Now’s your chance to join the fray.

Obey, Manifest Hope, and MoveOn.org are sponsoring a 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.

Enter and win, the deadline’s August 18, 2008.

Jon Kane and I have worked together for a way long time, and I’m honored whenever I’m lucky enough to get his attention for one of our, ahem, efficiently priced jobs. So it was in 1998 when we were launching Oh Yeah! Cartoons and I thought it would be great to package it with a different vibe than other cartoon show. Calling Kane!

Jon’s company Optic Nerve was one of the leading commercial production shops in New York. Jon conceived the spots, [Read more…]

It doesn’t seem possible, but the networks don’t just beat a path to Frederator begging us for shows. Our team works hard behind the scenes, often for years at a time, to convince folks that our creators’ series deserve a shot. The creators write elaborate presentation pieces to give executives an idea of what’s in store for characters and stories in a series, and they go in person often to get everyone comfortable with what will be eventually a very expensive investment totally sometimes in the hundreds of millions.

A few weeks ago we contracted with one of my favorite directors, Jon Kane of Optic Nerve in New York (sometimes better known as the DJ behind FischerSpooner) to put together a video for some of our current presentations. Whenever I work with Jon it makes me wonder how I can lure him into cartoons.

It was great to see Paul Young, Cartoon Saloon founder, Skunk Fu executive producer, when he stopped by to visit Frederator/NY last week. Cartoon Saloon and Paul were honored by the Prime Minister of Ireland last week, invited as part of an Irish business contingent to ring in the New York Stock Market. Keep your eyes open for their feature debut, Brendan and the Secret of Kells.

Those in the know know that the first season of Dan Meth and Mark Vitelli’s Nite Fite launched yesterday after a  feverishly hard working spring of production. That’s right, the first spin-off of the much heralded and massively popular The Meth Minute 39, it’s the first animated talk show on the web. And one a sponsorship from Starburst candy, a major coup. I wanted to shout out a lot of the folks who’ve helped get us going. It’s a much bigger group than you’d imagine for 20 shorts, with not only Frederator in the mix, but online networks, a major corporate sponsor, and dozens of distributors, so settle in. (And when I miss anyone, please let me know so I can update my mistakes.)

Dan Meth & Mark Vitelli. Dan and Mark created and wrote Nite Fite. Thanks guys, for your great show.

I know you know Dan from The Meth Minute 39 (and his site and blog) as an animator of rare distinction, but you also know Mark through his work on MM39; he’s not only the sound designer for most all of Dan’s cartoons, but is a trusted creative advisor as well. The guys write all the episodes in the studio (Dan writes the sponsorhip spots back at our studio), and Mark takes their rantings and ravings and tightens them up to a full ka-pow of funniness before Dan and his crew get hold for the animation.

Carrie Miller. Indefatigable Carrie has produced The Meth Minute 39 as well Nite Fite. And I can say, with feeling, no one could have survived the process without her. Not only big smarts and schedules, but charm, good humor, and diplomacy –least of all needed with her Frederator colleagues– have charged Carrie’s work all the way through.

The animation team. For the first time in our New York studio, Dan and Carrie have put together a crack crew of animators and artists to help us reach our creative peaks and deadlines. Dagan Moriarty, Daisy Edwards, Adam Rosette, and Al Pardo are not only talented, but great companions to have in the studio.

Mike Glenn. We don’t really see Mike that often because he works the night shift in the post production dungeon, but he’s been our packaging editor, and dependable rock, throughout all of Dan’s projects here.

Kevin Kolde, Eric Homan, and Roy Langbord.  And Angie Polk. Kevin and Eric work primarily on our Hollywood based projects, but they’ve been amazing supporters of Dan’s and Carrie’s. Kevin particularly, as we worked out way out of garage style production. And Roy, our attorney and advisor, saves us from ourselves. Angie’s my assistant in NY, but so much more for everyone.

And over at Next New Networks, our distributor, promoter, and boosters nonpareil.

George Stewart runs media sales and has been a MM39 believer from the beginning.  He introduced us to our early champion, Digitas’ John McCarus who, in turn, roped in more of his colleagues that I can mention (don’t hate me for not including the whole list, it’s a lot of great folks), to believe in Dan and his characters.

Digitas brought along our sponsor, Starburst candies, which is part of the unbelievably big Mars Incorporated. I only mention their size, because it was a real leap of faith on everyone’s part to be part of Nite Fite and Next New Networks, and for everyone who took the leap, we salute and thank you. (And, you should check out Penalty and Lloyd on Starburst’s site. It not only looks awesome over there, but there’s a bunch of other cool goodies too.)

Rachel Garcia is also in NNN media sales, and it would be hard to properly explain how much she’s done to keep this project on track without making her blush or making her collapse from exhaustion looking over the looooong list of things she’s accomplished for us. But, I should highlight that hand in hand with Sarah Passe at Digitas, were we able to keep the magic group of 20 informed and happy with all our creative work over these last few hectic months.

Tim Shey is one of the NNN founders and runs programming at the company.  He’s been an indomitable spirit guiding the NNN-ers through the programming, promotion, and distribution of the Nite Fite series. “I’m with Penalty!” “Well, I’m with Lloyd!”

Scott Moschella and Jeaux Janovsky run  the Next New side of Channel Frederator and Nite Fite. They’re internet geeks to top all IG, and work out all the wherefores of how the MM39’s and NF’s find their way throughout our communities and beyond. Jeaux has personal relationships throughout the internet cartoon universe, and keeps them all stoked about everything Dan creates. Scott’s worked closely with Tim, YouTube, and everyone else here to get the NF site where it needs to be. Vanessa Pappas now runs the entertainment team, and her brains are going to guide us through this first season better than any of the rest of us ever could.

Diane deCordova heads up the super-distribution strategy and team COO Jed Simmons put together and was responsible for the 20,000,000 views the MM39 has garnered this year. From Veoh to YouTube to Break to UGO to to to to to… the list goes on. We’re super because of you, thanks guys.

Andres Palmiter is the Next New Networks secret sauce. His daily contacts with the distribution partners around the world are key to super-distribution success. The fact that he’s personally so in love with Dan’s work isn’t a small thing either.

The developer team of Paul Blakey, Todd Morningstar, Alex Milyavskiy, run by Marc Goldberg, is always happy and unarguing when asked impossible things by everyone.

I’m not neglecting Lee Rubenstein or Graham Smith or Jeremy Kutner for their site contributions (and, of course, so much more).

Justin Johnson’s promos. Can I really compliment him any more than I have? And Alan Kaufman?

There’s a few dozen other NNN’s too, and in different ways big and small they’ve all been important to the launch of Nite Fite. The order of thanks isn’t meant to slight anyone, but truly, thanks Liam, Herb, Emil, Michelle, Patty, Erik, Lindsey, Michael, Ramon, Erin, Ian, Max, Dustin, Corinne, Rob, Mary, Steve, Donny, Ben, Ben, Jared, Gene, Charlie, Pete.

Ryan Charmatz was our intern this year. Give his cartoon a five star vote here.

Mailed out the week of July 7, 2008.
…..
Frederator Postcards Series 1, 1998
Frederator Postcards Series 2, 1999
Frederator Postcards Series 3, 2000
Frederator Postcards Series 4, 2003
Frederator Postcards Series 5, 2004-2005
Frederator Postcards Series 6, 2007-2008

I’ve been blogging less lately, but tumblring more. Or, I guess more accurately, tumblogging more. You can check out my tumblog down on the lower right column (below the links) or here to see if you care or not.

Why tumblr? I’m not sure that I could tell you exactly (sorry, I know my title implied I’d know the answer). Yes, it was started by one of our great friends and former interns, and yes, I’m an invester and board member. But that’s not really it, because tumblr’s been around for over a year and I just started last week. Yes, it’s easier. Sure, it’s allows you to virtually hang out with your friends and their friends in a simple way. And, for certain, it lets you find a lot of cool stuff –art, songs, writing– you really didn’t think you needed anyway, but are happy to have.

(Here’s a much smarter analysis than mine, for those so inclined.)

Bottom line? All I can tell you is that I’m having lots of fun with my tumblr. And who doesn’t want to have more fun?

I just got my copy of the newly indepdendent ASIFA Magazine, and I wanted to remind you all to think about subscribing. (They make it kind of hard when you get to the ASIFA website, but don’t be discouraged.)

ASIFA serves the whole wide world of animation, so it’s a bit less cartoony than my personal taste (and maybe yours too), but it a great reminder (along with Channel Frederator) just what a big world we’re all part of, with animation being a persuasive medium to tell all of humankind’s stories.

Support the magazine, support ASIFA. I’m proud to part of this artform, and I know you are too.

Dave Levy, the talented director, author, and President of ASIFA-East, gave The Meth Minute 39 a great send-off, screening, and Q&A, the other night here in New York. He wrote about it kindly today on his blog, and we’ve got a few pictures from the screening here. We were all thrilled that so many of the cast and crew could make it over and see themselves on the big screen. Thanks Dave, thanks ASIFA-East, thanks everyone.