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Monthly Archives: May 2012
Liz Kupfer
What is your name and your current occupation?
Elizabeth Kupfer: 3D animator/artist.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I got into animation straight out of college, so all my crazy job experiences happened while I was still in school. For 2 and a half years, I was a balloon girl at a party store. Let me tell you. People get very passionate about their balloons and crazy when they don’t get them as soon as they show up (even if there are 10 people in front of them). I have such patience for people in customer service because of my time put in at that party store. You wouldn’t believe how entitled people feel about their balloons.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
Currently, my favorite projects are the video games I’ve worked on. It was a lot of fun working on and with each team. My favorites of these were Dance Central and Dance Central 2.
How did you become interested in animation?
I’ve always been interested in animation. Saturday morning cartoon child. But the real kick was Continue reading
Andrew Conroy
What is your name and your current occupation?
My Name is Andrew Conroy and I am currently the Lead Animation Faculty at Ai SLC. Â I teach the finer and not so finer points of animation to animation enthusiasts as well as develop curriculum, characters and short films.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
Right out of collage I washed dishes at a summer camp… I drove a little outboard engine boat to work everyday. It was a good time.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I have worked on a few films and enjoyed that experience but I think the most enjoyable projects for me have always been personal. Something I am currently working on is “The FishBoy Project”. I am trying to give students and animation hopefuls a chance to work with a cool rig and in turn raise a bit of money for small business owners through an organization called Kiva.
How did you become interested in animation?
My Parents made me go to Art School actually. I think the root of my interest is Continue reading
Animotion Releases Latest Interactive Promotion Featuring Bucky Smiles
On May 15th, 2012, Animotion Inc, an animation studio in Syracuse NY, started emailing links to its latest interactive promotion featuring Animotion’s animated spokesperson Bucky Smiles and its new YouTube Channel. The emails are being sent to its past and current clients as well as prospective clients. According to Co-President Larry Royer, Animotion tries to put together holiday cards or promotional cards once or twice a year, “The cards are entertaining and allow the recipients to see our latest projects.â€
If you would like to meet Bucky Smiles and listen to him pitch “A Great Deal on your next animation project…†Animotion has provided the link below:
http://www.animotioninc.com/Bucky_Deal_TV_2.html
Here is a link to the aforementioned YouTube Channel for those who not Flash enabled:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnimotionInc/featured
And if you like, there are other opportunities to interact with Bucky Smiles on Animotion’s Website.
Chris Eliopoulos
What is your name and your current occupation?
 My name is Chris “Elio†Eliopoulos. I’m a cartoonist and adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
 I worked at a shop called “Too Coolâ€, where we sold Korean knockoffs of anime toys and really cheap candy. Then an antique store.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
 Teaming up with the folks at Yo Gabba Gabba! And helping develop some pilots at Disney TV Animation.
How did you become interested in animation?
Trying to make my own cartoons during class in the 6th grade, using a Continue reading
Anime Midwest Announces Shinichi “Nabeshin” Watanabe
Lisle, IL – May 14, 2012 – Anime Midwest 2012, one of the largest up-and-coming anime conventions to happen in the Chicagoland region, is happy to announce their first ever Japanese guest, director Shinichi “Nabeshin” Watanabe, will be appearing at the 2012 Chicago anime con. Nabeshin will participate in Q&A sessions and special screenings, with the help of his translator, in addition to giving out autographs. Anime Midwest will be held at the Wyndham Hotel & Convention Center in Lisle, Illinois from July 6-8, 2012. Registration is only $30 in advance, or $35 at the door for a weekend pass.
Shinichi Watanabe (aka “Nabeshin”) is known to anime fans as a larger-than-life, iconic figure with an outrageous sense of humor. He directed the comedy anime series Excel Saga, Nerima Daikon Brothers, and Puni Puni Poemy, which feature frenetic pacing and appearances by his animated alter ego, a mysterious, recurring character with an afro and distinctive outfit who is tangential to the story. Nabeshin has also served as series director for The Wallflower and Tenchi Muyo! GXP, and he can be found in these series as well, in cameo or supporting roles.
Nabeshin has been quoted as saying that he places great importance in making viewers laugh. Stating that he values laughter as much as tears, his preference is to motivate viewers to have fun and enjoy a show. He reasons that his success stems from provoking the same, strong emotional investment—in a humorous way—as a traditional, sentimental story does.
Nabeshin has also written lyrics for the opening songs of Excel Saga and Tenchi Muyo! GXP, and has served as storyboarder and episode director for a variety of other anime series.
Nabeshin will be doing numerous panels at the convention, including “Q&A with Nabeshin’s Afro,” a couple 18+ panels, and more!
Shinichi Watanabe / Nabeshin joins numerous other stars at this midwest anime convention. Previously announced stars include the English cast of Panty & Stocking, Jamie Marchi (Panty), Ian Sinclair (Chuck), and Joel McDonald (Brief), in addition to LittleKuriboh of Yu-Gi-Oh abridged. The convention also features performances by the sensational Random aka MegaRan, The Pillowcases, V is for Villains, FanService Renji, and the Level Boys. All the convention’s guests will be available in various panels, interview sesions, Q&A sessions, and more. The complete guest list can be found online athttp://animemidwest.com/guests
There will be over 60 different events packed into one weekend at Anime Midwest. Featured special events at Anime Midwest include a cosplay masquerade contest, anime screenings, autographs, fan panels, workshops, a date auction, a formal dance, and two rave dances in addition to many other events.
Anime Midwest will be held July 6-8, 2012, at the Wyndham Hotel & Convention Center in Lisle, Illinois, about twenty minutes from downtown Chicago. Anime fans can get rooms for the convention online at http://animemidwest.com/
Registration for the convention includes unlimited free Mt. Dew and Pepsi products all weekend for all attendees.
More information about Anime Midwest’s events, guests, and more, can be found athttp://animemidwest.com
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Contact Name: Molly Blue
Contact Email:Â molly@animemidwest.com
Event dates: July 6-8, 2012
Expected attendance: 2,000+
Cost: $30 weekend pass
