Archive for September, 2011

Mark Mayerson takes his turn with the usual round of questions on Animation Insider. Here’s the… »

It’s been a few days since the closing ceremonies, and I’ve been watching the ongoing slew of comments via Facebook and twitter as we all struggle through our post-festival recoveries.  As usual, there’s a cold going around.  I’ve had reports of it here in Ottawa, and from colleagues in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.  The other… »

Storyboard artist Ken Davis shares his thoughts on Animation Insider. Here’s the… »

Toronto, Canada – September 27, 2011 – 9 Story Entertainment is pleased to announce new and returning animated series at MIPJr and MIPCOM. Screening for the first time are children’s animated comedy series’ Numb Chucks (52×11′) and The Super Dupers (52×11′).  Launching sales at MIPJr and Mipcom are the pre-school animated series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood… »

Got another Insider interview for you.  This one’s with Rob Davies.  Rob’s one of the founders of Vancouver’s Atomic Cartoons, and also the guy who gave me my first job in this business back when he was a young hotshot at Studio B. There’s a lot in this one, go read. Here’s the… »

It’s Monday morning, and the 2011 edition of the Ottawa International Animation Festival is done.  Sunday was a quiet one for me, like many others, but as always, I made it a point to be at the closing ceremonies last night.  The press release isn’t out yet, so a complete list of winners eludes me…. »

September 26, 2011 JOB TITLE: Effects Artist – Cloth DEPARTMENT: Effects REPORTS TO: Effects Supervisor/Head of Effects POSITION OVERVIEW The Effects Artist creates effects for assigned shots using Maya and works with the Lead Effects Artist to ensure that all individually assigned Effects deliverables are completed fully and in line with the production schedule and… »

One more pillaged from my Awesome List.  Here’s Jess on Animation Insider…. »

Here’s another one!  Once again, one of our very own, Mr Robbie Anderson, answers the usual round of questions on Animation Insider. I should swipe their format. Here’s the link…. »

Animation Insider is on a roll.  First Warren Leonhardt, now Mike Geiger.  It’s like they swiped my awesome list. Here’s the… »

Well, well, well.. if it isn’t our very own Sir Warren B Leonhardt the first over on Animation Insider.  As someone who is prone to bouts of grumpiness, I’m constantly inspired by Warren’s seemingly boundless positivity and love for what he does.  Animation Insider managed to turn the tables on our Mister Leonhardt and get… »

Grant Moore‘s been good enough to continue sharing his experience at the Ottawa Festival this year.  Here’s his take on Saturday’s events. OIAF – Day #2 Home from my second day at the Ottawa International Animation Festival and I’m exhausted! So, I will do my best to give a recap of what I experienced throughout… »

Grant Moore is blogging his experience at this year’s animation festival.  I asked if it was ok to swipe his coverage, and he was generous enough to share. OIAF – Day #1 Just got home from my first day at the 2011 Ottawa International Animation Festival. I didn’t get to see too much since I… »

The sponsorship drive is progressing embarrassingly slowly, truly tortoise-like, to be honest. Well, more like a one-legged tortoise.  But there are some shining stars out there who have dug deep and helped out.  Props to Gabe Choquette, Gabriel Martin-Meilleur, Steve Sloan, Grant Moore, Rich Duhaney, and Hilary Moses for their contributions.  You guys are the… »

I got this announcement regarding some business development workshops being offered in Toronto.  Figured I’d share it: SheridanCorporate, in participation with CASO and the Ontario Media Development Corporation, is offering a select few with an opportunity to participate in free professional training for a series of pilot programs designed to support animation professional, being offered… »

Job Title: Production Coordinator Department: Production Management Reports to: APM/Producer POSITION OVERVIEW The Production Coordinator assists Production Managers and Producers in managing day-to-day activities of one or more assigned departments, and in ensuring that the most up-to-date information and tools are delivered to the appropriate individuals and departments within required timeframes. This role updates, maintains,… »

JOB TITLE: Layout Artist DEPARTMENT: Layout REPORTS TO: Head of Layout POSITION OVERVIEW The Layout Artist stages shots and plots the action that will take place within each scene using Maya and prepares these shots for presentation to the show’s Director. This position must anticipate, communicate, and troubleshoot any creative or technical issues, and perform… »

JOB TITLE: Surfacing Artist DEPARTMENT: Surfacing REPORTS TO: Head of Surfacing/Surfacing Supervisor POSITION OVERVIEW The Surfacing Artist works with the Surfacing Supervisor or Lead to establish the look and qualities of characters, props, and environments for assigned assets, creates UV’s, textures and shaders for models supplied by the Modeling Department, maintains a convention of file… »

Toronto, CANADA – September 21, 2011 – Portfolio Entertainment & Collingwood O’Hare Productions are pleased to announce the commencement of production on the second season of the highly acclaimed preschool series “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!”.  In addition, lead broadcasters PBS KIDS (USA) and Treehouse (Canada) have commissioned a one… »

It’s that time of year again.  If any of you are in Ottawa this year for the 2011 edition of the Ottawa International Animation Festival, and you feel like saying hello, this is what I look like: A lot like I did last year, only without the giant scruffy beard. I’ll try to keep things… »

Sheryl Vedamani of Vancouver, BC and Philippe Ramsay Gaudreau of Lemoyne, QC each win $10,000 for their animated shorts (Toronto, ON, September 19, 2011) – TELETOON at Night fans have spoken! The votes are in and Vancouver, BC’s Sheryl Vedamani and Lemoyne, QC’s Philippe Ramsay Gaudreau have 10,000 reasons to gloat today as their animated… »

Toronto, Canada – September 20, 2011 – Vince Commisso, President and CEO of 9 Story Entertainment, is pleased to announce a new co-venture with WGBH Boston to produce the popular multiple award-winning children’s series ARTHUR (20×30′), beginning with its 16th season, now in production.  Under the agreement, 9 Story Entertainment has also taken on international … »

Toronto, Canada – September 20, 2011 –  Kratt Brothers Company and 9 Story Entertainment have received a second season order from PBS KIDS GO!® in the U.S. and TVOntario in Canada for an addition 26 x 22′ episodes of  the hit animated comedy adventure series Wild Kratts(tm).  The series was created and developed by real… »

September 15, 2011 Position Title: VFX Supervisor Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Description: Arc Productions Ltd. (formerly Starz Media Canada Co.) is hiring a VFX Supervisor Position Overview A VFX Supervisor oversees all creative aspects of a production to ensure continuity, efficiency and quality for a production. This position requires the ability to accurately interpret the… »

A little something for those who’ll be in Ottawa next week. Kyle Marshall sent this along.  It’s a great lineup, and a swell venue.  Last year’s show was a lot of fun.  Once again, it’s a group of real cartoon-types making fun art.  Show up, have a drink, buy something. Now if only they’d ask… »

From the Ottawa International Animation Festival: Need a job??  Registration for ANIMATORS’ FOR HIRE now open. The OIAF’s recruiting event happens at the National Gallery on Saturday September 24th.  It offers a unique recruiting opportunity for recent graduates and veteran animators alike. PASSHOLDERS (INCLUDING VOLUNTEERS) CAN SIGN UP TO SPEED-MEET WITH HIRING STUDIOS and make… »

I’ve just discovered that some animationy people I know are taking part in a new Comic Jam in Toronto.  I’m a big fan of these kinds of events.  We’ve got one here in Ottawa that ‘s been organized by Sue Marsden for a couple of years now, last Wednesday of each month, at a very… »

School is in session. John Celestri has, thankfully, started a thought-provoking blog on animation and classical techniques. I’ve heard of this guy for YEARS, but never got to talk to him. Now you can, too! From David Nethery’s blog (Hand Drawn Animation instructor at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University): “John Celestri started his animation… »

It’s been available for a couple of months now, and Vol. One is really fun (and Eisner-nominated!), and if you’re into creator-owned comics done by local animation-related talent, this is a handsome addition to your collection. I’m going to have to add a copy to mine now that the Canada Post strike is over. The… »

I really like this one.  The gag is an old one, every kid who made it to grade two french has made this joke in some form or another, but it was funny then, and it’s funny now.  Kinda like farts. Colin Jack‘s illustrative style translated beautifully to animation, credit to Wes Bryant for polling… »

September 2, 2011 Lizard Brain Inc. is looking for compositing artist/s. Located in Kelowna BC, LBA is a small independent production and development studio. Must be proficient in After Effects and Flash 5.0, and have 2-5 years experience in the fast paced and fun filled world of television animation.  Duties include: matte pulling, character animation,… »

September 2, 2011 DHX Media Vancouver (formerly Studio B Productions) is an award-winning animation studio, which has produced over 300 half hours of original children’s shows.  We are also proud to employ a team of more than 100 of Canada’s top artists, writers and producers. We are currently reviewing submissions for the position of Animation… »

Over on the 30 Second Film Challenge Blog, for any who are interested, I’ve posted the animatic for what may be the most ambitious film of the bunch.  “A Gritty Western” is just that, a gritty western, in 30 seconds.  The challenge, with this film, is to use the language of the western, the conventions… »

An evening with the creator of many award-winning short animated films, presented by the Toronto Animated Image Society in partnership with Goethe Institut and the National Film Board of Canada. Best known for his animation in the award-winning film, RUN LOLA RUN, dir. Tom Tykwer. Alkabetz joins us from Stuttgart, Germany, to present his retrospective… »

9 Story Entertainment Launches International Distribution of the anticipated new Animated Children’s Series DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD Toronto, Canada – September 1, 2011 – Vince Commisso, co-founder and CEO of 9 Story Entertainment, is pleased to announce the launch of international distribution of the animated series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.   The new preschool series, inspired by a… »

The Montreal Stop Motion Film Festival Call for entries! The Montreal Stop Motion Film Festival is proud to announce the official opening of its call for entries for the Festival’s third edition that will take place on October 21, 22 and 23, 2011, at Concordia University’s J.A. de Sève Theater (1453 Mackay Street, Montreal). The… »