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Disney “Animation” app-$13.99 at the App Store

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by Matthew Malach

In 1923 two brothers opened a cartoon studio, stuffed into a tiny garage in southern California. What followed was an entertainment empire. Today, stuffed into something even smaller than that garage is a stunning I-pad app that’s sure to wow Disney animation fans everywhere.

Disney’s I-pad Application, “Animation” is everything you want to know about Disney Animation, including hands on animation exercises.

The program opens with a series of “Chapters” whose large icon screens animate with moving images and sound – some familiar, such as Mickey Mouse and Sleeping Beauty — and others less so. That mixing of classic Disney fare and some of the newer productions is a slightly awkward distraction that we’ll touch on again later.

But the heart of this app is in its “chapters”:

“Art in Motion” takes you through the beginnings of the Disney studio, with early photos and Mickey Mouse’s first appearance in a rare silent clean up animation, which in fact was never picked up by a distributor. In the chapter called “Story” Walt himself explains this critical phase of production, including a look at a storyboard from One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Disney’s Bill Peet.  Other chapters include “Visual Development”, a look at the artwork that was used to set the mood for the actual animation teams. And of course, there’s a chapter on “Character”, the backbone of the Disney studio technique. And the chapters continue with a perfect mix of written word, visuals and sound, touching on “Layout and Background”, “Animation,” “Visual Effects”, “Sound Design and Music”,  and a chapter that brings it all together with a look at the very basics such as Ink and Paint, The Multiplane camera and a nod to the more recent process of CG animation.

Below the chapter headings, is a chance to dive in and make your own animation, starting with a basic bouncing ball. You can also change the moods of “Maximus” (the horse from Tangled) and you can create your own animation using “Vanellope” from Wreck-it Ralph. You can even direct tendrils of snow as mastered by “Elsa” from the yet to be released Frozen.  If the app has any drawbacks, it’s here in this section, at least if you’re an animation professional. These are the most basic of animation engines and they make use only of the latest Disney characters. While the rest of the app spreads the wealth from the Disney library, this section feels like a half-hearted attempt to keep alive of some of the recent and perhaps less memorable Disney outings.

Nuts and Bolts

It took a while to download this Beauty of a Beast, which with a 1.78 gig size, you might have to dump a few things to make space.  Also make sure to hook the mini output to a stereo or at least a good set of headphones. The sound design on the application is superb.

Bottom Line:

At $13.99 this is a must have for Disney fanatics.  More than just an homage to the art of Disney, this is a breathing, talking animation school at your fingertips.

Disney Animation app $13.99 at the App Store

Matthew Malach
got his start as a writer and dialogue director on the 80’s pop sensation, Thundercats. 
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Promote Yourself: Frank Detrano premieres an original animation series called PALOOKAS.

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Courtney Madison, an LA reporter, visits a witness protection mob informant known only as Deep Fish, 
and learns that the new Godfather for the Candella mob is Henry Candle, a long lost relative and bungling,
naive hillbilly now living in Iowa.
The Candellas succeed in bringing Henry back east to groom him as the Don all on the pretense that he’s
been promoted as the next CEO of a waste management company.
However, his wife’s family (which includes a bunch of moonshine rejects from Deliverance) also follow him
back and this culture clash of two stereotypical families provides the comedy during Henry’s transformation.
Every time the Candellas pull Henry to their side of the fence, his in-laws pull him right back in.
But, hey, they’re cartoons….you got a problem with that?
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Juli Murphy

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Juli Murphy*, and I am a timer for “American Dad”, for Fox TV.*(For 14 years I also went by my married name, Juli Hashiguchi, or Juli Murphy Hashiguchi)

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I was an assistant to the oldest practicing Magician in the Magician’s guild. I think he was in his upper 70’s, and he had been on the Johnny Carson show previously. I answered an ad when I was in college, and I fit the red sequined assistant’s leotard he had. It was a sad, depressing show. He couldn’t remember how to do all his tricks, and he caught the dove’s wings in the disappearing cage. I only lasted one show with him, because he was a really bad driver (going the wrong way down a freeway on-ramp) and he wouldn’t let me drive the Magic Van.
I also worked for Federal Express for 6 years. Besides loading boxes onto planes and trucks I also de-iced aircraft from a bucket extension on a gigantic truck, gave tours through the sorting facility, and radioed pilots in the aircraft. That was a great job, because one of the side benefits was free flights on cargo planes, exactly like Tom Hanks in the movie “Castaway”, luckily without the crashing part. I have ridden in the cockpit of 727’s and DC-10’s enough times to be sick of it.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I would have to say the best job I have had to date was at Cartoon Network on “The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy”. I was the Supervising Director for 5 years, and it was a really wonderful experience. I had the most challenging and Continue reading
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Jobs: Nickelodeon Seeks Storyboard Artist

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Nickelodeon_logo_new

Nickelodeon is looking for a storyboard artist!

  • Meet with creative supervisors to discuss objectives of storyboard; what is desired or to be achieved.
  • Create storyboards by implementing storytelling objectives.
  • Follow instructions of creative supervisors.
  • Address any problems with creative supervisors; ask necessary questions.
  • Communicate progress of work to creative supervisors and to appropriate production staff.
  • Ensure quality and style of show is consistently achieved in storyboard work.
  • Follow proper document management requirements (i.e., file naming and storage) according to the production’s guidelines.
  • Meet all deadlines as determined by Line Producer or Production Manager.
  • Attend and contribute to relevant meetings and pitches as needed.
  • Maybe be required to pitch Storyboards.
  • Ensure all storyboard notes are added.
  • Assist with special projects.

Job Requirements

  • Looking for a good draftsman, with strong storytelling skill.
  • Proficient in Photoshop.
  • Must demonstrate proficiency in style of show.
  • Strong staging and composition skills.
  • Strong drawing and mechanical skills.
  • Knowledge of or willingness to learn applicable design software and hardware.
  • Strong time-management skills.
  • Work well under pressure.
  • Ability to multitask a plus.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Preschool knowledge a plus.
  • Relevant drawing experience necessary.
  • BA/BS preferred.
  • Minimum of 1 year storyboard experience and/or training on a similar show; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PLEASE NOTE:  Will require a test.

HOW TO APPLY
You MUST submit a portfolio in order to be considered for artistic positions!

– See more at: http://jobs.awn.com/c/job.cfm?site_id=500&jb=14285266#sthash.NVxYNSbV.dpuf

You can apply for the Nickelodeon Storyboarding job here.

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Jobs: Sr. Storyboard Artist

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Sr. Story Board Artist wanted

The Sr. Storyboard Artist works with the head of Story and the film’s director to work out complex staging, acting and action sequences.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Possesses the ability to take a sequence from conception to completion as directed by Director
• Able to not only interpret the Writer/Director vision, but also embellish it, furthering the theme of the movie.
• Capable of adapting to different styles of productions and handle a wide variety of sequences, from action to comedy to drama
• Is an accomplished draftsman and capable of creating images that support the needs of the sequence.
• Able to capture the scope and depth required of modern stereoscopic movies, and has the ability to express character emotion through facial expression and acting.
• Able to pitch their sequences with clarity, and have the ability to articulate their ideas through images as well as verbally.
• Well versed in cinematic terminology and able to use film language at a level that allows them to communicate clearly with the director.
• Possess a deep knowledge of cinematography and the ability to incorporate that knowledge into their story boards.
• Is supportive of the team, and understands that they have the responsibility to act as role models and promote a good work ethic in the department.
• Ensures the team is productive by answering questions that arise and providing mentoring and training
• Assists/guides Storyboard team in the execution of their assignments
• File management ” organize work/files efficiently
• Ensures the Supervisor/Directors instructions are clearly carried out by providing specific guidelines and framework for the given production.
Education and Experience Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree in Animation, Cinematography, or related field; or equivalent professional experience
• Requires 5 years minimum experience in Feature Film and/or Commercial production with an emphasis on story
• Strong draftsmanship skills
• Ability to create broads in a variety of styles
• Proficient with Photoshop and/or equivalent program
• Ability to work in a team environment and take direction
• Ability to provide feedback to other artists
Note: This job description is not meant to be all inclusive. Employee may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization

 

You can apply for the Sr. Storyboard Artist job here.

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Promote Yourself: NFB 3D Animations at TIFF

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PUT ON YOUR 3D GLASSES!

NFB TAKES AUDIENCES TO NEW DIMENSIONS WITH STEREOSCOPIC 3D ANIMATION AT TIFF

 

image003Short Cuts Canada to feature Claire Blanchet’s The End of Pinky, Bruce Alcock’s Impromptu, Theodore Ushev’sGloria Victoria and Chris Landreth’s Subconscious Password

 

Toronto, August 7, 2013 – A world-renowned creative laboratory making breakthroughs in animation and stereoscopic 3D (S3D) cinema, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) will showcase its auteur animators at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with four new films. Taking place September 5 to 15, the festival will feature premieres of NFB S3D animated shorts in its Short Cuts Canada program, with The End of Pinky by Claire Blanchet, Impromptu by Bruce Alcock (Global Mechanic Media/NFB), Gloria Victoria by Theodore Ushev andSubconscious Password by Chris Landreth.

World premieres

Two NFB films will be making their world premiere at TIFF 2013:

The End of Pinky

Claire Blanchet’s S3D film The End of Pinky revolves around three fallen angels―Johnny, Mia and Pinky―seeking companionship and humanity in the shadows of the red-light district, in a mythic, magically realized Montreal. But when one of Pinky’s endearing quirks sets off a tragicomic chain of events, Johnny plots revenge. Created with hand-drawn pencil and pastel animation, and rendered in stereoscopic 3D, The End of Pinky is based on a story by Heather O’Neill, who also narrates. It is directed, written and animated by Claire Blanchet and produced by Michael Fukushima for the NFB.

 Impromptu

When Chuck’s wife spontaneously invites her co-workers home for dinner in Bruce Alcock’s Impromptu, this last-minute gathering seems to have all the makings of a disaster—but leads instead to a quiet epiphany about embracing the chaos of life’s rich pageant. Impromptu reminds us of the redemptive power of food, wine, music and love, as seen through the eyes of a modern man. The film was written by Ed Riche and Bruce Alcock, with Tina Ouellette as producer for Global Mechanic and Annette Clarke and Michael Fukushima as producers for the NFB.

North American premiere

 Gloria Victoria

The final film in Theodore Ushev’s NFB trilogy on the relationship between art and power, Gloria Victoria unfolds on the still-smouldering rubble of a furious 20th century. From the Russian front to the Chinese Revolution, from Dresden to Guernica, Gloria Victoria combines elements of surrealism and cubism to orchestrate an explosive nightmare in the name of peace. Winner of the FIPRESCI Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Gloria Victoria is set to music from Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony, and joins Ushev’s previous works Drux Flux and Tower Bawher as an animated dialogue between music and images. The film is produced by Marc Bertrand for the NFB.

Canadian premiere

 Subconscious Password 

In the computer-animated S3D work Subconscious Password, Oscar-winning director Chris Landreth (Ryan) uses a common social gaffe—forgetting somebody’s name—as the starting point for a mind-bending romp through the unconscious. Inspired by the classic TV game show Password, the film features a wealth of animated celebrity guests who try (and try, and try) to prompt Charles, Landreth’s alter ego, to remember the name. Winner of the award for best short film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Subconscious Password is produced by the NFB, with the participation of the Animation Arts Centre of Seneca College and Copperheart Entertainment. Marcy Page (NFB) and Mark Smith are the producers.

 

About the NFB

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) produces groundbreaking animation at its studios in Montreal and at NFB centres across Canada, as well as via international co-productions with many of the world’s leading auteur animators. The NFB is a leader in developing new approaches to stereoscopic 3D animation and animated content for new platforms. The NFB has created over 13,000 productions and won over 5,000 awards, including 4 Canadian Screen Awards, 7 Webbys, 12 Oscars and more than 90 Genies. To access acclaimed NFB content, visit NFB.ca or download its apps for smartphones, tablets and connected TV.

 

 

Press Release