfolio and return to it at anytime.

For more detailed information go to:

http://www.kansascityartistscoalition.org/exhibitions/exhibitions_calls.html#studentshow

ARTISTS COALITION: NEWS

© March 10, 2011 Kansas City Artists Coalition

I've Been Away, Lots of Fests to Enter!

Sorry your Resident Film Snob has been away! I've taken a mental leave of absence. (A vacation from my problems as Dr. Leo Marvin would say!)

Photo Courtesy: Buena Vista Pictures

But I'm back and soon I will be telling you all about what I thought about "My Dog Tulip," "Gnomeo & Juliet," the "Megamind" short, "The Illusionist," some of the Academy's mess-ups and more over at The Resident Film Snob & Here as well.

But first, there are fests to enter! Lots of short screenplay and short animation categories around the good old Midwest.

Here we go. (You all know to click on the blue words to go the right sites so I don't have to waste a whole bunch of space typing out all the info & crap, right? I promise I won't mess up the links.)

Let's start as close to home as possible with the open call for entries at the St. Louis International Film Festival, which happens in November. The fest includes a short film competition with an award for best short animated film.

Right. Next closest is the Black Earth Film Festival in Galesburg, Illinois (about 5 hours away) in September. They seem to be pretty big on animation. And they'll accept any project completed after January 1, 2008, so even if you've already finished something a while back, go see if you qualify for their fest. (I was looking this one over and it actually looks like it might be worth the drive just to check out even if you're not entering anything.)

Okay, next closest is a couple of 'em in the Chicago-land area.

The Naperville Independent Film Festival in September will have a category for Animated Feature & Animated Short.

The Chicago International REEL Shorts Festival September 29 - October 2 has categories for narrative & music video, both of which could be animated.

Then we go up to Michigan for the Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival. There is an animation category where anything is welcome.

Okay, now that I'm back and (relatively) sane, I should be posting these more regularly so there won't be so many crammed into one post.

Coming up next...(hopefully this afternoon, depending how strong of a hold my X-box keeps on me) I'll be letting you know what I thought of "My Dog Tulip." (Sneak preview: magical and pretentious.)

Photo Courtesy: New Yorker Films

Okay, your Resident Film Snob is going to get a bowl of CoCoa Puffs (or the Aldis equivalent) now.

ArtsKC Says Save the Kansas Arts Commission

From ArtsKC March 2011 newsletter:

Governor Sam Brownback issued an order to abolish the Kansas Arts Commission on February 7, 2011.  His reorganization plan proposes the Kansas Historical Society take over the Kansas Arts Commission's arts programs effective July 1, 2011 and that a private organization be formed.  The proposed budget for 2012 would allow $200,000 from the Kansas Historical Society for the transition to the new private organization.  If the Kansas Arts Commission is dissolved, this would eliminate:

• $778,200 in direct funding from the NEA
• $437,767 in indirect grants and services from Mid-America Arts Alliance, the Kansas Arts Commission's regional partner

To read the Governor's press release, click here.

On Thursday, March 3, 2011 Senator Roger Reitz, Manhattan, presented a resolution in front of the Federal and State Affairs Committee.  To retain KAC, the resolution must pass the Senate.  Contact your legislators NOW to tell them to maintain the Kansas Arts Commission as a state agency and to keep funding at the current level.

For more information and to find out how you can help save the Kansas Arts Commission, visit  Kansas Citizens for the Arts and Kansas Arts Commission.

Art/Work "On Stage" at the Gem Theatre!

Art/Work: Inspiring the Workplace enables companies to showcase their employees' talents in the literary, visual, and performing arts.  January through May, companies hold in-house arts competitions with winners moving through until the final "On Stage" event.  Awards are given for each arts category. Additionally events will be held at Union Station, Crosstown Station and City Stage. For more information about this program, please visit http://www.artskc.org/ArtWork.aspx.

Art/Work: Inspiring the Workplace is changing location!  Traditionally, the "On Stage" segment of this city-wide corporate arts challenge has been held in the Power & Light District on the Copaken Stage.  This year we are jazzing things up a bit! The "On Stage" Finals and Art/Work Awards will be at the historic Gem Theatre in the heart of 18th and Vine.

Want to get your company involved in Art/Work in 2011? Contact Kelly Seward at seward@artskc.org.

AMC Entertainment(r) And Regal Entertainment Group(r) Raise The Curtain On Open Road Films

Nation's Two Largest Movie-Theatre Operators Partner to Create a New Distribution Company with Tom Ortenberg as CEO

Kansas City, Mo. and Knoxville, Tenn. (March 7, 2011) - AMC Entertainment Inc. (AMC) and Regal Entertainment Group (Regal), the two largest theatrical exhibition and entertainment companies in the United States, announce today the launch of an innovative distribution company, Open Road Films.  

Open Road Films will be a dynamic acquisition-based domestic theatrical distribution company that will concentrate on wide-release movies.

"As major studio releases have declined in recent years, Open Road Films will fill an important gap that exists in the market today for consumers, movie producers and theatrical exhibitors," said Gerry Lopez, chief executive officer and president, AMC. "We are committed to providing a wide array of movies - year round - that appeal to all of our diverse groups of guests. Open Road Films will provide a broader availability of movies to consumers."

"Regal and AMC are in a unique position to provide Open Road Films with strategic access to theatrical exhibition, enabling more great stories to reach the big screen," said Amy E. Miles, chief executive officer, Regal. "Open Road Films will distribute these movies to theatres across the United States, playing them well beyond Regal and AMC's screens."

Tom Ortenberg has joined Open Road Films as its Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than 25 years of movie marketing, distribution and acquisition experience to the company. Ortenberg has an esteemed track record in delivering successful motion picture content to theatres. After opening Lionsgate's first office in Los Angeles in 1996, Ortenberg served as President, Theatrical Films, while overseeing the release of a diverse slate of films including Crash, Monster's Ball, 3:10 to Yuma, My Bloody Valentine 3-D, The Forbidden Kingdom, Open Water, Hostel," the Tyler Perry film franchise and the Saw horror movie franchise. In 2009 Ortenberg served as President of Theatrical Films for The Weinstein Company, working closely with Quentin Tarantino on the marketing and distribution of Inglourious Basterds, Tarantino's highest grossing movie ever at the box-office with $120 million in theatrical receipts. Most recently Ortenberg founded a broad-based entertainment consulting firm, One Way Out Media.

"Open Road Films will approach movie distribution with discipline, focus and innovation," said Ortenberg. "With strong support from exhibition we will market and distribute wide-release motion pictures in an effective, cost-efficient manner, playing in all theatre chains across the country" said Ortenberg.

Based in Los Angeles, the company will distribute approximately eight to 10 movies per year and expects to release its first film later this year.

About AMC Entertainment Inc.
AMC Entertainment Inc. delivers distinctive and affordable movie-going experiences in 361 theatres with 5,203 screens across the United States and Canada. The company operates 24 of the 50 highest grossing theatres in the country, including the top three.  AMC has propelled industry innovation and continues today by delivering premium sight and sound, enhanced food and beverage and diverse content.  http://www.amctheatres.com/.

About Regal Entertainment Group
Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) is the largest motion picture exhibitor in the United States. The Company's theatre circuit, comprising Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres, operates 6,683 screens in 537 locations in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Regal operates theatres in 43 of the top 50 U.S. designated market areas. We believe that the size, reach and quality of the Company's theatre circuit not only provide its patrons with a convenient and enjoyable movie-going experience, but is also an exceptional platform to realize economies of scale in theatre operations. http://www.regmovies.com/.

'My Dog Tulip' & Oscar Animated Shorts at Tivoli

It's an animators weekend in Westport!  Come see some history-making animation at the Tivoli

MY DOG TULIP:

UNRATED • RUNNING TIME 1:21

FRI - SUN: 1:45, 4:00 & 7:15

MON - THUR: 5:15 & 7:15

Buy Tickets Online

2011 Oscar® Nominated Animated Short Films

RUNNING TIME 1:25

FRI - SUN: 2:15 & 7:00

Weekends Only

Buy Tickets Online

'My Dog Tulip' image courtesy New Yorker Films; 'The Lost Thing' image courtesy Passion Pictures

Tivoli Theatre:

816-561-5222
4050 Pennsylvania Ave
Kansas City, MO 64111, US

KANSAS ARTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES 2011 POETRY OUT LOUD STATE FINAL COMPETITION

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, in cooperation with the Kansas Association of Teachers of English, present the annual Kansas Poetry Out Loud State Competition at 7:00 pm, on Friday, March 11, 2011, at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka (515 SE Monroe St.).

Finalists for the competition are:

• Kari Bingham, senior at Smoky Valley High School, Smoky Valley
• Susan Elder, junior at Northfield School of the Liberal Arts, Wichita
• Casha Mills, junior at Shawnee Mission North High School and the 2010 Kansas Poetry Out Loud State Champion, Overland Park
• Addie Johnson, junior at Quinter High School, Quinter
• Devany West, 9^th grader at Southwest Junior High School, Lawrence
• Allison Williams, senior at Ottawa High School, Ottawa

The state champion receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals on April 25 and 26, in Washington, D.C., to compete for a $20,000 scholarship. In addition, the state champion’s school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The runner-up receives a cash donation to his or her school library.

The Poetry Out Loud program encourages Kansas high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance and competition. The contest begins in the classroom where students select three poems from http://www.poetryoutloud.org/ to recite and compete for a spot at the regional competition.

For questions, contact Margaret Weisbrod Morris, KAC program manager of arts in education, at margaret@arts.ks.gov, or 785/368-6545.

The Kansas Arts Commission is a state agency, funded by the State of Kansas and the National Endowment for the Arts, dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts in Kansas. Its mission is to provide opportunities for the people of Kansas to experience, celebrate and value the arts throughout their lives. For more information on the Kansas Arts Commission, please visit the KAC website at http://arts.ks.gov/.

GOOGLE Celebrates Father of the Graphic Novel

Google posted this image as their main banner Sunday to celebrate what would have been Will Eisner's 94th birthday.  According to Google's blog, 'The American comics pioneer and creator of The Spirit, was born on March 6, 1917.'

Eisner influenced comics for decades, beginning in the 1940's with The Spirit, a seven-page newspaper feature.

Happy Birthday Will!

Original Article Posted opn Google Blog by Scott McCloud 3/05/2011 09:45:00 PM

AMC Theatres presents Kansas City FilmFest April 6-10

AMC THEATRES® AND KANSAS CITY FILMMAKERS JUBILEE ANNOUNCE HOMETOWN PARTNERSHIP

AMC Theatres to Celebrate Independent Films at AMC Mainstreet 6, April 6-10

Kansas City, Mo. (Feb. 24, 2011) – AMC Theatres (AMC), a leading theatrical exhibition and entertainment company headquartered in Kansas City, and the Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee proudly announce a partnership to honor independent filmmaking at the AMC Theatres Kansas City FilmFest from April 6-10.'

“The partnership with AMC Theatres is a big step in expanding the visibility of the Kansas City FilmFest as well as the importance of independent film and the local and regional film community,” said Fred Andrews, president and founder of the Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee. “We appreciate AMC’s willingness to share its historical gem of a theatre downtown and its expertise in marketing and programming to obtain films that might otherwise not be available to us.”

AMC will host the AMC Theatres Kansas City FilmFest at the AMC Mainstreet 6, located at 14th and Main Streets in the heart of downtown Kansas City. The theatre will be the primary screening venue for short and feature dramas, comedies, documentaries, animated and experimental works and foreign films.

“AMC has long supported independent filmmaking and regularly provides guests with the best independent films through AMC independentTM, our renewed commitment to providing quality content to our increasingly diverse audience,” said Rodi Vehr, general manager of AMC Mainstreet 6. “Participating in film festivals such as this one in our hometown of Kansas City is just one way we bring great films to our guests through direct partnerships with independent filmmakers.”

The AMC Theatres Kansas City FilmFest will be a feast of films for five days, starting on opening night, Wednesday, April 6 and culminating with an awards gala that will honor filmmakers for their art and craft on Sunday, April 10. This year, the Award for Outstanding Service to the Kansas City Film Community will be renamed in honor of the late Karen McCarthy, a former U.S. Representative of Congress from Missouri who loved film and was a champion for community service. McCarthy served on the Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee board and received the award in 2005.

The Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee will also celebrate 15 years as Kansas City’s premiere showcase of independent films at the AMC Theatres Kansas City FilmFest.

About the Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee

The mission of the Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee is to unite Kansas City area educational, cultural and film organizations in a celebration of local independent filmmaking, enhance opportunities for the filmmaker to develop their craft and art, and increase the public’s awareness and support of local filmmaking as a cultural and economic asset. The Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization as a partnership with UMKC, the Kansas City Art Institute, the Independent Filmmakers Coalition, and the Film Society of Greater Kansas City. http://www.kcfilmfest.org/

About AMC Entertainment Inc.

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., AMC Entertainment Inc. is a leading theatrical exhibition and entertainment company. With a history of industry leadership and innovation dating back to 1920, the company today serves hundreds of millions of guests annually through interests in 361 theatres with 5,203 screens in five countries. http://www.amctheatres.com./

“Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.”

Justin Scott - (816) 480-2548

Kathy Hanis - (913) 271-5101