Animation World Network has posted the first of nine exclusive artist diaries for "Open Season" over at their site.
I'll be taking in the film either this weekend, or at the very latest, next weekend for sure. Once I've done that, I'll feel confident in keeping a bear in my garage with only a TV to keep him from pulling my face off with his giant bear paws.
Animation World Network's Open Season Diaries
You need to go watch it now.
Right now.
The water is absolutely amazing.
Surf's Up Trailer
EDIT: Here's a few more screen grabs from the trailer, but believe me when I say you have to see it in motion. That above the water shot from the sky where you can see the coral below the green water looks 100% real.
Animator, Justin Barrett, has posted a really neat little series of videos on his blog, showing what went into animating one of the characters from "Everyone's Hero," from the blocking right through to the final rendering.
It's great to see just how much work goes into making one very quick shot like this one.
Justin's Hero Breakdown
From the folks at Ultimate Disney (in no way affiliated with the Ultimate Warrior), come a bunch of new screen grabs from the upcoming "Cars" DVD.
Follow the link below to see more grabs, including storyboard shots and concept art.
The Link Below
I had seen little to no info regarding the upcoming film, "The Ugly Duckling and Me" up until today when The Re-Animation Blog posted a link to the Official Site
Lots of clips and trailers from the film by following the link.
The film actually looks like it's going to be decent, which is a surprise, as it's coming from a relatively unknown company. Or at least it's unknown to me. Which is sort of like your grandma telling you that Paris Hilton is relatively unknown to her.
Take that as you will.
The Ugly Duckling and Me Official Site
The Re-Animation Blog
Lots of clips and music vids of Open Season over on Yahoo Movies today.
I'm really excited to see this film, even though it stars Martin Lawrence and Ashton Moore. As much as I find wrong with their live acting attempts, I think their voices should lend themselves pretty well to animation.
I'm also going to go out on a limb and say that Open Season will have the biggest opening weekend for an animated film since Cars, and will wind up grossing $100 million domestically.
Of course, if I'm wrong, then I'll blame it on my dog, since he's the one who tells me what to write on my blog.
Yahoo Movies' Open Season Page
IMP Awards has posted the snazzy new poster for Shrek the Third:
I would think after two extremely successful films, Donkey could get some nice new teeth, but from what I understand, most of his money goes to paying for fire damage on his home.
Get it? See... he's in a relationship with a dragon. That's comedy gold.
According to the Laemmle Theaters website, Pixar's next short film is going to be called "Lifted."
To celebrate, here is the info on the short that I lifted from Laemmle's Site:
A bumbling young alien student from a distant world tests the patience of an increasingly weary instructor as he attempts a first-time abduction of a innocently slumbering farmer in Lifted, the comical latest short film from Pixar Animation Studios.
From the sounds of things, it will begin screening sometime next month!
Laemmle Theaters Lifted! Info
DVD Active has brand new details on the upcoming Barnyard DVD release.
Extras will include an all-new "Barnyard Bob" music video, a "Mud" music video, a feature on Kevin James' hilarious method acting techniques, seven deleted scenes, three DVD-ROM games and a THQ Barnyard demo game, and much, much more.
For more details, swing on over to DVD Active.
DVD Active's Barnyard DVD Details
IMP Awards now has a total of 5 posters for Arthur and the Invisibles, including the one below:
I think the little white flower kid is the one that makes my eyes swell shut in the Spring.
I'm going to keep my Animation Mentor posting separate from this blog from now on, so after today, if you'd like to check my progress at the animation school, please head over to 3Dave's Animation Mentor Blog. If you ever forget the link, you can always find it in the right hand column of this blog, down towards the bottom, under my avatar.
That being said, I just found out this morning that my Mentor for my very first quarter at Animation Mentor will be Mr. Ray Chase!
Ray's credits include Jimmy Neutron and The Ant Bully, and I couldn't be more excited to be working with him.
Ray's Site
Animation Mentor
I must say I was surprised by the following news from The Hollywood Reporter:
Buena Vista Home Entertainment snagged the top two spots on the national DVD sales chart for the week ending Sept. 17 with the theatrical underachiever "The Wild" and a season two DVD set of television's hot "Grey's Anatomy," both new arrivals in stores last week.
Of course the shocking part would be that "The Wild," which was seen as both a commercial and critical flop took the #1 spot in DVD sales, and not the fact that season two of "Grey's Anatomy" took second. I've never seen GA, but I think the lead character (also in Old School) is a very attractive woman.
That being said, who would have thought that The Wild would come out on top? On one hand, it's good to see that a 3D film is sitting on top of the sales chart, but on the other hand it worries me that executives will look at it and say that quality doesn't matter and anything in 3D will sell...
Of course the article makes no mention of numbers sold, and the film really had no competition, short of some new TV to DVD releases (go buy season two of The Office right now), and the original Star Wars re-re-re-re-releases, so it could simply be a matter of it ranked #1 by default.
Frankly, I have yet to see the film, and may enjoy it. It's sitting next to my TV at home right now, so maybe I'll take a run through the jungle tonight.
How many got the CCR reference?
According to The L.A. Times:
Animator honored: John Lasseter ("Toy Story," "Cars") will receive the 2006 lifetime achievement award from the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television during the school's Outside the Frame Festival on Oct. 9. Lasseter oversees animated films at Pixar and Disney Animation Studios.
Now I'm not sure if John went to the school or not, but I would have to assume that he did. If that is the case, then the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television should do two things:
1) Apologize to John for taking so damn long to honor him. I know it's a lifetime thing, but if the graduated from my school, I'd be giving him an award ever 5 minutes. Then, if I ran out of awards to give him, I'd give him an award for taking all of my school's awards.
2) They should shorten their name.
Congratulations to John on a well-deserved award.
Updates have been a bit sporadic as of late, but that really isn't due to lack of effort on my part. I continue to scan all of the major 3D news sites and magazines each day, as well as YouTube, hoping to find a neat little short or two to share with you. Frankly, there just hasn't been much. Keep checking back, because while the posts may have slowed down, as long as there are things to post, I'll try to get them on here in a timely fashion.
I'm always looking for submissions, so if you have something you think belongs on this blog, email me at davesj [at] gmail [dot] com, or add a comment and I'll get it posted!
On a much more personal note, my first quarter with Animation Mentor begins this Monday!
I couldn't be more excited if I tried. While I have mixed emotions over the fact that I'll have little to no social life for the next 2+ years, I couldn't be more thrilled for the opportunities that could arise from this training.
I signed in last night and set up my profile. Upon doing so, the first thing that I noticed is that, while the school is still very much in it's infant stages, the site is very well-designed. There are places to chat, post your work for critiques, get help, view and comment on the work of others, and connect in just about any way you can imagine.
Should be a lot of fun!
I forgot to mention that I'm out on a short vacation. I'll be back at the computer tomorrow (9/20/06) and updates will resume at that time.
Sorry to all those who checked in yesterday and were greeted with nothing but an utter lack of updates. If you will send me a postage paid box and $300 to cover shipping and handling, I'll get you a nice gift to make up for it.
See you tomorrow.
Everyone's Hero hits theaters today, hoping to knock one out of the park.
Now while the combo of Whoopi and the Yankees would normally be enough to make me burn down every theater showing the film, I must say that I'm actually looking forward to seeing "Hero" this weekend. The models really appeal to me and the animation looks to be pretty good. I can't speak much on the story, but I'm sure I'll at least enjoy the film somewhat.
Of course, it's only pulling in a 50% currently on Rotten Tomatoes, so who knows... maybe only half of me will like it.
Official Everyone's Hero Site
Rotten Tomatoe's Collection of Reviews for Everyone's Hero
Also from the fine folks over at Coming Soon today is the report that the Lion King's Rob Minkoff is developing a 3D version of Mr. Peabody and Sherman.
The bespectacled dog Mr. Peabody and his adopted pet boy Sherman were introduced in 1959 in a series of short segments as part of "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show." Together, they had more than 90 adventures, jumping into Peabody's "WABAC Machine" to travel back in time.
Coming Soon's Mr. Peabody Article
Coming Soon has another shot from the upcoming Carrey/Carell "Horton Hears a Who" film.
This is a really stunning shot, because it feels like it's in 2D, straight out of the book, yet is a fully rendered 3D still taken from the film.
I can almost smell the elephant poop.
Scrath that... I have something on my shoe...
Coming Soon's Horton Article
While I normally don't post CG from videogames, Matt over at Pile of Shame sold me on this one.
For those of you who have yet to hear, USA Today is reporting that Jim Carrey and Steve Carell are teaming up for a 3D adaptation of Dr. Seuss' "Horton Hears a Who!" via the folks over at Blue Sky Studios.
Chris Meledandri, head of 20th Century Fox's animated division, says that Horton will not employ any live action, though it will use computer-generated animation by Blue Sky Studios, which also did Ice Age.
"I certainly was aware of some fan criticism that had occurred" with the live-action films, Meledandri says. "But this will be all animated, and true to the style of Ted Geisel. I think our (animation) and our artists will transport an audience into this man's imagination in a way that hasn't been done before."
I couldn't be more happy about this news. I love Jim Carrey and Steve Carell, and think they'll bring a lot to the characters. I'm excited to see what Blue Sky does with this one.
USA Today First Look At Horton
Here's a nice little short called simply, "Hunting."
Disney's The Wild released on DVD today.
Now you can take home the magic that has managed to pull in an overall score of 18% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film will be presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Extras will include five deleted scenes, a "Real Wild Child" music video, Eddie Izzard Unleashed: Voice-Over Blunders & Blooper Reel, and a Meet Colin The Rock Hyrax feature.
EDIT: I like that they "NEW!" on the cover. You'll notice that most DVDs don't put things like "NEW!" on their covers. So why might The Wild do this, you ask? Maybe so that parents don't think "My kid already owns Madagascar."
Box Graphic and DVD Info Courtesy of DVD Active
Read the Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
DVD Active has posted the cover and details for the upcoming Monster House DVD.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially announced Monster House, which will be available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats just in time for Halloween on the 24th of October. Retail price for each will be $28.95 and $38.95 respectively. The DVD edition will be available in separate widescreen and pan & scan versions. Extras for the DVD version will include seven featurettes...
See what I did there? I purposely cut off the rest of the details so that you would have to go to DVD Active's site and read the rest.
DVD Active's Monster House DVD Info
Character Design has a new interview posted with Pixar Character designer, Nate Wragg.
First I usually have an idea of what I want before I start sketching. You know, say I want to draw a Viking, ill I have that in mind before I put the pen down on the paper. Then if a Viking is what I’m shooting for, ill go and get some reference. Ill try and find as much as I can on the subject or idea. The thing about photo reference, is that there are so many details you might over look, that are actually very true to the type of character that you’re going to be creating. For example, I’m sure that not all Vikings wore hats with horns and big bear skin coats, they may have had other ways of dressing, different kinds of weapons, it’d paying attention to those detail that will give you a more accurately styled character, and give you new ideas to play around with. So once I’ve got that stuff covered, and explored I then start to scribble around. I’ll try and explore different shapes to help me push the design in a unique way.
Nate Wragg Interview
Animated News
IMP Awards has the new Swedish Open Season poster up.
Until I saw this poster I didn't even know there was a female character in the movie. At least I think that deer to the right is a female. At least I think it's a deer.
Because I know you're like me and can't get enough of John Lasseter and Pixar, here is a "Making of Cars" video that's up on YouTube right now. Don't expect anything technical as far as exactly what tools they used or anything, but it's still worth a quick look.
Maximilian Schonherr has an interview up with John Lasseter that was conducted on September 6th.
Questions include the design decisions that lead to the eyes on the vehicles in Cars, John's hand-drawing skills, and whether Pixar has ever considered making a more "experimental" film.
Maximilian Schonherr's Interview with John Lasseter
The fine folks over at Jim Hill Media have posted some artwork for the film Meet the Robinsons.
Between shots like these and Pixar offering advice on this film now, resulting in its delayed release, I am growing more and more excited to see how MtR turns out.
Jim Hill Media's Robinsons Shots
There is an article up on the USA Today site with some notes from the man behind the film, George Miller.
From the article:
Happy Feet uses both computer and stop-motion animation to tell the story of misfit Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood), whose lack of singing ability hampers his search for a mate. Instead, he has a knack for tap.
I had no idea that stop motion was used. I wonder if there will also be a scene where they film a chicken in the extreme foreground to make it look really huge as it tries to eat the Penguins. I'm not knocking stop motion, I'm simply saying that they should use all of the film tricks the industry has to offer.
George Miller Article on USA Today
IMP Awards has the first look at the Flushed Away international poster:
It's got a nice James Bond feel to it, though I've never seen James drive a battery powered mixer through the water in any of his movies before. It may have happened, I just may have been out getting a popcorn refill or something.
Dark Horizons and Coming Soon both have articles up on the upcoming Everyone's Hero film.
I actually had no idea that Christopher and Dana Reeve were involved in the project before they passed away.
From the Coming Soon article:
You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate the last project Christopher Reeve worked on before he passed away. According to William H. Macy, who voices a character in 20th Century Fox's computer animated film, Everyone's Hero, "It's so pure and clean and it's about keep swinging and don't give up."
Reeve and his wife Dana took on the job after their son loved the story so much that he couldn't come to dinner one night because he wanted to finish reading. The next morning, Reeve called writer Howard Jonas and said he wanted transform the bedtime story into a film and that he wanted to direct.
Coming Soon's Everyone's Hero Article
Dark Horizon's Everyone's Hero Article
This is why you don't mess with a ladybug:
I guess you still call it a "set" for an animated film...
In any case, IGN swung by Sony Pictures Animation the other day to get the scoop on the upcoming Open Season.
Creator Steve Moore stopped in with producer John Carls to talk about the project.
"I always had this secret desire to get into entertainment as a writer," says Moore. "In the Bleachers opened some doors for me. It introduced me to John Carls (Moore's producing partner)… When I'm working with my cartoons, my head is in the trees… John said, 'Come out of the trees and look at the forest,' and he had spotted the potential for a movie based on these characters."
IGN's Open Season Article
Sometimes you are working on a project and you don't even realize what exactly it is until you take a step back.
Case in point:
I run a blog about 3D Animation or 3D Cartoons as some might call them. All the while at my day job I've been working on a game called "Viva Pinata," which also happens to have a 3D Saturday morning cartoon that began airing this past week. However in all this time I never thought, "Hey... I should post about the 3D Cartoon for the game I'm working on!"
I'm dumb.
It's a great little cartoon, with some decent animation done by the folks over at 4Kids TV. Check out the first "webisode" here, which you can also download (along with 3 others) on the Xbox Live Marketplace.
