I’ve decided to invite some artists to contribute to the blog on a regular basis. But before they start posting, I thought I’d introduce them. I’m starting to get a respectable readership (thank you!), and I want to make sure this place continues to inspire people. I have a vision to keep this place positive while giving readers many different perspectives from artists all over the industry. Who knows if that will ever happen, but this is the first step towards that goal. So without further adieu, here’s the first two contributors for On Animation. Give them a warm welcome in the comments section.
Kyle Kenworthy
Kyle Kenworthy is an animator at Schell Games. He’s worked on projects like Toy Story Mania, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Online, Disney’s Toontown Online, and he’s currently working on The Mummy Online. I first discovered Kyle’s blog back in January. I just stumbled onto it one day and really enjoyed his Acting Reference posts. I asked Kyle to post some similar content here. He’s a machine with this stuff, and it’s always so inspirational. Kyle’s also an excellent animator, so I’m sure whatever he posts will be right up your alley. Here’s a sampling of his skills:
Michael Ruocco
Michael J. Ruocco is currently a 4th year traditional animation student at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His name might sound familiar. He’s recently made headlines on many blogs for his passion for the art form. Michael generously shared his recent gem of an eBay find with the community, a rare pencil test of Timothy Mouse from Dumbo. He also created the following side by side comparison of the Disney short, Orphan’s Benefit:
He clearly shares my passion for traditional animation, and as an added bonus he brings to the blog a much needed east coast perspective.
Both artists are extremely passionate and hard working, and post the kind of content I like to read. I’m really excited about seeing what they choose to share with you guys on the blog. I also really want to encourage you to visit both Kyle and Michael‘s blogs. Chances are if you like this blog, you’ll like theirs too.
I have a couple more artists lined up to contribute, but nothing is totally confirmed with them, so I’ll leave their introductions for another post. I’m trying to fill gaps, and get people (that are passionate and willing) to post about topics that are being missed on the animation blog sphere. I’d like to get an international perspective, so I’ll be on the look out for someone to fill that role in the near future. Here’s to the continued success of the blog, and building a passionate community of positive artists.
I guess Julianne Moore cries a lot. I never noticed, but someone did enough to make this video. At least she’s good at it. What would really drive it home would be if someone made one of Harry Potter crying to contrast good and bad acting. Every time Harry cries, I can’t help but laugh a little inside.
This is my graduate film from the animation program at Sheridan College. To find out more about the production of my film, visit my blog. Thanks for watching!
I posted about a beautiful vintage animation desk a few days ago. Well, Boris has his own modern equivalent. This is the same desk he used for his film above, and the same one used by Disney when they had a studio in Canada. I asked Boris for some pictures to feature it here. It’s very similar to the one I own, except it has nicer finish and a few more compartments. Mine came from the Disney Vancouver Studio, or so I’m told.
If you live in the Toronto area, or even if you don’t, you can contact Boris about his desk through his Kijiji listing. Don’t mistake the current abundance of desks like this as a common thing either. I know from experience just how hard they are to find, and it’s quite rare to see one, let along two beautiful desks like this for sale right now. Snap one up if you have the cash!
Carlos Romero was instrumental in helping me get my portfolio ready for Cal Arts a couple years ago. He recently got a Disney internship, which I believe was for his first film at Cal Arts. Here’s his second. While it’s unfinished, it was a very ambitious idea for a student film, and I think he did a great job considering. There’s some great shots and even better animation throughout the film. Check it out below:
As I continue to broaden my interest in sound design, I’m hooked on these profiles by Michael Coleman.
Join Skywalker Sound’s Re-Recording Mixer and Sound Designer Tom Myers, Sound Re-Recording Mixer Michael Semanick, Director Lee Unkrich, and Stuart Bowling, Technical Marketing Manager at Dolby Laboratories as they take you behind-the-scene and discuss the sound of Toy Story 3.
When I first saw the trailer for Inception I knew it was a good film. Then I started second-guessing my first reaction because I knew the score had such a huge impact on the viewing experience of the trailer (and eventually the film). Thankfully I was wrong, and the movie was amazing, and in large part due to the suspenseful sound design. I don’t often post about Sound Design on the blog, but I really should more often. It’s a huge part of the film-making process and one I need to learn more about. Here’s a fantastic look at the other half of the film viewing experience that’s often overlooked (if it’s good, that is):
Someone made this snazzy graphic to show how successful Spielberg has been over his career financially. There’s a little discrepancy over the numbers though. They’re actually much higher. He’s made much more as a producer than a director…He’s catching up to Kathleen Kennedy. (She produces everything he directs)
There’s lots more of thesehere. Also search “timelapse” on YouTube, and you’ll be amazed at what you can find. Some people have a lot of time on their hands!
Remixing is a folk art but the techniques involved — collecting material, combining it, transforming it — are the same ones used at any level of creation. You could even say that everything is a remix.
David White alerted me to the sale of his beautiful 1940s Disney animation desk on Craigslist. Since I can’t afford it, I’d like it to go to someone else who will appreciate it. Help David give this desk a nice new home with a loving owner. Here’s some great pictures. Click them for high resolution enlargements.
A close-up for authenticity:
Here’s a couple shots with a more modern ChromaColour animation disc:
Remember, if you have something as cool as this, and want to get the word out to place it somewhere, don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll help you get the job done.
I’ve already posted about my ridiculous collection of art and animation books before. I was thinking it could be a good resource to review some of the rare and out of print ones kind of like how Parkablogs does, only just focus on the really good stuff I recommend. I won’t be posting a ton of scans like Michael Sporn does, I’ll model after the way Parkablogs does it because I like the way he gives you just enough of a peek and an honest review. I thought of it because I just got a nice copy of Les Heroines Disney by Christian Renaut (amazing book). Anyone who’s tried to find this book knows how hard it is. It took me close to two years and I got lucky. Anyway, that’s besides the point. I’m only going to do this if folks think it would be a good idea. Let me know what you think, and we’ll go from there.
