Afternoon Of Remembrance

The Animation Guild, ASIFA-Hollywood and Women In Animation present...

AN AFTERNOON OF REMEMBRANCE
a non-denominational celebration of departed friends from our animation community:

Derdad Aghmalian _ Wayne Allwine _ Ray Aragon - Dina Gottliebova Babbitt _ Barry Blitzer _ Robert Broughton _ Bill Browne _ Lillian Chapman _ Art Clokey _ Elizabeth Cotter _ Dom DeLuise* _ Vincent Davis _ Virginia Davis McGhee _ Jack Dunham _ Jaime Diaz _ Roy E. Disney _ Bob Dranko _ Heinz Edelmann* _ Ric Estrada _ Romeo Francisco* _ Henry Gibson* _ John Freeman _ Giulio Gianini _ Marion Green _ Rod Gilchrist _ Eugene Giudice _ Dana Landsberg _ Victor Haboush _ Millard Kaufman _ Rudy Larriva __Serge Michaels _ Alla Marshall _ Dallas McKennon _ Brittany Murphy _ Michael Mitchell* _ Flavia Mitman _ Ann Neale _ Marty Murphy _ Donna Narhuminti* _ Dave Simons _ June Olsen* _ Cathy Parotino _ Tony Peters _ Alex Schure Mignonette _ Kerby Sterges _ Arnold Stang _Yoshito Usui* _ Kathy White

Saturday, March 13, 2010
Food and refreshments, noon _ Memoriams, 1 pm
Hollywood Heritage Museum (Lasky-DeMille Barn)
2100 N. Highland (across from Hollywood Bowl)
Hollywood
The Afternoon is free of charge and is open to all;
no RSVPs necessary.

*If you can help us finding speakers for those persons marked with an asterisk above, or if you know of anyone in the animation business who passed away in 2009 and is not on our list, please contact Jeff Massie at (818) 845-7500 or jeffm@animationguild.org.

Stumble It!

Cartoon Carnival With JoeBev

ASIFA-Hollywood invites you to a special radio show recording of...

Cartoon Carnival with Joe Bev
Monday, November 16, 2009 7:00 pm
Glendale Library Auditorium
222 E. Harvard St. Glendale, CA 91205

Admission is FREE. No reservations are required. All welcome. Proceeds from the sale of books to benefit the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archives.

Meet in-person: Joe Bev, June Foray, Bill Marx (son of Harpo); Mark Evanier; Earl Kress; Gregg Berger, and buy an autographed copy of Joe's Uncle Dunkle book, and June and Bill's autobiographies.

About CARTOON CARNIVAL with Joe Bev

From Mel Blanc to June Foray, from Disney to Hanna-Barbera, "Cartoon Carnival" is a lively hour of rare and classic cartoon audio, children's records, cartoon music and sound effects, new radio cartoons, interviews and mini-documentaries about the wonderful world of animation.

"The first radio cartoon show ever!"
Listen online EVERY day at http://www.shokusradio.com
3 PM (PDT), 5 PM (CT), 6 PM (ET)
.

Stumble It!

Event: Iron Giant Reunion

ASIFA-Hollywood invites you to attend...


IRON GIANT REUNION
Friday, October 23, 2009- 7:30 pm
Steven J. Ross Theater
Warner Bros Studio Lot
Burbank, CA

ASIFA-Hollywood will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the 1999 animated masterpiece The Iron Giant, with an evening of lively discussion with some of the animators and crew members on Friday, October 23, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., at the Steven J. Ross Theater on the Warner Bros studio lot, in Burbank, California.

Parking will be at the Grant Parking Lot, on Barham Blvd across the street from Gate 2, near the Smoke House. Entrance will require photo- ID for WB Security.

The Event is Sold Out, however, a limited number of seats may become available. Please check back at this site. Ticket purchases are not refundable. We will be notifying ticket holders with confirmations by email soon. Parking is free. Proceeds benefit the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive. This event is made possible by a generous grant from the Walter Lantz Foundation.

About The Iron Giant Reunion

ASIFA-Hollywood will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Annie Awards winning 1999 animated masterpiece "The Iron Giant", with an evening with lively discussion with some of the animators and crew members on Friday, October 23, 2009.

Among the many artists expected to attend will be writer and director Brad Bird, background artist Anne Guenther, art director Alan Bodner, lead animator Steve Markowski, and artistic coordinator Scott Johnston. The panel will be moderated by animator Tom Sito.

"The Iron Giant is one of those rare films that flawlessly merged CG with traditional animation and represented superior storytelling," said ASIFA-Hollywood Vice-President Tom Sito. "ASIFA-Hollywood wants to showcase the individuals who made the iconic film, and the event will be extra-special with a rare appearance by Brad Bird."
.

Stumble It!

Event: CTN-X Animation Expo

CTN-X
Burbank Marriott Convention Center
November 20-22, 2009
http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/

About CTN-X

CTN-X=Talent Driven. For professional animators, studio executives and art students, the most anticipated trade show in the animation epicenter of the world, Burbank Calif, is now only 6 weeks away. The Creative Talent Network Animation Expo (CTN-X). For the first time world class professional talent in the animation industry will converge for 3-days during "Animation Week" in Burbank Ca. Get connected and more during an intense weekend full of educational programs, demonstrations, technology showcases, recruiting events, parties and after-hour networking. "If you don't like what's happening at the event now, just wait 30 minutes because something else really great will be happening." Says Everyone will walk away from this event with more than the walked in with whether an idea, a job opportunity or a career mentor. CTN-X is 3-days of talent 2 talent privileged access from Friday November 20th Ð Sunday November 22nd. We are proud to announce the following signature events:

The most influential cartoonist of this century, Ronald Searle Endorses CTN-X. "I am happy for my name to be used in association with the CTN-Xpo. I am very pleased to be honored like this & quite surprised that people still think of me!" Ronald Searle http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/matt-jones/

Over 300 years of top talent talk casually about their careers and share industry secrets. Peter de Sve, Harald Siepermann, Kent Melton, Mike Mignola, Lou Romano along with live demonstrations from top industry talent maquette artists Kent Melton and Ruben Procopio and many more all weekend long.

Over 50 presenters who have contributed to some of the highest grossing films in the history of animation, 60 exhibitors, studio portfolio reviews, after hours networking, screenings and an opportunity of a lifetime to meet and greet in an intimate privileged setting with this group. http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/schedule/the_crew/

Special Screenings of "The Secret of the Kells" followed by round table discussions with the Producer and Director moderated by LA Film Critic Charles Solomon. "Banjo the Woodpile Cat" 30 years later with Don Bluth and Gary Goldman moderated by Cartoon Brew Founder and Animation Historian Jerry Beck.

Recession Buster Raffle. $1000 cash plus prizes. One winner a day.

Pixar is in the house with Art Director Daisuke "Dice" Tsutsumi, Animator and founder of Spline DoctorsAndrew Gordon, Character Designers Derek Monster, Scott Morse, Bill Presing and more.

CTN-X takes place at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center with ample discounted parking, conveniently located near the Burbank Airport and Amtrak Station. Early bird pricing and discounted rates are available to students, active military andprofessional industry organizations. Have over 100 conversations in one weekend at this very different event. Prices start at $25 for exhibit floor only. For more information and to register, please visit: www.ctnanimationexpo.com or call, (800) 604-2238.

Be sure and use your special ASIFA discount code when registering. ASIFAX09
.

Stumble It!

Members Only Screening: Coraline

Focus Features and ASIFA-Hollywood cordially invite members and their family (limit of 4) to celebrate Halloween at a special 3D Screening of...

CORALINE
Wednesday, October 28th 7:30 pm
ArcLight Hollywood
6360 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood

Immediately following the screening, please join us for a Q&A and light reception with writer/director Henry Selick.

Reservations required. Members, see your email box for RSVP info. Members only. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Stumble It!

Event: Iron Giant Reunion

ASIFA-Hollywood invites you to attend...


IRON GIANT REUNION
Friday, October 23, 2009- 7:30 pm
Steven J. Ross Theater
Warner Bros Studio Lot
Burbank, CA

ASIFA-Hollywood will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the 1999 animated masterpiece “The Iron Giant”, with an evening of lively discussion with some of the animators and crew members on Friday, October 23, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., at the Steven J. Ross Theater on the Warner Bros studio lot, in Burbank, California.

Parking will be at the Grant Parking Lot, on Barham Blvd across the street from Gate 2, near the Smoke House. Entrance will require photo- ID for WB Security.

The Event is Sold Out, however, a limited number of seats may become available. Please check back at this site. Ticket purchases are not refundable. We will be notifying ticket holders with confirmations by email soon. Parking is free. Proceeds benefit the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive. This event is made possible by a generous grant from the Walter Lantz Foundation.

About The Iron Giant Reunion

ASIFA-Hollywood will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Annie Awards winning 1999 animated masterpiece "The Iron Giant", with an evening with lively discussion with some of the animators and crew members on Friday, October 23, 2009.

Among the many artists expected to attend will be writer and director Brad Bird, background artist Anne Guenther, art director Alan Bodner, lead animator Steve Markowski, and artistic coordinator Scott Johnston. The panel will be moderated by animator Tom Sito.

"The Iron Giant is one of those rare films that flawlessly merged CG with traditional animation and represented superior storytelling," said ASIFA-Hollywood Vice-President Tom Sito. "ASIFA-Hollywood wants to showcase the individuals who made the iconic film, and the event will be extra-special with a rare appearance by Brad Bird."
.

Stumble It!

OCT 11: Coraline San Francisco Screening

Focus Features, ASIFA-Hollywood & ASIFA-SF cordially invite members and their family (limit of 4) to a special 3D Screening of...

CORALINE
Sunday, October 11, 2009 5:30 pm
AMC Metreon 16 & IMAX
101 4th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco

Immediately following the screening, please join us for a Q&A and light reception with director Henry Selick.

Members: See your email box for RSVP information.

Members only. RSVP required. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Stumble It!

FREE Screening Friday At Woodbury

FREE SUMMER SCREENING AT WOODBURY!


W. C. Fields, the comedian who broke all the rules to create one of the most vivid comic personas of the 20th century.
Pop Cultural Literacy 102
A Series of Summer Screenings
Friday, September 25th, 2009
Short Subjects Start At 7pm, The Feature Film Starts At 8:30.
Admission FREE to the animation community
Woodbury University
School of Business / Fletcher Jones Foundation Theater
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510
(Click for printable map)


Lester Young
So far, we've screened some of the greatest musical performances of the 20th century, the granddaddy of all adventure films and the most anarchic comedy film ever made. This month we have a program featuring one of the most unique and under-appreciated film comics of them all. We'll be screening my personal choice for best comedy movie of all time. Don't miss it.

For more about the Pop Cultural Literacy programs at Woodbury, see...

Pop Culture 101: Famous Comedians

Pop Culture 101: Great Musicians

Pop Culture 101: Experimental Live Video Feed
.

Stumble It!

Annies: Call for Entries

Annie News 9/17/09

ASIFA-HOLLYWOOD ANNOUNCES 2009 CALL FOR ENTRIES:
Changes to Individual Achievement Categories, New Procedures for Voting

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announces its 'Call for Entries' for this year's 37th Annual Annie Awards. The updated 'Rules and Categories' list as well as all entry forms can be found online at www.annieawards.org.

Honoring excellence in the field of animation, the Annie Awards will be presented in 25 categories including best animated feature, home entertainment, television production, television commercial, short subject, video game, as well as individual achievements. Entries submitted for consideration will be from productions that were released in the United States between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. The deadline to receive entries is Friday, October 16, 2009.

Some changes to the rules and categories have been made this year and include: 1. The Individual Achievement Television or Short Form categories have been changed back to recognize Television only; 2. Music categories will include composers and lyricists who have written songs appearing in a production and who are part of the music team; 3. ASIFA-Hollywood members will vote on the Production categories this year - Features, Home Entertainment, Short Subject, Television Commercials, Television Production, Television Production for Children and Video Games; and 4. A final election committee of animation professionals will determine the award recipients for all of the Individual Achievement categories

"We are constantly reviewing and updating the way the award recipients are selected so that we are absolutely sure we are including all of the talent that is worthy," remarked ASIFA-Hollywood President Antran Manoogian.
This year's ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA. The black-tie ceremony will feature a lively mix of animation luminaries, celebrity presenters and comedic talent to celebrate this year's best of the best in animation.

ASIFA-Hollywood is the largest of an international network of chapters and supports a range of animation initiatives through its membership. Current projects include an animation archive, library and museum, classes and screenings, and animated film preservation efforts.

For up-to-the-minute information on the 37th Annual Annie Awards, please visit www.annieawards.org, or email: Gretchen@annieawards.org or call: 562.209.9900. Media inquiries, please contact Gretchen Houser, Houser PR, at 562.235.0991 or email: Gretchen@houserpr.com.

---

Click here for Advertising/Sponsorship information

For further information about the Annie Awards, please visit www.annieawards.org.

Stumble It!

Event: ASIFA Discount to the CTN Animation Expo

Mark the date and make reservations now for the...

CTN Animation Expo
November 20-22, 2009
Burbank Convention Center

The Creative Talent Network Animation Expo (CTN-X) announces a host of special events for professional artists, art students and industry executives. Attendees will enjoy: Portfolio Reviews, "Raising the Bar" recruiting, Talent Mixers, Breakfast with the Pros, Art Contests judged by industry leaders, live demonstrations, prizes and more. After hours, the fun continues with "CTN-X @ Nite" networking mixers and VIP Receptions. CTN-X takes place at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center with ample discounted parking, conveniently located across the street from the Burbank Airport and Amtrak Station. Register today online to receive early bird prices of $25 for the exhibit floor only, $40 for a day pass and $100 for a 3-day pass. Discounted rates are available to students, active military and professional industry organizations. Space limited so sign up today. For more information and to register, please visit:

www.ctnanimationexpo.com

...or call, (800) 604-2238 and mention the special ASIFA-Hollywood discount code "ASIFAX09" to obtain an extra 10% off any 1 day or 3 day professional/general passport.

To Register Online:

One Day Admission Signup Page

Three Day Admission Signup Page
.

Stumble It!

Screening: Pop Cultural Literacy 101

FREE SUMMER SCREENING AT WOODBURY FRIDAY NIGHT!


The Marx Brothers
"I was teaching my animation history class and I overheard one of the students telling his friend about this great anti-war film he had just discovered... Duck Soup!" --Tom Sito overheard at an ASIFA meeting

Pop Cultural Literacy 101
A Series of Summer Screenings
Friday, July 10th, 2009
Friday, August 14th, 2009
September Date To Be Announced
Short Subjects Start At 7pm, The Feature Film Starts At 8:30.
Admission FREE to the animation community
Woodbury University
School of Business / Fletcher Jones Foundation Theater
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510
(Click for printable map)


The Three Stooges
Music is the life force of great animation, and last week I posted a teaser about some of the great music we'd be featuring in the series of screenings at Woodbury University that begins this coming Friday. Today, I'm going to talk a little bit about the comedians we'll be seeing.


Harold Lloyd
That image up there is one of the most iconic in all of silent comedy, but I bet you have never seen the film it comes from, nor any of Harold Lloyd's other films for that matter. It's not your fault. The downright lousy programming on cable TV over the past decade or so has cheated a whole generation of cartoonists out of the opportunity to explore the world of the incredibly talented comedians of the past. I'm going to take a stab at rectifying that wrong at Woodbury University this summer with a series of screenings designed to give young animators a random sampling of great stuff that will amaze and inspire them.


W. C. Fields
Obviously, it's impossible to pack everything that was good in the 20th century into a few short hours, but my goal is to drop bread crumbs like in Hansel and Gretel which can act as a trail for artists taking their own trip of discovery through some of the best entertainment ever created.


Laurel & Hardy
You've probably seen caricatures of most of these famous faces in old cartoons. The animators didn't just caricature them because they liked their films, they analyzed and broke down their technique to refine their own comic staging and timing. Although the subject matter of these films may be dated, the techniques are not. These films are an encyclopedia of ideas for creating comedy.


Our Gang
There will be assorted musical and comedy shorts beginning at 7pm, and a classic feature at 8:30. Even if you've seen some of this before, it won't matter, because these are the kinds of films that you can watch over and over and still find new things in them.


Buster Keaton
This screening is presented FREE to the creative community by the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive, Woodbury University and the Walter Lantz Foundation. Come on out and bring your friends. No RSVP is needed. Parking is free. Try to find a better way to spend a Friday night... You can't!

Pop Cultural Literacy 101
A Series of Summer Screenings
Friday, July 10th, 2009
Friday, August 14th, 2009
September Date To Be Announced
Short Subjects Start At 7pm, The Feature Film Starts At 8:30.
Admission FREE to the animation community
Woodbury University
School of Business / Fletcher Jones Foundation Theater
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510
(Click for printable map)

See you at Woodbury this Summer!

Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive

Many thanks to Dr. Macro's High Quality Movie Scans for the wonderful photos that illustrate this post.
.

Stumble It!

Pop Cultural Literacy 101: Summer Screening Series At Woodbury

Spike Jones and Doodles Weaver
Spike Jones: Clink, Clink Another Drink
Spike Jones: Pass The Biscuits Mirandy
Doodles Weaver: A Day With Doodles
I've written before about the creative explosion in the arts that occurred around the first half of the 20th century. It always surprises me when I meet a college student who is studying animation who doesn't know anything about the music that came before the Beatles or movies before Star Wars. This Summer, thanks to Woodbury University and the Walter Lantz Foundation, I have a chance to share the work of some of the most amazing entertainers who ever lived with a new generation of artists.


Maria Callas
Maria Callas: Habanera From Bizet's Carmen
The Golden Age animators knew and loved these performers. They studied them and incorporated elements of their style and caricatures of them into their cartoons. There is a lot to learn from this old stuff. The first thing you will learn is that it is surprisingly skillful and entertaining. Isn't that something you want your animation to be?


Buck Owens
Buck Owens: I've Got A Tiger By The Tail
Buck Owens: Foolin' Around
Another thing you'll discover is that the music of the 20th century is unbelievably diverse. Today, we have a million names to describe basically the same type of music. Back then, the names defined a myriad of sounds... country, opera, jazz, folk, blues, rock and roll... more kinds of music than existed in any other time period. We'll sample a little bit of this ocean of great stuff in a series of screenings this Summer at Woodbury.


Cab Calloway
Cab Calloway: The Reefer Man
Cab Calloway: Minnie the Moocher
In this post, I've given you an idea of the musical performers you'll discover at these screenings, but there's much more... rare examples of dance, comedy, drama... all kinds of entertainment that directly applies to your work as an animator... up on the big screen the way they were intended to be seen. I'll tell you more as the time gets nearer. Mark these dates down on your calendar, and plan to attend. It's FREE to students, the animation community and the general public courtesy of the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive, Woodbury University and the Walter Lantz Foundation.


Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters: Hoochie Coochie Man
Muddy Waters: I Can't Be Satisfied
Pop Cultural Literacy 101
A Series of Summer Screenings
Friday, July 10th, 2009
Friday, August 14th, 2009
September Date To Be Announced
Short Subjects Start At 7pm, The Feature Film Starts At 8:30.
Admission FREE to the animation community
Woodbury University
School of Business / Fletcher Jones Foundation Theater
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510
(Click for printable map)


Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck: Take The A Train
Dave Brubeck: It's A Raggy Waltz

See you at Woodbury this Summer!

Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive

Many thanks to Dr. Macro's High Quality Movie Scans for the wonderful photos that illustrate this post.
.

Stumble It!

MAY 21: Little Mermaid Reunion

ASIFA-Hollywood Proudly Presents
The Little Mermaid Twentieth Anniversary Reunion
Fletcher Jones Foundation Auditorium
Woodbury University
7500 Glenoaks Bl, Burbank, California
Thursday, May 21, 2009 7-10 PM


Special guests for the panels will include the film's writers and directors John Musker & Ron Clements, animators Andreas Deja (King Triton), Mark Henn (Ariel), Duncan Marjoribanks (Sebastian), Reuben Aquino (Ursula) and Tina Price (CAPS system and early CGI). The panel will be moderated by animator Tom Sito.

Reservations are not required for this event. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Members of ASIFA-Hollywood and students of Woodbury admitted free; non-members $10. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Parking is free. Woodbury University is located at 7500 Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91510-7846.

Proceeds from this program will benefit the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive.

This event is made possible by a generous grant from the Walter Lantz Foundation

Stumble It!

Screening: Battle for Terra

ASIFA-Hollywood invites members and a guest to a special screening of...

BATTLE FOR TERRA
Thursday, April 30, 2009 7:30pm
Arclight Hollywood Cinema
6360 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

MEMBERS ONLY. Q & A with Director Aristomenis Tsirbas immediately following the screening. The deadline to RSVP is Monday, April 27, 2009. Members, see your email box for RSVP info.

ABOUT THE FILM

When the peaceful inhabitants of the beautiful planet Terra come under attack from the last surviving members of humanity adrift in an aging spaceship, the stage is set for an all-out war between the two races for control of the planet. But will an unlikely friendship between a rebellious young Terrian (voiced by Evan Rachel Wood) and an injured human pilot (Luke Wilson) somehow convince their leaders that war is not the answer?

A CG-animated science fiction action adventure, Battle for Terra is directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas (The Freak, Terra) from a screenplay by Evan Spiliotopoulos (The Jungle Book 2) and Tsirbas. The film is voiced by an all-star cast including Evan Rachel Wood, Luke Wilson, Brian Cox, David Cross, Justin Long, Amanda Peet, Dennis Quaid, Chris Evans, James Garner, Danny Glover and more. The film is produced by Keith Calder, Ryan Colucci, Dane Allan Smith and Jessica Wu, with original music by Abel Korzeniowski. The film's editors are J. Kathleen Gibson and Jim May.

Living in perfect harmony in gravity-defying cities above the clouds, the inhabitants of the planet Terra are complete strangers to war. So when Terra is invaded by human beings fleeing a civil war and environmental catastrophe, many of the Terrians at first welcome the invaders as gods. Only the feisty young Mala (Evan Rachel Wood) fights back, luring one of the invading spacecrafts to destruction after her father is abducted, then rescuing its pilot- a human named Jim (Luke Wilson).

In return for saving his life, Jim promises to help Mala find her father, taking her on a perilous journey to the Ark- the humans' aging mother ship. Along the way, Mala and Jim learn that their people really aren't so different from one another. But with the Earthforce army poised to invade Terra and render it uninhabitable for Terrians, Mala and Jim must find a way to help the two races coexist- before it's too late.

85 min. / PG / In RealD 3D
http://www.battleforterra.com
.

Stumble It!

Animation Salon: SAY SOMETHING DAMMIT! March 21

Woodbury University has graciously invited ASIFA-Hollywood to host events at their newly opened Fletcher Jones Foundation Auditorium. These events are free and open to the animation community.

AN ANIMATION SALON
Saturday, March 21st, 2009 7:30pm
Admission FREE
Woodbury University
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510


Jean Francois de Troy, "Reading from Moliere" 1728
On Saturday, March 21st at 7:30pm, we will be holding an Animation Salon to encourage animated filmmakers to...

SAY SOMETHING, DAMMIT!
Yesterday at Animation Nation, Don Bluth asked, "How did traditional animation come to be viewed by almost every American household as children's entertainment?"

It's a good question... one that we will be discussing this Saturday March 21st at 7:30pm at Woodbury University.

Animation didn't start out as a vehicle for fairy tales and trite moral platitudes. Pioneers like Winsor McCay saw animation as an outgrowth of print cartooning, a powerful medium for challenging social comment going all the way back to Thomas Nast.

In the years since McCay, animation has proven itself to be effective for education and persuasion. Animated propaganda films helped to win World War II, and animated commercials have sold billions of dollars worth of products.


In some countries, animation is a powerful tool of persuasion and enlightenment. Even though animation is by its very nature collaborative, some filmmakers have been able to use it as a medium of personal expression.

Why has it come to be perceived as children's entertainment then?

Not that children's entertainment is necessarily a bad thing. There have been animators who have pushed the envelope to create kids' TV that not only entertains, but has something interesting to say as well. But on the whole, animation that has a point is the exception, not the rule.

This Saturday, we will be screening some examples of animated films that successfully merge entertainment with meaningful comment on life and the world around us.

Some of them take a wide ranging view, tackling immense subjects...

...Others take the opposite approach, using a small scale to make a large point. Both are valid.

But when it comes to feature animation, films with something to say are as rare as hen's teeth. Sprinkled in amongst the talking dogs and fairy tale princesses are occasional sparks of life. But often those sparks are extinguished before the film even reaches the theater.

For instance, do you know about the hidden link between Disney's Fox and the Hound...

...and Ralph Bakshi's Coonskin?

You'll find out the secret if you attend ASIFA-Hollywood's Animation Salon at Woodbury this Saturday night!

Don't miss it!

Here as a little sneak peek is a clip from Bakshi's Coonskin. This sequence was designed by Mark Kausler and animated by Charlie Downs and John Walker. Here is a bit of Mark Kausler's storyboard for the sequence...


And here is the sequence as it appears in the film...

Malcolm the Cockroach
from Ralph Bakshi's "Coonskin" (1975)
(Quicktime 7 / 6.5 MB)

PLEASE NOTE The text and media files on the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Blog are not to be duplicated, redistributed or hosted on other websites without the prior written permission of the Board of Directors of ASIFA-Hollywood.

We'll be discussing and screening examples related to these and many more topics at Woodbury University on March 21st. I hope you can join us.

Animation Salon: SAY SOMETHING, DAMMIT!
Saturday, March 21st, 2009 7:30pm
Admission FREE to the animation community
Woodbury University
School of Business / Fletcher Jones Foundation Theater
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510
(Click for printable map)

Thanks
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive
.

Stumble It!

Animation Salon: Acting For Animation Feb 21st

Woodbury University has graciously invited ASIFA-Hollywood to host events at their newly opened Fletcher Jones Foundation Auditorium. For the next several months, the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive will be hosting Animation Salons on the third Saturday evening of every month. These events are free and open to the animation community.

AN ANIMATION SALON


Jean Francois de Troy, "Reading from Moliere" 1728
On Saturday, February 21st at 8pm, we will be holding an Animation Salon on the subject of...

Acting For Animation
What is "acting"? What constitutes a well acted performance?



What are the differences between acting for animation and acting in live action?



Are there things that can be done in live action that can't be done effectively in animation?



Are there are other ways to convey mood, emotion and personality besides acting?



What sort of inspiration did golden age animators look to for creating an animated performance? What do these models of pantomime acting have to inform modern animation?

Who was the greatest actor of all time? Was it John Barrymore who received acclaim for his performances in Hamlet and Richard III?



...Or was it the "wascaly wabbit", Bugs Bunny?






Acting For Animation
John Barrymore "Twentieth Century (1934)
Bugs Bunny in "Tortoise Wins By A Hare" (1943)
(Quicktime 7 / 6.7 MB)

PLEASE NOTE The text and media files on the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Blog are not to be duplicated, redistributed or hosted on other websites without the prior written permission of the Board of Directors of ASIFA-Hollywood.

We'll be discussing and screening examples related to these and many more topics at Woodbury University on February 21st. I hope you can join us.

SPECIAL GUEST: EDDIE FITZGERALD


Joining us for this Animation Salon will be cartoonist/story artist Eddie Fitzgerald, the creator of Uncle Eddie's Theory Corner and story artist on Ren & Stimpy. Eddie will be screening one of his favorite films and sharing his theories on acting and building a characterful performance.

Don't miss it!

Animation Salon: Acting For Animation
Saturday, February 21st, 2009 8pm
Admission FREE to the animation community
Woodbury University
School of Business / Fletcher Jones Foundation Theater
7500 Glenoaks Bl
Burbank, CA 91510
(Click for printable map)

Thanks
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
Animation Archive
.

Stumble It!