So, in case you missed it last weekend, Partysaurus Rex opened in front of Finding Nemo 3D in theatres! (In the US and Canada at least.) Be sure to go check it out! Nemo looks great in 3D by the way, I'd heard good things and have to say, I think it arguably improves upon the scope and feeling of the film, visually. Especially the wide shots of Marlin and Dory, small on screen but floating in the middle of the water. It just seems to enhance the scale and environment, making it really feel like it's filmed in the ocean. It's hard to describe--point is worth seeing. It's a beautiful film, and I really discovered a new appreciation for its story too. It's quite a different movie in how it progresses, and as has been pointed out, it keeps you invested and interested in the character's problems without a villian or other character intentionally trying to stop them. It also takes time just to create a sense of wonder and beauty about the ocean.
Also worth seeing--Partysaurus Rex! This is our 4th short at Pixar Canada, and it's a doozy. After seeing it many times on a small computer screen, this short really fills the theater. It looks great on the big screen, and the sound just fills the room! Honestly, if you are interested in seeing it and can make it, don't miss the chance to see/hear it this way. Every department was challenged in some way by the scope of it, and if you know something about computer animation, you'll see why. Anyway, check it out if you can!
The kick butt poster was released over at Fandango!
And in case you missed the preview, here it is! It may look like the party is starting in this video, but trust me--the party has not started yet.
Check out what we found on Amazon Instant Video and iTunes tonight! Looks like Time Travel Mater is available for download! Though according to these prices, I'd bet most people pay the $1.99 to Amazon and not $19.99 to iTunes... ;) (No knowledge on this, but it seems like a typo.) This was news to me, as was the poster image they used...Mater, McQueen, and Stanley, from one of my shots! Check out the poster, in all its low-res glory!
Also, I can't believe I missed the opportunity to use a Back to the Future reference when posting the broadcast date/time for this short. It was aired on a Saturday night...so ya know...something like "Next Saturday night, we're sending you back--to the future!" would have worked. Alas, that time has passed.
Oh, but if you missed it on ABC, and you get Disney Channel, check the schedule and set your DVR. I think I read online that it will be airing multiple times throughout the week.
Good news everyone! Our third short, "Time Travel Mater" will be airing on ABC this Saturday, June 16th, during the broadcast of Cars, 8-11pm (eastern). This is our second Cars Toon, and I think you'll see how much more comfortable we are animating the cars since Air Mater. There's some really fun animation in it, and I think it's a really endearing and entertaining short! Personally I'm really pleased with how it turned out, check it out if you can!
Yep, I'm still alive. :) I just noticed this article in this week's AM newsletter, which has some stories from animators who for one reason or another settled into a freelance lifestyle. They're all quite different stories from when I freelanced, I didn't seek out clients to create work myself out of my home, (I sought out work at studios), but the mindset about permanent vs temporary work was the same. Permanent work is hard to come by, and while I lucked out with my current position, I still think many animators and artists just don't know about opportunities outside of film or vfx, or think that's the only venue to produce high quality, gratifying work. I also didn't find working job to job so bad when I didn't have to move to another city for each one, and was plugged into a good network of friends. Anyway, it's always good to learn a bit more about the scope of our industry, if you find yourself looking for work. The article has stories from Avner Engel, Martin Bell, Kenny Roy, and Chad Stewart.
Oh, and sorry that my blog update is half done, and that "test page" is still there ;) At some point I will get the full revamp up and running with links to my work, etc!
In case you haven't heard, our second short, "Small Fry", will be debuting this week in front of The Muppets! We're all really proud of this short, it's really funny, and was our first venture into the Toy Story world! You'll enjoy it, and from the looks of Rotten Tomatoes The Muppets is getting very positive early reviews. Go check it out! There's a bunch of press on it out there, check out this interview from IGN, with director Angus McClane, as well as a 30 second clip...that is, if you don't mind spoiling some of the gags ;)
Also, in case you missed it, you can check out Pixar Canada's first short, "Air Mater", already available on the Cars 2 DVD and Blu-Ray!
Side note, you may notice some significant changes around this blog...more to come! With patience ;)
Good news everybody! They've FINALLY announced what we've been workin on over the past year! "Air Mater" is a new Cars Toon that will be on the Cars 2 dvd/blu-ray release this fall, and "Small Fry", a Toy Story toon that will be released in front of "The Muppets" in November! That's a ways off still, but so great to finally have these projects publicly announced! There's a short clip from "Air Mater" online, just a teaser really, but it's something!
Hey all, just thought I'd post a few interesting things and combine new post ideas into ONE ULTIMATE NEW POST. Ok that may be overstating it, but here we go:
David B. Levy's blog "Animondays" is a great source of advice for animation students, industry newcomers, and I assume, anyone else too. He's a well known New York animator in the 2D-preschool tv-indie animation circles, and is (I think) currently president of ASIFA-East. He recently posted a couple great articles (for lack of a better term) about tips to finding work and networking in animation, in the genuine, natural, non-brown nosing way. They're directly related to being freelance, but obviously in the state of the industry today, good advice for anyone who finds themselves looking for the next job. When I get asked about how to live the freelance life, these are generally the types of things I usually say, and guided by a similar philosophy. Check out these two posts:
Check out his book "Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive" for more great advice.
Next up, check out who's on the install screen of Maya 2012! (Not my image)
Nathan Love is all over Maya 2012 promotional materials and apparently the installation screen as well! So far I've seen images from one of the Pop Secret ads from last year, as well as Polly the Porcupine and Barry the Sheep from the Baskin Robbins spots. Of course I now work somewhere that doesn't use Maya for animation, but perhaps I should download the free trial, haha.
As far as me and my life now, I'm still settling into Vancouver and slowly seeing the rainy winter season turn to spring! Pixar Canada is off to a great start, and for anyone who's curious, I can say with confidence that they have the same expectations for us and follow the same philosophies as they do in Emeryville. While I don't have personal experience at the main studio, I can tell it is extremely important to them to maintain the same values up here. It's been quite a life-change for me moving here, adjusting to this new position, company, and phase of life, and I'm thankful that I get the opportunity to do it in a close personal environment. I can't really say exactly what we've been working on, other than the announcement video for Pixar Canada basically tells what we are doing up here. The team is super talented, the studio is beautiful and being renovated to be even more so, and I'm excited to see how we grow and what sort of identity we develop up here in the Great White North...(wait...I'm not sure those words fit Vancouver!)
