This is the intro for “Jak X: Combat Racing”, a game created by Naughty Dog. While this is the intro for a game, the piece plays like a short film of its own.
I was having a discussion over lunch the other day with some friends about the future of short form animation, and we came to the conclusion that videogames are just one place where this artform will thrive in the future.
What do you think?
From Backstage.com
Remember, Julie Taymor is the woman who directed the Lion King on
Broadway and did costume, mask and puppet design (Michael Curry was the other designer). I guess they like her for making ‘toon media come to “real” life on the stage.
-Jake
Get ready for “Spider-Man: The Broadway Musical.”
That may not be the official title, but Marvel Studios is putting the pieces together for a musical on the Great White Way starring the popular superhero, which will be directed by Tony winner Julie Taymor, with U2’s Bono and the Edge creating new music and lyrics for the project.
Auditions are taking place, and a reading is scheduled for the summer. No dates for a Broadway opening have been set.
Producing are Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Martin McCallum, Marvel Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment. In addition to co-producing the show, Hello Entertainment is arranging all financing for the project.
While the Spider-Man musical marks the first time a Marvel character has been the subject of a Broadway show, it’s not the first time a superhero has hit the stage. Superman was in the spotlight of “It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman,” which opened at the Alvin Theatre in 1966. Despite fairly positive reviews, it closed a few months later.
Before becoming Marvel chairman, David Maisel spearheaded the 1999 best musical Tony winner “Fosse.”
Taymor won two Tonys for direction and costume design for the Broadway production of “The Lion King.”
We just found this out: Remember that film that Lee Rubenstein and I produced for Frederator? “FredEX: The Secret Life of Robots“? Well, check this:
It’s an official selection in the Platform Animation Festival!
For those of you not familiar with the animation fest circuit, Platform is one of the biggest in America; five days and nights of cutting edge cartoons held annualy in Portland, Oregon. There are numerous categories for films; one of which is “Internet and New Media” (which ours made it into)
We’re competing against such web cartoon celebs such as Jib Jab, The Brothers McLeod, and Jennifer Shiman. But this isn’t the Oscars; it’s not so much a competition as it is a film festival.
The interesting thing about our cartoon is that it has 15 individual directors who each created about ten seconds of the film. Here’s a list of the contributers.
Animax Entertainment
Steve Stark
Nylon Motion
Devin Clark
Bernard Derriman
Seed Animation
Joe Shakula
MukPuddy Animation
Lee Rubenstein
Dan Meth
Jeaux Janovsky
Javan Ivey
Bishop Animation
Doogtoons
Michaek Fallik
Avi Tuchman
If you haven’t seen the film yet, here it is:
FOF (Friends of Frederator) or ADF (Amigos de Frederator) Jorge Gutierrez & Sandra Equihua’s great new show, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera is getting Rave Reviews all over the place!!! (I, myself, give it a rating of Infinity Stars of Pure Awesome!)
Jorge & Sandra have graced the pages of one of my mom’s favorite Latin Tabloid Periodical, ¡MIRA!. (It’s sorta like The Enquirer, except it’s in spanish.) My mom’s addicted to the magazine… It’s like Crack!!! She reads it every week.
In case yr wondering… I’m 1/2 Costa Rican. 
Here’s a rough Translation:
More “Latinos” At Nickelodeon
The Mexican Marriage formed by Jorge Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua are the creators of El Tigre (The Tiger): The Adventures of Manny Rivera“; the NEW series of Animated Cartoons of Nickelodeon that is being shown Saturday mornings. El Tigre, the first series with animation in Flash of that network, presents a latin family with characters inspired by the Mexican heritage of it’s creators. The series continues the tradition initiated by Dora the Explorer and Diego; latin characters that have had lots of success with and for all children.
I wish continued success for both Jorge and Sandra, keep up the great work guys! I love El Tigre!!! Maybe after this I’ll be able to snag Jorge & Sandra for a Tag-Team Double Trouble Interview Extravaganza!!! Jorge? Sandra? You both game? 
You can view more of Jorge and Sandra’s great work: aquí y acá.
I’d like to thank my mom for finding this article, specifically, for me to post on the Fredblogs.
¡Gracias Mama!
It was kinda funny trying to explain what Flash was to her… She was all,” So is it… Flashy animation? Like, shiny?”
She’s a sweetheart, that one.
Channel Frederator. ¡¡El Canal Para Ganar!! Yr #1 SOURCE for Animation News & Interviews!
Didn’t think we’d get all Bilingual on you, huh?
Rico Suave,
-JX!
Who Do YOU want to see On Channel Frederator?
Click here to subscribe to Channel Frederator or go to iTunes. Please send your suggestions to promotecartoons@gmail.com.
Wanna know what else is cool about Channel Frederator?!?
Seriously. If yr film or short is featured on CH.Fred, what better way to promote yrself than embedding the Fred on yr very own website, blog or myspace page? For the extreme Fredheads, there’s the ultimate “Always Fresh” embedding code.
What are you waiting for? All the cool kids are doing it. I have mine up on my Myspace Page now.
Don’t believe me? Take a look, and add me while yr at it!
Cheers!
At our studio, Perennial Pictures, work continues on “Crawford the Cat.” Above is a screenshot from a scene that uses a simulated multiplane camera effect. I love the way the buildings and rooftops glide past the camera giving the scene a slightly three-dimensional feel.
To see a few seconds of the animation, Click here.
Here is an over-scan of the scene to get a better look at the multiple layers.
Click here to see the unframed animation.
Enjoy.
“The Sopranos” is arguably the best show on television right now. I’m a huge fan of the show, and have been watching since season one.
A few months ago, Bishop Animation was asked by Imbibe, Inc to create a commercial for Sopranos Soda, a line of all natural Italian sodas they were creating.
The commercial features the three flavors of soda (Chianti, Amaretto and Limoncello) as if they were characters from the show. They are roughing up an energy drink, looking for information. The commercial ends with “the Big Guy” from the rival energy drink family getting capped. You can see the entire commercial on the official website of the soda: Drink Sopranos.
From a technical stand point, the commercial was a tough one to pull off in the time frame we had. Computers make metal boxes really well, everything else is tough. This commercial features four characters that are full of moving liquid, foaming liquid, breaking glass, and more.
The sodas themselves are delicious. One of the perks of this project was that the client sent us a case of the soda for reference. I like the Amaretto the best.
From The CUNY Graduate website.
Geometry and Art: From Escher to Animation
Wednesday, May 2, 2007 6:30 PM
Learn about the late and great mathematician Donald Coxeter and the work of contemporary artists who use geometry. With Siobhan Roberts, author of King of Infinite Space: Donald Coxeter, The Man Who Saved Geometry, George Hart, sculptor and author of the online Encyclopedia of Polyhedra, Emmy Award-winning animator Mark Neumann, and Jeff Weeks’ Dodecahedral Universe, a trippy 3D animated fly-through of geometric space.
Arrive early (4:00 pm on) and help mathematician Dan Duddy construct a shadow of the fourth dimension; a giant truncated hyperdodecahedron. Everyone is welcome!
Additional details:
Neighborhood: Gramercy/Flatiron
Venue: CUNY Graduate Center
Travel: Subway: B, D, F, V, N, Q, R, W to 34th St–Herald Sq
Category: Around Town
Address: 365 Fifth Ave
Phone: 212-817-8215
This week’s schedule: May 2 at 6:30pm. Venue hours: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 12pm-6pm.
Prices: Free
Details: Author Siobhan Roberts (King of Infinite Space: Donald Coxeter, The Man Who Saved Geometry) and Emmy-winning animator Mark Neumann discuss geometry’s influence on sculptors, painters and computer animators.
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In addition to your run-of-the-mill Superman figure and Spawn model, now your bookcase can sport a mini Gwen Stefani, Bon Jovi or Fallout Boy, as seen above.
Cool designs. I wonder how they decided how cartoony to be with them. the Brian Wilson one is nowhere near as interesting as, say, the Notorious B.I.G.
See them all HERE.
Enjoy!
-Jake
Serapio, in addition to having a name that reminds me of those old Spaghetti Westerns, is versatile artist with the ability to do many styles.
I spoke with him recently and below is what he had to say…
Yay!
-Mike Milo
I.) So, who are you and where are you from?
My name is Serapio Calm and I am currently a character designer for Cartoon Network’s new show, Chowder for 2007, created by a good buddy of mine, Carl Greenblatt. Some clips of the show can be seen here. I was born in Long Island, New York and I currently live in Rosemead, California.
II.) What have you worked on?
I designed for The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Evil Con Carne, Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, and Megas XLR. I also worked on various projects for Nickelodeon, Disney TV, Curious Oranj & Animax Entertainment. I still make the time for other various freelance gigs on the side.
III.) How did you get into the business?
Actually, I answered a job posting online that was looking for a character designer. I replied and sent a few samples of my work. Unfortunately, I did not get a response and I honestly forgot about it. Months later I sent my portfolio to Cartoon Network. Ironically, the same person who posted the job listing I applied for months ago received it and remembered me and my work! He liked what he saw and called me in for the job. Thank you, Chris Prynoski & Jodi Schaefer! After Megas XLR, I was able to adapt to other styles and move on to design for other shows at Cartoon Network. I’ve been really lucky.
IV.) Do you have any personal projects your working on?
I am currently working on my blog and I try to update it weekly with various art and videos of old cartoon intros. I am also publishing postcards that I will be giving out at the San Diego, Comicon as well as local comic shops. I am also working on a sketchbook & developing a comicbook. Eventually, I hope to have my work displayed at art galleries.
V.) Why do you do what you do? Passion? Talent? Making people laugh?
I have always loved drawing ever since I picked up my first crayon and scribbled all over my sister’s bedroom wall.
VI.)What are your influences?
I find influence everywhere. Heres a tiny list: Nintendo, Calvin & Hobbes, Lord of the Rings, Starwars, Transformers, Capcom, San-X, Akira Toriyama, Micronauts, Badtz Maru, Legos, Thundercats, Fullmetal Alchemist, Mary Blair, Warner Bros., Akira Kurosawa films, The Provensens, Bone, Warhammer, Miyazaki films, Robotech, Chilly Willy, Tex Avery, Southpark, Spider-man, Japanese food packaging, Nerf guns. I’m always on the search for new stuff too. But I don’t want to forget all those inspiring talented artists that keep popping up on the internet!
VII.) What kinds of tools do you use? Special Pencils? Paper? Computer? Brushes? Desk?
I mostly use col-erase pencils on animation paper or post-its. But I have to use a different color every couple of days. Certain colors draw better for me on certain days. It’s the weirdest thing. It could be a psychological or mood thing. But it is true that each color has different softness and hardness. Then I scan my drawings and digitally paint them in Photoshop. Currently I am designing digitally with a Cintiq monitor for Chowder.
VIII.) If you could change the way the business works and is run how would you do it?
IX.)Do you have any advice for someone wanting to break in or just beginning in the industry?
One should learn, draw & inspire themselves as much as they can. Try to master different styles and job positions. Learn character design, prop design, backgrounds, coloring and storyboards. Don’t take criticism personally, keep an open mind and always strive to improve. Be friends with everyone even though they work on other shows or at other studios, or have a different job title. Network! Every contact helps. And most important, never give up. Don’t ever get intimidated or let rejection dampen your spirits. Eventually you will break into the business and the art director will say, “Where have you been hiding all this time?”
Meet Nathan Fox, the young up-and-comer in the world of illustration. This guy is GOOD. He’s a recent grad and is to drawing what Jimmi Hendrix was to playing the guitar. Much of Fox’s illustrations remind me of Norman Rockwell’s, complete with subtle op-eds in his pieces. His color choices also illustrates a keen eye for balance.
Visit his site HERE.
Enjoy!
-Jake
Castlevania: Dracula's Curse
