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Most of you know all about New Tee Vee, where the knowing go to know more about wassup in the online TV world. But, you probably don’t know about their summer Pier Screenings events in Los Angeles, where the knowing go to see even more, and meet even more.
Well, August 28 is there ‘Non-Human’ screening (”by which we mean anything that doesn’t include human actors on-screen“) and they’re welcoming “animation, puppets, animals, machinima, or whatever other interpretation you have.”
If you’re a fan of video games, live in Los Angeles, and enjoy being packed, sardine-like, into gallery spaces with hoards of fellow pop culture fanatics, then you might want to check out the opening of the fourth annual I Am 8-Bit show. The event is at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery at 6650 Hollywood Boulevard, this Thursday (August 14th) from 8 until midnight.
The official website currently offers minimal specifics, but you can get an idea of what’s in store by perusing this photo gallery of last year’s opening, as covered by i-mockery.com.
A collection of artwork from previous shows was published by Chronicle Books back in 2006. I Am 8-Bit: Art Inspired by Classic Videogames of the 80s is available from the publisher’s website for $22.95. An additional volume will come out in 2009.
Despite the lack of a contributor list, if you just can’t wait, some of the artist’s involved have posted pix of their creations in advance of the opening. Click here for a sneak peek at Joystiq.
I’ve been noticing a trend in the animation community recently, and that’s Animators Who Rap. Maybe it’s something to do with all the timing and rhythm, but I think it’s a good thing.
Here’s a few of the best I’ve found across the internets. (Can I add myself to that list?)
(*ed. Note: There might be bad language in some or all of these. Don’t listen to it if you don’t wanna hear them.-JX)
I make music from time to time under the name Plankton. This is a song called “Y’all Soulz” from the What Whales Eat Sessions, 2004. Recently, my friend Ryan who runs a Net Label, Serac Label, digitally re-issued an album of mine called “15 YR Petting Zoo”. Even I don’t know how to classify it. It’s lower than lo-fi, and still a charming album. Download it for free. It will change your life.
I really enjoyed this piece, by Corrina. According to her website, she is only 16, but she has a great film here, creating portraits of all the Presidents, from George to George. The animation is set to Sufjan Stevens’ “The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders”. The whole piece feels like something you might see on Sesame Street or the Electric Company in the late 70’s.
It’s a very nice film, and I hope we see many more from Corrina.
Isaac Hayes won the Oscar in 1971 for the theme from “Shaft”, however most people know him from his voice work as Chef from “South Park”.
Isaac left the series after an episode aired which featured a storyline that lampooned Scientology, Issac’s religion. Isaac wasn’t the only one to get angry over the episode.
I recently interviewed Oregonian illustrator, animator, and director Ward Jenkins. Ward has worked on both coasts, from Primal Screen to LAIKA House.
In the interview, Ward talks about his approach to character design, explains a bit about his directing process, and teases us with a few details from a top secret short film project he’s working on. We also go off on a bit of a tangent, as we talk about one of our favorite animated sequences from a Brad Bird film.
“Super Ani” for Animania, an all-HD cartoon channel
Ward has a great feel to his work. I have been following his blogging, on both his own Ward-O-Matic blog as well as Drawn!, which he contributes to.
Fred Seibert, left, Ward Jenkins, right
Ward is a great artist, a supporter and lover of animation, and an all around good guy. On a side note, when I do these types of interviews, I call the person I’m interviewing and then record the call for the blog. The call is usually me calling to ask if they are ready, and then the interview starts. I talked to Ward about all kinds of stuff for about a half an hour before we ever started the interview. We finally decided to hit record and start it for real. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed doing it.
It’s no small thing when a political candidate can not only inspire millions of people to vote for the very first time, but can also motivate the notorious cynical and skeptical communities of artists, musicians. and writers. You’ve all seen the famous Obey poster from last spring supporting Barak Obama’s candidacy. Maybe you’ve even caught some of the other great graphics his historic role has galvanized.
Obey, Manifest Hope, and MoveOn.org are sponsoringa new art contest for fresh, sharp, Obama graphics. 2D and 3D art, from painting to photography to sculpture, no matter what you’re talent there’s room for you.
This animation, from College Humor, is a great piece that shows what happened to Megatron and Optimus Prime after their movie came out. If you were a fan of the film, or the tv series, or of those other transforming robots, you’ll most likely enjoy this piece.
Okay, I know I usually post three or four board pages, but I like this seven-page sequence with Boog and the boys. The board is by Mr Eddie Trigueros, his third. The episode was written by Mr Eric Horsted. Also, this is episode #13, putting us 25% of the way through Nick’s initial order of 52 shorts. — Eric (Homan)
